- NHTSA is investigating 10,473 Ford Fiesta and Focus models.
- Timing belt fragments may clog oil pump pick-up screens.
- Issue impacts 1.0-liter manual Fiestas and Focuses only.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into a potentially serious issue affecting thousands of Ford Fiesta and Focus models in the US., and the cause isn’t your typical wear-and-tear problem.
While timing belts are known maintenance items on most engines, the situation here involves an unusual side effect with broader consequences.
What’s Clogging the Oil Pump?
At the center of the investigation is a defect where fragments of the timing belt can slowly wear off and accumulate in the oil system. According to the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, these particles may collect inside the oil pump and clog the pick-up screen.
Over time, that blockage can cut off oil flow to the engine entirely, causing a sudden loss of lubrication and, in some cases, full engine seizure.
Read: Ford Sued Over ‘Band-Aid’ Fix For Alleged Defective Engines
So far, the agency has received 44 complaints related to the issue. These involve 2015–2017 Ford Fiestas and 2015–2018 Ford Focus models, but only those powered by Ford’s 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine and equipped with manual transmissions. In total, 10,473 vehicles are under review in this preliminary probe.
The goal of this early evaluation is to help investigators assess the extent and potential safety risks tied to the defect. If warranted, the findings could lead to a formal recall.
Small Engine, Big Problems
Interestingly, this is not the first time that Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In 2024, Ford announced a recall for certain 2018-2021 EcoSport, 2016-2018 Focus, and 2017-2021 Fiesta models with this engine and the automatic transmission.
In those cases, either the oil pump drive belt tensioner arm could fracture or the belt itself could deteriorate and release debris into the engine. The end result was the same: falling oil pressure and the risk of engine failure. To address it, Ford replaced the oil pump drive belt and tensioner with updated parts across affected vehicles.
