2018 Ford Focus Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
  2
• Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM)
  1
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
  1
• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Oil cooler
  1
• Engine › Oil/lubrication
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1711%
• 25k–50k
  3522%
• 50k–75k
  5836%
• 75k–100k
  2818%
• 100k–150k
  1811%
• 150k+
  32%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the emission system had failed. The canister purge valve and the vapor vent valve were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the canister vent valve and the canister vent solenoid needed to be replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to independent who provided the same diagnostic; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the canister vent valve and the canister vent solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the "Engine Fault - Service Immediately" message flashed on the instrument cluster. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle was making a loud abnormal whirring sound coming from the engine compartment. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the failed to start. The contact stated that upon revving the engine, the vehicle was able to start. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 50 MPH after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle went into Safe Mode and stalled. The check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the fuel tank had collapsed. Additionally, the contact scanned the vehicle with an OBD-2 reader and retrieved a diagnostic test code indicating that there was excessive vacuum pressure in the fuel vapor management system. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated and experienced hard transmission shifts. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission clutch and the clutch actuator were replaced. The contact stated that while her significant other was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to pull to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the driver noticed that the engine had fallen onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Don Vance Ford, Inc. (MO-38, Marshfield, MO 65706), where it was determined that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to respond upon shifting to reverse(R). …

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. While the contact was about to pull over to the side of the road, the vehicle functioned normally. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the dealer; however, the contact was advised that there was a waiting list. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while starting the vehicle, the message "Engine Pressurized - Stop Immediately" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the radiator hose had detached. The vehicle was not repaired and was pending an inspection of the engine. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000(Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that the engine was replaced; however, the contact stated that after the recall repair, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact added coolant to the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was not experiencing the failure prior to the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant contamination. The dealer replaced two reservoirs and cleaned out the coolant. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle in the driveway, the vehicle failed to start. …

The contact's son owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while the driver was driving 50-55 MPH in the rain, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that while the driver was depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered and became undriveable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine was replaced. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a significant amount of smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the turbo charger had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. Additionally, the dealer determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. …

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed reading "Low Oil Pressure," after which the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 30 MPH. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the timing solenoid and oil pump belt tensioner. The timing solenoid was repaired, the oil pump belt tensioner was not, and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump belt tensioner, resulting in damage to the engine cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled with the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the oil pump tensioner which caused the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated while driving at an undisclosed, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and jerked with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as a failure with the torque converter. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Focus years