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NHTSA-Verified · Common Problems

2017 Ford Focus Rs
Common Problems

Ranked from 363 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

1
Safety
10
High severity
10
Medium
1
Low
1 problem on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

22 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Transmission slipping during acceleration

    162complaints
    Safety riskTransmission

    The transmission slips when accelerating, causing the car to lose power and make a grinding noise.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  2. 2

    Transmission Shuddering and Jerking During Acceleration

    149complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission shudders and jerks when accelerating from a stop, causing the car to feel unstable and potentially dangerous.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  3. 3

    Transmission Shudder and Slippage

    56complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission shudders and slips during acceleration, causing the car to jerk and shake.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  4. 4

    Transmission Clutch Failure

    38complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission clutch fails, causing the vehicle to shudder and hesitate during acceleration.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  5. 5

    Check Engine Light Illumination Due to Various Issues

    29complaints
    High severityEngine

    The check engine light illuminates due to various issues such as oil pressure, misfires, and other engine-related problems.

    $100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  6. 6

    Engine Overheating

    12complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine overheats frequently, often leading to warnings and potential engine damage.

    $150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  7. 7

    Loss of Power During Acceleration

    10complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The vehicle loses power during acceleration, often accompanied by the check engine light being illuminated.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  8. 8

    Check Engine Light Illumination

    8complaints
    Low severityElectrical

    The check engine light frequently illuminates, indicating potential electrical or engine issues.

    $100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  9. 9

    Engine cooling system failures

    8complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine cooling system malfunctions, leading to overheating and check engine warning lights.

  10. 10

    Engine Overheating and Check Engine Light Illumination

    8complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine overheats, causing the check engine light to illuminate and the vehicle to lose power.

    $150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  11. 11

    Engine stalling and loss of power

    8complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine experiences sudden loss of power and stalling, often accompanied by a check engine warning light.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  12. 12

    Transmission failure during acceleration

    6complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission malfunctions during acceleration, causing the vehicle to stall or hesitate.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  13. 13

    Clutch slippage and failure

    5complaints
    Medium severityTransmission

    The clutch slips or fails, causing the vehicle to stall or hesitate during acceleration.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  14. 14

    Check Engine Light On with Unknown Warning Lights

    4complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    The check engine light illuminates with unknown warning lights, indicating potential electrical system failures.

    $100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  15. 15

    Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) Malfunction

    4complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The dual clutch transmission (DCT) experiences malfunctions including shifting issues, hesitation, and gear skipping.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  16. 16

    Electrical System Failure Leading to Loss of Power

    4complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    The electrical system fails, causing the vehicle to lose power and fail to accelerate, posing safety risks.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  17. 17

    Engine and Engine Cooling Issues

    4complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    Engine and engine cooling issues lead to warning lights and reduced performance, especially at higher speeds or under load.

  18. 18

    Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure

    4complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission control module (TCM) fails, leading to the vehicle stalling and requiring immediate repair.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  19. 19

    Transmission Downshifting Abnormality

    4complaints
    Medium severityTransmission

    The transmission unexpectedly downshifts, causing the vehicle to jerk and illuminate the check engine warning light.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  20. 20

    Clutch Actuator and Transmission Control Module Failure

    2complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The clutch actuator and transmission control module fail, leading to the vehicle stalling and requiring immediate repair.

    $200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  21. 21

    Engine Failure During Operation

    2complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine suddenly fails during operation, leading to potential accidents.

    $4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  22. 22

    Oil Pump and Belt Failure

    2complaints
    High severityEngine

    The oil pump and belt fail, causing the engine to jump timing and the vehicle to stall, requiring immediate repair.

Other years & sources

2016 Ford Focus Rs2018 Ford Focus RsAll NHTSA complaints for this vehicle →

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.