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: fuel/propulsion system
131 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 1, 2021
Suddenly, the vehicle will stall only after it's been fueled. I've read reports of this being common in lots of Ford vehicles with it having something to do with a fuel filter or emissions. The vehicle continues to run and drive but I fear it will continue to do worse. My only option currently is to leave the vehicle running while being fueled.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 12, 2021
Ford is aware if an issue with the dual clutch transmissions present in their Ford Focus models from 2011 to 2018. Recently they settled a lawsuit in the case if 2011 to 2016. I would like to report that this issue is still present. They currently want 8000 dollars for the transmission alone, and said that it is still a dual clutch, so it could do the same thing again and give out or it could be fine.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 8, 2021
When putting gas in car Put gas in car, variables in Gas in tank, weather, or volume play no effect on this, car them won't keep running But only when we put gas in the vehicle turn car over doesn't want to stay running but only happens after putting gas in car. Whether that be a full tank or 15 cents Cant give dates because it happens when put gas in car
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 9, 2021
Check engine light came on and when a diagnostic code check was done error code P1450 appeared which appears to be a defective fuel tank pressure sensor. Gas tank is 3/4 full. Car is available for inspection. There was no accident. Just the CEL error code
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 27, 2021
Purge valve. Yes. Code p1450 Vacuum in gas tank. Yes. Yes no yes - 2 days ago
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2021
My car just stalls when gas get below a quater tank of gas and when getting gas car wont start after gas gets in tank needs a couple of tries before it starts without stalling yesterday we were driving we had 31 miles on dash the car died out in middle of road wouldnt start walked to gas station to get gas my car has every problem that there is a recall for same vehicle..
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 2, 2021
Vehicle stalles, stutter on startup.evap faults. Problem with the canister purge valve. Seems the car has some recalls issues.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, May 31, 2021
First the car engine light came on. Auto put on computer said it's was a emissions thing ..Now Everytime I put gas in it the car stalls and it is hard to keep it going. Also when pulling out it will jerk like the transmission is falling out
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 25, 2021
On 3-28-21 I got an oil change. Shortly after my engine light came on with error code p1450 which it didn't have beforehand. We first took the car to a mechanic and he said that the code is consistent with a known recall for that year and model for a problem with the fuel system. We took it to a Ford dealership to get an evaluation done and they confirmed that the problem was consistent with the recall the mechanic mentioned however there is no recall for my VIN number. When we put gas in the tank and turn it on again, the engine stalls. It runs rough when idle and sometimes has a problem getting up to speed from sitting at traffic lights.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 17, 2021
My car has stalled immediately after putting gas in my car the last two times I've put gas in my car. The last time was May 16, 2021. My car stalls two or three times after I put gas in it. After it starts the idle is rough and will even stall again after running rough for a bit. The potential danger there is that it will stall after leaving the gas pump. I assumed it was the fuel system because the issues I'm getting match the issues that led to a recall of other cars like mine. There are no warnings when this happens.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2021
OUR 2018 FORD ESCORT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN: NHSTA CAMPAIIGN #18V7350000 RECAL ID 298184 BUT THIS VIN IS NOT ON RECALL. WE PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR JUST DIED LUCKILY IT WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY. WE NEED TO KEEP THE TANK AS CLOSE TO FULL AS POSSIBLE AND FILL THE GAS TANK AT THE COOLEST PART OF THE DAY AND IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET THE CAR STARTED. ONE TIME AFTER FILLING THE TANK WE HAD TO WAIT 15 MINS AND THE CAR RAN FINE THEN IT JUST DIED, NEARLY GETTING REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THAT WAS ON 4-20-21 AND OTYHER TIMES BEFORE.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2021
FUELED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT LATER AND IT STALLED. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. IT IS A 2018 WITH ONLY 26,000 AND WE OWNED IT A WEEK. BOUGHT FROM WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A REPUTABLE DEALER. HILLYERS FORD
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 4, 2021
CAR KEEPS IDLING UP AT A STOP OR WHEN I SLOW DOWN SKIPS AND ACTS LIKE ITS GONE CUT OFF WHEN IT DOES IDLE DOWN
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 5, 2021
MY CANISTER PURGE VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT SHOULD BE. MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ONLINE AND THE DEALERSHIP ITSELF CONFIRMED A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 3, 2021
WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT UPON PRESSING THE GAS TO PUT YHE VEHICLE IN MOTION AGAIN , IT STALLS BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE AIRBAG UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED WHEN MY KNEE BUMPED IT. WHEN PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR THE CAR WILL NOT START BACK UP , IT STARTS N TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2021
SOMETIMES WHEN I RUN THE CAR EARLY OFF IN THE MORNING I USUALLY LET IT WARM UP. BUT EVEN THOUGH I DO THAT IT SEEMS LIKE IT KIND OF LIKE STRUGGLES IF I ACCELERATE SLOWLY, AND I'M DOING SO IT KIND OF LIKE JERKS THE VEHICLE FORWARD A COUPLE TIMES UNTIL IT JUST CLICKS. THAT'S FOR THE,FOR THE SPEED CONTROL I THINK I PUT IT UNDER. AS FOR THE OTHER ISSUE I WILL TAKE IT TO AUTOZONE AND I NEEDED TO GET CODES BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. AND NOW I'M WONDERING IF IT'S UNDER RECALL, BECAUSE THE CODE P0456, EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND IT SAYS THERE'S SMALL LEAK OR IT'S CONSIDERED A SMALL LEAK SO I'M JUST WONDERING BUT IF YOU GUYS CAN PLEASE TELL WHAT IT COULD BE THAT WOULD BE AWESOME
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2021
ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PURGE VALVE. AFTER GETTING GAS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH. VEHICLE STUTTERS AND STALLS, AS WELL AS LEAPS WHILE IN GEAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2021
SCAN CODE P1450..ACCORDING TO FORD 1.28 MILLION OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY GAS VACUUM VALVE (?) THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THE DEALER HAS STATED IT'S 'NOT THEIR PROBLEM'.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2021
MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING A ISSUE STAYING ON, IT CONSTANTLY HAS TO GET JUMPED AFTER I PUMPED GAS, WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE CAR CUT COMPLETELY OFF. I'M HAVING A PROBLEM ALSO REVERSING AND ACCELERATION, MY CAR IS NOT GOING PAST 10 MILES. I ONLY HAVE 85000 MILES
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 2, 2020
THE CARS EVAP SYSTEM HAS A LEAK
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 1, 2020
EVAP PURGE VALVE WENT BAD. THERE IS A RECALL ON FOCUSES 2012-2018 FOR THE PURGE VALVE BUT NOT MY PARTICULAR VIN. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 26 MONTHS. I DON'T EXPECT SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO GO BAD THAT SOON. REPAIR NOT COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY NOR THE POWER TRAIN. THIS DEFECT CAUSED MY ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, THE CAR TO RUN ROUGH AND PROMPT SEVERAL ENGIN CODES.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. SERVICE DEPT IDENTIFIED PROBLEM CODES P1450, P0456 WHICH ARE UNDER RECALL BUT THE VIN FOR MY CAR IS NOT UNDER RECALL. RECALL NOTICE WARNS, ENGINE COULD STALL AT ANYTIME! CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER, NOTHING DONE BECAUSE VIN IS NOT UNDER RECALL. CANNOT DRIVE CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. ON FIXED INCOME, CANNOT PAY FOR REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 23, 2020
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT INDICATED EVAP,VERY SMALL LEAK. RESET CODE AND A DIFFERENT CODE CAME UP FOR A VACUUM IN THE FUEL TANK. UNABLE TO EFFECT REPAIRS MY SELF AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT CARDINAL FORD DEALERSHIP. 11400 NEW HALLS FERRY RD. STL, 63033. ATTACHED DOCUMENTS DETAIL REPAIR AND COST.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 19, 2020
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RE-START. CAR WAS LOW ON FUEL (APPROXIMATELY 1/8 OF TANK) BUT WAS NOT OUT OF GAS.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2020
THE ENGINE STALLS AFTER ADDING FUEL AT A GAS STATION, THEN HESITATES TO START. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) SLIPS GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. TRANSMISSION ALSO MAKES CLICKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING OFF.