2018 FORD FOCUS Fuelpropulsion System Problems
123 NHTSA complaints on file
Fuelpropulsion System Issues in the 2018 FORD FOCUS
123 fuelpropulsion system complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 FORD FOCUS. Of these, 3 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.
123
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Fuelpropulsion System Complaints
The malfunctioned component Engine Oil Pump failed while driving on highway causing the vehicle to both overheat and stall all at once, causing the vehicle to stop running in the middle of a main highway forcing me and another pedestrian to push the car into a gas station, out of the way of oncoming traffic, Ford did send out a recall notice for the Failed Oil Pump in December 2025 the same month my vehicle broke down. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanics shop, Master Muffler & Brake repair shop in Wareham Ma. as well as Empire Ford of New Bedford, Master Muffler & Brake concluded that the Head Gasket had blown, and Empire Ford of New Bedford concluded the issue was due to a cracked engine block. Prior to any issue there had been no warning signs then once the 2018 Ford Focus began to stall an overheating...
The fuel pump has failed and causes my car to loose power after the car has started. This is able to occur while operating the vehicle and results in immediate loss of power. This component has been inspected by an auto mechanic and will be looked at by the Ford dealership. A check engine warning appeared on 27Oct2025. However, my vehicle had been showing symptoms starting as early as Nov 2023. The symptoms included: a clunking vibration while accelerating the vehicle and switching gears, stalling at low speeds, and making weird noises when switching between gears at low speeds. I first contacted a Ford dealership about these symptoms six months ago.
My vehicle is part of the 23S64/23V905 Ford recall. The car died in the middle of an intersection in 2024 and Ford finally agreed to replace the faulty parts with more faulty parts until there was a fix. Now there is a fix and Ford said they will not replace it because it's still running, but when/if the parts fail again, to bring it in and they'll fix it. So if the vehicle fails on the interstate or in the middle of an intersection again and I'm in a crash, then they'll fix it. But they will not fix it until they fail because "there are too many not running vehicles in front" of mine.
My 2018 ford focus broke down in the middle of the road on [XXX] leaving it undrivable. The engine light came on and it gave an error saying “system engine fault, service now” I had it towed to Legacy Ford in Corbin KY on [XXX] and was they advised it was due to a recall with the with Oil Pump Drive belt and told me it would be covered but they didn’t know how long it would take….after having it for OVER a month, they called and said it was finished and ready for pick-up so I picked my car up on September 9th (still was driving weird) and picked my kids up from school & daycare, then went home so I only drove it about an hour before parking it. I went to leave to take my son to school the next morning and before I even pulled out...
While driving the vehicle at 60 mph in traffic, all propulsion was lost and the car displayed "stop safely now." Fortunately, I had enough momentum to drift to the side of the road, but this was a very unsafe situation. The vehicle was towed to a dealership where they diagnosed the high voltage battery to have experienced a sudden failure. The vehicle has approximately 60k miles, and searching online indicates that this is a common problem at this mileage. The replacement batteries are jow only built to order, so the vehicle has now been out of service for over 2 months while waiting on a replacement battery.
Since I have had this car the engine has been replaced 4 times and transmission once Engine has been replace 3 times under the same warranty due to recalled part I was not in an accident however car broke down while I was in traffic I am putting the latest date car broke down
Vehicle keeps dying while in idle or low speed, sometimes hard to crank. Battery/electrical has been checked.
The current recall issue already happened to my vehicle in 2022 and I had to pay out of pocket to have the entire engine replaced. I have contacted ford to get reimbursed for this due to the recall and they have not responded. Also this recall has been in place since 01/2024 and still no fix.
After working on [XXX], my vehicle made it home, and wouldn't start. After jump starting, I began to drive it to the dealership. My safety, and others, was put at risk when the car began to smoke, lost power in a driving lane, and then burned down with extreme intensity. The dealership isn't helping. Ford said their Office of General Council is still looking into it, but originally denied my claim before saying they would reconsider my case. An official report from the Lakeland Fire Department stated mechanical failure and loss estimated to be equal to $10,000. The engine light blinked on the way home, the oil lamp went off and on, and then the car wouldn't start. These were the only signs prior to a total loss of power and smoke before my life was in jeopardy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C....
Additional information to existing case # 11636712. The 3rd Evap canister valve repair on 1/15/2025 from Cook Ford Case# from Ford Michigan regarding Evap Canister Valve Recall Also, a 3rd pending code on the Transmission Control Module on my 2018 Ford Focus listed on the Cook Ford repair invoice
My vehicle has had 3 Evap Canister Valve Recall repairs since 2021, I purchased my 2018 Ford Focus Titanium brand new in January 2019. I have all receipts. I recently had the 3rd Evap canister valve repair January 15,2025. My vehicle had pending codes P144A and P1450 which would have prevented it from passing Texas Emmissions. My Vehicle has also had a Transmission Control Module Recall repair -TCM twice, once in 2022 and 2023. My car has had intermitten stalling in the middle of a intersection due to this recall putting me at risk for an accident. My vehicle currently has a pending code P2867 which is the TCM code. I have AAA tow truck history of my vehicle being towed to Classic Ford for these repeat repairs. I have taken my car to Classic Ford several times in Galveston, TX in which they have not successfully repaired these recalls....
After filling up gas tank, car continues to sputter and tries to stall. This only happens after filling tank.
My car stalls when I get gas. If I get gas, I have to try multiple times to start my car and once it starts, I can’t stop. If I stop, my car will turn off and I have to start it again. My car has died in intersections and on streets many times. I called ford and they told me that I am basically out of luck and will have to have it repaired on my own dime even though I am having the same symptoms of a current recall.
On several occasions over the last several thousand miles, several issues have developed (all without warning at the time of first occurrence). At random times the engine will shut off when lifting out of the throttle. The car will run out of fuel before the fuel gauge is on empty or the "Miles to Empty" indicator state there are more miles to empty. Additionally, when shutting off the car to fuel at a gas station, the car takes up to a minute of cranking to re-start. When it starts, it will randomly shut off for the first several minutes unless throttle is applied before it shuts off. On 10/30/24 when driving with the gas gauge and range to empty indicators not on empty, the car stalled when beginning a slight climb, leaving the car stranded at night in the left most lane of traffic. This suggests fuel tank deformation. When...
In March 2024, I was driving my Ford Focus when the engine suddenly shut off at a stop light and never restarted. There were no warning lights or indications that anything was wrong with the car prior to it shutting off. The car was towed to a Ford dealership where it was determined that the reason the car broke was due to the oil belt breaking which is an active recall. The manufacturer recall number is 23S64. The NHTSA recall number is 23V905. This oil belt failure, led to both the turbocharger and engine seizing up and breaking due to a lack of oil being delivered to the system. This problem poses a safety risk as a loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine damage and/or seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of the mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power...
Engine light came on while after car hassertated withe code p144A engine detected running the PCM and obstruction in the EVAP SYSTEM PURGE VAPOR LINE IS BLOCKED AND TO REPLACE EMISSIONS SYSTEM PURGE VAPOR CANISTER PURGE CONTROL VALVE
Vehicle has been having more frequent issues starting up. Engine stalls intermittently and hesitates after fueling up. Been getting inaccurate fuel gauge and distance to empty readings lately. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was compromised because the car stalled without warning on the highway almost causing me to get into an accident, and it also shut down on me after pulling out from the gas station after fueling up. Car also loss power and hesitated on highway when merging, causing traffic to back up. I feel extremely unsafe. Problem was replicated with my mechanic after driving with him from the gas station. The car has always passed inspection from when I bought it and i stay up to date with its maintenance from the dealerships. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp just illuminated a few days ago from 7/18/2024 but have been experiencing this issue slowly for a...
I bought this car in 2020-2021. My check engine light came on recently and when I took it in to get it fixed, I payed $1,140 (general maintenance, and fuel injector cleaner) and when I picked it back up they informed me that some 2018 models had a recall on my car. I called the dealership, and they informed me I had no open recalls. However, I am having all of the symptoms of the recall open on some of the same vehicles. Whenever I get gas, my car will not start. I have to turn my car over multiple times before it will safely start. Sometimes, when I get gas, if I slow down or completely stop my car will just turn off and then I have to repeat the same process over and over until it will start on its own. It has died in the middle of...
Oil light on engine is on. Issue is related to recall. Not able to fix issue until early next year
The oil pump belt broke and lost oil pressure causing the car to lose power while pulling out onto a busy highway. Had to have car towed to dealership. They diagnosed the problem as related to the recall and have recommended engine replacement but are not able to repair as the recall is in the advanced notice stage. I have contacted Ford everyday for a week about needing a vehicle in the meantime. They finally approved a car rental for $45/day but it has to be a Ford. I’ve called 8 car rentals and no one carries a compact Ford at that price. I would like my vehicle fixed or reimbursed 100% for a rental. I have spent hours on the phone trying to get this resolved. I’m being told I will need to pay out of my own pocket for anything more than $45/day or pay $8100 to replace...
My check engine light came on. I have the code P0456 indicating the evaporative emission system has a leak. This is the same code that caused a recall for 1,282,596 Ford focuses on recall #18S32. My VIN number is not in the recall, but I’m having the same problem.
My car keeps stuttering and stalling. I've been trying to get it fixed at specialists but they say nothing is wrong with the car, even though I've been stuck on the side of the road multiple times. Not to mention the intense jerking the car does when I try and speed up .
previous recall 18V735000 that covered the fuel system was inadequate. my 2018 se is constantly displaying incorrect fuel levels, and it has multiple warnings regarding the fuel system.
My fuel system failed, causing fuel leakage, problems with starting my vehicle, pressing on the gas and the vehicle not driving, which caused me to get in almost 3 collisions. my check engine light sensors are being triggered for no reason and my car continues to jerk and not drive, even if there is fuel in the tank.
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 280.00 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 on
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...
The purge valve problem persists well into this model year. The car is hiccuping and stalling at lights and has difficulty starting after fueling. I find it appalling that reprogramming the "check engine" light to acknowledge the defect, rather than actually repairing the defect was considered an adequate solution. My car has 59,000 miles and is just out of warranty. I think had this purge valve problem (rather than just the engine light symptom) been properly addressed by the NHTSA and Ford, my family would be safer in this car. I will never buy a Ford again.
The purge valve has been an ongoing continuous problem since we bought the vehicle. I have fixed it multiple times. It’s caused the vehicle to stall after putting gas in the tank, and just recently stalled while driving, causing me to hit a curb leading to the passenger front tire popping, the rim being dented, the tire rod bent, alignment out of wack, and the valance ripped off. It also caused a dashboard light to pop up saying Hill Start is Not Available. I was in the car thankfully alone and not with my children. The windshield wipers are a fairly newer issue, they come on whenever they want with the switch being touch. But won’t come on when I try to do it myself. I had my mom take a photo of the steering wheel/road while I was driving to show the severity of the alignment needed, it’s causing...
NHTSA number 18v845000 and 18v735000, my car is showing the same symptoms transmission and purge valve and should be included in these recalls
Slave cylinder on 2018 limited edition focus rs, i was driving home and pedal instantly fell to the floor! In the middle of the highway right before my exit and I had to do some rather scary driving when the car wouldn't change gears & stalled. I had to get the car to emergency lane/shoulder to pull over! No previous signs/warning lights or vehicle drive ability leading up to complete catastrophic failure of said slave cylinder. It's currently at the dealership where I had it towed with the clutch still on the floor &. Although the clutch was still on the floor the dealership took 2 DAYS TO "DIAGNOSE" the issue with the vehicle when its obviously a hydraulic issue with either the master cylinder or slave cylinder smdh thats an issue in of its self but i digress.The dealership did confirm that it is indeed a complete failure of...
While driving my car cuts off in the middle of the intersection of one of the most busiest streets where I live causing someone to bump into me nothing major but I was already still at that point with my Emergancy signals on but the oil pump went causing my car to shut completely off oil light comes on I contacted a mechanic just to look and he said my oil pump blew I have a crack in the pan smh no warning until it happened found out it’s a common issue with fords it really sucks
[XXX], oil light came on, and engine fault light, That day I made a appt at the dewey ford dealership, in ankeny iowa, for monday, august 8..., I had no car problems before this date ( the 5th) august 9th, dewey texts me to let me know, the oil pump failed, and there is metal contamination in the engine and the turbo , I need a new engine and turbo charger.. to the tune of 6249.71 dollars my car is a 2018 ford focus with 50.500 miles on it !! They are saying there is not any warranty on the car, .. I see that there are some class action lawsuits for ford, with the very problem I am describing.. of course no one from ford has mentioned that... please let me know what to do... Thankyou for your help [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] .. text only please.. dont hear well...
As I was driving my 2018 Ford Focus, the check engine flashed on. Almost as soon as I noticed it flashed on, it went away. Several more miles down the interstate, it came on again. Almost as soon as it came on, a warning displayed stating Engine Temp Hot, Stop Safely. As I started to pull over onto the shoulder, the power steering went out and then the brakes became extremely hard to push in. As my car slowed down I noticed smoke and as soon as we stopped flames came out from under the hood of the car. I called 911 and the Indiana State Police came and Incident # 2023-00344031 was filed after Pike Township Fire department extinguished the flames. State Farm Insurance was contacted and my car was deemed a total loss. I have photos but the website wouldn't upload the photos.
For a couple months I’ve noticed after I pump new gas, my car hesitates. It acts as if it’s going to turn off. I see this is a known issue but not for my year which is absolutely crazy. Not to mention how the car has jerked when you take off from a stop. This has been going on since I purchased the car new & I’ve continued to be told “it’s normal”. Nothing normal about a car hesitating and jerking.
There was an immediate loss of power while on the highway driving normally at about 70mph. There were no codes indicated previous to this incident, after vehicle was in a safe location I checked the codes. I believe it is the fuel tank purge valve as all symptoms point to that. It’s a known issue for this vehicle but for some reason my model/ year isn’t covered.
Car does not start or stalls when new fuel is added, poor fuel mpg. Check engine light with 1450 code. Recall on other fords 18s32 has the same issues but is not covering this model.
1) purge valve, available for inspection 2) causes stalling when driving and difficulty starting after a fresh refueling unless completely pressing onto the gas pedal 3) problem confirmed, Ford refused to fix the issue 4) inspected through diagnostic tools 5) several codes and the check engine light. Identical to recall 18S32 but 2018 Ford Focus S is not within the accepted years. Any sudden change in speeds will cause it to jolt and seize and/or rev the engine to over 4000 rpm even if less than a 5mph shift in speed Ford has a audio recording of several calls tied to the matter within the last week (31Mar-6APR and ongoing) Issue has been ongoing for several months
Initially the check engine light came on; took it to service center and the fuel sensor was replaced. Check engine light comes on the next day which revealed an evap code error. Suggestion was take it to dealer for recall check. Safety became an issue when the vehicle sputtered and stalled on the highway. I visually inspected the fuel tank which appeared "sunken" which suggested a vacuum pressure problem which the dealer also confirmed. All this is part of a recall which "should" include my VIN, make, model and year.
The check engine light came and the code for CPV show up. When you put gas in it doesn't start up right away like it suppose to. And the acceleration take time on occasion. Basically what the recall said for the car. But the dealship says my Vin numbet doesn't match the recalled so I don't know what to do.
The check engine light came on and the code reads P0456. The car also has a rough idle and loss of accleration power. We had the car inspected at the mechanic and the shop said the Cannister Purge Valve (CPV) needed replaced and the PCM software needed to be updated. They notified us there was a safety recall on 2012 - 2018 Ford Focus - #18S32 that describes this exact issue, but when we contacted Ford, they said even though our car was a 2018 Ford Focus the VIN # was not included in the recall. Ford suggested we report the issue.
I keep having an off and on check engine light with a P1450 code for the last two months. I’ve looked up my vehicle history. I found that my vehicle came up as a 2.0L GDI engine type which my car would qualify under the recall. But when I look up my vin, it tells me no. What do I do? I just financed this vehicle in October.
Hesitation, stuttering, and lack of power have plagued me since purchasing 2022. When I put my foot on the accelerator the car should go. My car decides to take a coffee break, then smoke break, then bathroom, another smoke break then decides to go.
MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND ENGINE AS THE ONE ON RECALL. BUT MY VIN ISNT. BUT I HAVING ISSUE WITH THE RECALL PART . OCTOBER AS PUMPED GAS , MY VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING AND CUT OFF, THOUGHT MAY OF BEEN BAD GAS. WELL EACH TIME I ADD GAS , IT STARTS SPUTTERING, DIES AND STALLS AT STARTING. I LOOKED IT UP AND REALIZED PURGE VALVE ON CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY CAUSING ,MY ISSUE. COUPLE WEEKS AGO ON JANUARY 20TH I DROVE VEHICLE TO DO A DASH AND MY CAR DIDNT WANT TO CHANGE OUT OF FIRST GEAR , LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD, I LITERALLY HAD TO SHIFT TO LOW GEAR ADN BACK TO DRIVE AND NEXT DAY IT DIED ON ME AT RED LIGHT BUT STARTED BACK UP . WELL 1/30/23 WAS ON WAY ABOUT MILE FROM STORE TO ADD GAS, HAD 10 MILES...
FORD REFUSAL OF NO COST SERVICE/REPLACEMENT for an ACTIVE RECALL on 2018 FORD FOCUS Canister Purge Solenoid Issue: Engine stalls at idle. Engine underperforms at lower speeds (under 40mph). Engine does not start immediately after refilling gas tank. Check engine light is on. Independent (i.e. non-dealer) mechanic checked on 09Feb2023. Diagnostic codes report Canister Purge Solenoid error. Independent mechanic noted a FORD recall (reference: 18S32) for 2018 Ford Focus Canister Purge Solenoid replacement, but my VIN does not show an active recall. FORD Customer Service and local dealers refuse to include my VIN on the active recall. FORD has not offered any opportunity for an appeal to have my VIN included on the recall.
Got engine lights and promble truning on and when accelerating and deccelerating car will shake and wont change gears. Took the car to have a diagnostic told purge valve has some damage and was told some ford focus where being recall for this promble.
The vehicle is a 2018 Ford Focus SE sedan. The purge valve canister caused my car to stall in traffic and it would not start for up to 20 minutes the recall number is 18s32 but my car specifically does not have this recall, the service engine light is on it turned on right before the car stalled, this is a safety issue because it could lead to a crash due to stalling. The transmission is slipping when it is cold outside and it will not shift until 7,000RPM there is no recall on this but my vehicle has 74xxx miles and should not be having this issue, there is no warning light about the transmission. Ford is going to do a diagnostics for my purge valve but has stated they will not repair unless I pay for it due to lack of recall.
My car died had trouble starting while driving Check engine kept showing code for purge valve replacement and fuel neck line. Had both replaced out of pocket had my battery replaced.
Vehicle does not start after filling tank with gas. We have to keep 1/2 tank at all times and leave the engine running when filling up. You can feel the engine sputter as it fills. Check engine light gives code P1450 "unable to bleed up fuel tank vacuum." I believe it falls under the recall 18V735000 but my Vin doesn't pull up any recalls.
While driving at normal speed of approximately 40 mph in Raleigh, NC, the check engine warning light illuminated. I took the vehicle to AutoZone where a diagnostic test was performed and produced code: P0456 indicating (Evaporative Emission System) by process of elimination (starting at the basics such as gas cap) it is the purge valve that failed and needs to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and I was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Purchased a Ford Focus 2018 (42,000k miles) in August 2019 from Drive Time Stone Mountain as a graduation gift for my daughter. In December 2019, while driving she notices her ECO went out and it no longer turned off when the car stopped, 2 weeks later the car stops in the middle of the street. We take it to a dealership in Statesboro, GA where she attends college and they inform us that the motor needs to be replaced. The motor is replaced and the ECO comes back on but goes off again in abt 3 mos. not even a yr later same thing happens same diagnostic of motor went out. The same FORD dealership installs a new one. Sept 2022, she is driving car stops a good Samaritan who happens to be a mechanic told her its the motor and power train and it will cost $7000 to replace...
Other 2018 FORD FOCUS Problem Areas
Power Train
278 complaints
Engine
218 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
117 complaints
Unknown Or Other
75 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
51 complaints
Electrical System
40 complaints
Steering
30 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
24 complaints
Service Brakes
19 complaints
Air Bags
8 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
8 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestorageevaporative Emissionscanister
6 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestorageevaporative Emissionshosesvalvessensors
6 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
6 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioninternalclutchesbands
6 complaints
Power Trainclutch Assembly
6 complaints
Exterior Lighting
5 complaints
Structurebody
5 complaints
Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
3 complaints
Back Over Prevention
2 complaints
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelfuel Gauge
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
2 complaints
Seat Belts
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
2 complaints
Visibilitywiper
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Back Over Prevention Warnings
1 complaint
Back Over Preventiondisplay Function
1 complaint
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelfuel Gaugefuel Level Floatsensorsending Unit
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingengineengine Control Module Ecuecm
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubrication
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubrication Oil Cooler
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pumpcontroldrive Module
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkages
1 complaint
Structureframe And Members
1 complaint
Tiressidewall
1 complaint