Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Ford Focus problems

Owners filed 838 complaints about the 2018 Ford Focus with NHTSA between Jan 2018 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is power train (319).

Complaints
838
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train319
  2. Engine233
  3. Fuel/propulsion system132
  4. Engine and engine cooling124
  5. Fuel system, gasoline65
  6. Electrical system49
  7. Steering30
  8. Vehicle speed control27
  9. Service brakes20
  10. Air bags9
  11. Structure6
  12. Back over prevention5
  13. Exterior lighting5
  14. Wheels4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201818
201956
202060
202178
202289
2023133
2024241
2025106
202657

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

319 reports2 related recalls
“My car had been driving fine. Until one day I leave my house and crank my car up and it does not go into reverse. It loses engine power and stalled into traffic. This is an on going issue as you can see stories from other people with the same make and model as my car with the same issue. No warning signs, hasn’t been checked out but I have contacted Ford and they only cover models with this issue 2012-2016. I think it should cover 2018 as well.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Power trainODI 11766315

Engine

233 reports4 crashes3 fires
“I was driving home from work traveling about 50 miles per hour starting to slow down for a stop light when the oil light flashed and I completely lost my breaks and had to use the emergency break and swerve to the shoulder of the road to stop. We had the vehicle towed to a shop where they stated there is a large oil leak from the vacuum pump and DCT’s showing timing concerns with the engine. They removed the oil filter and noted it was full of metallic and the bottom of the filter canister there were larger metallic debris. Dealer is stating the engine is condemned at this point.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2026Service brakes, EngineODI 11775377

Fuel/propulsion system

132 reports3 crashes2 fires
“when the vehicle accelerates too quickly or up a very gradual hill, barely any slope, it will slow to a stop. this is in line with the current recalls with other Ford focus 2018s likely caused by the Canister Purge Valve. it has the exact same symptoms, poor fuel economy, rough idling so much so the entire vehicle shakes, and the dangerous part- stalling. I have now stalled 4 times and have been in and out of multiple mechanics for this issue and no one can seem to identify the root and it's getting costly. now they are saying it might be the canister purge valve but if it is I think it should be covered despite my vin not being perfectly aligned because it's ultimately the same issue with the same vehicle, make and model.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11769967

Engine and engine cooling

124 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving uphill, the vehicle lost power, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Engine Fault" was displayed. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the check valve on the vacuum pump had separated. The check valve was replaced every 1,000 miles. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the oil warning light flashed. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The contact inspected the vehicle and checked the dipstick, noticing bits of rubber inside the oil. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11764403

Fuel system, gasoline

65 reports2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently stalled with excessive fuel consumption. As a former Ford independent mechanic, the contact diagnosed the vehicle with a deformed fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the canister purge valve was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the manufacturer denied coverage for the fuel tank replacement. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. No warning light was illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the canister purge valve was replaced a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026Fuel system, gasolineODI 11751634

Electrical system

49 reports1 fire
“Battery randomly died. When battery was replaced at the mechanic, it caused a glitch or broke something in or connected to the transmission. Car couldn’t reverse nor go faster than 1st gear. Had to drive 11 mph all the way to the Ford Dealership. Both Meineke AND Ford Service Manager said this is a KNOWN problem with Ford Focus’ and confirmed it is a common problem. I am now being quoted $10,000 to replace the transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11759176
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.