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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,557 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2018 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Oct 292022

Focus

  • miles

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

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.

- Avondale Estates, GA, USA

problem #76

Sep 062022

Focus

  • miles
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.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #75

Jan 232023

Focus

  • miles
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.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

problem #74

Sep 112022

Focus 3-cyl

  • miles

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

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 because we are 60 days past warranty. Needless to say the car is still there. I have since purchased her a Kia with a lifetime engine. However, I need for this FOCUS to be fixed as a good will courtesy so I can sell it or trade it in. Paying $550 a month for a note and insurance for a non working car SUCKS! By the way, the car has 61,000k miles on it when it went out this last time. The sad part is that there are hundreds of FORD FOCUS owners with the same issue! Why not put a recall on this hunk of junk??!!!!

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #73

Dec 042022

Focus

  • miles
A couple weeks ago I went to put gas into my car and after filling up my tank I tried to turn on my car and it would not turn on. I knew it was not a battery problem because I just bought a brand new battery in July. This issue put me in danger because I was by myself in a busy gas station with no where to go or anyone to help me safely push my car into a safe area. This occurrence keeps happening when I pump gasoline in my car and after the first incidence a service light popped up but never any warning prior to that day. The vehicle has not been inspected because I am afraid to start my car and it will not work. When I would try to start my car after pumping gas it would stall and my engine would shake the car. I have checked my VIN # on all the websites possible but my VIN is not a part of the recall but it should be because my car is having the same issue any other 2018 Ford Focus have been having.

- Loma Linda, CA, USA

problem #72

Jul 302022

Focus

  • miles
2018 Ford Focus shutters, bucks when starting out from stopped position. Vibrates and lunges. RPM's too high. Dealer could not duplicate issue when I took it

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #71

Aug 102022

Focus

  • miles

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

The fuel pump keeps burning out even though the tank is clean and there are no other obvious issues.

- Del City, OK, USA

problem #70

Aug 042022

Focus

  • miles
Car will not start after I get gas. When it does start, it "jumps"

- Summerville , SC, USA

problem #69

Jul 012022

Focus

  • miles
Occasionally, car lurches forward at stop signs without pressing the gas pedal, and other times, the car doesn't initially respond to gas pedal at a stop, stalling for 1-2 seconds and then lurching forward unexpectedly. Vehicle also trembles and shakes when upshifting from gears 1-2, and 2-3.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #68

Apr 032022

Focus

  • miles
1) The car shuts off and has difficulty turning on after filling up the gas tank. It will turn on for five seconds, lung forward, and then shut off. It has not been inspected yet. There is a check engine light on and showed up about 2 months ago (same time as when the issue started). 2)The center media screen shut off. This is a risk because the backup camera no longer works as the screen no longer turns on. It has not been inspected yet. There were no warning lamps or messages.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #67

Jun 272021

Focus

  • miles

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

Engine shudders and sometimes stalls out when accelerating from complete stop and from low speed. Shudders also after changing gears or when trying to accelerate quickly like to change lanes. Especially after being driven more than about 50 miles without stopping. Has to be cranked 2 or 3 times after fueling and engine will only stay on if accelerator is pressed almost to the floor. Check engine light comes on and goes off randomly.

- Lillington, NC, USA

problem #66

Jun 082022

Focus

  • miles
My car sounds like its going die when putting fuel in my car, I have to leave car running while fueling. No matter the level of fuel. If I turn on my car after fueling, it takes a few tries to get car started back. Sometimes my car shakes when taking off or speeding up. This has been going on for the last year. Check engine light is on.

- Watts, OK, USA

problem #65

May 142022

Focus

  • miles
I'm pretty sure my car is having the problem with the fuel something because EVERY TIME I put fuel into my car it wants to choke up and die. It's very annoying now. It's been doing it for a couple weeks now but my car is not on the recall list and my car also is doing a thing when I accelerate it is very jumpy and feels like I'm going over rumble strips. I'm very unsatisfied with my car.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #64

Apr 082022

Focus

  • miles
Engine light on for fuel purge valve. Once vehicle is under half tank it struggles to start after fueling unless putting gas to floor while still in park. Once started struggles to stay on.

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

problem #63

Oct 212021

Focus

  • miles
Transmission control module failed, and according to Ford Service tech, basically "ate" the clutch. Vehicle can not go above 30 mph, and does not shift properly. Tech states is not included in recalls, though thinks it should be included. Parts on backorder with no ETA on resolution. No repairs able to be made. Purge Control Valve failed, causing engine to die while fuel gauge showing 3/4 tank, repeated issue until tranmission control module failure rendered vehicle mostly unusable. Tech states is not included in recalls, though thinks it should be included. Parts on backorder with no ETA on resolution. No repairs able to be made.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #62

Jun 012022

Focus

  • miles
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

- Mckinney , TX, USA

problem #61

May 152022

Focus

  • miles
Last Sunday, May 15th, 2022 my check engine light suddenly came on. Monday morning, I drove to Auto Zone and had a chip reader placed on it. Gave me error code P1450 Unable to Bleed Up Fuel Tank Vacuum. When I went to gas up that day, I was a 1/4 tank and my vehicle would not start immediately, it stalled. I had to pump the accelerator and it eventually started. This same thing happened to my 2014 Ford Escape. My Focus is a 2018 SE and has 51k miles on it. My VIN is not associated with recall, however, if this is a known problem, it needs to be addressed by Ford. I talked to my independent mechanic, and he said he-??s seen a lot of Fords with this and it-??s hard to diagnose. I work 45 mins away from his location, so on my end, trying to find a few days off to have my car worked on and unfortunately, I-??ll have to miss work as it-??s my only mode of transportation working out of the area.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #60

May 132022

Focus

  • miles
the purge value and cancaster is going bad and i know some 2018 ford force had a problem with these i would like my vin to be added to the recall since it should not had went bad

- Ripley, WV, USA

problem #59

Apr 262022

Focus

  • miles
Every time I fill up my has tank my car stalls. And after 3 or 4 tried with me giving it gas it will start and idle super high. I have even switched to a higher grade gas and it happens with all grades. And if it doesn't stall right away it will cut off shortly after putting it in drive.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #58

Mar 022022

Focus

  • miles
Currently there is a recall for 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles due to a malfunctioning canister purge valve. This issue causes the vehicle to have trouble starting up after refueling. I currently own and and use a 2018 Ford Focus as my primary (only) form of transport. This vehicle is experiencing the same exact issues noted in the above mentioned recall. I have made contact with Ford through dealerships as well as through their customer service chat and they have advised me that the included vehicles in their recalls are determined by the date and location of manufacture and my vehicle is not included. I am hoping someone can help me with this as it is a serious safety issue. My vehicle refuses to start after refueling until multiple attempts are made causing undue wear and tear on the starter. It is obvious that this issue is getting worse as the vehicle now shudders at times and acts as thought it is going to stall out or it is not getting enough fuel or has air entering into the fuel system. The check engine light is on and the codes states there is a problem with the emissions. I would really like to have this problem addressed as I am fearful of being stranded or worse yet the vehicle stalling out in traffic. Ford told me that I would need repair this at my own cost and MAYBE some day it will be added and they will reimburse me for the cost. Is there anything thing that can be done to assist with this issue short of me paying with money that I absolutely do not have? Please help!

- Florence, SC, USA

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