2018 Ford Focus Power Train

The DPS6 clutch failed rapidly. It is available for inspection. The car will suddenly and aggressively speed up while trying to shift gears or will suddenly slow down when downshifting making a collision very likely. They problem has been confirmed by a dealer. It has been inspected by a ford dealership and confirmed bad. There were no warning lamps or other symptoms prior to failure. It first started around 2/08/2026. This is a well known faulty clutch in the ford focus and ford fiesta lines from 2012-2018. Several repair shops and dealerships in the area i spoke with all acknowledge the high rate of failures with this specific type of clutch.

Ford diagnostic revealed transmission friction element stuck in A. The service center mechanic said the damper unit, forks, motors, bearing sleeve, TCM needed to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle shimmied while attempting to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the transmission and the contact was referred to the dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the independent mechanic. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle felt as if the transmission had slipped into neutral(N). The contact was not able to get the vehicle back into gear, and the vehicle lost forward momentum. The contact was in the parking lot of the residence and stopped and called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that it was the fifth time that the clutch had been replaced. The contact stated that the clutch was most recently replaced in May 2024. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission was blown due to the leaking of the transmission clutch fluid. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the clutch canister was previously replaced while the vehicle was owned by the previous owner. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and failed to shift into reverse(R). The vehicle failed to start intermittently and required several attempts before starting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed a failure with the fork actuator in clutch A, and the clutch master needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that approximately 2 years after the repair, the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who diagnosed a failure with clutch B. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact found information for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train); however, the dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

Bought a used 2018 Ford Focus From a dealer in October 2024. In February 2025 the car started shuttering when put inn reverse when I left work. I drove ten miles to Home and didn't drive the car util the next day. The next morning when I went to work the car would not do more than 25 miles per hour. I pulled over and called someone to come tow the car. The car would not go in reverse. Car was taken to Dealership Which told me I needed some kind of part for the transmission. the Part was replaced but then the dealership could not get the car to go forward or in reversed. The car kept throwing codes for the mechanic. I had the car towed back home. the Transmission light is on and cannot drive the car. The car has not been driven since the end of February due to unable to pay for more repairs.

Transmission element B stuck on. Requiring replacement of clutch and actuator.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear, the engine revved up, and the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle responded. The contact stated that several weeks later, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact’s neighbor used a handheld diagnostic machine to retrieve a code related to transmission failure. The neighbor performed unstated repairs to the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred days later. The contact stated on the last occasion, while driving at an undisclosed slight incline, between 1st and 2nd gears, the vehicle started jerking and failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated with a message to "Transmission Safety - Stop for 5 Minutes" displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.

The contact owns 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The message "Transmission Is Overheating" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to reverse as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000(Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the contact was informed through a voicemail message that no assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was 99,500.

I have had problems with the clutch 3 times and had it repaired and it sounds like it is going again i have only 44,000 miles on my 2018 and this is ridiculous I love my ford but something has to be done. My warranty is over 7/2026.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the fuel line was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with clutch failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

My battery died in my car. I replaced the battery with a brand new battery and then I noticed transmission issues that were not present 1 day prior. My check engine light came on as well as a “transmission fault warning” message. My car would not drive over 10 mph in drive. My car would shift into reverse, but would not drive at all. Car would not shift into S gear. Dealer told me it was the TCM. And that I just missed the TCM warrant by 3 days. They replaced the TCM and now they’re telling me there are deeper issues with the transmission.

Most recently, my transmission stopped working leaving my [XXX] daughter and I stranded at an airport, in congested traffic, right around a bend where traffic was exiting in Phoenix, Arizona. It was 111 degrees outside and we had to be towed by the airport contracted tow company to a little area where we could only stay for 20 minutes. They were originally going to tow us to the top of the parking garage, where the sun blazes down, but decided since I had my daughter with me that they would take us to a shaded area. I’m a [XXX], her father [XXX] and hasn’t been any help her entire life. I don’t have any family besides my sister which lives in California. I couldn’t afford a tow truck back to Kingman, AZ which is a which is a 3 1/2 hour drive. My car ended up starting and I was able to park in the parking garage so we got her flight moved back a couple of hours. Again, I was able to get the car started and it drove fine until it cut out about two hours from Phoenix in Wikieup Arizona where I stayed for 12 hours in my vehicle waiting for somebody to come and pick me up with a tow dolly. Now it’s at Anderson Ford in Kingman with an $8000 bill for a new transmission. This transmission issue is a known issue with many of the Ford focuses and I think that Ford needs to fix it and or give me a new vehicle because I’ve already had two new engines put in and I’m waiting on the third engine for the oil pump failure the first time the oil pump went out again. The first time the engine failed at 47,000 miles just outside of Wikiup Arizona, it was hot outside, I had two young girls with me and we were driving 65 mph up a hill in the car just lost power and we were stuck on the side of the road with no tow trucks even available for over 4 hours to come and help us. It was a mess. I included the repair invoices from both times the engine was replaced and then verbal communication between the dealership and I about the current transmission issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I have had the clutch replaced and after 5 months I'm having issues with it again. The Ford dealer that I purchased it from it saying that there is no issue and they cannot duplicate the problem that I am telling them is occurring.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse out of a parking spot while the transmission was shifted in reverse (R). The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. AAA arrived on the scene and jumpstarted the vehicle. The battery was replaced, but the failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle failed to stop immediately while the brake pedal was depressed, and the transmission inadvertently shifted to second and third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who performed a multi-point inspection and retrieved an error code for clutch B stuck engaged. The contact was informed that she needed to pay for further diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to the TCM. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,365.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and an abnormal sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the RPM fluctuate. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driving very slowly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission and intermittent clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the most recent failure. The contact stated that months before the failure, the vehicle experienced transmission failure and the transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally while attempting to shift gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping and failed to properly shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the engine was overheating, causing the vehicle to become inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the dual clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and then attempting to park the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and DTC: P087B and P287A were retrieved, indicating a failure with the transmission clutch, and specifically the B-clutch and indicating a failure with the transmission control module (TCM) communication bus. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 47,892.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the transmission and clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic provided the contact with DTC: P07A3. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,250.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that over time, the transmission was difficult to shift into gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic was diagnosed and determined that the powertrain control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 38,500.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in a parking area, the RPM increased quickly, but the vehicle failed to respond as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch. The contact stated that the clutch had been replaced in May 2022 after a similar failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 55,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective transmission clutch. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.