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.
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 9, 2020
I GOT THE VEHICLE ON 4/30/2019, ONE MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WITH ISSUES. AFTER YOU COME TO A FULL STOP AND THEN YOU LET YOU FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR SHAKES / VIBRATES. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN MY VEHICLE 3 TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, THE ISSUE DOES GET FIX BUT AFTER A MONTH, THE SAME ISSUE BEGINS AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN EVERY MONTH, I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT IT BEFORE I BOUGHT/FINANCE THE VEHICLE. ALSO MY VEHICLE IS NOT GETTING THE PROPER FULL MILEAGE IT SHOULD BE GETTING
Suspension, Power train, Dec 8, 2020
VEHICLE IS SLOW ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY GETTING ON AND OFF RAMPS. IT JERKS AND LAGS WHEN PROCEEDING AFTER A STOP. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE. SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES. PROBLEM ADDRESSED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THE JERKING ALWAYS RETURNS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 4, 2020
AFTER YOU COME TO A FULL STOP AND THEN YOU LET YOU FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR SHAKES/TREMBLES. IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. DIDN'T PAY TOO MUCH MIND TO IT AT FIRST, BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING.
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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2020
MY 2018 FORD FOCUS ST (~8K MILES) HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, TWO WEEKENDS AGO, I WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD GEAR AND MY CAR WENT UP BY 3000 RPMS AFTER I LET MY FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE. ON ITS OWN! THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY USUALLY WHEN THE CAR IS HOT (ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO RIDE) AND EXAGGERATED WHEN THE FLOOR HEATING IS ON. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A VALVE ISSUE BUT FOUND MULTIPLE FORUM POSTS WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND HOW A LOT OF ST OWNERS WENT THROUGH MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO GET THEIR THROTTLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEMS. HERE ARE THE LINKS TO THE FORUM POSTS: HTTPS://WWW.FOCUSST.ORG/THREADS/RPMS-ACTUALLY-INCREASE-ON-CLUTCH.128706/ AND HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T75504_DS901319. ALSO A VIDEO DEMONSTRATING THE ISSUE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=EQO2PH9KHLC (THE VIDEO IS REGARDING THE 2018 FOCUS RS WHICH HAS THE SAME PEDAL PARTS AS THE 2018 FOCUS ST). THIS HAS CAUSED PEOPLE ACCIDENTS AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.
Power train, Nov 21, 2020
A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW THE CAR BEGAN TO 'SLIP' AND SHUDDER DURING ACCELERATION. THE CLUTCH WAS FOUND TO BE BAD AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. A YEAR LATER THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND IS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. WAY TOO MUCH RPM IS REQUIRED FOR THE CAR TO FUNCTION AT HIGH SPEEDS.
Power train, Nov 11, 2020
MY CAR STARTED SHAKING WHEN TAKING OFF. LOOKING INTO IT I FOUND OUT IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION THAT IS THE FORD FOCUS. IT WAS RECALLED IN PREVIOUS YEARS BUT FORD SAID THEY FIXED IT IN THE NEW MODELS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE IT REPLACED SO I JUST HAVE TO DRIVE IT HOPING IT GET RECALLED BEFORE MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT SHUDDERS FROM 1-2 GEAR. THEY WERE FORCED TO RECALL THE MANUAL VERSION BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE AUTOMATIC AS OF YET. WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND IN PARK YOU CAN TURN THE TIRE BACK AND FORTH AND HEAR THE GEARS CLANGING BACK IN FOURTH IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS NOT NORMAL. I DON'T HAVE A MECHANICS REPORT TO SUBMIT. THE ONLY THING I HAVE IS A VIDEO OF WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE BUT IT WON'T LET ME SUBMIT IT THROUGH HERE. YOU CAN EMAIL ME WITH ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF IF YOU WANT THE VIDEO. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. WHILE AT THIS POINT IT ISN'T A SAFETY CONCERN OF IT PROGRESSES OR THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING IT COULD BE.
Engine, Nov 8, 2020
EVERYTIME I GO TO GET GAS AND TRY TO RESTART MY CAR, CHECK BATTERY LIGHT POPS UP AND MY CAR WON'T FULLY START, AND EVER SINCE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, TODAY I HAD TO CALL SOMEONE GET A JUMP AT THE GAS STATION.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 2, 2020
I BOUGHT MY 2018 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK ON 06/23/2018 AND ON 09/03/20 I HAD TO HAVE MY FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE ROTOR WAS CRACKED AND THEY WERE REALLY RUSTED. MAKING MY CAR UNDRIVABLE. THIS MAKES ME SICK THAT FORD USES SUCH CHEAP PARTS THAT I MYSELF AS A POOR MICHIGANDER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WITHIN 2 YEARS OF BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR.
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.
Power train, Oct 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT IS STUTTERING. NOT MUCH MORE INFORMATION THAN THAT IT'S CLOSE TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON THE OLDER FOCUSES HAPPENS MORE UPON ACCELERATION
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2020
MY TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES. THEY HESITATE , SHUTTER AND IT NEVER WANTS TO MOVE AND HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED TWICE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2020
THE LCD SCREEN IS TOTALLY BLACK. NO VISIBLE CONTROLS WITHOUT SCREEN.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2020
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON 8/25/2020 ABOUT A MILE AWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SO I TURN AROUND TO LEAVE IT HOME THEN MY VEHICLE STALLED ALL OF THE SUDDEN WITH NO WARNING OTHER THAN THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS CAMING ON, I TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ADIAGNOSIS SAME DAY AND THIS MORNING OF 8/26/2020 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERS SHOP AND THEY ARE STATING THAT THE OIL PUMP WENT OUT AND RUINED THE BATTERY AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THE VEHICLE, NOW IM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DID NOT GET ANY WARNING FROM THE ENGINE, NO SMOKE, NO RATTLING OR SHAKING AND THE WEIRD THING IS THAT IT CRANKS BUT WONT START, IT JUST STALLED AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE A BLOWN ENGINE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 20, 2020
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR THE ENGINE STALLS TRYING TO GET IT UP TO SPEED AND WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO STEP INTO IT MY CAR STALLS TO WHERE IT FEELS LIKE YOUR FOOT IS AT THE FLOOR MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT'S JUST THE STYLE OF THE CAR IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO THAT