Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Ford Focus - part 1

Ford motor issued two safety recalls regarding this, but has since closed them without providing a safe resolution for consumers. July 8 2019 Ford issued Ford safety recall program 19s22 (following 18s32) for stuck open canister purge valve (cpv). This can result in a failure to bleed the vacuum from the gas tank, and deforms the gas tank upon failure. This has been confirmed, reproduced, and recalled by Ford before, but continues to happen nationwide to Ford Focus st owners as a small subset of their vehicles. A stuck open cpv can result in a number of codes. In my case, I got a p1450, Ford-specific check engine light on the mil. This can cause inability to start, along with rough idle and stalling while driving. Ford reports closing these safety recalls and provides no further support for the issue.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Focus 🔎.

The "shift tower" typically refers to the external mechanism on top of the transmission where the shifter cables connect. Problems with this part, which is a broken internal pin, result in a shifter that moves freely without engaging any gears. The gear become in operatable when driving down the highway, which is a hazard on the road. There were no warning light just not ale to change gears.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Focus 🔎.

Recall 23v905 February 2024 this is a complaint about service for the recall. Or, the lack thereof. Still hasn't been serviced by dealer serramonte Ford in colma, CA. 650-395-2728 car was delivered to dealer Wednesday April 22, 2026. And still hasn't been serviced, as far as I know. Inquired for status on Thursday 23rd, and Friday 24th. Never received any. Call back. Called today, Saturday April 25, and was told that service department is closed. Left message on service manager voicemail. Monday the 27th will be 6 days without a car.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Focus 🔎.

The dual clutch powershift dct transmission has failed. When placed in reverse, the engine rpm increases when accelerating but the vehicle does not move at all. While driving forward, the vehicle struggles to reach 10mph and the transmission slips severely. The vehicle is essentially undriveable. The vehicle has gotten stuck on neighborhood roads on 3 separate occasions due to complete loss of reverse function. I was stuck for 30 minutes to an hour which put me in way too much preassure and possibly, I could have ended up in danger. The vehicle had to be physically pushed by hand to move it. This created a dangerous situation for myself and others on the road. An independent mechanic diagnosed and replaced the clutch actuator assembly and fuel pump. After repairs the problem persists unchanged. The mechanic has noted the vehicle requires a full transmission replacement. This is a known defect with the Ford powershift dct transmission affecting multiple model years. Repair costs have exceeded $1,500 with no resolution. The failed transmission puts safety at risk as the vehicle cannot accelerate properly in traffic and has no reverse function. Problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. Vehicle is available for inspection.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering, jerking, and hesitating to accelerate as needed. The vehicle then stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 26v011000 (equipment); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

No warning lamps until catastrophic engine failure. Power loss and that puts myself and others at risk. I have had multiple issues going back to first year owned when I had power loss while driving through interactions and on the freeway. Dealership tried to state it was due to bubble in coolant system. Then first engine failure occurred and was replaced by Ford.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Focus 🔎.

03/25/2026 driving down the street card started jerking and acting like it did not want to move kept slowing down like it wasn't getting any gas. Like the transmission was going out. There is nothing wrong with my transmission. The car had been on a recall for a part that has been replaced 2 different times. I tried to have it checked out the Ford dealers here where I live wanted to charge me $200. 00 insisting that its my transmission. I know it is not my transmission. Its the same part they have replaced 2 times that was on the recall list for my car. What can I do? it is dangerous for me to drive.

I filled up my gas tank and a couple minutes later experienced shuddering while parked so I decided to turn the vehicle off and turn it back on but it struggles to turn back on. I then drove back home and as I was driving the acceleration was going up and down and then to 0. As I stopped on a red light the car completely shut down while the light then turned green and the check engine light, battery, and oil light came on. I then turned the vehicle off and in order to start it I had to step on the gas. I made it home but have not driven it since. I noticed there was a 19s22 recall but I spoke with Ford and they said my vehicle didn’t get it but it is experiencing the same issues that the recall mentioned. There is a one time replacement for the cpv but it doesn’t cover half of what the 19s22 does and it seems to be the same problem.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Focus 🔎.

Engine light is on with the code reading the clutch and the transmission is overheating with sticking gears as I drive.

All a sudden struggling to start. Crankshaft was bad and replaced. Still had issues. Checked plugs and they needed replaced less than 18. 5k miles since engine and plugs replacement (under previous owner). Still had trouble starting. At least 12 different codes. Dropped off for diagnostics and now they're saying they found coolant in the cylinders and I need a whole new updated engine. If the engine was replaced just under 2 years ago, why was the updated engine not used?? engine replaced at 65k miles in April 2024. I bought the car used in July 2025 with 78k. Car now has 84k. I can tell you the exact miles I was able to get out of it was 7887. That's it. I have not had my car since thanksgiving 2025. This issue is still ongoing.

Recall 23s64 was completed and immediately was smelling and losing oil. Took back to dealer twice and second time they said it was fixed. A few thousand miles later I had sudden turbo failure. Lost all power and a huge amount of smoke making it impossible for me and other highway drivers to see. The turbo failed.

The transmission is over heating while driving and jerking back constantly once it hits mph on 3. It doesn’t drive properly because of the transmission.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Focus 🔎.

My vehicles engine died in traffic and left me stranded in the middle of a busy road. Upon a mechanics review the issue is a siezed engine because of the oil pump pickup tube clogged with pieces of the oil pump or timing chain pulleys that had broken off.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Focus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v905000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft sensor was not operating properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the residence, where a handheld diagnostic machine confirmed a failure with the camshaft. The contact’s son became aware that the rear sensor was covered in oil and the front sensor was dry. The vehicle was driven for 20 minutes but the failure persisted. Three separate dealers were contacted, but the contact was informed parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist because parts were not available, even though it was indicated that parts were available. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

The engine stopped running do to bad timing belt / oil pump belt.

The block heater on this car is leaking. The recall 26v011 does not apply to this VIN, even though it falls under the year, make, model category. How can I get my vehicle to have the recall done when it shows that it is not affected, even though it is clearly leaking.

At 80000miles I noticed misfires and replaced original spark plugs per spec at 107578, misfires occurred, when I pulled plugs pos 1 was completely worn out, as well as pos 4. Codes were seen p0304 and p0301. Car ran well after replacement. I have been troubled by loss of coolant lately and could find no leaks. Also temp gauge in dash “wanders” being retired I can’t afford to go to dealership. I believe spark plugs should not wear out after approx 25000 miles no overheating of engine has occurred . I drive about 12000/yr. Car is available to be seen. Dealer has not seen car concerned problem could cause engine failure. Thank you.

Engine failure - coolant entering engine cylinder #2, internal engine failure. Car was stalled loss of power on highway and almost killed. Towed to nearest mechanic shop. Need to disassemble and confirm failure point. Ford law suits for coolant internal engine damage and failure. This is a known defect with Ford ecoboost engines. Including coolant/antifreeze entering the engine. Also, the coolant intrusion into cylinders. Requesting good will assistance as unable to use car for over 2 months. Ford headquarters is acting like they know nothing about this.

I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding an ongoing mechanical issue with my 2016 Ford Focus. Although my vehicle currently shows zero active recalls, I have experienced a recurring and concerning problem. Each time I turn on the air conditioning and the air begins to blow cold, my engine temperature rises significantly and causes the vehicle to overheat. This issue occurs consistently and makes it unsafe to operate the vehicle while using the air conditioning. Overheating poses a serious safety risk and may lead to engine damage or sudden breakdowns. Given that this problem appears to be directly connected to the operation of the air conditioning system, I am concerned that this may be a known defect or design issue that has not been addressed through a recall. I am requesting that this issue be formally documented, investigated, and addressed. I would appreciate guidance on next steps, including inspection, repair options, or whether this issue has been reported by other 2016 Ford Focus owners. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 23v905000 (engine and engine cooling) and was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the recall. Approximately 2-3 months after the recall repair was completed; while driving approximately 25 - 35 mph, the engine made a loud thumping sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not returned to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,000.

Fuel purge valve is malfunctioning. Vehicle loses power and is sluggish. Idles very rough and sometimes has a loss of power. My car has been at Ford twice in the last six months and problem still isn't fixed. Complete engine was replaced about a year and a half ago due to recall issue which I don't want happening again. I do not feel safe driving this car. I made an appointment with Ford a month ago for tomorrow for same stalling issue. I went to drop off and explain I wanted the repairs done for the recall to see if that fixed the problem. I filled up my gas tank on Sunday. The car wouldn't start and engine light came on saying engine failure service now. I let it sit for about ten minutes and it hesitantly cranked and engine light went off but accelerates slower with loss of power. It keeps doing this intermittently and sometimes loses power, and struggles when idling. I cut off let sit and then is okay until I pump gas again. I told the service repair person what happened and handed him the key to drop off the vehicle. He said if the light was not on at the time he would not be able to fix it and they couldn't schedule my vehicle for any additional recalls that are greatly needed for the car. It is running terrible. It idles and intermittently loses power while driving. Evan at Ford (greer) response was to wait until it got bad enough that the engine light came on and stayed on. This was at d&d Ford in greer, SC. He said it was Ford's policy the light had to be on to replace under recall with no charge. I told him it is unsafe to drive if it gets any worse it could cause an accident. I have two children and his recommendation to wait until it gets worse was appalling. He kept backlashing Ford and stated he doesn't work for Ford he works for d&d and only represents Ford. I said to him he was not representing Ford very well and that it was highly unlikely they would agree with his statements. I asked for documation of this policy--it contradicts what he says.

?unknown- transmition seem to slip or acted like stalling or about to die. Would jerk forward and shutter till finally would not start after being turned off. So had it towed because would not start again. ?myself and others in my 2017 Ford Focus titanium edition were traveling over a bridge at the time of the incident and very well have stalled out or quit running in the middle of traffic on a bridge causing a collision or worse loss of life ?no- no service center has addressed the issue not due to me not trying but merely, nothing's been done from where I've taken it to ?no- at the moment that is not required as of yet. ?yes- the forward jerking and shuttering started a couple of years every now and then, until it turned into such a severe situation. ?no - no signs signals lights or anything on the dash showed any kind of sign of anything wrong with the vehicle.

Complaint description: this complaint involves a 2014 Ford Focus with VIN [xxx] . The vehicle experiences severe transmission shuddering, slipping, delayed acceleration, and hesitation when attempting to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle sometimes struggles to move forward normally when entering traffic or crossing intersections. These symptoms appear consistent with the widely documented powershift dps6 dual-clutch transmission defect affecting 2012–2016 Ford Focus vehicles. The hesitation and delayed engagement create a potential safety hazard when merging into traffic or attempting to accelerate normally, as the vehicle does not respond immediately to throttle input. The vehicle also appears to have electrical irregularities associated with the transmission control system, which may be related to the transmission control module (tcm) failures previously reported in these vehicles. Although there are currently no open recalls associated with this VIN, the vehicle continues to exhibit transmission behavior that creates an unsafe driving condition. This complaint is being submitted so that the issue can be documented as part of the ongoing safety record regarding powershift transmission failures in these vehicles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Ref recall #23v905: I brought my 2018 Ford Focus into northside Ford, san antonio on Tuesday, Jan 6th, to comply with referenced recall. I was told that to "get in line" I would have to leave my vehicle at the dealership until parts were available, approximately a one month wait. There was no provision for a written recall wait list - then notify the customer when parts are available. Nor was a loaner car available. I believe such a policy that requires customers to lose use of their vehicle for a month is a barrier to referenced recall compliance. I ask that Ford change their procedure.

Unkown my rpms rev up randomly I can’t shut my car off when I get gas and makes a raving up sound I can’t reverse.

I am reporting a dealership conduct issue that directly affected vehicle safety and caused financial loss. Valley Ford of columbus, ohio told me by phone that a specific safety-related part for my vehicle was in stock and available. Based on that representation, I traveled to the dealership and took time away from work. When I arrived, I was told the part was not available and had not been there. Shortly after this, I went out of town. During that time, valley Ford stated they were unable to reach me. After returning, I again contacted valley Ford and was once more told that the same safety-related part was available. I again traveled to the dealership, taking additional time off work, and once again was told upon arrival that the part was not available. This resulted in the same situation happening twice. Because of this repeated misinformation, I lost wages and hard-earned paid time off (pto), was delayed in repairing my vehicle, and had to continue driving while waiting for a safety-related component I was told was available. I use my vehicle for work every day for approximately eight hours per day. Being forced to continue operating my vehicle without this safety-related repair places myself and other motorists at risk. After these incidents, I contacted germain Ford of columbus, ohio in an effort to resolve the issue. I was informed that the same safety-related part could take up to eight weeks to become available. This extended delay has further prolonged my inability to complete necessary safety-related repairs and has continued to place me in a potentially unsafe driving situation. I believe this repeated misinformation and prolonged unavailability of a safety-related vehicle component is dangerous and unacceptable. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA is aware of the actions of valley Ford of columbus, ohio and the ongoing delay reported by germain Ford of columbus, ohio.

Nhtsa recall number23v905 recall status recall incomplete Ford performed an interim engine repair in 2024. Due to the unavailability of parts when the recall was initiated, it took approximately 8 months for the interim engine and repair to be completed. I received my car back in August 2024 and then a supplement to the recall was placed. After getting the car back, my check engine light came on but Ford advised that it didn't have anything to do with the engine replacement and associated parts. Then I began experiencing symptoms of a valve purge issue and received an evap code. I attempted to address this at the dealership during routine maintenance but it was not checked or repaired. In January 2026, my engine failed again with similar symptoms. It was towed to the same dealership where they informed me that I was out of warranty on the engine and my new issue had to do with coolant intrusion. When I checked my service records, they had noted that a coolant hose was broken and replaced during recall repairs. Additionally there is a recall for other 2016 Ford Focus coolant intrusions caused by a heater block. This leads me to believe that the repair may have been faulty. Additionally, the 23v905 recall is still open with a supplement to the original.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v905000 (engine and engine and cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and stopped in the middle of the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road and activated the hazard lights. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, while the contact and her [xxx] son were picked up by the contact's grandmother. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was engine-related. The contact was informed that the repair would be covered under the recall; however, the part was not yet available. The dealer ordered the part. The contact stated that the vehicle had been with the dealer for approximately six weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The car runs without power when shifted to drive gear. It is sluggish trying to speed up. Took to Ford dealers on a recall with that is suppose to take care of it. . Nothing seems to have changed. I am not sure anything was done. Trans makes a rough sound starting. .

This vehicle been having problems with heater.

The malfunctioned component engine oil pump failed while driving on highway causing the vehicle to both overheat and stall all at once, causing the vehicle to stop running in the middle of a main highway forcing me and another pedestrian to push the car into a gas station, out of the way of oncoming traffic, Ford did send out a recall notice for the failed oil pump in December 2025 the same month my vehicle broke down. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanics shop, master muffler & brake repair shop in wareham MA. As well as empire Ford of new bedford, master muffler & brake concluded that the head gasket had blown, and empire Ford of new bedford concluded the issue was due to a cracked engine block. Prior to any issue there had been no warning signs then once the 2018 Ford Focus began to stall an overheating warning light as well as the check engine light began to flash at the same exact time as the vehicle itself breaking down.

At 116,500 miles, the oil pump failed on my Ford Focus. This was verified by an auto repair shop. The car has the Ford ecoboost 1. 0 engine. Ford has a recall on this engine with a build date of March 24, 2015 to may 4, 2018. My car was built on Aug 4, 2015 within the range of the recall. The recall states that cars with automatic transmission are included. My car has a manual 6 speed. I don't believe that the transmission has anything to do with the oil pump failure. The car "check engine" and "check oil" lights came on and there were multiple instances where the car stalled and I became stranded, often on busy roads. It has been well documented on the internet that Ford has had issues with this engine. I am not planning on repairing this car as the shop explained it probably will be in the range of $7000 which way more than the value of this car that is almost 10yrs old and 116500. The car is currently sitting in my garage non drivable with a scrap value of pennies compared what trade-in value or extend life of the car.

I was driving on a major road at about 40mph. The oil light unexpectedly came on and I experienced a sudden reduction of engine power. There was no prior warning about this issue before the oil light suddenly came on. This power reduction caused unpredictable vehicle driving behavior that could have caused an accident. I was able to get the car to a nearby Ford dealership who told me that the oil light came on because the timing belt started to break apart and began to seize up the engine. They have told me that the entire engine will need to be replaced. The malfunctioning parts should still be available for inspection. So far, only the initial Ford dealership and the auto shop I had my car towed to for repair has inspected the vehicle. I have called Ford directly and they would not help with my problem because there has been no recall issued for my manual Focus model, though the automatic models have been recalled for a very similar or the same issue according to the Ford dealer.

Vehicle experienced a highway-speed overheat and automatic engine shutdown. Inspection revealed antifreeze intrusion into the under-hood engine fuse box, causing widespread fuse degradation and electrical failure. This occurred following recall-related service. Vehicle lost power and is unsafe to operate due to electrical contamination and fire risk. Manufacturer and dealer have been unresponsive.

I was getting ready to leave the grocery store and I crank up my car and I had a light come on stating that my car was overheating transmission turn off the car and as I tried to pull out of the parking lot, the car would barely accelerate it would barely go to mountain and it was stuttering up the heels I had to turn off the vehicle. Let it sit for five minutes to let it cool off and then I had to crank the car back up and then it started to drive again, but I did get a indication on my front dash stating that it was transmission.