2018 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Loses power when accelerating
- 27owner reports
- 64,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 31, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
744 of the 835 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 27 of those describe loses power accelerating.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Loses power accelerating on other Focus years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
This group is about the moment you press the pedal and the car doesn't respond. Owners describe no acceleration when merging or climbing a hill, a sudden reduced-power or limp mode, and the check engine light coming on with it. A number say it happened more than once before anyone found a cause, and some mention a throttle body replacement.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
7 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
All 7 recalls on the 2018 Ford Focus, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Focus
Timing belt failure. Open.
Timing belt failure. Closed jul 31, 2026.
Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 20, 2024.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Engine stalling. Closed jan 16, 2004, led to recall 03V-482.
Engine compartment fires. Closed nov 13, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 9, 2002.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 83,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“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.”
Filed Aug 21, 2025
“Slowed down to enter roundabout, when acceleration out of roundabout transmission shuddered, check engine light illuminated and failed to accelerate greater then 35 mph. When stopped transmission continued to shudder, and shifted awkwardly.”
Filed Jan 16, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 208 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 178 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 132 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 77 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 38 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 33 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 26 reports