Check a VIN

2017 Ford Focus transmission complaints

Page 3 of 16: complaints 41 to 70 of 455, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2017 Ford Focus transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed May 16, 2025 · Transmission · 151,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not operate while shifted into reverse. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while driving and attempting to accelerate from a standing start. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed May 13, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

While driving my 2017 Ford Focus SE (automatic), the vehicle began experiencing severe transmission problems including hesitation, shuddering during acceleration, jerking between shifts, and eventually a complete failure to engage any gear. The car became inoperable in traffic, posing a serious safety risk to me and others. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. I took the vehicle to a certified Ford dealership, and after performing a diagnostic inspection, they confirmed the transmission had failed and needs to be completely replaced. The symptoms are consistent with widespread issues linked to the DPS6 PowerShift dual-clutch transmission used in Ford Focus models from 2012 to 2018. Ford is aware of these defects, as documented in multiple Technical Service Bulletins (including TSBs 16-0109, 17-0044, and 18-2358), and several class action lawsuits. Despite this being a known and well-documented defect, Ford has refused to provide any assistance or coverage for the repair, citing the expiration of the basic warranty. I believe this is a manufacturing defect that should be covered regardless of mileage due to the nature and safety risk of the failure. The transmission issue has been diagnosed and confirmed by a Ford dealership and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I am filing this report because I believe this issue continues to put drivers at risk and warrants further investigation and action by the federal safety agency.

Filed May 9, 2025 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart after cooling down. The transmission overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train); but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and failed to shift properly with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 70,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle jerked forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and to a dealer; however, the neither the dealer nor the independent mechanic were able to determine the cause of the failure. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled and unintendedly shifted to neutral, and then lunged forward while driving 20 MPH. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled every 30 seconds. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was diagnosed with an electronic clutch failure. The contact stated that the mechanic was able to shift to neutral and start the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with clutch failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the dealer found particles from the clutch inside the actuators, which caused the clutch to fail. The contact had the clutch replaced; however, soon after picking up the vehicle from the dealer, the contact stated that the failure recurred with the messages "Transmission Overheating Stop Safely" and "Transmission Hot Wait 5 Mins" displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train); and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Transmission · 57,313 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after starting and driving forward, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle began to shake and vibrate. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who diagnosed that the clutch assembly, cylinder assembly, lever assembly and seals were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V845000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 57,313.

Filed Apr 12, 2025 · Transmission · TX

The vehichle was shuttering upon while it shifted into higher gears for a while and then about a week ago the vehicle stalled and would no longer go into gear.

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 92,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the transmission failed to shift properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle started jerking. The transmission symbol was displayed, and a message that the transmission was hot and to wait for 5 minutes was displayed. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with canister failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, after 5 minutes of driving the vehicle, the message was displayed again. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and with assistance from two other drivers, the vehicle was pushed to a parking lot. The contact stated that after the vehicle had cooled down, the contact drove home. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power while shifting gear. The following day the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with clutch failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 103,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond, and jerked abnormally. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, and the RPM fluctuated, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Transmission · NV

I have a 2017 Ford focus that the powertrain is messed up in it there's been multiple other cars that I've looked up online that have the same problem it's faulty of Ford and I think there needs to be a recall on these things if there is let me know because I know there was a lawsuit going I don't know what happened but these transmissions are faulty in these cars

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle jerked and failed to respond while the engine revved significantly. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The message "Transmission Overheating - Please Let Cool For 5 Minutes" was displayed. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down and attempted to drive back to the residence; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the clutch actuator motor was previously replaced due to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle would be covered under an unknown Customer Satisfaction program if the failure was related to the transmission. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission dual clutch pack assembly had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Transmission · 64,517 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the message "Transmission Overheating - Pull Over" was displayed. After stopping the vehicle to allow the transmission to cool down, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was later taken to the local transmission mechanic, who diagnosed that the TCM and clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The transmission was rebuilt, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that approximately 8,000 miles later the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 64,517.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · SC

Current Ford recall the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 only includes VINs with automatic transmissions. However, the oil pump belt & timing belt are the same used on the automatic transmissions that are subject of the recall. These components are just as likely to fail on manual transmission VINs but are not included in the current campaign.

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · 138,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle rolled backwards while on an incline. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. The contact stated that the transmission overheated, and a message to pull over was displayed. The vehicle was slow to move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2025 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 15-30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to stall; however, the failure was not consistent enough for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The contact stated that recently the vehicle started struggling while shifting gear and started to stall more frequently. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with clutch assembly failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 63,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly shuddered and jerked before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the clutch position sensor, and the battery monitoring sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 63,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 95,000 miles · NJ

The contact’s son owns a 2017 Ford Focus. While the contact’s son was pulling into a parking space, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle then failed to exceed 10 MPH. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2025 · Transmission · MO

Since November 22nd, my 2017 Ford Focus with 79,503 miles has been at a Ford dealership leaving waiting for a motor. My timing belt and oil pump belt snapped, casing my engine to jump timing. When this happened, I had no time to pull over or anything. It was in the middle of the night and broke down in the middle of the road. The real kicker is, ford claims my car isn’t affected by the recall due to my car featuring a manual transmission. This car put my life at risk, and has the exact same issue as the recall and is requiring the same fix. Before my warranty, my engine replacement is over $11,000! I’m still sticking paying a few thousand dollars, and my car has been at the dealership for3 months. Still no updates or engine available. This car should be under the recall.

Filed Feb 17, 2025 · Transmission · IL

I own a 2017 Ford Focus. When I got in my car to leave work for the day, it would not shift into reverse. I was stranded in subzero weather for 2hrs before someone was able to come and get to me. My son-in-law and his friend pushed it out of the parking space and limped it home. They hooked it up to a code reader...TCM failure...but mine is not in the recall?! After SO many people with the same issue on the same car?! I am now stuck with no car that I am still making payments on, no where near a bus route in the dead of winter in the midwest.

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Transmission · FL

A "P07A3" code on a 2017 Ford Focus indicates that the transmission's "Friction Element A" is stuck on, meaning a clutch within the transmission is not releasing properly, likely causing issues with shifting and potentially putting the car into limp mode; this is a serious issue that requires professional repair as it usually points towards internal transmission problems. I see slot of people are having the same issue online but yet there is no recall on this issue and there should be.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Transmission · IL

The transmission has been slipping since I got the car.

Filed Feb 6, 2025 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission hesitated while attempting to shift gear. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle but provided no result. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · MO

Rpm going to high and irregular shifting .This happened after I replaced the part for the 24n07 campaign

Filed Jan 29, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 92,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, after the light had changed, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the engine revved but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to turn off and restart the vehicle; however, after shifting to drive (D) and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several years before, and the check engine and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · PA

I started driving and the car seemed to act rough. I went up a small hill and I had almost no power halfway up. The car showed the symbol of the little car that looks like it is sliding. I had to chug up the rest of the hill fighting the car itself because there was no where else to go. It kept revving but went no more than about ten mph. Once I got over the top I pulled into someone's driveway so I could get back home. I was unable to reverse. The car just revved. I had to turn off the car, put it in neutral, and push the car backwards out of the driveway. I was able to start the car and nurse it home, but it jumped and revved the entire time. I tried to use down hills to my advantage and barely paused at stop signs for fear of getting stuck on the road. I got to my house and parked. Now the car only starts when it wants to. I checked codes and got P287A for the clutch. I haven't called Ford for service options yet because I really don't know what to do and have no idea how I'd get there. I think this car should have been included in the powertrain recall because this came out of nowhere.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Transmission · 105,980 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch actuator and the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was associated with Customer Satisfaction Numbers: 14M01 – (Extended Warranty on the clutch, transmission software calibration), and 14M02- (Extended Warranty for the Transmission Control Module). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 105,980.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Transmission · TX

Car is roughly seven years old and has around 75,000 miles. It is is very good condition mechanically. I was driving down the highway and the vehicle stopped accelerating, but the RPMs surged even with my foot off the accelerator. I was able to pull off to the side of the road and get somewhere safe before the car completely stopped. Once I put the car in park, it made a loud "grinding" noise and would no longer move. I called roadside assistance and had the car towed to a mechanic - he said that it needed a new transmission, but was otherwise in very good condition. He advised me to reach out to Ford regarding recalls, as the 2016 model had almost the exact same issue and mine was manufactured just months after.

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Transmission · PA

Car was experiencing symptoms similar to past incidents when it needed service on the transmission. Shaking, vibration when moving forward from a stop or slow down.

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