2018 Ford Focus Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 3%of 837 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Ford Focus, 3% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought my 2018 Ford Focus hatchback on 06/23/2018 and on 09/03/20 I had to have my front and rear rotors and brake pads replaced. The rotor was cracked and they were really rusted. Making my car undrivable. This makes me sick that Ford uses such cheap parts that I myself as a poor michigander had to replace rotors and brake pads within 2 years of buying a brand new car.”
NHTSA complaint #11372735, filed 2020-11, 32,875 miles“The 2018 Ford Focus ti started to give me problems when braking and accelerating, the fist was when taking off at a stop light, the Focus accelerated more when slowing down and braking to a car in front of me, it was like I was hitting gas pedal and brake at the same time. After that on the same day I was driving up a hill and it was accelerating with out pressing on the gas pedal I hit the brakes again and it finally stopped, when I got to my destination I put the car in park and again press the brake it revved up to 3000 rpms and did not stop until I press the run/stop button. …”
NHTSA complaint #11171466, filed 2019-01, 23,200 miles“When coming from a complete stop at a red light upon pressing the gas to put yhe vehicle in motion again , it stalls before taking off. The airbag under the steering wheel deployed when my knee bumped it. When putting gas in the car the car will not start back up , it starts n turns off on its own.”
NHTSA complaint #11394472, filed 2021-02, 56,000 miles“While driving 70mph on the highway my oil pressure light came on and I loss all power to my engine. I tried pressing the brakes and nothing happened. I lost ability to accelerate and then the brakes got hard and locked up so therefore lost ability to stop. I was able to coast off of an exit off the highway and had to try to not cause an accident until my car finally coasted to a stop. I had it towed to Portage ford in Portage Wisconsin and they told me that there is an advance notice recall but would not diagnose my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11566955, filed 2024-01“The engine died while I was driving with my fiance, and the steering gave out. There was a loss of power to both the engine and brakes. The timing of shifting was inconsistent and I couldn't keep up with speed of traffic. Ford has confirmed that there is a problem with my vehicle and that the engine could explode. This is from their recall live on their site: The engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm to fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt material may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11570422, filed 2024-02Related service bulletins
- 10152482Nov 27, 20182016-2018 Focus RS vehicles with 2.3L EcoBoost engine, may experience a momentary soft or long brake pedal in cold/wet/damp weather after extended driving conditions. Reprogram…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 1% |
| 2016 | 13 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 1% |
| 2014 | 32 | 1% |
| 2013 | 24 | 1% |
| 2012 | 61 | 2% |
| 2011 | 5 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 4% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 13 | 5% |
| 2007 | 20 | 5% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 30 | 7% |
| 2004 | 40 | 10% |
| 2003 | 62 | 6% |
| 2002 | 72 | 8% |
| 2001 | 199 | 11% |
| 2000 | 424 | 12% |
| 1999 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Focus
319 complaintsEngine
232 complaintsFuel system
196 complaintsEngine cooling
124 complaintsOther or unknown
78 complaintsElectrical system
49 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology