2018 Ford Focus problems and recalls

Owners filed 480 complaints on the 2018 Ford Focus in the last three full years, out of 830 on record. The most cited component is the Power Train.

830
Complaints
7
Recalls
15
Crash reports
3
Fire reports
11
Injuries
24.4
Severity index

Severity index 24.4 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 24.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 119 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 2% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 318 complaints (38.3%)318 38%EngineEngine: 229 complaints (27.6%)229 28%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 131 complaints (15.8%)131 16%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 123 complaints (14.8%)123 15%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 76 complaints (9.2%)76 9%Fuel SystemFuel System: 65 complaints (7.8%)65 8%GasolineGasoline: 65 complaints (7.8%)65 8%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 49 complaints (5.9%)49 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN31838.3%
ENGINE22927.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13115.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12314.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER769.2%
FUEL SYSTEM657.8%
GASOLINE657.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM495.9%

Complaints filed per year

01252502018: 182019: 562020: 602021: 782022: 892023: 1332024: 2412025: 1062026: 49 (partial year)181920212223242412526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201818
201956
202060
202178
202289
2023133
2024241
2025106
2026 (year to date)49
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.1x those in 2020 to 2022 (480 against 227).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V73500022/10/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGEFord 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.
18V84500028/11/2018POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFord 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.
23V90500022/12/2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMPFord 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.
26V01100015/01/2026EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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.
26V01200015/01/2026EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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.
26V36900009/06/2026FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERFord 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.
26V37600009/06/2026POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFord 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.

Other Ford Focus model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 7 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.