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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,193 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #128

May 062023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the highway and the oil light came on and the car started to slow down. Luckily made it home that night. Woke up next day started the car. Did not see any lights on the dash. When I got halfway down my drive way the car just shut off and the engine light and oil light came on. Cut it off and back on to get it back up the drive way. After cutting it back on the only light on was oil light but it would not move. Towed it to 3 different local shops and all 3 said I needed a new motor which would coast 5-6,000 dollars. The motor has around 78,000 miles on it.

- Randleman, NC, USA

problem #127

Nov 222023

Focus

  • 76,890 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving from a complete top. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving uphill and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond. There was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the powertrain system. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a diagnostic fee. The contact declined to pay the diagnostic fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,890.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #126

Jan 202024

Focus

  • miles
While driving 70mph on the highway my oil pressure light came on and I loss all power to my engine. I tried pressing the brakes and nothing happened. I lost ability to accelerate and then the brakes got hard and locked up so therefore lost ability to stop. I was able to coast off of an exit off the highway and had to try to not cause an accident until my car finally coasted to a stop. I had it towed to Portage ford in Portage Wisconsin and they told me that there is an advance notice recall but would not diagnose my car. They told me that they cannot do anything because the recall is just an advance notice and they are unable to open a repair order on it. They told me that because they could not open a repair order they could not verify that it was in fact the recall and told me that I would need to purchase a new engine completely. My oil had been recently changed and the oil levels were checked and they were good as well as the consistency. The recall is exactly word for word what happened but they told me the engine would be $6,000 and the labor would be 25 hours and likely another $6,000 so they qualified my vehicle as a total loss and that they wouldn't be able to give me more than $1,000 for my trade in. They said the Kelly blue book value was only a little under $8,000. My vehicle has a little over 50,000 miles on it only and was just out of powertrain warranty by maybe a month or two. This forced me into having to purchase a new car. They told me that if they found that it was related to the recall once they were able to open a repair order they would cut me a check for $5,000 because my car is obviously worth more than $1,000. I had just replaced the battery, front brakes and tires. No body damage or interior damage that would qualify the vehicle as lower trade in value. I bought it brand new and only owed $1,641on it and it would have been paid off completely. This is CLEARLY the recall but they refused to acknowledge it.

- St. Francis, WI, USA

problem #125

Jan 162024

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

First it started with the batterie we had to purchase a new batterie $207 then while driving the car turned of and I had to get the car towed I purchased from Ford dealer a new Starter I paid $279 I had the mechanic install the new starter I drove the car about 5minuts one one light away from the freeway entrance and i feel the car jerk it stopped while o was driving almost causing an accident I heard a big clunk I had to call the mechanic he drove to where the car turned on he inspects the car he put his CAR DIAGNOSTIC READER ON IT 10 CODES CAME UP ON THE SCREEN he let me know my engine is seized due to low oil pressure. The engine needs to be replaced. i called ford they told me unfortunatly theres an early recall for my vehicle and they dont have the parts or repair instructions until there 2nd quarter so I had to get another tow truck to tow my vehicle to the nearest ford. My car only has 70000-75000 miles the check engine engine light is turned on at the ford dealer they opened a ticket for me thr lady that helped me was very nice and helpfull unfortunatly thats the only thing they can do right now is keep the vehicle due the inspection and wait until the 2nd quarter for thr remedy which is 2-3 months from now when i called ford special support i was told the same thing for the moment its at the early stage of the recall now im left without a car now.

- Bell Gardens , CA, USA

problem #124

Sep 222023

Focus

  • miles
In September of 2023, I experienced an oil pressure light. It was expaliend that the oil pump drive belt failed and I needed my engine replaced. Since then, I have reached out mulitple times to Ford with little recourse as to help with my problem. Now, recall # 23S64 / 23V905 has been issued concerning my problem. In my chat with Ford, they indicated the problem is my responsibility and would not acknowledge the recall and any help.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

problem #123

Jan 132024

Focus

  • miles
Jan 16, 2024 Our vehicle turned of while I was driving I almost crashed into another vehicle the vehicle jurked and swirved to the side it caused the car to move to the other lane and a sound of a bang occured my car turned off 4 days prior I had to get my car towed I went to ford to ford and order a starter because the car turned of while driving I had to get a mechanic he installed the starter but one week before that we thought the problem was just the batterie on jan 9 2024 I had to call AAA and purchase a battery on jan 13, 2024 my car stopped while I was driving.. We had the starter replaced and today is the second time this occured Jan 16,2024

- Bell Gardens, CA, USA

problem #122

Jan 032024

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased car 9/30 and have driven less than 3600 miles. Engine slow to accelerate, also revving up while at a stop light, lurching forward, lagging, and recently on 1/3 not drive able and had to be towed. Engine light on with codes P2837 and P287B. Two different garages (1. Fritz Ford and McNairs Auto) have diagnosed this vehicle to have a defective TCM freezing up gears, causing transmission failure. Notified Ford Motors in MI, they advised me to submit a report to NHTSA to help. Repair cost is $8600 at McNairs, $9600 at Fritz Ford in Riverside, CA No warranty on this car! Please help!

- Placentia, CA, USA

problem #121

Oct 052023

Focus

  • miles
Vehicle has been parked for 3 months will not start. Needs engine. Recently seen recall on 2018 Ford Focus. This recall is not on my car but am sure that is what called engine failure.

- Wirtz, VA, USA

problem #120

Oct 102023

Focus

  • miles
My head gasket blew and there was no unjust stress put on my engine. One day my check engine light came on and then my vehicle overheated and started to have vapor leak out of the exhaust

- Mesquite, NV, USA

problem #119

Dec 152023

Focus

  • miles
1. The code indicates that the evaporative emission control (EVAP) system is unable to bleed up the fuel tank vacuum. p1450 2.Purge Valve needs replacement as it is sucking p0456 3. After getting gas, gar does not start Sick of being told nothing is wrong and it isn't happening to my 2018 Ford Focus. Now I have to have it diagnosed again for $280 when I know that my car should be included in all recalls. Yes it has been confirmed by a mechanic I am at risk constantly in this car. Yes check engine soon light keeps coming

- Manalapan, NJ, USA

problem #118

Jun 082023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil pump belt failed at a little over 50,000 miles

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #117

Nov 092023

Focus

  • miles
The dealership told me that I need a new engine and they said that the engine was poorly made but that there was nothing they could do to help with the cost. I only have 103,947 miles on the vehicle and kept up routine maintenance. The dealer said that Ford is likely to recall this engine. I also tried to call Ford corporate customer support for assistance and they said they were unwilling to help at all. There is a safety issue with the coolant system that causes engine failure. The diagnostic is to replace the entire engine. There are safety bulletins that exist but no assistant other than replacing a failed engine with another poorly made engine. This should not be legally allowed to occur. The consumer is helpless here. Please help me.

- Euclid, OH, USA

problem #116

Nov 202023

Focus

  • miles
The dealership told me that the sensor I read that was a recall wasn't covered because my vin wasn't on the list of re-calls. I looked up what auto zone pulled up as the code and pretty sure it was the fuel filter valve. But after taking it to our regular mechanic he replaced a line in the engine area that connect beside the battery going to the air filter area looks like a long black hose and then stated that may have been bad gas but was reading the re-call and my car was doing what I was reading. Some one said purge valve. He already replaced it and works fine. But I would get gas started off not starting up good then got worse had to leave it on while pumping 1 day it just died on me on fourth of a tank in the middle of rush hour and about got hit a bunch of times and nearly had to go to the e.r. made my heart rate escalade to high. Then got to were I couldn't even barely get it started so my ex husband paid to get it fixed costing dang near $250 I shouldn't have to be responsible for. There was never anything ever wrong with my car prior had it since new took very good care of it only put 60 thousand miles on it in 5 years maybe a very few oil changes and 1 set of tires but that was it. It won't let me upload my files either

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #115

Nov 212023

Focus

  • miles
Upon arriving at my job after a 50 mile commute, I noticed my engine making abnormal noise followed by an oil pressure engine light. After researching the symptoms, I found it is well documented that there is an issue with the Ford 1 liter ecoboost wet belt system. 2 Ford SSM bulletins (48093 and 49726) describe a wet belt tensioner failure followed by the oil pump belt shedding teeth resulting in loss of oil pressure. After removing my oil pan, the tensioner was found in the oil pan along with most of the oil pump belts teeth. Ford's recommendation is an engine replacement. Ford recommends replacing the wet belts at 150,000 miles with most failing quite prematurely This failure can happen at any time or speed causing total loss of power or catastrophic engine damage making it a safety concern for the driver as well as others.

- Brentwood, CA, USA

problem #114

Oct 162022

Focus

  • miles
In Oct 2022 we were on vacation driving on a highway in IL when my 2018 Ford Focus 3L 1.0L EcoBoost suddenly, without warning, shuddered and lost power. Luckily we were on a rural road and no one was around or it would have caused a traffic issue and potential accident(s). We live in UT and I frequently drive a very busy freeway and was grateful this did not occur there. We pulled to the side and noticed the check engine light and another message regarding Oil but I do not recall the exact words. We had pulled our car behind our motorhome so we were able to tow it back to our vehicle and towed it home. On the way home, we found that I did not have the extended warranty on the car that I intended when I bought it. This was maddening as the car was approximately 7k miles outside of the Ford Powertrain warranty. I eventually towed it to my parents home in ID and my father, a retired mechanic, inspected the car and eventually narrowed it down to the known issue of the oil pump/internal belt failure and that the entire engine would need to be replaced. I don't have the money to repair it. I have all of the service records as the oil changes were performed at a dealerships prior to the engine failure. We have not had it inspected by a dealer or other party at this time. I have been paying insurance and loan payments on a car I haven't been able to use for over a year now and it is extremely frustrating. I also hope to join a potential class action lawsuit.

- Mona, UT, USA

problem #113

Dec 012023

Focus

  • miles
2018 Ford Focus: Engine had knocking noise and low oil pressure due to failed oil pump belt and turbocharger was failing. Vehicle got towed to Ford Dealership and this information was confirmed by the Ford dealership. This incident happened unexpectedly. Check engine light and oil light came on in vehicle while operating moments before incident occurred. Vehicle had regular oil changes roughly every 3000-5000 miles (extended performance high mileage oil). There was a recall on this specific issue/incident with the following Ford vehicles/years: July 2023 -?" A Ford EcoBoost class action lawsuit alleges 1-liter EcoBoost engines suffer from oil pump failures that destroy the engines in these Ford vehicles: 2016-2018 Ford Focus 2016-2017 Ford Fiesta 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #112

Oct 282023

Focus

  • miles
The brake got stuck and made it very difficult to start the car. Considering it-??s a push start. The car then started misfiring and had trouble accelerating. Took it to Ford Auto Nation a few weeks later as it had not advanced, they informed me that the clutch and petal had to be replaced along with a few other parts.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #111

Nov 062023

Focus

  • miles
While driving vehicle two "Oil Lights" on dash came on and car instantly began making a noise. Pulled over and had it towed to a service shop, they are telling me the "Oil Pump Drive Belt" broke and now the entire engine needs replaced. Upon researching this issue I come to find that this is a VERY COMMON issue that Ford is aware of but refusing to fix. This needs addressed!

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #110

Oct 102023

Focus

  • 69,172 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle independently shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,172.

- Lebanon, MO, USA

problem #109

Mar 152021

Focus

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving approximately 45 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired.. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Midland, PA, USA

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