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4.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,497 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #192

Mar 162024

Focus

  • miles

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

On [XXX], I was driving to the Grocery store and didn't even drive 1/2 mile when I got a message on my dash that my transmission was over heating, while sitting at a traffic light. 28,000 miles on my Focus. I pulled into the parking lot that was there and shut the car off. I called AAA to have my car towed to MasterCare Automotive. Then I had to tow the car to Sunrise Ford 5435 US-1. Ste 1. Fort Pierce, FL 34982. Directions ? (772) 461-6000. because they have the equipment to run the diagnostic on my vehicle. I received a call that they have to put a $1,300 sensor in my vehicle in order for them to do a diagnostic test. I called Ford to see if they had any help with the vehicle as I was never told that my warranty ran out in Jan 2024 nor did they offer me an extended warranty on the vehicle (which I would of purchased if I knew that my warranty expired. I was also told that more then likely would need a new transmission at over $5,000. A car that only had 28.000 miles on it shouldn't need a new transmission on it as I drive the speed limit and do not abuse my vehicle. The car that I was driving wasn't safe, if it had transmission problems, never warned about the transmission going right after the warranty ran out on the vehicle. I didn't even make it to the first transmission fluid change. Other then I receiving the message on my dashboard, I did not have any issues with the vehicle, no problems shifting the vehicle and no indications that the transmission was going to go out or I would of had my car in the shop to get my car repaired. Now I am left without a vehicle, no bus service and cannot afford to take a taxi or uber because I am disabled and don't make enough on Social Security to be able to afford these luxury of calling a cab or uber. I take car of my vehicle and have my mechanic go over my car twice a year when I have my oil changed. My records for my vehicle are at MasterCare in Port St Lucie. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #191

Mar 222024

Focus

  • miles
Confirmation from Ford dealership that 2018 Ford Focus has worn out clutch replaced at 57,547 miles. Clutch issue was causing delays in shifting, and consistent shuddering when accelerating from an idle position. Repair covered under 5-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. There is a recall on this same issue on the 2012-2016 models. At 68,488 miles (approximately 11 months from former repair) the vehicle is beginning to shudder once again when accelerating from an idle position. This issue causes safety concerns as vehicle does not properly accelerate from idle position when accessing new roadways and oncoming traffic. Ford service explained that powertrain parts are covered under 2-year 24,000-mile warranty, unless that repair was completed under the powertrain warranty. Next step in the process, is to retrieve a diagnostic to confirm the issue and submit to claim to Ford to ask if Ford will cover the repair under 2-year 24,000-mile warranty.

- Albrightsville, Pa, PA, USA

problem #190

Aug 132021

Focus

  • 123,247 miles
The automatic transmission shudders starting from a stop. Not so much when cold but when it warms up it can be very bad. It was a recall for my year and previous years but not my vehicle. It is also a known issue by Ford Motors for Ford Focuses. It actually would not go up a hill one day from a stop. I had to back down the hill to a flat area. Wish you guys and Ford would do something about it. It's a very well known issue that was never truly fixed.

- East Vandergrift, PA, USA

problem #189

Feb 012024

Focus

  • 58,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle accelerated abruptly and jerked forward. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a Transmission Control Module(TCM) failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under an unknown customer satisfaction program associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #188

Feb 272024

Focus 4-cyl

  • 59,566 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while shifting in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The contact stated that her son jiggled the clutch but the vehicle failed to move as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly, the cylinder assembly, the gasket retainer nut, the retainer bearing, the circlip-inner seal, the actuator clutch and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:?18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,566. The contact is requesting a refund of the $4,535.37 that she paid to have her son-??s vehicle repaired.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #187

Nov 012023

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The Transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission control module(TCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Centerburg, OH, USA

problem #186

Mar 122024

Focus

  • 15,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jolted forward before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred after 12,000 miles. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who again diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred two additional times, and the same diagnostic report was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 15,000.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #185

Mar 082024

Focus

  • miles
Have owned the car for a little over a year has 150,000 miles on it stopped at a red light and went to take off no power what so ever.Finally went into drive and got it to the garbage transmission is going out. My friction sensor is bad can-??t buy the part so need a new transmission.

- Jackson , KY, USA

problem #184

Dec 282023

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 25-30 MPH, a message indicating that the transmission was overheating and needed to rest for 5 minutes was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #183

Dec 072023

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message indicating that the transmission was overheating and needed to rest for 5 minutes was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #182

Feb 192024

Focus

  • 97,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was operating as if the vehicle was in LIMP Mode. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was in reverse, the vehicle did not function as needed. The contact parked the vehicle and turned off the vehicle, however the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with failed transmission clutch packets and that the transmission clutch packets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 97,500.

- Aromas, CA, USA

problem #181

Mar 042024

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly shuddered and hesitated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #180

Oct 012022

Focus

  • 100,908 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the vehicle began to hesitate with the "Temperature Hot, wait 5 Minutes" and check engine warning lights illuminated. On both occasions, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective transmission module and actuator assembly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 100,908.

- Wapwallopen, PA, USA

problem #179

Feb 162024

Focus

  • miles
Only after 30,000 miles the clutch became defaulty. Vehicle is unable to go in reverse and CLutch B is stuck engaged.

- Seaside, CA, USA

problem #178

Jan 142024

Focus

  • miles
My 2018 Ford Focus has not been running correctly since about 30000 miles. As I accelerate, the car has trouble shifting into the next gear and will make a rattle noise that sounds like an object hitting against a fan blade. This makes it difficult to speed up on the freeway or accelerate correctly when I get a green light. I take it into the dealership regularly for an oil change and tune up but when I mentioned the issue they have told me they don't hear it and nothing is wrong.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #177

Feb 172023

Focus

  • 117,595 miles
I purchased this car recently, and it ended up having a faulty transmission. Research shows many of these car-??s with a -??Power shift-?? transmission have had the same issue. Please do what-??s right, and initiate a recall. Thank you!

- Chalmette, LA, USA

problem #176

Jan 262024

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM's were increasing and decreasing erratically on the tachometer, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission was not shifting properly. Due to the failure the clutch 'A' stuck-engaged fault requiring the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Lebanon, ME, USA

problem #175

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 #174

Jan 182024

Focus

  • 38,834 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that when her son started the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact's son immediately parked the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed tube assembly and a failed clutch assembly. The contact was informed that the clutch assembly and tube assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,834.

- Brook Park, OH, USA

problem #173

Jan 022024

Focus

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was stuck in first gear and the vehicle failed to shift gear as designed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the transmission control module was replaced; however, the failure recurred at the dealer. The dealer then diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there were metal shavings inside the transmission and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Savanna, IL, USA

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