Ford Focus Engine Problems
Owners have filed 2,318 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Ford Focus across 19 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (475).
- 2,318engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 58mention a crash
- 34mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $4,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Ford Focus at $4,300, and half of them between $2,100 and $7,000.
Based on 29 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 1,556 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,318 complaints, 58 mention a crash, 44 a fire, 34 an injury.
Ford Focus engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Focus | 232 | 28% | 52,500 |
| 2017 Focus | 229 | 25% | 63,000 |
| 2016 Focus | 234 | 20% | 53,000 |
| 2015 Focus | 173 | 17% | 65,000 |
| 2014 Focus | 442 | 17% | 51,000 |
| 2013 Focus | 344 | 16% | 49,529 |
| 2012 Focus | 475 | 13% | 62,000 |
| 2011 Focus | 3 | 3% | 58,000 |
| 2010 Focus | 42 | 15% | 49,335 |
| 2009 Focus | 16 | 7% | 54,000 |
| 2008 Focus | 14 | 6% | 83,000 |
| 2007 Focus | 6 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2006 Focus | 2 | 1% | 50,651 |
| 2005 Focus | 11 | 2% | 81,500 |
| 2004 Focus | 13 | 3% | 145,275 |
| 2003 Focus | 18 | 2% | 111,500 |
| 2002 Focus | 16 | 2% | 127,500 |
| 2001 Focus | 32 | 2% | 122,000 |
| 2000 Focus | 16 | 0% | 137,481 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump
Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: 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.
Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicle is subject to NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 18V-735 (Ford Recall 18S32) regarding a defective Canister Purge Valve (CPV) that causes fuel vapor saturation, excessive fuel tank vacuum, fuel tank deformation, and engine stalling.The vehicle presented with an active check engine light for…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under a recall, while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly idled, causing the engine to misfire with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle sputtered during the…
I am NOT filing in regards to the clutch fracture recall on previous page . I AM filing a complaint regarding the 1.0 L Ecoboost engine "wet timing belt " system which is currently under NHTSA Engineering Analysis . My vehicle has 147,000 miles and still has the original wet timing belt . Ford`s…
The vehicle suffered a major mechanical and electrical failure on July 28, 2026, and was immediately towed to an authorized dealership. After a multi-day delay awaiting a senior technician's analysis, the dealership issued a single service ticket grouping two distinct issues: a failed Canister…
My Ford vehicle has experienced repeated and significant engine problems that have never been successfully resolved despite numerous repair attempts at multiple Ford dealerships. The engine has been repaired/rebuilt multiple times, yet the underlying issue has continued and the engine has now…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Focuss have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,318 owner complaints about engine for the Ford Focus. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Focus engine?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Ford Focus?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,300 (half paid between $2,100 and $7,000), from 29 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Ford Focus problems
- Power Train problems (6,803)
- Electrical System problems (4,342)
- Steering problems (2,099)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,440)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,281)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (1,158)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,076)
- Structure problems (999)
See all Ford Focus problems.