KnownCarProblems2018 Ford Focus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 837 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Focus, most often about the engine (42% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 11th of 19 Focus model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ford Focus problems
Engine
350 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling, the engine would not immediately start. The failure was only present when refueling more than a half tank of fuel. Also, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly shutoff and the message transmission not in park would be…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the engine was replaced under a warranty; however, approximately 2 months later the engine was overheating and burning anti-freeze causing an abnormal odor to enter through the exhaust system. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The…
Transmission
319 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
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.…
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…
Fuel system
196 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
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…
When coming from a complete stop at a red light upon pressing the gas to put yhe vehicle in motion again , it stalls before taking off. The airbag under the steering wheel deployed when my knee bumped it. When putting gas in the car the car will not start back up , it starts n turns off on its own.
Other or unspecified
78 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles.
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…
This is the 2nd time I am having the same issue. They replaced the clutches. I drove the car a couple of weeks and am having the same issues with surging/lugging. Now, it is happening in lower gears and when I accelerate to higher gears. It is now happening when I am in reverse, too.
Electrical
49 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
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…
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.
Steering
30 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles.
Drove the car for about an hour, then stopped at a gas station. When the car was started again, the power steering failure warning light came on, and power steering assist was nonoperational. Even after cooling down the engine, the power steering still did not work. Took to a Ford service center, and was told that the…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while making right turn, he heard an abnormal sound and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to his daughter's residence where he replaced the steering fuse. The contact then drove to…
Speed control
27 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 11,500 miles.
Manual transmission- when I push clutch in engine rpms increase by 3000. When letting off clutch engine stay increased and car jumps this happens going down the road and parked unknown cause
When my car is running and sitting idle at an intersection, it stutters ans hesitates to accelerate. When I am driving on the highway and I beed to sliw down or speed up; my car stutters and hesitates.
Brakes
21 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles.
When coming from a complete stop at a red light upon pressing the gas to put yhe vehicle in motion again , it stalls before taking off. The airbag under the steering wheel deployed when my knee bumped it. When putting gas in the car the car will not start back up , it starts n turns off on its own.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal became firm. The check oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ford Focus recalls
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were october 16, 2026. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: canister
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 b
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 identificatio
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: pump
Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: canister
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Timing belt failure
Summary
On december 18, 2025, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (my) 2015-2017 ford fiesta and my 2015-2018 ford focus vehicles manufactured by ford motor company (ford), equipped with a 1.0l engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, my 2018-2021 ford ecosport and my 2016-2018 focus vehicles with a 1.0l engine and automatic transmission were analyzed as peer vehicles because they utilize a wet timing belt comprised of similar material as the timing belt in the subject vehicles. Through the pe, odi investigated a potentialâ failure/degradation of the timing belt that may affect oil pump functio
Timing belt failure
Summary
On december 18, 2025, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (my) 2015-2017 ford fiesta and my 2015-2018 ford focus vehicles manufactured by ford motor company (ford), equipped with a 1.0l engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, my 2018-2021 ford ecosport and my 2016-2018 focus vehicles with a 1.0l engine and automatic transmission were analyzed as peer vehicles because they utilize a wet timing belt comprised of similar material as the timing belt in the subject vehicles. Through the pe, odi investigated a potentialâ failure/degradation of the timing belt that may affect oil pump functio
Oil pump failure
Summary
On september 20, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (my) 2018-2021 ford ecosport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motiv
Loss of motive power
Summary
On september 15, 2023, the office of defect investigation (odi) opened this recall query (rq) after receiving 98 consumer complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (my) 2012-2018 ford focus vehicles. The rq focused on the effectiveness of the remedies of recall 18v-735 and 19v-515. In october 2018, ford issued recall 18v-735, which updated powertrain control module (PCM) software in my 2012-2018 ford focus vehicles equipped with 2.0l gdi engines built prior to april 13, 2017, and those with 2.0l gtdi engines built prior to february 2, 2018. The recall addressed vehicles experiencing a malfunctioning canister purge valve (cpv) that can stick open and PCM software that does not ad
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2018 Ford Focus
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Focus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (350 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); transmission (319 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); fuel system (196 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Focus have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 9, 2026 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ford Focus?
- It is 11th of 19 Focus model years by number of complaints, with 837 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.