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.
Air bags, Aug 24, 2018, crash
I'M UNSURE IF MY VEHICLE HAS THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA INFLATORS: MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, UNDER POWER AND TRAVELING GREATER THEN 32 MPH EXITING A HIGHWAY ONTO A CITY STREET. WHILE TURNING LEFT, I EITHER TURNED TO WIDE OR THE OTHER VEHICLE TURNED TO CLOSE AND MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT QTR IMPACTED THE PASSENGER FRONT QTR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE IMPACT ENERGY WAS SO SIGNIFICANT THAT THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT QTR, THE FRONT AND IT TRANSFERRED THROUGH THE VEHICLE AND MY PASSENGER SIDE LOOKS MORE DAMAGED THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE. SO MUCH SO THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR WOOD NOT OPEN. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WAS VIOLENTLY THRASHED AROUND IN THE VEHICLE AND THEN HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVER WINDOW. THE IMPACT WAS SO SIGNIFICANT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, THE ENGINE BROKE FREE FROM ITS MOUNTS, THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AND EVEN MY TITANIUM GLASSES WERE BROKEN WHEN I HIT MY HEAD. YET, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 4197 MILES ON IT - BRAND NEW!!! I'VE CONTACTED FORD, FILED A CLAIM AND THEY WERE NEARLY USELESS IN HELPING WITH EVALUATING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE. THEY EVEN CONNECTED ME TO DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TECHNICIANS, TOWING OR EVEN A BODY SHOP. I'VE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND RESTATED THE CONCERNS AND SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF CALL CENTER PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY HELP AND EVEN TRIED THE ONLINE CHAT TOOL AND IT KEEP FREEZING UP. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOST, I HAVE HEAD, NECK AND TISSUE TRAUMA. I'VE EXPLAINED THIS TO THE CALL CENTER AND THEY BASICALLY HAVE BEEN UNHELPFUL....I HAVE NEARLY 30 YEARS IN AUTOMOTIVE AND THE BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND KEEP ME FROM INJURY!!!
Service brakes, Aug 18, 2018, crash
HIT SOMEONE DUE TO NO BRAKES. THEN LATER WHEN TRYING TO STILL HEAR AIR IN BRAKES WAS GOING 10 MPH
Power train, Aug 1, 2018
CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY (2X IN 1600 MILES)
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2018
EXPLODING SUNROOF - TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-5 AT A SPEED OF 60MPH IN TACOMA TODAY (7/5/2018) IN MY BRAND NEW 6 MONTH OLD 2018 FOCUS RS AND JUST PASSED 56TH STREET EXIT. SUDDENLY WITH WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND I WAS COVERED WITH GLASS AS THE SUNROOF COVER WAS OPEN. FORTUNATELY I HAD A HAT ON OTHERWISE THE VERY SMALL SHARDS MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN INTO MY HAIR, EYES AND FACE. PULLED OF THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK A COUPLE PICTURES. THE DAMAGES FROM THE EXPLODING GLASS CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGES TO THE ROOF AND WING OF THE CAR. THIS IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED AT OVER $2600 IN DAMAGES. NOT TO MENTION THE CLEAN UP THE THE INTERIOR CAR WILL NEED. THANK GOD MY KIDS WEREN'T IN THE BACK SEAT AS THEY WOULD HAVE GOT THE BRUNT OF THE GLASS.
Seat belts, Structure, Jun 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK AND ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR SEAT BELT BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDDLETOWN FORD (1750 NORTH VERITY PARKWAY, MIDDLETOWN, OH 45042) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELL TO THE FRAME WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,930.
Service brakes, Jun 22, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 FORD FOCUS FROM ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR AND NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. *TT VIN NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD NOT GRAB. CAR JUST KEPT MOVING BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THERE WAS A MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. UPDATED 9/26/18*JB
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2018
BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE WINDOWS HAD MOULDING THAT WAS LOOSE, THE FIRST TECH AT SCHICKER FORD SAID THAT THEY WERE ALL LIKE THAT, THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK AND TALKED TO ANOTHER TECH WHO GAVE ME THE SAME ANSWER. I SENT PHOTOS OF THE LOOSE MOLDING, THEN THE TECH SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO GET FORDS APPROVAL BEFORE IT COULD BE REPLACED. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK FORD GAVE APPROVAL TO REPLACE THEM. THE TECH. SAID THAT FORD WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE FOR A LOANER TO BE PROVIDED TO ME, SO I HAD TO WAIT THREE HOURS BEFORE THE JOB WAS COMPLETED. THIS IS A 2018 FORD FOCUS SE.
Suspension, Power train, Structure, May 16, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EVEN MILD WIND OR TURBULENT AIR FROM TRAFFIC THE CAR HAS A LOSS OF STABILITY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN WINTER AND AS SOON AS CONDITIONS IMPROVED FOR HIGHWAY SPEED TO RESUME WE FOUND OUT.WE DO NOT FEEL THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING. WHEN GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTERMITTENTLY A VIBRATION OCCURS AS WELL AS WHEN TRAVELING AT 50MPH OCCASIONALLY FEELING A DRIVE LINE VIBRATION FEELS LIKE IT COMES FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. SO FAR THE CAR HAS BEEN TO 2 DEALERS AND THEY BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUES AND THEN SAY THAT THIS IS PROPER THAT WHEN DRIVING A NEW FOCUS FROM THEIR LOTS THEY ARE THE SAME.
Power train, Engine, Mar 4, 2018
FROM A COMPLETE STOP (DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT), ACCELERATION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE, RAPIDLY INCREASE RPM, AND SHUDDER/SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAPPENS ROUGHLY BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. THE ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, SO I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. MILEAGE IS JUST UNDER 30K.
Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2018
MY PERSONAL CAR HAD A BATTERY DIE - I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I GOT IT TOWED- THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR FOR THE DAY - WHEN I STARTED TO WORK WITH THE RENTAL CAR I STARTED FEELING SICK WITHIN 15 MINUTES BUT KEPT DRIVING TO WORK - (A 45 MINUTE RIDE) I WAS AT WORK FOR 15 MINUTES AND THEN HEADED TO AN APPOINTMENT- I GOT CONFUSED AND STARTED HALLUCINATING - I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD - FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS I WAS GOING IN AND OUT OF CONSCIOUSNESS- I WAS ROLLING MY WINDOWS UP AND DOWN BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL GOOD WHICH THE DOCTOR SAID THAT IS WHAT SAVED ME - FINALLY I GOT BACK IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF MY DAUGHTERS CONCERNS - I HAD TO STOP THE CAR AND STARTED VIOLENTLY THROWING UP BLOOD - AT THAT POINT MY DAUGHTER TOOK ME TO REDI MED - THEY THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A STROKE AND GOT ME TO THE HOSPITAL - WHEN I GOT TO THE HOSPITAL THEY TOOK BLOOD WORK AND HOOKED ME UP TO EKG AND THEN TOOK ME FOR A CATSCAN - MY BLOOD WORK CAME BACK WITH HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND THEN I WAS ON OXYGEN FOR 2 1/2 DAYS - THIS WHOLE THING WAS A CRAZY EXPERIENCE