Recalls · problems · safety

2018 Ford Focus: recalls and problems

7 recalls and 835 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train.

7recalls
835complaints
15crashes reported
3fires reported
11injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Power Train319 · 38%
  • Engine231 · 28%
  • Fuel/Propulsion System131 · 16%
  • Engine And Engine Cooling124 · 15%
  • Unknown Or Other77 · 9%
  • Fuel System (Gasoline)65 · 8%
  • Electrical System49 · 6%
  • Steering29 · 3%
  • Vehicle Speed Control26 · 3%
  • Service Brakes19 · 2%

What owners report

Power Train

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 i

Vehicle Speed Control

"my 2018 ford focus was traveling uphill at highway speed. i fully depressed the accelerator because the vehicle was losing speed. the vehicle did not respond with additional acceleration and subsequently continued to lose speed despite the accelerator remaining fully depressed. the dealership inspected the vehicle and told me that the engine is not powerful enough for sustained uphill driving and that the vehicle pe

Engine And Engine Cooling

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

Engine

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

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2018 Ford Focus 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering FOCUS, FOCUS RS, FOCUS BEV. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.