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
835 reports, newest first.
Power train, Aug 18, 2021
The transmission has shuddered and demonstrated excessive slippage for a year. This has caused problems when I accelerate into traffic. I reported it several times to the dealership (Liberty Ford in Canton, Ohio), and the dealer has finally confirmed the issue (several thousand miles after the warranty expired).
Power train, Aug 18, 2021
I have under 20,000 miles on the car and its already having issues shifting. The service station said it was a transmission issue. It whines and makes a vibrating sound when I shift gears, and it occasionally kicks back when pulling out of a stop.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2021
My car stalls out when trying to gain speed and then trying to restart it after it stall out is very hard to do. My check engine light is on with a P1450 code.
Tires, Aug 14, 2021
ALL FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES REPLACED, BALANCED AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT COMPLETED 11/23/20 AT PEP BOYS. THE NEW PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR TIRES DEVELOPED SIDEWALL 2 INCH "BUBBLES" OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER AT MY EXPENSE. THE REAR PASSENGER (SHOWN IN THE PHOTO) HAS YET TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT SIDEWALL BUBBLE POSSIBLY WAS DUE TO SLIGHT ABRASION BUT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2021
The car engine shuts off (or fails) without any warning while driving. This has happened randomly on numerous occasions since we purchased the car in January of 2021. Today the check oil light and check engine light both came on prior to the engine just completely shutting off while driving and would not restart. There was also a strange engine noise accompanied by the engine running “rough” prior to engine failure. We had to get the car towed. We looked up recalls and there was a recall for our make/model/year but none associated with our specific VIN #. However the recall described our same issues. We would like this investigated as this is very dangerous, unexpected and concerning. The incident happened in a busy city , on a busy road during work hours. The car is currently at a Ford Dealership awaiting inspection but we were already told there are zero recalls for our VIN #.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 11, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while that while his daughter was driving 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The driver continued to drive to her residence. The contact then took the vehicle to the local dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to an evap leak. The dealer repaired the vehicle by replacing the defective part. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,100.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2021
Engine and all electrical power suddenly stops while driving with no warning. Car shows "Starting System Fault" when key is turned. After about 30 minutes everything restarts but the car only goes a few miles before cutting out again. This failure is extremely dangerous. We took the car to Town and Country Ford in Nashville TN on Monday July 26,2021 and picked it up on Friday July 30. They said it had been repaired, I drove approximately 6 miles and was on a 5 lane highway doing 60mph when it happened again. I was lucky to safely get to the side of the road. Since the air conditioning and windows also stopped when the heat index was 105 degrees that represents another possible danger. On Sunday July 25 the engine light came on, but being Sunday there was no place to read the code. After the first failure occurred about 10am Monday we had the code read as a P1450. As I hadn't had any experience with fuel system/ emission control we decided to take it to the above dealer. At the time of the Friday failure there was no code or warning. This failure method is extremely dangerous as a car may suddenly stop running in high speed traffic. I have no Idea what would have happened if i had been going uphill. Also if the service tech cannot detect the problem it may be widespread. Vehicle is currently in the dealership.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Power train, Jul 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while on a slight incline reversing, the vehicle went forward instead. Additionally, the transmission was slipping and hesitating. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights became illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact called another local dealer Ted Russell Ford Lincoln (8551 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, (865) 693-7611) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Wheels, Jul 15, 2021
With a Flat Tire on the side of the road Wheel Lugs can not be removed with supplied wrench because the wheel lug nuts nave a soft metal cap that does not allow the supplied wrench fit the lugs after the tires have been rotated by dealer or any one because the lugs become distorted .
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2021
check engine light came on. Vehicle is extremely hard to start after refueling. Seems to be same symptoms as Ford recall 18S32. NHTSA campagin ID 18V735000
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..
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2021
Everytime I fill my gas tank .Dies ,cuts out ,won't stay at a idle. Also the power train .When taking off at times feels like the transmission is falling out jerking or hesitant.
Power train, Jun 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while shifting gears. The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the transmission. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed however, there was nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18V845000 (Power train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 25,225.
Steering, Jun 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 11, 2021
Vehicle stalls when driven. Consistent with the 2018 Ford Focus deformation recall. Dealership says this vehicle was not part of this recall. Vehicle has been repaired by dealership.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light disappeared but re-appeared prior to the vehicle losing motive power and stalling. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and stated that the failure was related to the purge valve. The contact was advised to unlock the fuel cap and tighten to remove air from the fuel tank however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Power train, Jun 6, 2021
I bought my car on July 12, 2019 and had a PCM issue few months after that was messing with the transmission. it was covered under factory warrenty. Now 18 months later im having the same transmission issue but with a different code.. (P07A5) which is something internal. there should be a recall for this transmission cause i cant keep spending money to have this fix
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.
Power train, May 12, 2021
EVERY SO OFTEN WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR SORT OF SHUDDERS. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BEFORE AND KNEW IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR I HAD PREVIOUS TO THIS ONE WHICH WAS A 2014 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR TRANSMISSIONS TO ACT THIS WAY, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED WAY TOO OFTEN TO BE NORMAL.
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.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2021
WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SHUTTER WHEN CHANGING GEARS. ALSO IN MARCH 2021, RADIO, BACKUP CAMERA AND USB PORTS STOPPED WORKING. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND PAID OVER $800 FOR A NEW RADIO TO BE INSTALLED.