2018 Ford Focus steering problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 13, 2025CASteering

   I was waiting to pull out of the parking lot after work making a left turn. When it was clear I accelerated but the car felt like it didn't want to turn, it just went straight, the wheel felt like it had locked up, it was super stiff. I almost hit parked cars and almost was hit by the oncoming traffic. I was able to stop before hitting the parked cars, put my emergency lights on, put the car in reverse and had to go incredible hulk mode on the steering wheel to turn it any…

   NHTSA complaint #11673117 · source
2. 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
3. Filed Mar 25, 202540,000 miVATowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence and was then towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The repair was pending. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11650495 · source
4. Filed Mar 24, 2025VASteering

   My steering wheel got jammed in the middle of the road. Kt was just working fine and got stuck while I was driving. The ford dealer inspected the car and identified that my steering rack got cracked after the diagnosis. My car is driven just 40,000 miles

   NHTSA complaint #11650186 · source
5. Filed Dec 23, 2024NCCrashTowedBody & StructureEngineSteering

   My vehicle seized up as I was driving it and I wrecked it aside a median. I had to tow it to the ford dealership for them to diagnose it as the recall stated. The recall wasn’t officially out yet, so I had to tow my vehicle back to my house. This happened in February 2024. I have received a new engine, but had to continue to make payments on a car that I was not able to drive and only received a rental within the past 6 weeks since I have paid for new brakes, new battery,…

   NHTSA complaint #11632177 · source
6. Filed Sep 25, 202472,000 miKYTowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with electronic power steering assist module failure. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering assist module needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11616510 · source
7. 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
8. Filed May 30, 2024PASteering

   The power steering went out when I was 50 miles from home. It was very difficult to steer and presented a safety hazard since the handling was compromised and it was nearly impossible to steer the car.

   NHTSA complaint #11591467 · source
9. Filed May 13, 2024MISteering

   The steering rack on my 2018 Ford Focus failed completely as I was leaving the parking lot at work at the end of the day. This vehicle is currently having being repaired at the Ford dealer and is available for inspection. No injuries or accidents occured as a result of the power steering failure. I do believe my safety and that of other drivers was put at risk because of the inability to maneuver the car at low speed and in a high traffic situation. The dealership and an…

   NHTSA complaint #11588400 · source
10. Filed Sep 23, 2023OKCrashFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteeringVisibility & Wipers

    The purge valve has been an ongoing continuous problem since we bought the vehicle. I have fixed it multiple times. It’s caused the vehicle to stall after putting gas in the tank, and just recently stalled while driving, causing me to hit a curb leading to the passenger front tire popping, the rim being dented, the tire rod bent, alignment out of wack, and the valance ripped off. It also caused a dashboard light to pop up saying Hill Start is Not Available. I was in the car…

    NHTSA complaint #11546145 · source
11. Filed Aug 3, 2023ILSteering

    While on interstate felt steering wander. Within minutes I received a warning that the steering had a fault and service required. Now the car say it has steering failure. The cost to repair has been estimated at $4000+. I am still purchasing this vehicle and the mileage it at 75,000. With how quickly I lost steering I would say less than 10 miles of first steering issue. I am grateful I was able to park the car to avoid an accident. I have not been able to use this vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11536251 · source
12. Filed Jun 15, 2023NYElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11527290 · 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