Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jan 23, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 889 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2026
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 ID
11713003
Incident
Jan 5, 2026
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 29, 2025
Ford oil pump tensioner belt failed
NHTSA ID
11677025
Incident
Jun 26, 2025
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 28, 2025
Current Ford recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 only includes VINs with automatic transmissions. However, the oil pump belt & timing belt are the same used on the automatic transmissions that are subject of the recall. These components are just as likely to fail on manual transmission VINs but are not included in the current campaign.
NHTSA ID
11651262
Incident
Mar 28, 2025
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 28, 2025
Car has loss of power, loss of power brakes, low engine oil pressure. Current recall 23S64 does not cover my vin but my car is experiencing the same issues. My car is in the same date range and has the same engine. Car was diagnosed with bad oil pump/belt. I have contacted Ford multiple times about having my car included in recall with no resolution.
NHTSA ID
11639144
Incident
Aug 1, 2024
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Mar 25, 2024
Crash reported2 injuries reported
The contact owned a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated her son was driving the vehicle and while depressing the brake pedal to switch to the right lane, the engine RPMs revved and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. As a result, the driver crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front. The navigation display turned black and no warning light was illuminated. The air bag underneath the steering wheel was deployed, but all other air bags in the vehicle failed to deploy. The contact who was the front passenger at the time of the incident sustained bruises on her stomach. The contact's son sustained bruises on his legs. No medical attention was sought. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
NHTSA ID
11579240
Incident
Mar 11, 2024
Mileage
49,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jan 4, 2023
Crash reported
I was moving my car in a gas station parking lot and went to stop the car to go in reverse and the breaks went to the floor and I pushed them about five times and still no breaks. I hit a concrete column and air bags didn't deploy and the airbag lights were blinking on and off and speedometer needle was going crazy. Officer went to assist with moving the car to a curbside and in neutral the car was trying to go forward then when it was put in park it continued to try to go forward. We were not on a hill, it was flat in the parking lot. If this would have happened on the main roads my son, nephew and myself could have been hurt and if I had hit someone else they could have been hurt as well. I know have a adjusting checking the vehicle and a mechanics shop as well. Before this happened I had absolutely no warning.
NHTSA ID
11500145
Incident
Jan 3, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed May 25, 2022
All lights came on and vehicle immediately slowed down, brakes became hard and it eventually just stalled out. Would not restart. Towed to repair shop . Mechanic found that the oil was full but no oil to engine. Found that the oil pump belt had malfunctioned and tore up leaving debris in the oil pan. Vehicle has approx 66,000 miles on it and manual says this piece if equipment should last until 150,000. Upon research, this is a common occurrence in the 2017, 2018 Ford focus.
NHTSA ID
11466132
Incident
May 21, 2022
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2019
PURCHASED 9/2018.CARE HAS BEEN SHAKING LIKES ITS GOING TO FALL APART EVER SINCE THEN. . I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND CAR GRUNTS WHEN PICKING UP SPEED LIKE I HAVE A CLUTCH SHIFT AND MAKES THIS SCRATCHING NOISE WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. ALSO WHEN I BARELY TAP THE BREAKS ITS STOP SO SUDDENLY THE JILT FORCES ME FORWARD.. TODAY 9/13/19 THE TRANSMISSION FAULT MESSAGE CAME ON. AND WENT OFF. THEN WHEN I START THE CAR BACK UP TO CHECK SYSTEMS.. THE MESSAGE SYSTEM SAYS ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL AND THE LIGHT DIDNT COME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING IT AROUND, SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, AND SHUTTING OF AND STARTING UP CAR 3 DIFFERENT TIMES.
NHTSA ID
11255429
Incident
Sep 13, 2019
Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE TRAVELLING AROUND 20 TO 25 MPH IN THE LEFT HAND LANE OR A TWO LANE CITY STREET, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP, HOWEVER, WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I QUICKLY RELEASED AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULT. I TRIED TO AVOID THE VEHICLE BY TURNING TO MY RIGHT, BUT I WAS TOO CLOSE AND HIT THE RIGHT BACK BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE TO THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALLED THE CAR.
NHTSA ID
11111310
Incident
May 18, 2018
Mileage
2,155 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jul 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, THE CLUTCH HAD TO BE MANUALLY PULLED BACK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KLABEN FORD LINCOLN, INC. (1089 W MAIN ST, KENT, OH 44240, (330) 673-3139) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,026. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
11105192
Incident
Jun 30, 2018
Mileage
9,026 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own