Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 350 | 42% | 60,000 miles |
| 2017 | 302 | 34% | 68,000 miles |
| 2016 | 281 | 24% | 61,000 miles |
| 2015 | 180 | 18% | 66,000 miles |
| 2014 | 448 | 17% | 51,000 miles |
| 2013 | 358 | 17% | 49,000 miles |
| 2012 | 501 | 13% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 4% | 58,000 miles |
| 2010 | 53 | 18% | 49,000 miles |
| 2009 | 23 | 10% | 54,000 miles |
| 2008 | 21 | 8% | 69,000 miles |
| 2007 | 18 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% | 13,000 miles |
| 2005 | 29 | 7% | 53,000 miles |
| 2004 | 35 | 9% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 78 | 8% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 119 | 13% | 63,000 miles |
| 2001 | 275 | 16% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 490 | 13% | 58,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 55% | 167,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the emission system had failed. The canister purge valve and the vapor vent valve were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the canister vent valve and the canister vent solenoid needed to be replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to independent who provided the same diagnostic; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the canister vent valve and the canister vent solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the "Engine Fault - Service Immediately" message flashed on the instrument cluster. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle was making a loud abnormal whirring sound coming from the engine compartment. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the purge valve had failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, upon replacing the engine coolant, she noticed that the coolant was leaking from the coolant hose. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who replace the coolant hose. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle a few days later, the vehicle started with delay and the transmission was slipping while driving. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle was overheating, and the thermostat was replaced. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission had failed. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for diagnostic testing, the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that metal shavings were found in the brake booster assembly. The contact stated that the failure started with the engine fault service engine now warning light illuminating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a software update. The software update was performed, however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed brake plug. The contact was informed that the brake plug needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were in backorder. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. …
I got my 2016 Ford Focus in the summer of 2019 and from the start i had issues. The first issue was my car overheating the coolant tank kept getting a hole burned in it and the coolant would leak leaving my car to overheat I've had the tank replaced twice. The second issue was my car just kept turning off still don't know what that was about. Third issue was the vehicle not telling me the correct amount of gas i had it would say i would have a good amount of gas, but it really had little to no gas. The last issue was the Transmisson the car was stalling and gave me kick back that's the only way i can describe it I took it to my mechanic because there was no recall when i looked up my VIN, I paid almost $4000 for the transmission to be fixed to just bring it back to the mechanic because the transmission started giving me problems again. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Engine Fault - Service Engine Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The mechanic advised the contact to drive to the nearby residence, and to tow the vehicle to the dealer from the residence to the dealer. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pump drive belt was degraded and there were rubber fragments inside the oil, resulting in loss of oil pressure, and engine and turbo charger failure. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. Additionally, while shifting the gear shifter, there was a delay before the shifter would move to the desired position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had failed. The clutch was replaced. After having the vehicle repaired, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the engine revved; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and failed to exceed 2 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission failure was confirmed. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact had to continually depress the accelerator pedal to continue driving. The failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was included in a recall related to the failure and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under the recall; however, the failure recurred 6 months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, without a warning light being illuminated the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that stalling failure persisted, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse and was returned to the dealer and was diagnosed with PCM and transmission failure. …
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to…
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
The primary concern of this pe is loss of engine power.stalling May occur at low speed or high speed.at the time of occurrence the average vehicle mileage is 30,000 miles.because these vehicles stall and/or hesitate unpredictably, an increased risk is inherent to these vehicles.if a driver expecting this vehicle to perform as designed, is trying to cross an intersection or merge into traffic when the vehicle stalls…
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles).
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles).
Oil Pump Failure
On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Focus years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (501), 2000 (490), 2014 (448), 2013 (358) and 2018 (350) model years. Engine complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Ford Focus engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 23V-905 (pump, Dec 22, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Focus engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (294 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (267).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.