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Ford

2018 Ford FOCUS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford FOCUS has 1103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 13.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: from a complete stop (due to stopped traffic on the highway or while at a stop light), acceleration causes the vehicle to hesitate, rapidly increase rpm, and shudder/shake violently. happens roughly between 0-35 mph. the issue is becoming more frequent, so i'll be taking the vehicle into the dealers. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 13 crash reports 8 injuries

1103

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

13.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

350 complaints
32%
  • • FROM A COMPLETE STOP (DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT), ACCELERATION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE, RAPIDLY INCREASE RPM, AND SHUDDER/SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAPPENS ROUGHLY BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. THE ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, SO I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERS
  • • 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 O
  • • MY 2018 FORD FOCUS ST IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN 18V735. ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE DIPS DOWN ON RPMS AS IF ITS GOING TO STALL ON START UP. ITS NOT RECORDED AS CURRENT RECALL ON MY VIN BUT I BELIEVE THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“FROM A COMPLETE STOP (DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT), ACCELERATION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE, RAPIDLY INCREASE RPM, AND SHUDDER/SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAPPENS ROUGHLY BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. THE ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, SO I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

316 complaints
29%
  • • FROM A COMPLETE STOP (DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT), ACCELERATION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE, RAPIDLY INCREASE RPM, AND SHUDDER/SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAPPENS ROUGHLY BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. THE ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, SO I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERS
  • • WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN EVEN MILD WIND OR TURBULENT AIR FROM TRAFFIC THE CAR HAS A LOSS OF STABILITY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN WINTER AND AS SOON AS CONDITIONS IMPROVED FOR HIGHWAY SPEED TO RESUME WE FOUND OUT.WE DO NOT FEEL THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING. WHEN GETTING OFF
  • • CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY (2X IN 1600 MILES)
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“FROM A COMPLETE STOP (DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT), ACCELERATION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE, RAPIDLY INCREASE RPM, AND SHUDDER/SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAPPENS ROUGHLY BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. THE ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, SO I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

193 complaints
17%
  • • THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACHIEVE MORE THAN 25 MPG ON A FULL 12 GALLON FUEL TANK WITH 100% GASOLINE. THERE IS A GASOLINE ODOR AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR MULTIPLE HOURS. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 1 LITER ECOBOOST MOTOR THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 3K MILES ON IT. THE
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE READING. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC T
  • • MY 2018 FORD FOCUS ST IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN 18V735. ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE DIPS DOWN ON RPMS AS IF ITS GOING TO STALL ON START UP. ITS NOT RECORDED AS CURRENT RECALL ON MY VIN BUT I BELIEVE THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACHIEVE MORE THAN 25 MPG ON A FULL 12 GALLON FUEL TANK WITH 100% GASOLINE. THERE IS A GASOLINE ODOR AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR MULTIPLE HOURS. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 1 LITER ECOBOOST MOTOR THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 3K MILES ON IT. THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

77 complaints
7%
  • • MY PERSONAL CAR HAD A BATTERY DIE - I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I GOT IT TOWED- THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR FOR THE DAY - WHEN I STARTED TO WORK WITH THE RENTAL CAR I STARTED FEELING SICK WITHIN 15 MINUTES BUT KEPT DRIVING TO WORK - (A 45 MINUTE RIDE) I WAS AT WORK FOR 15 MINUTES AND THEN
  • • BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE WINDOWS HAD MOULDING THAT WAS LOOSE, THE FIRST TECH AT SCHICKER FORD SAID THAT THEY WERE ALL LIKE THAT, THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK AND TALKED TO ANOTHER TECH WHO GAVE ME THE SAME ANSWER. I SENT PHOTOS OF THE LOOSE MOLDING, THEN THE TECH SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO GET FORDS APPROVAL B
  • • EXPLODING SUNROOF - TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-5 AT A SPEED OF 60MPH IN TACOMA TODAY (7/5/2018) IN MY BRAND NEW 6 MONTH OLD 2018 FOCUS RS AND JUST PASSED 56TH STREET EXIT. SUDDENLY WITH WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND I WAS COVERED WITH GLASS AS THE SUNROOF COVER WAS OPEN. FORTUNA
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“MY PERSONAL CAR HAD A BATTERY DIE - I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I GOT IT TOWED- THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR FOR THE DAY - WHEN I STARTED TO WORK WITH THE RENTAL CAR I STARTED FEELING SICK WITHIN 15 MINUTES BUT KEPT DRIVING TO WORK - (A 45 MINUTE RIDE) I WAS AT WORK FOR 15 MINUTES AND THEN ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

46 complaints
4%
  • • 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 O
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE READING. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC T
  • • 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 KEEP
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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 O”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1103 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: FROM A COMPLETE STOP (DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT), ACCELERATION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE, RAPIDLY INCREASE RPM, AND SHUDDER/SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAPPENS ROUGHLY BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. THE ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, SO I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: FROM A COMPLETE STOP (DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT), ACCELERATION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE, RAPIDLY INCREASE RPM, AND SHUDDER/SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAPPENS ROUGHLY BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. THE ISSUE IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, SO I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACHIEVE MORE THAN 25 MPG ON A FULL 12 GALLON FUEL TANK WITH 100% GASOLINE. THERE IS A GASOLINE ODOR AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR MULTIPLE HOURS. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 1 LITER ECOBOOST MOTOR THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 3K MILES ON IT. THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: MY PERSONAL CAR HAD A BATTERY DIE - I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I GOT IT TOWED- THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR FOR THE DAY - WHEN I STARTED TO WORK WITH THE RENTAL CAR I STARTED FEELING SICK WITHIN 15 MINUTES BUT KEPT DRIVING TO WORK - (A 45 MINUTE RIDE) I WAS AT WORK FOR 15 MINUTES AND THEN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Ford FOCUS — Year Comparison

How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2018
1103Avoid This Year
2017
1165Avoid This Year
2016
1560Avoid This Year
2015
1308Avoid This Year
2014
3610Avoid This Year
2013
2913Avoid This Year
2012
4967Avoid This Year
2011
157Below Average
2010
408Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
1103
Recalls
0
Fire reports
6
Crash reports
13
Injury reports
8
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Ford FOCUS

Compare With

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