What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Focus?

Owners name the engine group most often, with 350 complaints, followed by the power train group with 319. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2018 Ford Focus have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 7 recalls for this model year. The recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints are there for the 2018 Ford Focus?

NHTSA has 837 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.

What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Ford Focus?

The fuel economy section on this page has the EPA figures and the estimated yearly fuel cost.

Is the 2018 Ford Focus reliable?

Complaints are one signal, and 837 are on file for this year. Read the problems and recalls sections together, and keep in mind the counts are not adjusted for sales.

2018 Ford Focus Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 837 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Focus^[1]. The engine group is named most often, with 350 complaints^[2].

837owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

22–34MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under many groups, and one complaint can name more than one. Here they are, biggest first.

Engine. 350 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car hesitating and shaking when pulling away from a stop, revs jumping up, and the engine cutting out while driving before coming back on.
Power Train. 319 complaints^[6]. Owners describe shuddering and jerking when they accelerate, plus a car that feels unsteady at highway speed.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 132 complaints^[7]. Owners describe hesitation, revs rising on their own, a fuel gauge that reads wrong and an engine that cuts out and restarts.
Unknown Or Other. 78 complaints^[8]. These reports do not fit a single named group.
Fuel System, Gasoline. 65 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a car that is slow to start after refueling, often with the check engine light on.
Electrical System. 49 complaints^[10].
Steering. 30 complaints^[11].
Speed Control. 27 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Focus is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister (26V369), June 2026. About 257,868 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Power Train › Manual Transmission (26V376), June 2026. About 5,252 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater (26V012), January 2026. About 2,403 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater (26V011), January 2026. About 116,672 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication › Pump (23V905), December 2023. About 139,730 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling, reduced braking, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Power Train › Manual Transmission (18V845), November 2018. About 2,828 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister (18V735), October 2018. About 1,282,596 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Focus RS AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	19 / 26 / 22	$3,750
Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	26 / 38 / 31	$2,150
Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	24 / 34 / 28	$2,400
Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[23]	25 / 34 / 28	$2,400
Focus FWD, 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[24]	27 / 38 / 31	$2,150
Focus FWD, 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	30 / 40 / 34	$1,950
Focus ST FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[25]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700
Focus Electric, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity^[26]	118 / 96 / 107	n/a

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	11.6%
5 HB FWD^[27]	5	5	5	4	11.6%
5 HB AWD^[28]	5	4	5	4	11.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 Ford Focus with electric motor^[29]	143 hp
2018 Ford Focus with 1.0L 3-cylinder^[30]	123 hp
2018 Ford Focus with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[31]	160 to 247 hp
2018 Ford Focus with 2.3L 4-cylinder^[32]	350 hp

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Focus model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2000	3,686	11
2001	1,761	7
2002	971	2
2003	977	1
2004	387	1
2005	441	1
2006	205	0
2007	391	0
2008	250	1
2009	229	0
2010	287	0
2011	113	0
2012	3,803	10
2013	2,181	14
2014	2,659	14
2015	1,034	11
2016	1,194	11
2017	907	10
2018	837	7

NHTSA's counts for the Focus show 837 complaints and 7 recalls for 2018^[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 10 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2011 (113) and the most are for 2012 (3,803)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2018 Focus?

The 2018 Ford Focus has a large complaint count on file, at 837^[1]. The engine and power train groups lead the list, at 350 and 319^[2]^[6]. Owners in those groups describe hesitation and shuddering when accelerating. These are unverified owner reports, so they show patterns and not how often a fault happens. If you are shopping for one, check the recall and specs sections on this page and look closely at how the car pulls away from a stop on a test drive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Focus?: Owners name the engine group most often, with 350 complaints^[2], followed by the power train group with 319^[6]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2018 Ford Focus have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 7 recalls for this model year^[3]. The recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints are there for the 2018 Ford Focus?: NHTSA has 837 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Ford Focus?: The fuel economy section on this page has the EPA figures and the estimated yearly fuel cost.
Is the 2018 Ford Focus reliable?: Complaints are one signal, and 837 are on file for this year^[1]. Read the problems and recalls sections together, and keep in mind the counts are not adjusted for sales.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Focus

2010 287 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 3,803 complaints, 10 recalls
2013 2,181 complaints, 14 recalls
2014 2,659 complaints, 14 recalls
2015 1,034 complaints, 11 recalls
2016 1,194 complaints, 11 recalls
2017 907 complaints, 10 recalls
2018 this page

Compare all model years of the Ford Focus

Other Ford models from 2018

2018 Ford Edge 846 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Ford Escape 1,820 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Ford Explorer 737 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Ford Mustang 196 complaints, 3 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2018: compact cars

2018 Audi A3 45 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Audi A4 54 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Chevrolet Cruze 109 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 Honda Civic 755 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 0 complaints, 1 recall

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 837 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Focus (15 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
350 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Focus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Focus FWD, 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
319 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
132 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
78 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,875). NHTSA vehicle records
65 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,500). NHTSA vehicle records
49 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,323). NHTSA vehicle records
30 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,500). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V369, filed June 9, 2026: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister. NHTSA recall database
Recall 26V376, filed June 9, 2026: Power Train › Manual Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 26V012, filed January 15, 2026: Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater. NHTSA recall database
Recall 26V011, filed January 15, 2026: Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V905, filed December 22, 2023: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil / Lubrication › Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V845, filed November 28, 2018: Power Train › Manual Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V735, filed October 22, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Focus RS AWD, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 38 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Focus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Focus FWD, 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 38 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Focus ST FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Focus Electric, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 107 MPGe combined, 115 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Focus with electric motor: rated 143 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Focus with 1.0L 3-cylinder: rated 123 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Focus with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 160 to 247 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Focus with 2.3L 4-cylinder: rated 350 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2018 Ford Focus: problems, recalls and fuel economy