Model year
2018 Ford Focus
NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 837 complaints for the 2018 Ford Focus (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (295), ENGINE (232), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (132). NHTSA lists 5 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 3 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 22–34 mpg combined and 107 MPGe combined and 31.5 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $700–$3,750, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 3,686 complaints
- 2001 1,761 complaints
- 2002 939 complaints
- 2003 977 complaints
- 2004 387 complaints
- 2005 441 complaints
- 2006 205 complaints
- 2007 391 complaints
- 2008 250 complaints
- 2009 229 complaints
- 2010 287 complaints
- 2011 113 complaints
- 2012 3,770 complaints
- 2013 2,112 complaints
- 2014 2,604 complaints
- 2015 1,022 complaints
- 2016 1,183 complaints
- 2017 900 complaints
- 2018 837 complaints
Recalls
26V376000 · Jun 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
26V369000 · Jun 9, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
26V012000 · Jan 15, 2026
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
26V011000 · Jan 15, 2026
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
23V905000 · Dec 22, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
18V845000 · Nov 28, 2018
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
18V735000 · Oct 22, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Complaints
837 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 15, fire flag on 3, injury field 11, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22005 | Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | Jan 27, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
| RQ23006 | Loss of Motive Power · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER | Sep 15, 2023 | Dec 20, 2024 |
| PE23015 | Oil Pump Failure · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP | Sep 20, 2023 | Feb 14, 2024 |
| PE25020 | Timing Belt Failure · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS; ENGINE | Dec 18, 2025 | Jul 31, 2026 |
| EA26004 | Timing Belt Failure · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS; ENGINE | Jul 31, 2026 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.116 | NHTSA photo |
| 5 HB FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.116 | — |
| Bev 5 HB FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 5 · possibility 0.101 | — |
| RS 5 HB AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.111 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus RS AWD · 2.3L · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| Focus FWD · 2L · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 38 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
| Focus FWD · 2L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Focus FWD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Focus FWD · 1L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 38 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
| Focus FWD · 1L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 30 | 40 | 34 | — | — | $1,950 |
| Focus ST FWD · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Focus Electric · Automatic (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 118 | 96 | 107 | 31.5 | 115 | $700 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2018 Ford Focus at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.