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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,839 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 1 of 9)

problem #166

May 112024

Focus

  • miles

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

Engine failure

- Stone Mountain , GA, USA

problem #165

May 162024

Focus

  • miles
The oil pump control arm failed. There is an open recall with no remedy. We were originally told Q2 2024 and now it's Q1 2025. This is unacceptable as this recall was issued in January 2024 with no remedy.

- Dexter, MI, USA

problem #164

Jun 272024

Focus

  • miles
My oil light came on while driving, it was flashing. I pulled over, checked my oil level and it was full. I had it towed to the nearby Firestone that I always use to check what was going on, I was afraid to keep driving it. The mechanic called me a day later and said that my wetbelt had disintegrated and that my engine was gone. He said that there was no way to check this during oil changes also. He said this wetbelt caused a loss of oil pressure which is why my engine was impacted. Firestone didn't know what the error code was and reached out to the Ford Manufacturer and they were advised what a wetbelt was and did. I attempted to get the recall taken care of in March at Cavalier Ford and they cancelled my appointment since there was no active fix. I have also been advised I can replace the engine out of pocket and hopefully Ford will reimburse me. I also reached out to Beach Ford to see what I could do and what my options were, she also told me I would pay out of pocket and hopefully be reimbursed. No one can confirm if I would even be reimbursed, if I had the amount of money needed to get a new engine. Luckily, I was not put at risk or others. I do drive for a living, 50% of my job is on the road. I stopped driving my car at the first sign of trouble and only hurt the engine.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #163

Dec 222023

Focus

  • 54,000 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 while driving 70-?"75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and shut off. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle failed to restart. The oil pressure warning light illuminated and blinked. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and requested a buyback. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer agreed to assist with the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #162

Mar 162021

Focus

  • miles
I began having issues with my car engine in March of 2021. I talked to a mechanic friend of mine who did and check online and found out that there was a recall for 2018 Ford Focus vehicles. I contacted Darcars Ford of Lanham in Lanham, MD and told the Service Director (NAME UNKNOWN) this information and he stated that there was no recall for my particular VIN. My car engine seized up and was undrivable. I had to pay to get my vehicle towed to Darcars and also pay approximately $600 for them to check out my car. I had to get a whole new engine which cost close to $5,000. I didn't have the money to fix it and Darcars stated that I didn't have a warranty so I would have to come out of pocket for all of it. I was unable to drive my vehicle for approximate 6 MONTHS due to this issue. Luckily, I drove for LYFT part-time and I was able to rent a car thru them so I could continue going to work and taking my daughter to school. Eventually, I was able to save up enough to purchase a brand new engine and have it installed. I would like to know how I can be reimbursed for my purchase? This recall was a MAJOR inconvenience in my life and set me back substantially. Any assistance would be deeply appreciated.

- Largo, MD, USA

problem #161

Jun 102024

Focus

  • 71,311 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with low oil pressure coming from the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 71,311.

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #160

Jan 182024

Focus

  • miles

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

In Jan 2024 the car would not accelerate. Had to have it towed and got to a FORD dealership. They told us the engine is not working and needs replaced but their was a recall on the oil pump. They also said they have several cars same year with the same issue that are undriveable. It has been half a year and there still is no end in site for recall parts. I have lost my job due to no transportation and need to get this fixed. What is my next step. I have talked to FORD and just told it would be later this year but no date known.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #159

Jan 302024

Focus

  • miles
My engine completely locked up due to a faulty part at approx 68k miles. I sued and they immediately paid what I was asking for which was only the cost of the brand new engine I had to buy and the rental car for 3 months. In January, I was traveling approximately 55 mph when the light came on and said engine too hot, stop car now. I pulled over and opened the hood. It did not appear hot. I started the car up and temp was fine so continued down road. Approx 2 miles and temp shot up quickly and light came on again. Pulled over and waited for awhile. Car would not start and had to have it towed. It has been sitting since then while awaiting recall remedy. I am too scared to drive it with the potential for more serious issues such as fire.

- Rusk, TX, USA

problem #158

May 162024

Focus

  • miles
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.

- South Range, WI, USA

problem #157

Jan 012022

Focus

  • 50,374 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle was shaking and rattling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Crest Ford, in Center Line (26333 Van Dyke Ave., Center Line, MI 48015), where it was diagnosed that the EPV valve clutch and purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V845000 (Power Train) and 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,374.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #156

May 182024

Focus

  • miles

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

P219a, p064d Total system shutdown was not recrank. Was in the middle of a four-way intersection when car died. Independent service diagnose the problem Have checked the Ford recall list and there are three recalls address to my vehicle Oil pressure light battery light and check engine light

- Choudrant, LA, USA

problem #155

Mar 132024

Focus

  • miles
I was driving and my check engine light came on. Immediately after the light hits vapors started coming out of my tail pipes and my car heating gauge goes to hot. I pull over turn the car off and wait for it to cool down and then I add some anti freeze 50/50 to the reservoir. It still had a lot of antifreeze in it so I basically topped it off to the do not fill past here line. I turn the car back on and go to drive off. The car won't go above 20 miles per hour and it immediately over heats again and there is still vapor coming out. I have it towed home and then I have it towed to the dealership where they informed me that the head gasket is cracked. The component is available for inspection upon request. I could no longer go above 20 mph in Las Vegas with heavy traffic someone could have easily hit me or caused a crash. I'm not sure how deadly a blown head gasket is but it's possible the engine could have exploded or worse it was confirmed by Gaudin Ford of Las Vegas. An Internet search shows that A LOT of others have had blown head gaskets with low miles also. My source was Reddit and car forums related to the Focus ST. Check engine light came on and then literally 1 second after that the vapors started. After letting the vehicle cool down I could no longer drive above 20 mph. It was like the car lost all of its power

- Mesquite, NV, USA

problem #154

Mar 042024

Focus

  • miles
Earlier this year, I was driving my Ford focus and the car stopped at a stoplight and the engine shut off. The engine never restarted. I had the car towed to a garage and eventually a Ford dealership where it was determined that the reason the car broke was due to an active recall on the oil belt, as the oil belt broke. That active recall number is 23S64 and concerns the belt that delivers the oil to the engine and the oil to the turbo charger. Without the oil being delivered, the engine and turbo charger seized as the belt broke. The Ford dealership said that the oil belt, engine, and turbocharger would all need replacing but the recall only covers the oil system at this time. They were explicitly clear that the engine and turbocharger failures were due to the oil belt failure. My car has been at the Ford dealership for multiple months, awaiting the next steps, but as of now, it has been communicated to me that the recall only covers the oil system and not the cascading effect that the oil system had on the engine and the turbo charger. I-??m writing this complaint so that there is a documented instance where the oil belt recall has led to a cascade of multiple other parts on the car failing. The oil belt is currently in advanced recall notice and no remedy is available for the situation. I do not feel this has been remedied in a timely manner as my car has been on the dealership lot for multiple months now and they have said only the oil belt may be covered. I have opted to wait until the recall switches from advanced notice until I make a decision what to do. Let me know what other information I can provide. 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 braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

- Winfield, IL, USA

problem #153

Dec 282023

Focus

  • miles
2018 ford focus sh*t down while driving down a main road in December 2023 Had it towed at our expense to a ford dealership, they told us the engine needs replaced, estimated around $9000 Recall came out a week or so later, for the oil pump causing the engine to seize. Still waiting to hear from ford about the recall, and have been out of a car for 5 months, and they declined offering me a temporary car. I don-??t know what to do from here as the car has been sitting in my yard and the battery has also died now.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #152

Sep 012023

Focus

  • miles
See attached document for complaint

- Shakopee, MN, USA

problem #151

Apr 252024

Focus

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 165,000.

- Huntington Park, CA, USA

problem #150

Dec 082023

Focus

  • miles
Loss of oil pressure and engine did seize up on the road, had a hard time steering it off the side of the road. Then the check engine light came on after it was on the side of the road. Cars engine was destroyed due to the oil pressure. Car was Take to Ford Shop in Sioux Falls SDak to have a new engine put in, on [XXX]. This is the recall that is currently in affect that cause this engine loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #149

Dec 072023

Focus

  • miles
My family and I were moving across the country due to my husband being stationed in a new location in December 2023z My cars check engine light came in and about 1 minute later it started flashing. I had to get it towed to our final destination. We then had it towed to the Titus will ford dealership in Lakewood Washington. I was then notified by that shop that it had an advance notice recall on it. It has been there since the beginning of January 2024. The dealership told me my whole engine needs replaced because of the recall. The mechanic has told me the recall will cover the repairs fully. It is estimated to be $7,000 to repair. I could pay for the repair and then file for reimbursement. I do not have $7,000 to fix this. Ford continues to tell me there is nothing they can to but to have me wait till the remedy is available. I have NO mode of transportation to and from work, to get on base(home), to get my kids to and from school. They say there is no rental car available for me. Ford has said that the remedy should be available -??sometime-?? in the second quarter. I am paying my car payment and insurance for this vehicle every month without having the vehicle.

- Mcchord Afb, WA, USA

problem #148

Mar 192024

Focus

  • miles
Was driving and the low oil pressure light came on. pulled over as the engine stalled and would not restart. towed vehicle to an local shop. They confirmed belt material in engine oil and open recall. Called Ford and they have no parts and no direction on what to do until the recall is open. told it could be months until they have any information. towed vehicle out of the shop it was at and it is sitting. Ford is providing NO support until the recall is offically open however they have sent out pre notices and my car needs an engine.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #147

Nov 162023

Focus

  • miles
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.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

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