2018 Ford Focus acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 8, 2026ORFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   when the vehicle accelerates too quickly or up a very gradual hill, barely any slope, it will slow to a stop. this is in line with the current recalls with other Ford focus 2018s likely caused by the Canister Purge Valve. it has the exact same symptoms, poor fuel economy, rough idling so much so the entire vehicle shakes, and the dangerous part- stalling. I have now stalled 4 times and have been in and out of multiple mechanics for this issue and no one can seem to identify…

   NHTSA complaint #11769967 · source
2. Filed Sep 17, 2026CAAcceleration & Cruise Control

   "My 2018 Ford Focus was traveling uphill at highway speed. I fully depressed the accelerator because the vehicle was losing speed. The vehicle did not respond with additional acceleration and subsequently continued to lose speed despite the accelerator remaining fully depressed. The dealership inspected the vehicle and told me that the engine is not powerful enough for sustained uphill driving and that the vehicle performed as designed. I am reporting this because I am…

   NHTSA complaint #11764863 · source
3. Filed Apr 16, 2026150,000 miTNTowedAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and then accelerated to the desired cruise control setting. The failure had occurred several times. Approximately 2 weeks later, while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the hazard lights were activated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission…

   NHTSA complaint #11731483 · source
4. Filed Aug 21, 2025OKEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I was on my way to a 7-Eleven to get gas once I filled it up. Those engine started sputtering and it did that for a minute until it finally started. I got to my school and then once I needed to go to school to school, my car was not going above 11 mph and when I was trying to reverse, it would not accelerate while reversing.

   NHTSA complaint #11682125 · source
5. Filed May 27, 2025NCAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle was inspected in order to determine why my vehicle is stalling, jerking, not going into reverse and giving a warning message that the car is overheating. My spouse and I were told the transmission control module needs to be replaced. Upon reading about my car's maje and midel, I learned this is a problem with 2018 Ford cars. It stalls and almost cuts off in traffic which is very dangerous

   NHTSA complaint #11663139 · source
6. Filed May 2, 2025WAEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My 2018 Ford Focus (DPS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission) suffers from severe hesitation and shuddering when accelerating from a stop, especially under 10 mph. More concerning, the car has stalled multiple times while merging into traffic and during right turns at intersections. We can no longer safely take free right turns due to the risk of the car dying mid-merge. This poses an immediate safety hazard and mirrors known failure patterns in earlier Focus and Fiesta…

   NHTSA complaint #11658591 · source
7. Filed Apr 15, 2025FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Since I have had this car the engine has been replaced 4 times and transmission once Engine has been replace 3 times under the same warranty due to recalled part I was not in an accident however car broke down while I was in traffic I am putting the latest date car broke down

   NHTSA complaint #11654809 · source
8. Filed Aug 23, 2024VAAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Car shuddered horribly on interstate. RPMs revving up like crazy. Transmission struggling. This caused the car to slow down drastically in the middle of traffic, nearly causing myself a fatal accident amongst others around me. No warning indications, just Transmission Fault Service Now as soon as it happened. In the past this vehicle has had transmission issues fixed and replaced by Ford themselves, due to the same shuddering and stalling as listed above. All those times, no…

   NHTSA complaint #11610557 · source
9. Filed Aug 5, 2024TXBrakesEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   With out warning my car lost power and went from 65 mph to 40 in an instant, I was able to avoid hitting the side wall of the freeway and with Gods help avoided hitting any other vehicles. The oil light came on then the engine light soon after, I was able to take the first exit off the freeway and pulled over in a gas station parking lot. Tow truck took it to the dealership, this car has a recall and the recall description matches exactly what happed. The dealership told me…

   NHTSA complaint #11606631 · source
10. Filed Feb 6, 2024CABrakesEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

    The engine died while I was driving with my fiance, and the steering gave out. There was a loss of power to both the engine and brakes. The timing of shifting was inconsistent and I couldn't keep up with speed of traffic. Ford has confirmed that there is a problem with my vehicle and that the engine could explode. This is from their recall live on their site: "The engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm to fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil…

    NHTSA complaint #11570422 · source
11. Filed Jul 10, 2023PAOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

    I was driving normal speed on a highway and all of a sudden my speed slowed to 0 and I had to hurry and pull over fast. I was so scared and it was so dangerous. I took it to a shop and they said I need a new transmission. The car never indicated there was an issue prior to this incident.

    NHTSA complaint #11531479 · source
12. Filed Mar 30, 2023MDFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11514534 · 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