20 complaints reported

2018 Ford Focus ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
20
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2026

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 warning light as well as the check engine light began to flash at the same exact time as the vehicle itself breaking down.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2025
Feb 2025

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2022
Sep 2024

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2023
Jul 2024 Injury

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 few months, and has been progressively getting worse until the check engine light came on which is the current situation. Mechanic found multiple codes P1450, P0456 and etc when he connected the computer to my car showing a CPV purge valve and other issues associated.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
May 2024

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 engine with no guarantee that I will be reimbursed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2024
Mar 2024 Crash

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 .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2023
Feb 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Dec 2023

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2023
Mar 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2022
Jan 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Jan 2023 Fire

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2023
May 2022

Cause not cranking and boost for while but stopped while running… displaying transmission fault service now… codes P1450 unable to bleed up fuel vacuum P0456 evaporative emission system leak detect..P144A emission system purge vapor line restricted/ blocked P0171 system too lean… seems to be bad vac line to tank and air leak… car stalling

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2022
Jun 2021

OUR 2018 FORD ESCORT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN: NHSTA CAMPAIIGN #18V7350000 RECAL ID 298184 BUT THIS VIN IS NOT ON RECALL. WE PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR JUST DIED LUCKILY IT WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY. WE NEED TO KEEP THE TANK AS CLOSE TO FULL AS POSSIBLE AND FILL THE GAS TANK AT THE COOLEST PART OF THE DAY AND IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET THE CAR STARTED. ONE TIME AFTER FILLING THE TANK WE HAD TO WAIT 15 MINS AND THE CAR RAN FINE THEN IT JUST DIED, NEARLY GETTING REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THAT WAS ON 4-20-21 AND OTYHER TIMES BEFORE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2021
Feb 2021

Vehicle stalles, stutter on startup.evap faults. Problem with the canister purge valve. Seems the car has some recalls issues.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2021
Jan 2021

Suddenly, the vehicle will stall only after it's been fueled. I've read reports of this being common in lots of Ford vehicles with it having something to do with a fuel filter or emissions. The vehicle continues to run and drive but I fear it will continue to do worse. My only option currently is to leave the vehicle running while being fueled.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2020

THE ENGINE STALLS AFTER ADDING FUEL AT A GAS STATION, THEN HESITATES TO START. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) SLIPS GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. TRANSMISSION ALSO MAKES CLICKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING OFF.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2020
Mar 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DTC CODE SHOWED A FAILURE WITH THE CANISTER VENT SOLENOID. THE PART WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIFFERENT DTC CODE WAS RETRIEVED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS STILL DUE TO THE CANISTER VENT SOLENOID FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER REFUELING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NECESSARY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A CALLBACK WOULD BE FORTHCOMING. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE PHONE NUMBER WAS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2020
Jun 2019

THE ENGINE STALLED ONCE ON AUGUST 20TH, 2019 WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. EACH TIME THAT I FILL THE TANK WITH FUEL I HAVE TO TRY 2-3 TIMES TO START ENGINE AS IT MAKES A NOISE AS IF I'M COMPLETELY OUT OF FUEL THOUGH IT'S A FULL TANK AND I'M STILL AT THE PUMP. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED TO ME THIS IS "NORMAL" FOR ALL CARS THOUGH I'VE NEVER DEALT WITH THIS AND AT 39 I'VE HAD SEVERAL CARS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2019
Mar 2019

FORD FOCUS, HESITATING WHEN DRIVING, ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED.OVER PERIOD OF TIME, HEARD STRANGE NOISES LIKE A LOUD BOOM WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS ONLY WHEN GAS LEVEL IS AROUND HALF TANK. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE VIN.CUT OFF HAPPENED AFTER MAKING A TURN ALSO THE BOOM NOISE. HESITATION USUALLY ON SLIGHT UPHILL. DEALER SAID THEY WILL CHECK WITH FORD COMPANY ABOUT THIS. I'M ACTUALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE, IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2019
Jun 2018

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 FORD FOCUS, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2018

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Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford Focus has 20 ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.