Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Focus, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train319
- Engine232
- Fuel/propulsion system132
- Engine and engine cooling124
- Unknown or other78
- Fuel system, gasoline65
- Electrical system49
- Steering30
- Vehicle speed control27
- Service brakes19
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 11 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 75 2018 Focus vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 43 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Ford Focus failed the safety check 1.96% of the time — 19% more often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 54,759 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2018
190,768 new Ford Focus cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (49,166), Germany (48,331), Spain (16,683).
- Average mass
- 1,341 kg
- Average CO₂
- 133 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 92 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 65% · Diesel 34%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2018 Ford Focus cars on Dutch roads are the 1.0 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp), 1.0 petrol (74 kW, 99 hp) and 1.5 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), out of 9 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 4,331 |
| 1.0 petrol | 74 kW 99 hp | 1,645 |
| 1.5 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 602 |
| 1.5 diesel | 88 kW 118 hp | 386 |
| 1.0 petrol | 103 kW 138 hp | 300 |
| 1.5 petrol | 111 kW 149 hp | 265 |
| 1.5 petrol | 134 kW 180 hp | 177 |
| 2.0 petrol | 184 kW 247 hp | 82 |
| 2.0 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 24 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
7,862 first registered in 2018 are on Dutch roads; 35% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €28,882.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde2,747
- Band onvoldoende profiel2,019
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan1,407
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld1,310
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm835
- Band beschadigd651
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht604
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage552
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
45,495 cars built in 2018 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 886 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 48,006 of these cars first registered in 2018 took their annual MOT test. 85% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2018 the figure was 84%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.7% | 4.0% |
| Brakes | 2.6% | 2.9% |
| Visibility | 1.8% | 3.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.5% | 1.0% |
| Suspension | 0.5% | 1.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
2,585 of these cars first registered in 2018 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 106,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,295 2018 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 98% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 3 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 11.6 % |
| 2018 Ford Focus 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | 11.6 % |
| 2018 Ford Focus Bev 5 HB FWD | — | 10.1 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 7.0–9.3 L/100 km (about 25–34 mpg US), CO₂ 164–219 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus · Compact · Regular gasoline | 7.9 | 5.9 | 7.0 |
| Focus · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.5 | 6.2 | 7.5 |
| Focus · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.9 | 6.1 | 7.7 |
| Focus · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.5 | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| Focus · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.8 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Focus ST · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.5 | 7.8 | 9.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 Ford Focus.
| 2026338 14 Jul 2026 | Fuel System Issue: On certain vehicles the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 18S32 (Transport Canada recall no. 2018-577) may not have been done cor… |
| 2026004 9 Jan 2026 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Note: Th… |
| 2026005 9 Jan 2026 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could leak coolant. If this happens, the block heater could short circuit when it's plugged in. Note: Th… |
| 2023704 22 Dec 2023 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine oil pump tensioner and/or the engine oil pump drive belt could fail and cause a loss of engine oil pressure. If this hap… |
| 2018665 3 Dec 2018 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with a 1.0 L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission, repeated high energy clutch slip can lead to premature clutch lining wear… |
| 2018577 23 Oct 2018 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may stick open and cause excessive vacuum in the fuel system that could deform the fuel tank. If this were t… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2018 Ford Focus: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11008948 | While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. |
| 11001174 | This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019 Escape/MKC/Flex/MKT/Taurus/Transit/Expedition/F-Super Duty, and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink |
| 10254138 | All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership managemen |
| 10251952 | For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbochar |
| 10240743 | The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information. |
| 10235323 | Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms & Urgency / Expiration Date: Program extension until July 31, 2023. Service Action: o IDS level 128 or higher is now required to address various programming issues encountered. o C-MAX Energi vehicles are now serviceable with new software and hardware. Labor Allowances: C-MAX labor has been updated. Parts Requirements / Ordering Information: o The C-MAX 4G Upgrade Kit is now orderable at this time with a new part number. o MKX Rear seat ba |
| 10235153 | For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are |
| 10218617 | Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with 8 inch or larger center display screen may be unable to complete modem authorization after 3G to 4G modem upgrade was performed. No Authorization Pop-up will be displayed on the center display screen during the Authorization process. The vehicle may also not have proper functionality of remote app features such as remote start, return odometer, fuel information, or vehicle lo |
| 10217028 | Some 2017-2022 Ford/Lincoln customers may experience a notification in the FordPass/LincolnWay app indicating Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode. This occurs when the vehicle has not been started for 14 consecutive days, battery voltage is at/below 9.5 volts or the body control module (BCM) 12 volt battery state of charge (SOC) drops below 50%. A warning may also set if the telematic control unit (TCU) has received an over the air update. The TCU powers down all communication when in this mode and app features are disabled. Manually start the vehicle to wake if from mode. More information is |
| 10214758 | Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with SYNC screens 8 inch or larger may be unable to complete modem authorization after 3G to 4G modem upgrade was performed. No Authorization Popup will be displayed on SYNC infotainment screen during the Authorization process. The vehicle may also not have proper functionality of remote app features such as remote start, and return odometer and fuel information to the app. This m |
| 10211709 | Some 2014-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2014-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX, 2016-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV) and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with SYNC screens 8 inch or larger may be unable to complete modem authorization after 3G to 4G modem upgrade was performed. No Authorization Popup displayed on SYNC infotainment screen during the Authorization process. This may be due to the Sync Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to toggle Valet Mode. |
| 10209209 | This article supersedes TSB 21-2236 to update the models and year affected. Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2013-2022 Escape, 2015-2018 Focus, 2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2022 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty, 2018-2022 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2022 Ranger/Nautilus, 2021-2022 Bronco/Bronco Sport/Mustang Mach-E, 2022 Maverick vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/thump noise on turns. This may be due to the seat pan track. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to install a reinforcement. |
| 10208146 | Some 2017-2018 Focus/MKX/C-MAX, 2017-2019 MKC/Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ/Continental, 2017-2022 Mustang/Edge/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Escape/F-150/F-Super Duty, 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator, 2019-2022 Ranger/Nautilus, 2020-2022 Corsair/Aviator, and 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E vehicles may exhibit a noisy, incorrectly operating, and/or inoperative seat motor. This may be due to a damaged or inoperative seat track motor. A lower level service part has been released to correct noisy, incorrect operation/inoperative seat track motors. |
| 10205694 | Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software. If possible, using the original USB that installed the update, reperform the update and verify the navigation voice prompts have returned. Multiple reboots are expected when this update is being performed. Verify the Installation Is Complete message displays in the touch screen. If the original USB is not available, go to website https://syncnavigation.com/ford/ho |
| 10203848 | Various 2014-2020 vehicles equipped with a 3G modem may experience a lack of 3G modem performance. This may be due to the 3G cellular service functionality being decommissioned starting August 2021 and through March 2022. As the 3G cellular service is decommissioned, vehicles equipped with the 3G telematics control unit (TCU) will lose MyFord Mobile and MyLincoln Mobile app functionality/connectivity. Repair or Replacement of the TCU should no longer be performed using existing service stock. Replacement of the 3G TCU for this concern will result in programming concerns and repairs should not |
| 10201050 | Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK12 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor |
| 10201013 | Some 2016-2021 Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 or SYNC 4 may exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in transport mode. This is considered normal due to the power saving features enabled while in transport mode. It is beneficial for battery life to keep the vehicle in transport mode until the vehicle is prepped for sale. To prevent a SYNC system lockup during transport mode deactivation, follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedure exactly allowing time for the SYNC system to complete its tasks such as fully booting up or powering down and shu |
| 10199536 | Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2013-2021 Escape, 2015-2018 Focus, 2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2021 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2021 F-Super Duty, 2018-2021 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2021 Ranger/Nautilus, 2021 Bronco Sport/Mustang Mach-E vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/thump noise on turns. This may be due to the seat pan track. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to install a reinforcement. |
| 10198663 | Some 2016-2018 Focus and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine, 6F15 automatic transmission and built on or before 3-Jul-2019 may exhibit an illuminated oil pressure warning lamp with a loss of engine oil pressure. This may be due to a failed engine oil pump belt tensioner. If engine oil pressure at idle is below 10 psi (refer to Section 303-00 in the Workshop Manual for the oil pressure test procedure) and/or metal contamination is present in the engine oil, replace the engine assembly with a long block option 6006 and the turbocharger. |
| 10198605 | Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019 Escape/MKC/Flex/MKT/Taurus/Transit/Expedition/F-Super Duty, and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. |
| 10198600 | Some 2016-2018 Focus and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine, 6F15 automatic transmission and built on or before 3-Jul-2019 may exhibit an illuminated oil pressure warning lamp with a loss of engine oil pressure. This may be due to a failed engine oil pump belt tensioner which leads to a loss of engine oil pressure. If engine oil pressure at idle is below 10 psi (refer to Section 303-00 in the Workshop Manual for the oil pressure test procedure) and/or metal contamination is present in the engine oil, no further diagnostics should be performed. Replace the engine a |
| 10194428 | Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor |
| 10194415 | 2015-2018 Focus service parts transmissions part # F1FP-7000-VB / F1FZ-7000-P built on 1-Aug-2020 and through 01-Mar-2021 may have an incorrect input speed sensor A (ISSA) shim thickness. This may cause an intermittent input speed sensor diagnostic trouble code (DTC). In the event of shift issues or skip shift events, check and verify that the ISSA speed sensor shim is 2.0 mm (0.079 in) F1FZ-7Z101-A before proceeding with further diagnostics. |
| 10191099 | Some 2018 Focus, 2019 Fiesta, 2019-2020 Transit and 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles may exhibit a concern where the radio randomly seeks through FM stations when a Bluetooth device is connected and streaming audio. Engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition. Inform customers that Ford is developing a software fix that is expected in May 2021. In the interim, let the customer know that the radio will still function without Bluetooth and schedule a follow-up appointment with the customer for late February. Once the update becomes available, contact the customer and conf |
| 10191089 | Some 2016-2018 Focus and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine, 6F15 automatic transmission and built on or before 3-Jul-2019, may exhibit an illuminated oil pressure warning lamp with a loss of engine oil pressure. This may be due to a failed engine oil pump belt tensioner which leads to a loss of engine oil pressure. If engine oil pressure at idle is below 10 psi and/or metal contamination is present in the engine oil, no further diagnostics should be performed. Replace the engine assembly to correct this condition. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Timing Belt Failure
Timing Belt Failure
Oil Pump Failure
Loss of Motive Power
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation