2018 Ford Focus Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

226Engine complaints

27.5%Of all 821 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN290 · 35.3%

ENGINE226 · 27.5%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM129 · 15.7%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING118 · 14.4%

Unspecified / other76 · 9.3%

Share of the 821 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Ford Focus overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED…”NHTSA complaint 11339316 — filed 07/14/2020

“A FULL TANK IS 160 MILES. AND HAS A SMELL WHEN THE A/C ON. ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.”NHTSA complaint 11331292 — filed 06/28/2020

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO PROPERLY SHIFT GEARS WHILE THE RPMS INCREASED AT…”NHTSA complaint 11330960 — filed 06/26/2020

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Ford Focus have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Ford Focus: 226 of 821 complaints on file (27.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Ford Focus have in total?

821 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 15 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.