2018 Ford Focus engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V905000Dec 22, 2023139,730 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

  Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 202663,126 miAZEngine

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under a recall, while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly idled, causing the engine to misfire with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle sputtered during the misfire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11769722 · source
2. Filed Sep 15, 202632,000 miIDEngine

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving uphill, the vehicle lost power, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Engine Fault" was displayed. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the check valve on the vacuum pump had separated. The check valve was replaced every 1,000 miles. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the oil warning light…

   NHTSA complaint #11764403 · source
3. Filed Sep 14, 2026FLEngine

   My Ford vehicle has experienced repeated and significant engine problems that have never been successfully resolved despite numerous repair attempts at multiple Ford dealerships. The engine has been repaired/rebuilt multiple times, yet the underlying issue has continued and the engine has now seized. Most concerning, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off. Fortunately, it started again yesterday, but I do not consider it safe to drive because I am concerned it could shut off…

   NHTSA complaint #11763997 · source
4. Filed Sep 10, 2026ALEngineOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   First my wind shield wipers were coming on by themselves and not cutting off when I flicked the switch. Now my car is jerking when I press the gas to drive and sometimes moving in reverse after I press the gas to drive. Jerking and barely accelerating, then it decides to driver in between gaps. My safety is put at risk because sometimes it slows down or barely accelerates in oncoming traffic and moves backwards when cars are behind me at a light or stop sign. Manufacture by…

   NHTSA complaint #11763507 · source
5. Filed Sep 3, 2026IAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   There was supposedly a recall of 2012-2018 Ford focuses such as mine, which is a 2018, but somehow my car is not included in this recall even though it seems to be affected by the same problem. I believe it to have a faulty purge valve (forgive me if I am not precise in my terminology) as it stalls after I get gas and try to start it up. I have to rev the engine to get it to stay on. I cannot stop after I get it started because it roughly idles and seems like it will shut…

   NHTSA complaint #11761813 · source
6. Filed Aug 4, 2026WAEngine

   at 72000 miles the vehicle stopped running no power no warning lights on indication of any issue. luckily it was on a side road. hade it towed to the ford dealer diagnosed with a broken timing belt and needed a new engine. the quote off $7000.00 to replace the engine with a new long block after paying the lone on the car I replaced the long block myself just last week on 07/20/2026 at a cost off around $5000.00

   NHTSA complaint #11754846 · source
7. Filed Jul 19, 2026ILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   An authorized dealership performed a mandatory manufacturer safety recall repair on my vehicle for the Engine Oil Pump Belt and Tensioner (Ford Recall 23S64 / NHTSA Campaign 23V-905). While performing this specific recall, the initial facility negligently compromised the cooling system and created a severe leak, directly causing complete and total engine destruction. A subsequent independent diagnostic inspection by a separate authorized dealership confirmed this negligence.…

   NHTSA complaint #11751369 · source
8. Filed Jun 4, 2026OHEngine

   I had an oil pressure light come on while driving and it was followed by the car shutting off and not starting back up. It was towed to a mechanic who told me the timing belt broke while driving and the car requires a new engine. The car was the towed to a ford dealer who confirmed his diagnosis. The car has the 1.0l ecoboost engine and manual transmission. I saw that there is an open investigation on this exact problem and a recall would be greatly appreciated. I'm shocked…

   NHTSA complaint #11742133 · source
9. Filed May 15, 2026FLEngine

   Last July my car was overheating and breaking down as I was driving on I4 to work one morning which it overheated and broke down which was the precursor the last time My engine blew in December 2024 which the engine was already repaired January 2022 (Dumphy Ford,Pa), December 2022 (Tropical Ford, Fl) then I got notices there is a recall with the oil pump and belt since February 2023 however the remedy parts were not available and kept getting notices that the parts would be…

   NHTSA complaint #11737985 · source
10. Filed Apr 25, 2026CAEngine

    RECALL 23V905 February 2024 This is a complaint about service for the Recall. Or, the lack thereof. Still hasn't been serviced by dealer Serramonte Ford in Colma, CA.[phone removed] Car was delivered to dealer Wednesday April 22, 2026. And still hasn't been serviced, as far as I know. Inquired for status on Thursday 23rd, and Friday 24th. Never received any. call back. Called today, Saturday April 25, and was told that Service Department is closed. Left message on Service…

    NHTSA complaint #11733745 · source
11. Filed Apr 23, 2026MIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The dual clutch PowerShift DCT transmission has failed. When placed in reverse, the engine RPM increases when accelerating but the vehicle does not move at all. While driving forward, the vehicle struggles to reach 10mph and the transmission slips severely. The vehicle is essentially undriveable. The vehicle has gotten stuck on neighborhood roads on 3 separate occasions due to complete loss of reverse function. I was stuck for 30 minutes to an hour which put me in way too…

    NHTSA complaint #11733354 · source
12. Filed Apr 7, 202662,000 miMITowedEngineOther / Unknown

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering, jerking, and hesitating to accelerate as needed. The vehicle then stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:…

    NHTSA complaint #11729609 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology