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2017 Ford Focus Electrical Problems

24 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

24
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2021Dec 2022
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (24)

mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2025

I bought my car in early 2022 or 2023 and almost immediately the car started shuddering when accelerating. I took the vehicle in to the place I bought it from and one other Ford Dealer. Neither places could "duplicate the problem." Bith times I had to pay money just to have it looked at, and nothing was ever fixed. My horn keeps quitting and the shuddering has gotten so bad and now there are new issues like loss of power when accelerating. This car is starting to become a safety issue for me as I live in Washington State and the traffic here is very fast. I have almost been hit due to trying to pull out or merge and the car loses power or winds way out. I am a [XXX] who can't afford automotive bills. They will only give me $2700.00 as a trade in and I owe $12,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 11677672
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
FireFiled: Nov 2024

I purchased a 2017 Ford Focus from a car dealership called lion cars on 4201 West Colonial Drive in Orlando Florida the car has a major major electrical issue I was at an intersection and the car went completely dead and turned off and it locked me inside the car I couldn't get out of the car the windows would not roll down the doors were not unlocked and the car started smoking finally I got out then 3 days later I turned around and try to get in the car and the car also locked me in out of the car where I couldn't use my key fob nothing on the car works I did a report on it I found out that the car had been in two major crashes and both reports stated severe damage and when you drive down the road it pulls to the left I brought this attentia attention of lying car dealership they said that they would fix the car or they will replace the car and they never did so now I am without a car I am without my money back and I am without replacement car so

NHTSA #: 11627831
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while at a complete stop at an intersection, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he was unable to exit the vehicle because the vehicle lost electrical power, and the doors failed to unlock. The contact stated that he smelled smoke in the passenger cabin. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA #: 11627403
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2024

Unknown

NHTSA #: 11615308
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2024

While driving around [XXX] PM on Thursday, [XXX], the Focus Electric displayed a "Stop Safely Now" message and proceeded to cut power going to the electric motor, allowing the car only to coast as if it was in neutral. Luckily no vehicles were around in my lanes, as that easily could've caused an accident. Electric steering, regen braking, and air conditioning were all disabled. I was able to coast it into a nearby FireHouse Subs parking lot, and directly into a parking spot. Had to disconnect the 12 Volt battery for 5 minutes and reconnect to hopefully reset the computers in the car. Still displayed SSN message after reconnection. I let the car sit for another 30 minutes and was able to start it up like nothing happened. Drove it home and read the stored DTCs, which were the following: ===BECM DTC P0AA2:00-08=== Code: P0AA2 - Hybrid/EV Battery Positive Contactor 'A' Stuck Open ===TCM DTC P0AF8:16-08=== Code: P0AF8 - Hybrid/EV Battery System Voltage ===GFM DTC U0111:00-08=== Code: U0111 - Lost Communication With Battery Energy Control Module A It will be going to Thomasville Ford on Wednesday [XXX]. That is the earliest they can accept it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 11584198
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2024

Transmission problems. I’ve almost wrecked a few times from my car stalling in intersections. First it had a delay in shifting where it would stall out before jolting into gear. Now it will not switch gears at all and is not driveable. I’ve been told that it is probably the TCM malfunctioning, but Ford did not extend the warranty on my test vehicle. They stopped it at 2016 models, claiming that 2017 onward the issue was fixed. Wrong. Countless searches online will tell you countless drivers have issues with their TCM going out. I was almost in a few different wrecks due to this problem(almost being hit in an intersection bc I couldn’t move) and now my car isn’t driveable and I cannot afford to replace the TCM right now. I feel scammed by Ford making such a crappy transmission system that is dangerous and unreliable. Problem confirmed by local transmission shop. I received no warnings on dash leading up to these issues.

NHTSA #: 11584025
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2023

The vehicle has an intermittent problem that causes it to lose power, become unresponsive, and leave the occupants vulnerable to a collision if it becomes necessary to accelerate from cross traffic or to be rear ended due to rapid deceleration. At random intervals usually daily the check engine light will begin to flash and pressing the throttle the driver will find that the vehicle will not accelerate. This condition last typically 30 seconds, during that time the vehicle is essentially coasting along under simple inertia. Then as suddenly as it began the light turns off and the car returns to normal. My vehicle experienced catastrophic failure during one such episode resulting in a thrown rod in cylinder number 3, the vehicle had the engine replaced under warranty at a cost of $12,000. After the car was returned I found that it continued to experience the same problem, returned to the place that installed the engine and they weren't able to repair the problem. Was directed to take to Temecula Ford, they required I allow their technician to drive the vehicle home nightly over 40 miles each direction and after 2 weeks weren't able to supposedly recreate the problem. I picked the car up with nothing to show but extra miles. Immediately the problem once again began, I scanned the ecu and took screen shots and data recordings to provide the dealer. Directed to return the car, they had it another week and despite having the provided information stated they couldn't duplicate the issue. Decided to take it to another local dealership, they had it a week and stated the problem was caused by using NGK spark plugs instead of MotorCraft plugs. I informed them they were installed with the new engine and they required I purchase their spark plugs. I paid $400 for plugs and picked the vehicle up, the problem persisted. I was however given a refund. Still can't use the car, Ford corporation refused to do anything for me.

NHTSA #: 11531242
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2023

Driving 75mph down the frontage road. The car just stopped. No warning no lights just a violent stop. If there were cars behind us or we were on the highway we could be dead right now!! It stopped no lights took us 2 hrs to get the car home with a no service area. It was clicking in the engine. After it was parked for hrs. This is the second time in 7 months this car has had a serious manufacturer problem! It is unsafe and I will never drive it again!!! Bad for having only 63,000 miles on it!! I got it with 52,000 miles and it broke down instantly with a transmission problem. Was in the shop for 4 months and now this. Dangerous

NHTSA #: 11530135
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2023

Driving on 2 lane, car suddenly went dead at 60 mph . Able to get off road. Cranked back up. Checked for code and fuel tank had vacuum lock. Checked with ford. There is a recall on that but not my vin number. Took to Ford garage x4 paid eval. Fee of $159 twice to diagnose. No success. They replace fuel door and clutch total bills approx $500. Last failed attempt to fix the problem revealed more trouble... back end was swerving and jerking.. felt out of control. Somehow when the clutch wS changed out the rear shocks and front struts were busted. And No I didn't take it back after that. Why does mt car show recall code is problem yet vin not covered and garage tries to fix everything but the recall prob and makes everything worse. I do not have the money to throw into these "fixes" I an disabled on tight budget. This is a problem that began on the assembly line at time vehicle was manufactured. I bought I n good faith and ended up with a lemon.

NHTSA #: 11528368
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2023

Unknown at this moment but I known I have to buy a fuel pump and also now it's something eles is wrong with it and we just got this car 5 months ago and now we don't have no warranty because it passes the warranty date and also we didn't want this car but they did had the car we was approved for

NHTSA #: 11502978
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while leaving a stop light, the vehicle started shuddering while shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the clutch was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred several times. The contact stated that the clutch was replaced several times. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA #: 11499164
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2022

Interior lighting. Multiple shorted wires kept blowing fuses for interior lights. Wiring harness for all interior lights had to be replaced with multiple areas of chafing and wires melted together.

NHTSA #: 11479858
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2022

Gas indicator numbers went wrong. So could not identify how much gas is left in my car

NHTSA #: 11473333
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2021

TWO THINGS HAPPENS AFTER I WOULD PUSH ON THE BREAK THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BREAK AGAIN AND IT SHUTTERS AND ACT AS IF IT WILL STALL OUT WHEN I FIRST START TO DRIVE WHEN I FIRST ACCELERATE FROM ANY STOPPED SITUATION

NHTSA #: 11388150
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2020

USER HAD A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS BEFORE HEADING HOME. SHORTLY AFTER, USER STARTED THE CAR AND IT STALLED. USER DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT. USER SHUT IT DOWN AND TURNED KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CAR TURNED OVER AND WORKED. SHORTLY AFTER, USER WAS DRIVING CAR DOWN THE ROAD TOWARDS HIS HOUSE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONICS SCREEN WERE ON, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE GLITCHED AND NOTHING REALLY WORKED, THE CAR TORQUE STEERED THE USER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. USER HAD TO USE E-BRAKE TO PROPERLY SLOW DOWN AND PULL TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURN KEY ALL THE WAY OFF INTO THE "OFF" POSITION. USER WAITED 5 MINUTES TO ENSURE ALL SYSTEMS WERE SHUT DOWN, AND STARTED CAR BACK UP AGAIN TO SAFELY DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. USER HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WILL IMMEDIATELY HAVE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT VEHICLE.

NHTSA #: 11360817
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START FOR A FEW DAYS. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT FAILED AFTER THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED AND UNKNOWN FAILURE CODES APPEARED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE DOOR SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 11254524
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2019

NO OCCURRENCE JUST WORRIED

NHTSA #: 11245538
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HESITATED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHIPOLA FORD (4242 LAFAYETTE ST, MARIANNA, FL 32446, (850) 482-4043) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT OTHERWISE BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT PROVIDED A BILL OF SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA #: 11233072
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2019

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN JANUARY 25, 2019. THE RECALL 18532 FUEL TANK INSPECTION. HALLMARK FORD IN BATESVILLE, MS SAID THE INSPECTION PASSED. ON JUNE 10, 2019 THE CAR WOULD NOT START THEY TOWED THE VECHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH 32,573 MILES. ON JUNE 12, 2019 I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR RAN FROM JUNE 12, 2019 AND IT STOPPED IN THE GARAGE ON JUNE 22, 2019. ROADSIDE SERVICE PICKED-UP THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 23, 2019. 0N JUNE 26, 2019 HALLMARK FORD IN BATESVILLE, MS SAID THE CAR IS READY TO BE PICKED UP. WHEN WE ARRIVED TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP AT THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEY HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE BACK INSIDE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND PARTS HAS NOT BEEN PUT BACK ON THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY. THEY TRIED TO JUMP THE VEHICLE OFF BUT IT WOULD NOT START. SO I ASKED FOR A SERVICE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND I AM A FEMALE AND I WANTED A CAR BUT THEY GAVE ME A PICK UP TRUCK. I FEEL UNSAFE WITH MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE. CONTACT INFORMATIOM: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA #: 11222941
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: May 2019

A MONTH AGO I STARTED GETTING HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING ON MY CAR, MY COOLANT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY, SO I REFILLED IT, BUT NOW MY COOLANT IS COMPLETELY EMPTY AGAIN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULED IN A FIRE, I HAVE NO BEEN IN ANY RECENT ACCIDENTS, I'M A VERY DEFENSIVE DRIVER AND I DIDN'T RUN ANYTHING OVER.AND MY BACK BREAK LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND IVE REPLACED IT SEVERAL TIMES

NHTSA #: 11209353
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: May 2019

CAR WILL NOT START. WILL RESPOND TO A JUMP BUT WILL NOT START AFTER RUNNING FOR AWHILE AGAIN. THEN IT STARTS WITH A BIT OF HESITATION FOR AWHILE AND THEN BACK TO NEEDING A JUMP. WHEN AT A STOP AND ACCELERATING, THERE IS A HUGE PAUSE BEFORE THE RPMS KICK IN THEN IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO MAX BEFORE CALMING DOWN TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. POWER JUST DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. ALSO THE SYNC 3 HAS HORRIBLE RESPONSE AND DELAY MOST DAYS. IS IT RELATED TO THE POWER /ELECTRICAL ISSUE? NEW OWNER PURCHASED 2/19.

NHTSA #: 11207003
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Apr 2018

UNSAFE CONDITION: WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING UPON SHIFTING THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE RIGHT TO THE REDLINE THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE AT THIS POINT ALSO TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I CAN STEP IN ON THE CLUTH AND RELEASE THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN ITS RPM SPEED YOU CAN SHIRT TO NEUTRL AND COAST TO THE CURB AND IT WILL MAINTIN THE ENGINE SPEED WHEREVER IT DECIDES ON AGAIN THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE I HAVE BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER TWICE NOW 1ST TIME THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE SECOND TIME AGAIN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THEY HANDED ME A SHEET STATING IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE ENGINE RPM TO MAINTAIN FOR A FEW SECONDS DURING SHIFT TO EASE THE SHIFTING AND MATCHING OF TRANSMISSION SPEED THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION, WHEN YOU RELEASE THE THROTTE IT SHOULD CLOSE IMMEDIATLY AND RPM SHOULD RETURN TO BASE IDLE. I HAVE BEEN AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO AND TRUCK TECHNICIAN FOR 33 YEARS. I HAVE SIT DOWN WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE GENERAL SALES MANAGER AND I DONT THINK FORD MOTOR COMPANY OR THE DEALER IS TAKING THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT HERE PLEASE HELP

NHTSA #: 11089313
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2017

THIS WILL BE MY SECOND COMPLAINT, AS I HAVE A COMPLAINT # CAS-12526659-Q7S5M2 WITH FORD BUT I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS HOW THE CAR IS. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAN NOT SEE SPEEDOMETER DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OR DUSK OR DAWN.

NHTSA #: 11004684
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2017

THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE A AUTO DIM AT NIGHT TIME . CAN NOT READ SPEEDOMETER AT DUSK OR DAWN WHEN DRIVING UNDER OVERHEAD LED STREET LIGHTS THAT LEAVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. AUTO DIMMER HAS NO ADJUSTMENT TO BRIGHTEN PAST CERTAIN BRIGHTNESS. LIGHTS IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES WORK DIFFERENTLY THEN FOCUS AS BOUGHT 2017 ESCAPE AND DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA #: 11000318

Other 2017 Ford Focus Issues