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EnginePart report

2018 Ford Focus Engine Problems

Complaints
232about this part
Share
28%of 837 total for the year
Median mileage
52,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 232 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Ford Focus, 28% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Each time I fill the car with gas, even with the tank half full, the car stalls and has trouble starting. I have checked for clogged or cracked fuel lines and there are none. It puts out the code p1450. Replacement of the fuel tank pressure solenoid and it's still having the same problem. I have read that there may be a recall of some sort on the fuel system in these cars.”

NHTSA complaint #11321251, filed 2020-04, 40,000 miles

“When trying to accelerate after decreasing speed it shoots up in RPM and will barely move until I let go of gas and allow it some time. It's as if I'm revving my engine with the the brake applied. Its slowly getting worse. I'm up to date on all my maintenance and the car is at approx 17500 miles. I bought the car brand new in august.”

NHTSA complaint #11203048, filed 2019-04, 17,500 miles

“The engine component transmission failed. Yes it’s available for inspection on request. I was driving my car on the highway and out of nowhere the car went into limp mode, no lights or anything appeared on the car prior to this, when the car went into limp mode it began going 7 mph on the highway causing myself to be in danger. Multiple repair shops have inspected the vehicle. No warning lamps or symptoms appeared prior to failure.”

NHTSA complaint #11514313, filed 2023-03, 112,629 miles

“The engine stalled once on august 20th, 2019 while driving on the interstate. Each time that I fill the tank with fuel I have to try 2-3 times to start engine as it makes a noise as if I'm completely out of fuel though it's a full tank and I'm still at the pump. Ford dealership stated to me this is normal for all cars though I've never dealt with this and at 39 I've had several cars.”

NHTSA complaint #11253728, filed 2019-09, 75,000 miles

“I was driving normally and the engine shut down with no warning (lights on the instrument panel went off) then came back up. Not long after this, I came across an article that suggested a current recall could be to blame for this but my VIN is not included in this recall. It should be. (date of occurrence is approximate.)”

NHTSA complaint #11144048, filed 2018-10, 18,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201823228%
201723026%
201623420%
201517317%
201444217%
201334416%
201247513%
201133%
20104215%
2009167%
2008146%
200762%
200621%
2005112%
2004133%
2003182%
2002162%
2001322%
2000160%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford Focus

Transmission and drivetrain
319 complaintsFuel system
196 complaintsEngine cooling
124 complaintsOther or unknown
78 complaintsElectrical system
49 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsBrakes
21 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 27, 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