NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may malfunction in certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles that received an incorrect repair under recall 18V735, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
This page covers 7 recalls, 814 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Ford Focus.
107 MPGe combined
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2018 Ford Focus centers on the PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission. Owners frequently report the transmission slipping into limp mode while driving, causing sudden and unexpected power loss, a particularly concerning situation in highway or traffic conditions. Clutch-related fault codes come up repeatedly, with some owners describing wiring harness issues near the clutch position sensor as the root of repeated failures. Several owners report the transmission failing more than once on the same vehicle. Engine complaints make up the second-largest category, though the narratives skew heavily toward powertrain issues, with rough running and power loss often tied back to the same transmission behavior. Transmission replacement and repair costs appear frequently in owner accounts, as does the vehicle being towed after losing drivability.
814
Total Complaints
15
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Ford Focus has 7 recalls, with multiple issues that can cause the engine to stall without warning while driving, and separate defects that raise the risk of fire.
The stall risks come from two sources: a canister purge valve that can create excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor system, cutting the engine and preventing a restart, and an oil pump drive belt or tensioner that can fail and cause the engine to lose oil pressure, also killing power brake assist in the process. Note that prior repair attempts for the canister purge valve did not fully resolve the issue, which is why a follow-up recall exists. On the fire side, vehicles with a 1.0L engine and six-speed manual transmission have a clutch that can fracture, potentially leaking transmission fluid onto hot engine or exhaust surfaces. Again, an earlier repair attempt was not fully effective, resulting in a second recall covering the same defect. Separately, the engine block heater, when plugged in, can crack and leak coolant in a way that causes an electrical short, also raising fire risk. The oil pump issue and block heater concerns only affect certain engine configurations.
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may malfunction in certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles that received an incorrect repair under recall 18V735, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to address the valve malfunction.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch may fracture in vehicles that were previously repaired under recalls 18V169 and 18V845. A fractured clutch can damage the transmission assembly and cause transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant, which may cause it to short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater at no cost, or install a blanking plug and remove the heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, creating an electrical short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater or install a threaded plug and remove the electrical cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The oil pump drive belt or tensioner can fail, causing the engine to lose oil pressure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and drive belt at no cost. If engine damage has occurred, dealers will replace the engine assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch can fracture, potentially damaging the transmission assembly and causing transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will install software to detect and prevent clutch slip, and replace the clutch if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may stop working properly, creating too much vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
What the fix does
Dealer will reprogram the engine control module and check for fault codes. Canister purge valve, carbon canister, fuel tank, or fuel delivery module will be replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.