2018 Ford Focus Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 837 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,183miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Ford Focus, 1% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,183 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Head lamp service fault . You lose all power to the headlights and your key fob does not register. Meaning you can just hop in the car with no keys and drive. Also the car turns off while driving”
NHTSA complaint #11297256, filed 2020-01, 19,000 miles“My low beam notification came on my dash while attempting to change my light I noticed that the wiring is tinged and exposed and the light is brown and burnt I'm not sure if there was an electric fire or what happened. I was parked and turned my car on when the notification came up.”
NHTSA complaint #11289250, filed 2019-12“The transmission is going out, they’ve replaced it and it’s still a bad transmission. Having a bad transmission could cause the car to shut off in the middle of the road causing an accident. My engine is constantly overheating, my car gives me warnings to stop the car because of overheating. I can’t even drive on the expressway because i’m scared my car is going to blow up or something. The electrical inside the car does not work, i can’t unlock the doors on the driver side but on the passenger side i can. …”
NHTSA complaint #11505765, filed 2023-02“My Vehicle has been with me since I’ve had It since 32,000 miles it’s up to 87,000 miles now The first thing I had to replace the starter at 32,000 the alternator and CV axle on the passenger side and the clutch is second and third clutch And the inside dome lights an the dash lights shorted out all went out the day after I got it now since then at 84,000 the The front clip just fell off going down the road it never dragged the ground an it was never broken but going down the interstate at 70 the speed limit it fell down an ripped out from under the car an hit the car behind me costing me a…”
NHTSA complaint #11481954, filed 2022-08“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the passenger’s side headlight was inoperable. The headlamp failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that there was condensation in the headlight housing. The contact was informed that the headlight housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,366.”
NHTSA complaint #11544749, filed 2023-09, 75,366 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 9 | 1% |
| 2016 | 8 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 0% |
| 2014 | 10 | 0% |
| 2013 | 14 | 1% |
| 2012 | 26 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 14 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 3% |
| 2005 | 20 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 2% |
| 2003 | 15 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 1% |
| 2001 | 32 | 2% |
| 2000 | 60 | 2% |
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 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
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