Ford Focus 2018 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls issued for the Ford Focus 2018 and 837 complaints filed by owners. It's the model year with the fewest complaints for the Ford Focus between 2016 and 2018.
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Ford Focus 2018? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Ford Focus 2018
Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · 2026-06-09
What happens
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.
Consequence
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 26V376000 · 2026-06-09
What happens
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.
Consequence
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Equipment and labels
NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · 2026-01-15
What happens
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.
Consequence
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Equipment and labels
NHTSA campaign 26V012000 · 2026-01-15
What happens
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.
Consequence
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Engine and cooling
NHTSA campaign 23V905000 · 2023-12-22
What happens
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.
Consequence
A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 18V845000 · 2018-11-28
What happens
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.
Consequence
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · 2018-10-22
What happens
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.
Consequence
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
837 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
15 with a crash · 3 with a fire · 11 injuries
Most reported problems on the Ford Focus 2018
- Powertrain and transmission: 319 (38% of complaints)
- Engine: 232 (28% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 132 (16% of complaints)
- Engine and cooling: 124 (15% of complaints)
- Fuel system: 65 (8% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Ford Focus 2018
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Check for loss of power, stalling or uneven acceleration on the test drive.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Focus 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Ford Focus recalls by year
- 2016 : 10 recalls · 1,194 complaints
- 2017 : 10 recalls · 906 complaints
- 2018 : 7 recalls · 837 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Ford Focus 2018 have?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls issued for the Ford Focus 2018. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Ford Focus 2018?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: powertrain and transmission (319 of 837 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 25, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).