Problems · by component

2018 Ford Focus engine problems

233 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Focus cite engine, 28% of all 838 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
233
28% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under a recall, while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly idled, causing the engine to misfire with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle sputtered during the misfire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the cylinder wall had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the failure was caused by an improper recall repair. The contact stated that the failure had not occurred until after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 63,126.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026EngineODI 11769722
“My Ford vehicle has experienced repeated and significant engine problems that have never been successfully resolved despite numerous repair attempts at multiple Ford dealerships. The engine has been repaired/rebuilt multiple times, yet the underlying issue has continued and the engine has now seized. Most concerning, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off. Fortunately, it started again yesterday, but I do not consider it safe to drive because I am concerned it could shut off again while being driven, causing a sudden loss of power and creating a serious safety risk. Ford is declining further assistance because the vehicle odometer is approximately 105,000 miles. However, the engine has been rebuilt multiple times and has substantially fewer miles since its most recent rebuild. This is not simply an engine that failed for the first time at 105,000 miles; it is an ongoing problem that Ford dealerships have repeatedly attempted and failed to correct. Ford has advised that its assistance for this known issue is a "program," not a warranty. If Ford is aware of an engine condition that can result in repeated failures, engine seizure, or an unexpected shutdown/loss of…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026EngineODI 11763997
“First my wind shield wipers were coming on by themselves and not cutting off when I flicked the switch. Now my car is jerking when I press the gas to drive and sometimes moving in reverse after I press the gas to drive. Jerking and barely accelerating, then it decides to driver in between gaps. My safety is put at risk because sometimes it slows down or barely accelerates in oncoming traffic and moves backwards when cars are behind me at a light or stop sign. Manufacture by others which is a neighborhood auto shop. Just the check engine light came on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Unknown or other, Engine, Visibility/wiperODI 11763507
“There was supposedly a recall of 2012-2018 Ford focuses such as mine, which is a 2018, but somehow my car is not included in this recall even though it seems to be affected by the same problem. I believe it to have a faulty purge valve (forgive me if I am not precise in my terminology) as it stalls after I get gas and try to start it up. I have to rev the engine to get it to stay on. I cannot stop after I get it started because it roughly idles and seems like it will shut back off if I do, which makes this a little dangerous as well as damaging for my car. I am distressed that my car is not included in this recall because I desperately need to repair it before I ruin my engine but I cannot because I don't have any money.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11761813
“at 72000 miles the vehicle stopped running no power no warning lights on indication of any issue. luckily it was on a side road. hade it towed to the ford dealer diagnosed with a broken timing belt and needed a new engine. the quote off $7000.00 to replace the engine with a new long block after paying the lone on the car I replaced the long block myself just last week on 07/20/2026 at a cost off around $5000.00”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2026EngineODI 11754846

Showing 6 of 233 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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