2018 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 4%of 837 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Ford Focus, 4% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 3 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 was backing out of a parking space in a parking garage when the steering locked up on the vehicle. I was unable to turn the steering wheel to drive the car. There was no message or alert on the vehicle dash. I had to wrestle the steering wheel with great difficulty to get the car in position to be towed, as the vehicle was undriveable. The dealership determined that the electric assist power steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. Since the vehicle was 2 months out of warranty, I had to pay for the repair ($2,840). …”
NHTSA complaint #11406826, filed 2021-04, 27,680 miles“Drove the car for about an hour, then stopped at a gas station. When the car was started again, the power steering failure warning light came on, and power steering assist was nonoperational. Even after cooling down the engine, the power steering still did not work. Took to a Ford service center, and was told that the rack and pinion system had failed, and it would cost about $2,000 to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11329134, filed 2020-06, 47,500 miles“Steering wheel locked up and would not turn. Vehicle would go into all gears and could be driven forward and backward. Vehicle was parked in drive at the time. Ford dealer had to replace the steering gear assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #11176613, filed 2019-02, 3,138 miles“My vehicle was inspected in order to determine why my vehicle is stalling, jerking, not going into reverse and giving a warning message that the car is overheating. My spouse and I were told the transmission control module needs to be replaced. Upon reading about my car's maje and midel, I learned this is a problem with 2018 Ford cars. It stalls and almost cuts off in traffic which is very dangerous”
NHTSA complaint #11663139, filed 2025-05“My steering wheel got jammed in the middle of the road. Kt was just working fine and got stuck while I was driving. The ford dealer inspected the car and identified that my steering rack got cracked after the diagnosis. My car is driven just 40,000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11650186, filed 2025-03Related service bulletins
- 10152466Nov 1, 20182013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 30 | 4% |
| 2017 | 20 | 2% |
| 2016 | 45 | 4% |
| 2015 | 93 | 9% |
| 2014 | 223 | 9% |
| 2013 | 273 | 13% |
| 2012 | 927 | 25% |
| 2011 | 10 | 9% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 73 | 7% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 86 | 5% |
| 2000 | 168 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Focus
319 complaintsEngine
232 complaintsFuel system
196 complaintsEngine cooling
124 complaintsOther or unknown
78 complaintsElectrical system
49 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