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2018 Ford Focus

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Ford Focus
Pictured: 2018 Ford Focus ST-Line X 1.0. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Hatchback Se/Titanium, 4dr Sedan S/Se/Titanium, Electric 4d Hatchback, St/RS 4dr Hatchback
Engines
1.0L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
123–160 hp
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
EV, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
34 combined · 30 city / 40 hwy
EV range
115 mi · 5.5 h on 240 V
Length
171.7–178.3 in
Curb weight
2,926–3,673 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2018 compact car (27 MPG).
  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Modest powerUp to 160 hp, versus about 210 hp for similar 2018 models.
  • Many owner complaints837 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 29 for similar models — most often about the power train.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Ford Focus is a compact car offered with 4 engines (1.0L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.3L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 172 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,926 lb (4dr Hatchback Se/Titanium).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (30 city / 40 highway), 26% better than the 2018 compact car average of 27 MPG, for an estimated $700 a year in fuel.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 115 miles and takes about 5.5 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 837 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Focus — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Focus →

Trims, performance & features

Engine123 hp1.0L turbo 4-cyl
Engine160 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmission6-speed automatic
DriveFWD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SESSEL

Safety & driver-assist features

Backup cameraStandard

Built in: Wayne, Michigan

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Focus configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Hatchback Se/Titanium171.7 in72 in57.9 in104.3 in61 / 60.2 in2,926 lb60/40
4dr Sedan S/Se/Titanium178.3 in72 in57.9 in104.3 in61 / 60.2 in2,954 lb60/40
Electric 4d Hatchback172.4 in71.7 in58.3 in104.3 in60.6 / 59.8 in3,673 lb49/51
St/RS 4dr Hatchback172.8 in71.7 in57.9 in104.3 in60.6 / 59.8 in3,252 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Focus Electric EV107 kW AC PMSMAutomatic (A1)Front-Wheel Drive115 mi · 31.4904 kWh/100mi–$700–
Focus FWD1.0L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive30 / 40 / 34+26%$1,950264
Focus FWD2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (AM6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 38 / 31+15%$2,150289
Focus FWD1.0L 3-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 38 / 31+15%$2,150286
Focus FWD2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28+4%$2,400321
Focus FWD2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 28+4%$2,400316
Focus ST FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25-8%$2,700356
Focus RS AWD2.3L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22-19%$3,750402
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27 MPG2018 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2018 Ford Focus 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★11.6%
2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★11.6%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2018 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Ford Focus (this car)34 MPG★★★★★7
2018 Honda Civic36 MPG★★★★★6
2018 Toyota Prius56 MPG★★★★★1
2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI29 MPG★★★★★6
2018 Hyundai Elantra35 MPG★★★★★1
2018 Subaru WRX23 MPGNot rated2
2018 Nissan Leaf151 miNot rated4

Recalls (7)

Power Train › Manual Transmission · Jun 9, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V376000 · 5,252 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister · Jun 9, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · 257,868 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
Risk
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater · Jan 15, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V012000 · 2,403 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater · Jan 15, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · 116,672 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication › Pump · Dec 22, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V905000 · 139,730 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Power Train › Manual Transmission · Nov 28, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V845000 · 2,828 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister · Oct 22, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · 1,282,596 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Risk
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Ford Focus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

837Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
15Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
55,248 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train295
Engine232
Fuel/Propulsion System132
Engine And Engine Cooling119
Unknown Or Other78
Fuel System, Gasoline52
Electrical System46
Steering30
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 1024/12: 925/01: 925/02: 1325/03: 1525/04: 1225/05: 1425/06: 625/07: 1125/08: 825/09: 925/10: 425/11: 125/12: 426/01: 926/02: 626/03: 426/04: 1026/05: 426/06: 726/07: 226/08: 526/09: 726/10: 224/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 15

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Ford Focus buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 295 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 232 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 132 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,248 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 115 miles.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Focus. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Focus years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2017 Focus34171.7 in★★★★★10907
2016 Focus34171.7 inNot rated111,194
2015 Focus34171.7 inNot rated111,034
2014 Focus32171.7 inNot rated142,496
2013 Focus32171.7 inNot rated141,759
2012 Focus32171.7 inNot rated103,147
2011 Focus29175.2 inNot rated073
2010 Focus28175.2 inNot rated0139
2009 Focus28175.2 inNot rated085
2008 Focus28175.2 inNot rated0104
2007 Focus27168.9 inNot rated0105
2006 Focus26168.9 inNot rated049

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →