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
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 25, 2020
THE ENGINE STALLS AFTER ADDING FUEL AT A GAS STATION, THEN HESITATES TO START. BEEN TOLD ITS THE PURGE VALVE STUCK, BUT DEALER CHECKED AND ONLY CLEARED THE ENGINE LIGHT. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SLIPS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. TRANSMISSION ALSO MAKES CLICKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING OFF. NOTE; THE SAME VEHICLE, YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE VERY SAME ISSUES, HOWEVER FOR SOME REASON MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 25, 2020
THERE ARE MORE THAN A FEW FAULTY PURGE VALVE AND SIMILAR TYPE VALVES ON THE FORD FOCUS POSSIBLY CAUSING EXCESSIVE VACUUM IN FUEL VAPOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE EXCESSIVE VACUUM MAY RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING,. WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. AND YET MY YEAR MODEL AND MOTOR SIZE DID NOT MAKE THAT LIST. BUT YET I HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON MY 2018 FORD FOCUS SE ONLY @ 40,0000 MILES . THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE W/ MY YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT DRIVING ALL HOURS OF NIGHT ON BACK ROADS DUE TO HER SCHEDULE. SHE HAD NO WARNING NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOTHING. SHE WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN REAR-END OR WHO NO WHAT ELSE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD ME FORD MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE ADDED TO SAFETY RECALL LIST
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2020
MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING, NOT WANTING TO TURN ON AND ITS ALSO USING WAY MORE GAS THAN WHAT IT SHOULD REALLY BE USING. I WENT FROM HAVING 34-35 MILES TO THE GALLON AND IT DROPPED DOWN TO 29 MILES TO THE GALLON... I HAVE TAKEN IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY PURGE VALVE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2020
MY CAR 2018 FORD FOCUS ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2020
IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE STAYED STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. I DID HAVE GAS, THE TIMES I STAYED RANGED FROM IT SAYING I HAD 13MILES, ANOTHER TIME I WAS AT 28MILES, ANOTHER TIME AT 30MILES AND THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS 20 MILES. 3 DAYS AGO THE ENGINE SIGN CAME OUT, THAT DAY I AS AT A FORD QUICKENED GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME $75 TO CHECK THE CODE SO I DIDN'T TILL TODAY THAT I HAD TIME TO TAKE IT TO AUTOZONE AND IT WAS FREE. THE CODE THAT CAME OUT IS P1450 (3/3) PERMANENT. I DID NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL IN OCTOBER 2018, I BOUGHT MY CAR FEB 2018. PLEASE PLEASE HELP, I AM BARELY AFFORDING THE CAR PAYMENT, I WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IF I STAYED STRANDED AND THIS TIME IT DOESN'T TURN ON, I NEED THE CAR FOR WORK, IT COULD AFFECT ME FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 6, 2020
STUCK CANISTER PURGE VALVE (MAY CAUSE STALL). MINE ALWAYS TRIGGERED P1450 "UNABLE TO BLEED UP FUEL TANK VACUUM" CODE AFTER FILLING AT GAS STATION. I PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE FROM FORD IN MIDLAND, MI. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL PART AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE! THIS DESIGN IS FLAWED AND ALL MODELS WITH THIS DESIGN (AND ALL YEARS) NEED TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF IT STALLED AT A BAD TIME.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2020
MY PURGE VALVE STUCK ON OPEN EACH FULL OF GAS THE CAR IDLE AND DIE FOR COUPLE TIME POWER TRAIN GRANDING AT LOW MPG
Fuel/propulsion system, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 17, 2020
WHEN YOU REFUEL THE CAR IT WILL HESITATE TO RESTART, IT TAKES AT LEAST THREE TIMES TO GET THE CAR TO START.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2020
MY CAR IS DOING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THE OTHER RECALLS ARE HAVING. PROBLEMS WITH THE EVAP SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION STALLING I PUT IT IN GEAR AND IT WONT GO
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 28, 2020
A FULL TANK IS 160 MILES. AND HAS A SMELL WHEN THE A/C ON. ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 26, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED SPEEDING UP. I KEPT HITTING THE BREAKS AND ALL MY CAR CONTINUED TO DO WAS SLOW DOWN. AFTER THAT THEN MY CAR KEPT KICKING BACK AT ME WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PRESS ON THE GAS AGAIN WHEN I COULD HIT THE GAS OR TURN ON THE CAR TO START IT WAS KICKING BACK. I GO BACK TO TRY ONE MORE TIME TO TURN ON THE CAR AND ALL MY SYSTEMS SHUT OFF AND ALSO INCLUDING MY VEHICLE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 27, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECKED- DIAGNOSIS PURGE VALVE IS STUCK OPEN WHICH IS ALLOWING ENGINE VACUUM INTO THE FUEL TANK WHICH HAS FLATTENED THE FUEL TANK FLAT. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON 2018 FORD FOCUS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE IT JUST DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT INCLUDED IN CURRENT RECALL. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2020
CAR BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 2019. HAVEN'T DID CAR FAX ON VEHICLE SINCE THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 13, 2020
I HAD ISSUES WITH CAR STALLING LAST YEAR. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY DEALER HENDERSON FORD IN WEBSTER, NY AND THEY FIXED IT SUPPOSEDLY. NOW HERE IT IS ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER AND I HAVE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. I KNOW THIS YEAR FORD FOCUS WAS RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NOT MY MODEL. WHY WASN'T IT INCLUDED? CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT DUE TO NOT WORKING BECAUSE OF VIVID. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 8, 2020
THE CAR SKIPS WHEN PICKING UP SPEED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2020
EACH TIME I FILL THE CAR WITH GAS, EVEN WITH THE TANK HALF FULL, THE CAR STALLS AND HAS TROUBLE STARTING. I HAVE CHECKED FOR CLOGGED OR CRACKED FUEL LINES AND THERE ARE NONE. IT PUTS OUT THE CODE P1450. REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SOLENOID AND IT'S STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL OF SOME SORT ON THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THESE CARS. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DTC CODE SHOWED A FAILURE WITH THE CANISTER VENT SOLENOID. THE PART WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIFFERENT DTC CODE WAS RETRIEVED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS STILL DUE TO THE CANISTER VENT SOLENOID FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER REFUELING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NECESSARY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A CALLBACK WOULD BE FORTHCOMING. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE PHONE NUMBER WAS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 29, 2020
MY 2018 FOCUS HAS 2 CODES FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT P1450 AND P0456. THESE 2 ISSUES ARE THE SAME THING OTHER 2018 FOCUS'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR. WE ARE AT 43000 MILES AND THINK THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 5, 2020
AFTER WARM, AT A RED LIGHT, IN NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION), CAR WILL DROP RPM AND STUTTER, NEARLY STALLING OUT. SOMETIMES ONLY ONCE, AND OTHER TIMES REPEATEDLY WHILE SITTING THERE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 21, 2019
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A OBD READING AND IT CAME BACK A FAULTY PURGE VALVE OR UNABLE TO BLEED UP FUEL TANK VACUUM. TAKE IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. WHEN LOOKING UP MY VIN THERE IS NON RIGHT NOW, I CLEARLY HAVE STALLING ISSUES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I WOULD LIKE GET A RECALL ON IT BECAUSE 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2019
THE 2018 FORD FOCUS HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RELATING TO THE VAPER/VACUUM HOSE, SENSOR OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. IN ADDITION, THE FOCUS NOW HAS A BROKEN STEERING GEAR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET WHEN IT WENT OUT, AND THANKFULLY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE NEAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2019
MY VEHICLE IS A 2018 FORD FOCUS ST AND HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT INDICATES THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CANISTER PURGE VALVE TO BE STUCK OPEN WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO DEFORM. I EXPERIENCE ENGINE HESITATION AND ALMOST STALLING IMMEDIATELY UPON START-UP AFTER REFILLING FUEL. THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED IN AN EXISTING RECALL (18S32) FOR CERTAIN 2012-2018 FORD FOCUS. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED AND AS A RESULT, FORD REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2019
THE ENGINE STALLED ONCE ON AUGUST 20TH, 2019 WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. EACH TIME THAT I FILL THE TANK WITH FUEL I HAVE TO TRY 2-3 TIMES TO START ENGINE AS IT MAKES A NOISE AS IF I'M COMPLETELY OUT OF FUEL THOUGH IT'S A FULL TANK AND I'M STILL AT THE PUMP. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED TO ME THIS IS "NORMAL" FOR ALL CARS THOUGH I'VE NEVER DEALT WITH THIS AND AT 39 I'VE HAD SEVERAL CARS.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 12, 2019
MY CAR STARTED HAVING A CLUTCH SHUDDER BEFORE IT WAS A YEAR OLD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST TIME AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE ADAPTIVE LEARN FEATURE, AND RESET THE COMPUTER. IT WAS STILL DOINF IT AND I TOOK IT BACK WITHIN A WEEK. I WAS TOLD ITS A FORD CLUTCH PROBLEM, BUT UNTIL IT GETS BAD ENOUGH TO REGISTER IN THE COMPUTER I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING IT. THEN THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE BROKE, IT CAME OUT OF THE TRANSMITION AND HAD TO BE FIXED, AT THE SAME TIME I HAD THE CLUTCH RE-CHECKED AND IT FINALLY REGISTERED BAD IN THE COMPUTER AND WAS REPLACED. 1 WEEK AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK IT STRTED OVERHEATING AND HAD TO GO BACK TO THE SHOP (8/7/19), I ALSO REALIZED WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAD BURNT THROUGH AROUND 1/2 TANK OF FUELS IN A LITTLE OVER 60 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE COOLING FAN JUST STOPPED WORKING AND WAS REPLACED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 15, 2019
VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT GAS PEDAL IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS BUT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. WHEN IT STALL WAS WHEN I SIT AT A RED LIGHT.