2018 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 835 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 15 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, manual transmissionJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V376000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, evaporative emissions, canisterJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 26V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, oil/lubrication, pumpDec 22, 2023
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.
A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V905000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, manual transmissionNov 28, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
Campaign 18V845000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 22, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Campaign 18V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
349 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jan 15, 2024
Vehicle has been parked for 3 months will not start. Needs engine. Recently seen recall on 2018 Ford Focus. This recall is not on my car but am sure that is what called engine failure.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 11, 2024
My head gasket blew and there was no unjust stress put on my engine. One day my check engine light came on and then my vehicle overheated and started to have vapor leak out of the exhaust
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 9, 2024
1. The code indicates that the evaporative emission control (EVAP) system is unable to bleed up the fuel tank vacuum. p1450 2.Purge Valve needs replacement as it is sucking p0456 3. After getting gas, gar does not start Sick of being told nothing is wrong and it isn't happening to my 2018 Ford Focus. Now I have to have it diagnosed again for 280.00 when I know that my car should be included in all recalls. Yes it has been confirmed by a mechanic I am at risk constantly in this car. Yes check engine soon light keeps coming on
Engine, Dec 29, 2023
Oil pump belt failed at a little over 50,000 miles
Engine, Dec 28, 2023
The dealership told me that I need a new engine and they said that the engine was poorly made but that there was nothing they could do to help with the cost. I only have 103,947 miles on the vehicle and kept up routine maintenance. The dealer said that Ford is likely to recall this engine. I also tried to call Ford corporate customer support for assistance and they said they were unwilling to help at all. There is a safety issue with the coolant system that causes engine failure. The diagnostic is to replace the entire engine. There are safety bulletins that exist but no assistant other than replacing a failed engine with another poorly made engine. This should not be legally allowed to occur. The consumer is helpless here. Please help me.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 26, 2023
The dealership told me that the sensor I read that was a recall wasn't covered because my vin wasn't on the list of re-calls. I looked up what auto zone pulled up as the code and pretty sure it was the fuel filter valve. But after taking it to our regular mechanic he replaced a line in the engine area that connect beside the battery going to the air filter area looks like a long black hose and then stated that may have been bad gas but was reading the re-call and my car was doing what I was reading. Some one said purge valve. He already replaced it and works fine. But I would get gas started off not starting up good then got worse had to leave it on while pumping 1 day it just died on me on fourth of a tank in the middle of rush hour and about got hit a bunch of times and nearly had to go to the e.r. made my heart rate escalade to high. Then got to were I couldn't even barely get it started so my ex husband paid to get it fixed costing dang near $250 I shouldn't have to be responsible for. There was never anything ever wrong with my car prior had it since new took very good care of it only put 60 thousand miles on it in 5 years maybe a very few oil changes and 1 set of tires but that was it. It won't let me upload my files either
Engine, Dec 12, 2023
Upon arriving at my job after a 50 mile commute, I noticed my engine making abnormal noise followed by an oil pressure engine light. After researching the symptoms, I found it is well documented that there is an issue with the Ford 1 liter ecoboost wet belt system. 2 Ford SSM bulletins (48093 and 49726) describe a wet belt tensioner failure followed by the oil pump belt shedding teeth resulting in loss of oil pressure. After removing my oil pan, the tensioner was found in the oil pan along with most of the oil pump belts teeth. Ford's recommendation is an engine replacement. Ford recommends replacing the wet belts at 150,000 miles with most failing quite prematurely This failure can happen at any time or speed causing total loss of power or catastrophic engine damage making it a safety concern for the driver as well as others.
Engine, Dec 7, 2023
In Oct 2022 we were on vacation driving on a highway in IL when my 2018 Ford Focus 3L 1.0L EcoBoost suddenly, without warning, shuddered and lost power. Luckily we were on a rural road and no one was around or it would have caused a traffic issue and potential accident(s). We live in UT and I frequently drive a very busy freeway and was grateful this did not occur there. We pulled to the side and noticed the check engine light and another message regarding Oil but I do not recall the exact words. We had pulled our car behind our motorhome so we were able to tow it back to our vehicle and towed it home. On the way home, we found that I did not have the extended warranty on the car that I intended when I bought it. This was maddening as the car was approximately 7k miles outside of the Ford Powertrain warranty. I eventually towed it to my parents home in ID and my father, a retired mechanic, inspected the car and eventually narrowed it down to the known issue of the oil pump/internal belt failure and that the entire engine would need to be replaced. I don't have the money to repair it. I have all of the service records as the oil changes were performed at a dealerships prior to the engine failure. We have not had it inspected by a dealer or other party at this time. I have been paying insurance and loan payments on a car I haven't been able to use for over a year now and it is extremely frustrating. I also hope to join a potential class action lawsuit.
Engine, Dec 5, 2023
2018 Ford Focus: Engine had knocking noise and low oil pressure due to failed oil pump belt and turbocharger was failing. Vehicle got towed to Ford Dealership and this information was confirmed by the Ford dealership. This incident happened unexpectedly. Check engine light and oil light came on in vehicle while operating moments before incident occurred. Vehicle had regular oil changes roughly every 3000-5000 miles (extended performance high mileage oil). There was a recall on this specific issue/incident with the following Ford vehicles/years: July 2023 — A Ford EcoBoost class action lawsuit alleges 1-liter EcoBoost engines suffer from oil pump failures that destroy the engines in these Ford vehicles: 2016-2018 Ford Focus 2016-2017 Ford Fiesta 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport
Service brakes, Engine, Back over prevention, Nov 28, 2023
The brake got stuck and made it very difficult to start the car. Considering it’s a push start. The car then started misfiring and had trouble accelerating. Took it to Ford Auto Nation a few weeks later as it had not advanced, they informed me that the clutch and petal had to be replaced along with a few other parts.
Power train, Engine, Nov 7, 2023
While driving vehicle two "Oil Lights" on dash came on and car instantly began making a noise. Pulled over and had it towed to a service shop, they are telling me the "Oil Pump Drive Belt" broke and now the entire engine needs replaced. Upon researching this issue I come to find that this is a VERY COMMON issue that Ford is aware of but refusing to fix. This needs addressed!
Engine, Oct 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle independently shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,172.
Engine, Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving approximately 45 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Engine, Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering, failed to accelerate as needed and lost motive power and went into LIMP mode. The low oil pressure and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the messages "Reduced Engine Power" and " Service Vehicle Now" were displayed. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pump belt had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: SSM49918. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Oct 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine light had been illuminated. The vehicle would suddenly stall while idle causing the contact to have to restart the vehicle or continually reeving in order to prevent stalling. The vehicle would also display a sputtering when slowing down. The contact noticed that the mileage per gallon ratio had decreased significantly. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the purge valve had been stuck open causing multiple failures. The fuel tank had been warped a bit and may need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was informed that their vehicle's year/make/model was involved in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however their VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 9, 2023
-Engine service now message -stalling out while driving - loss of power - loss of gas mileage
Engine, Oct 8, 2023
While driving on the highway my oil light came on, followed by a complete loss of power and my vehicle went into limp mode. I was almost hit twice while trying to get off on the shoulder. I proceeded to shut the car off for 20 minutes and checked the oil level to which it was full. I sat for 30 more minutes and attempted to start the vehicle when it started knocking. I immediately shut it off and had it towed home. From home I contacted a Ford dealership and had it towed there 9/20/23. There they ran their mechanical oil pressure gauge and my engine had absolutely no oil pressure. The “recommendation” is to replace the long block and turbo, as if it’s drivable any other way.
Engine, Oct 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine block had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was denied coverage due to the vehicle being out of warranty. The failure mileage was 47,686.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 28, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the low oil pressure and check engine warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started shuddering and then lost motive power. The contact's daughter was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pump pretensioner belt had failed, which caused the engine and the turbo to fail. The dealer informed the contact that the engine and the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 70,318.
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 25, 2023
Vehicle has less than 70,000 miles on it. While driving lost oil pressure and brakes. Yes available for inspection. When pressure was lost and brakes failed I could not have stopped to avoid an accident. Multiple articles on the pump failure. Spoke with Ford they say not their problem. No warning. Engine light came on with brake light while driving. Car has been sitting parked. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine, Sep 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal became firm. The check oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Electrical system, Sep 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the purge valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact also indicated that the vehicle had previously experienced rough idling, check engine light illuminated, fuel gauge reading errors, and the Distance to Empty reading was incorrect. The local dealer was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Engine, Sep 8, 2023
When you accelerate the car hesitates and shakes, the rpm needle goes way up even though you are creeping along. It seems like it is a recall issue on earlier model Ford Focus's. The recall should be extended to all model years. There is no reason I should have to spend money to repair a transmission issue on a 5 year old car. It is sitting out on the street not being driven while I make payments, not a happy camper. The check engine light comes on also, if someone was following too close and it starts sputtering it could cause an accident, a auto parts store checked it out- Most likely solution-"Replace Dual Clutch Transmission Clutch Assembly"
Engine, Sep 7, 2023
My oil light is flickering. I have taken it to 3 different mechanics, one of which is a Ford dealership. Oil is getting on the timing belt, causing it to fray. Oil is being prevented from getting to the engine efficiently. They all state that the problem is a design issue, and that having it repaired will fix it for awhile, but the problem will continue later.
Engine, Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after several minutes each time. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.