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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2019
WHEN CHANGING GEARS THE CLUTCH IS SHAKING THE CAR AND MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. IT APPEARS TO CREATING PROBLEM ON THE LOWER GEARS SUCH AS GEAR 1 AND 2
Engine, Oct 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAXWELL FORD (5000 S IH 35 FRONTAGE RD, AUSTIN, TX 78745, (512) 443-5000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE FAILED. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT THE COST OF $425. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED AS TO WHY HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE UNKNOWN RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO KEEP THE REPAIR PAPERWORK IN CASE OF A FUTURE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,839.
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.
Power train, Engine, Sep 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER 25 MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, BUT COOLED DOWN ONCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GILLIE HYDE AUTO GROUP (610A HAPPY VALLEY RD, GLASGOW, KY 42141, (888) 621-5047) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 24, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION LUGS OR SLIPS WHEN GOING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. IT WILL EVENTUALLY GO AND SEEMS TO BE FINE ONCE I AM OVER 25 MILES PER HOUR. IT STARTED ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO AND SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. IT GETS REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND IS NOT DRIVEN ROUGHLY.
Engine, Sep 23, 2019
WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT OR CORNER AFTER A STOP THE CAR SHAKES & BOUNCES UNTIL I MOVE AGAIN, ONLY 15000 MILES ON IT. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER.
Seat belts, Sep 8, 2019
I HAVE TESTED THIS MANY TIMES, AND YIELDED THE SAME RESULT. WHEN THE DRIVERS SEATBELT IS UNBUCKLED WHILST IN MOTION, THERE IS NO LIGHT OR AUDIBLE ALARM UNTIL YOU COME TO A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP.
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, Aug 28, 2019
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AUGUST 2018 FROM PRINCE FREDERICK FORD EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE CAR MAKING A VIBRATION GRINDING NOISE ALONG WITH A SHUDDER WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS THE CAR INCREASE SPEED CAUSING A SLAM ON THE BREAKS VEHICLE HESITATES AT TIMES WHEN INCREASING SPEED THIS VEHICLE SCARES ME SO MUCH HAVE BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES JUST TO SAY CAN'T DUPLICATE ISSUE WHICH IS A LIE I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO A NEW CAR BUT THE ROLLOVER AMOUNT IS INSANE AND DON'T WANNA DO THAT FOR A POS CAR I HAVE WRITTEN FORD BUT THEY SAY GO TO A DEALER WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT WHEN THEY DO THEY MAKE THE CRAPPY UNSAFE CAR NOT TO MENTION THE CAR DASH MAKES NOISES AND IT'S OVERALL A CHEAP VEHICLE THAT SHOULD NOT BE ON ROAD HIGHLY UNSAFE
Power train, Aug 26, 2019
WHILE SITTING AND MOVING SLOWING IN TRAFFIC, AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE OR LURCH FORWARD , VERY JERKY ACELERATION FROM A STOP, THE CLUTCH WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE AND THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 61000 MILES! I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000, WHEN THIS IS UP THEN WHAT DO I DO?
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2019
WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON JULY 13 2019WITH ONLY 7 MILE ON THE ODOMETER. WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF HAVING THE CAR IT BREAKS DOWN WHILE DRIVING IT AND HAD TO GET A FORD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD IT 2 DAYS AND REPLACED THE SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION AT THE TIME OF IT BREAKING CAR WOULD ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE. DEALER SHIP FIXES THE CAR GIVE IT BACK LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING TO PICK UP MY HUSBAY FROM WORK WAS STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC AND WHEN I STARTED TO ROLLED AHEAD AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON WITH TRANSMISSON FAILURE AND AGAIN CAR WOULD ONLY DRIVE IN REVERSE. BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS TIM THEY HAD IT A WEEK AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH MOTOR AND GIVE IT BACK. THEY SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE NOW. WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND FROM WORK, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE ENGINE JUST REVS WHEN GIVEN CAR LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INFRONT OF ME WHEN IT JERKED FORWARD AND IT WAS STILL MOVING ENOUGH TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF TRAFFIC HOWEVER THE DRIVER BEHIND ME CURSED AT ME FOR DRIVING THAT LAST PART OF THE TIME ONLY AT 15 MILES PER HOUR. NOW WITHOUT A CAR ALL WEEKEND CAUSE THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSED AND THEY CANT ISSUE A LOANER CAR UNTIL THEY REOPEN ON MONDAY MORNING.
Power train, Aug 19, 2019
VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW FEB 2018, IN NOV 2018 WITH APPROX. 11K MILES, VEHICLE BEGAN SKIPPING ON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION WITH GRINDING NOISES, DETERMINED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES IN APRIL 2019 WITH 18K MILES, CLUTCH REPLACEMENT NEEDED AGAIN, HAD TO WAIT 6 WEEKS, PART BACK ORDERED, FOR REPLACEMENT CLUTCH, REPLACED JUNE 2019, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN IN AUG 9, 2019 WITH 21K MILES, DETERMINED THE CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. NEXT AVAILABLE APPT WITH DEALERSHIP, LAST WEEK OF AUGUST, FIRST WEEK OF SEPT.
Engine, Aug 18, 2019
CAR STALLS
Power train, Aug 15, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD AND ALREADY HAS HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED. IT IS SHOWING SIGNS THAT MY 2014 DID FOR IT'S RECALL. IT IS ACTING LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL AND ACTUALLY STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY 17 JUST SOUTH OF MAYSVILLE NC WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY 2014, CELLA FORD IN NEW BERN, NC KEPT SAYING IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL UNTIL IT STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BRIDGE, ALMOST CAUSING HER TO GET REAR ENDED WITH MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTERS ON THE CAR.
Power train, Engine, Aug 15, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SKIPPING WHICH CAUSED A BELT TO BREAK INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THEN THE OIL PUMP WENT OUT. HAD AN OIL CHANGE AROUND JULY 1ST AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. FORD CLAIMS IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE I WAS OVER 2,000 MILES ON AN OIL CHANGE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2019
SEE ATTACHED LETTER. I HAVE COPIES OF ALL RECEIPTS, IF YOU NEED TO SEE THEM
Power train, Aug 1, 2019
CAR'S TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS OR JERKS AT VARIOUS TIMES LIKE ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. FRIGHTENED AND IRRITATED.
Power train, Jul 25, 2019
TRANSMISSION WOULD SHUDDER AND NOT ENGAGE 2ND GEAR. ACCELERATION WOLD BE BOGGED DOWN MAKING IT HARD TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES OR MERGE ON THE HIGHWAY. CLUTCH PACK REPLACED AT 39,991 MILES UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.
Power train, Service brakes, Jul 23, 2019
TRANSMISSION CLUNKS AND SHUDDERS AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING. WHILE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE STOP POSITION, BRAKE PEDDLE GOES TO THE FLOOR.
Steering, Air bags, Jul 23, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER LONG LEWIS FORD(2551 JOHN HAWKINS PKWY, HOOVER AL.) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINED CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,043. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Engine, Jul 23, 2019
TRANSMISSION VIBRATION INVOLVING DOUBLE CLUTCH @ SPEEDS 13 -18 MPH IN MOTION.
Power train, Jul 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOWLER FORD (3400 S SHERIDAN AVE, TULSA, OK, 74145) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH CLUTCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION SEALS THAT WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.
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.
Power train, Jul 14, 2019
CAR FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO GIVE OUT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A WEEK OR TWO AFTER AND MECHANIC SAID THAT'S JUST WHAT FOCUS ARE.