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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
319about this part
Share
38%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 319 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Ford Focus, 38% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“Every so often when I step on the gas to accelerate, the car sort of shudders. I've had this problem with the car before and knew it was the transmission. I've also had transmission problems with the car I had previous to this one which was a 2014 Ford Focus. I have been told that this is normal for transmissions to act this way, but it has happened way too often to be normal.”

NHTSA complaint #11416372, filed 2021-05, 28,000 miles

“I have a 2018 Ford Focus se that is less then a year old and it bogs down, acts like its going to stall out and doesn't get the gas mileage it's suppose too. It bogs down when I am driving it and when driving it will spit and sputter like it's going to stall out on me then snaps out of it. Ford keeps telling me that nothing is wrong with it.”

NHTSA complaint #11221099, filed 2019-06, 30 miles

“The automatic transmission shudders starting from a stop. Not so much when cold but when it warms up it can be very bad. It was a recall for my year and previous years but not my vehicle. It is also a known issue by Ford Motors for Ford Focuses. It actually would not go up a hill one day from a stop. I had to back down the hill to a flat area. Wish you guys and Ford would do something about it. It's a very well known issue that was never truly fixed.”

NHTSA complaint #11579011, filed 2024-03, 123,247 miles

“While sitting and moving slowing in traffic, at times, the vehicle will suddenly surge or lurch forward , very jerky aceleration from a stop, the clutch was already replaced once and this vehicle has only 61000 miles! I had to purchase another extended warranty to 100,000, when this is up then what do I do?”

NHTSA complaint #11246324, filed 2019-08, 60,000 miles

“This is the 2nd time I am having the same issue. They replaced the clutches. I drove the car a couple of weeks and am having the same issues with surging/lugging. Now, it is happening in lower gears and when I accelerate to higher gears. It is now happening when I am in reverse, too.”

NHTSA complaint #11292006, filed 2019-12, 36,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201831938%
201745551%
201667457%
201555955%
20141,57660%
20131,10252%
20121,44738%
20112018%
20104516%
20093917%
2008239%
20074311%
2006147%
20054711%
2004205%
2003485%
2002586%
2001905%
20002256%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford Focus

Engine
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 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 29, 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