Home · 2018 Ford Focus Bev · Complaints

What 743 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Focus Bev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (743)Crash / fire / injury (21)Transmission & drivetrain (285)Engine (195)Fuel system (181)Engine & cooling (108)Electrical system (38)Steering (30)Speed control (23)Brakes (21)Airbags (8)Body & structure (6)

285 of 743 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 6 of 12

Aug 26, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Ford Focus went into automatic limp mode after a dead battery with no reverse. I've heard it's an ongoing issues with these cars. And Ford has a program to fix these issues unfortunately my car year falls outside their current criteria. Took the car to the mechanic and they said it's an ongoing issue with these cars.

NHTSA ODI 11540871

Aug 11, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after several attempts to start the vehicle, the vehicle started however, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact shut off the vehicle and waited for a while however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle, but the vehicle would not start. The contact added oil to the engine and the vehicle was able to restart but with a clicking sound coming from the engine. Additionally, the vehicle would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced due to the clutch sticking. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 83,900.

NHTSA ODI 11538020

Aug 10, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

[XXX], oil light came on, and engine fault light, That day I made a appt at the dewey ford dealership, in ankeny iowa, for monday, august 8..., I had no car problems before this date ( the 5th) august 9th, dewey texts me to let me know, the oil pump failed, and there is metal contamination in the engine and the turbo , I need a new engine and turbo charger.. to the tune of 6249.71 dollars my car is a 2018 ford focus with 50.500 miles on it !! They are saying there is not any warranty on the car, .. I see that there are some class action lawsuits for ford, with the very problem I am describing.. of course no one from ford has mentioned that... please let me know what to do... Thankyou for your help [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] .. text only please.. dont hear well ( or e mail ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11537701

Aug 9, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the clutch started slipping. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the RPMs increased; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under Warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11537522

Aug 2, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Transmission issue. Dry clutch system causes the clutch to overheat and the TCM to fail. The car jerks and lurches and doesn't shift when it should. FORD issued recall for 2016 and the same transmission is in the 2018 as well.

NHTSA ODI 11535992

Aug 2, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,133.

NHTSA ODI 11536034

Aug 1, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Slipping of transmission in my Ford Focus 2018 SE With transmission not in-gaging fully and sluggish have difficulty with it not pulling up hills. My vehicle has an automatic transmission, not a clutch. Had repair vehicle about 2 years ago. Under supposed recall. Vehicle is now reacting the same as before. I am not sure what the previous repairs entailed. However, the vehicle has ran fine until 2 days ago.

NHTSA ODI 11535701

Aug 1, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch had to be turned several times before the vehicle started. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and shuddered while changing gear, with the check engine light warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the transmission control module (TCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11535714

Jul 27, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle failed to shift gear properly. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated and then unintendedly accelerated. The check engine warning light and the transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and scanned with an OBD2 scanner however, the vehicle produced unknown codes. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and not covered under warranty. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534904

Jul 19, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

UNKNOWN clutch actuators housing needs constant cleaning and causing car to not go into reverse

NHTSA ODI 11533336

Jul 18, 2023EngineTransmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the purge valve and coolant reservoir needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,691.

NHTSA ODI 11533034

Jul 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

My 2018 Ford focus has an issue with the clutch in the automatic transmission. I have been told by my local dealership this is caused because people drive the car to “nicely” and the clutch gets polished. I believe this is a hazard because my car had been having issues starting to move when going uphill since 12000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11532179

Jul 6, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift out of first gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the TCM; however, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced due to extreme internal damage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11530729

Jul 5, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

At ~84k miles the vehicle lost the ability to shift into reverse gear. Upon reading about the issues with dual clutch transmission, swapped the actuator motors and some gears were restored but quickly lost all gears. Took to local transmission shop where they explained this is common issue with vehicle model. My options were to rebuild the transmission or replace the transmission, in either case costs would be approximately 50% of the vehicle's fair market value. Given other year model issues with the powertrain, this needs to be addressed by Ford and extend the same options given to purchasers of earlier year models. I was told the 2018 models had this issue "fixed", which led me to purchase the vehicle. Otherwise, great car but this is a design issue that there is no fix for.

NHTSA ODI 11530397

Jul 3, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle twice before the vehicle started as needed. After the vehicle started, the gear shifter was difficult to shift into the intended gear. The contact was able to shift to drive; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,800.

NHTSA ODI 11530177

Jun 15, 2023SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I was driving on the thruway when my car came on with a warning that I have never received before. Stating that my transmission was overheating and that I need to stop for five mins to let the transmission cool down. As soon as that light came on the car stopped moving and I could not get off the road. There was no indicator before that the transmission was even having issues of any kind. I could have died that day because of the car. I have only owned the car two years and this is the problems that this car has.

NHTSA ODI 11527290

Jun 1, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after stopped, or while the vehicle was idling, upon acceleration, the vehicle hesitated. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact then stated that while shifted in gear, she heard a grinding sound. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was then taken to AAMCO where it was placed on a diagnostic machine and produced undisclosed codes indicating a faulty transmission. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be diagnosed until a failure had occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11524817

May 15, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

6 times (to date) - the car has needed repair for transmission issues and has been undriveable. The car's messaging system has displayed appropriate warnings, but the transmission issue has taken the car out of service all 6 times, at one time when parts were not available, for about a month. The Detroit Free Press has extensively reported on Ford's fraudulent conduct --- they knew about the transmission problems, but continued to sell the car without any disclosures.

NHTSA ODI 11522164

May 7, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission went out when car overheated. First it would not go in reverse but then none of the gears work. Took to ford dealer advised the clutch was out then was told transmission needs to be replaced. Was getting error code p2837 and p287B.

NHTSA ODI 11520826

May 4, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to drive properly or as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11520459

Apr 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission overheating going up hill , vehicle has the faulty dps6 transmission in it , FORD needs to recall the 2018 year model for repairs

NHTSA ODI 11518486

Apr 19, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while accelerating the vehicle started to shudder. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shudder. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed by a transmission tech that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11517927

Apr 10, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

recurring transmission problems. Clutches and clutch actuator have been replaced and still studdard shifts and loud noises. same problems as our 2012 ford focus that did have a transmission recall. why has this not been recalled

NHTSA ODI 11516317

Apr 1, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission Control Module (TCM) does not work and the car does not start on.

NHTSA ODI 11514918

Mar 30, 2023Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFuel system

Initially the check engine light came on; took it to service center and the fuel sensor was replaced. Check engine light comes on the next day which revealed an evap code error. Suggestion was take it to dealer for recall check. Safety became an issue when the vehicle sputtered and stalled on the highway. I visually inspected the fuel tank which appeared "sunken" which suggested a vacuum pressure problem which the dealer also confirmed. All this is part of a recall which "should" include my VIN, make, model and year.

NHTSA ODI 11514534

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Working with the data? Download all 743 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Ford Focus Bev verdict →