2018 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 38owner reports
- 75,000median miles
- $5,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
319 of the 835 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 38 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 38 reports
Transmission failure 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 is the end of the road for a transmission: the car stops moving under its own power, or a shop says the unit has to be replaced or rebuilt. Half of the owners here mention a warning light or message, and a quarter mention it happening again or to a second unit.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (38 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 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 clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
All 7 recalls on the 2018 Ford Focus, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
What owners paid
5 of the 38 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,500 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 46,000 and 103,000 miles, from the 29 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“I had the engine on 2018 (61000 mileage) focus replaced 1 and 1/2 year ago because of the oil pan wet belt recall. Now my transmission locked up because of clutch failure. I was lucky that I was coming to a stop while parking in my driveway. Now im told by mechanic that i need a new transmission. Why was ford allowed to continue selling cars with substandard engines.”
Filed Sep 1, 2026
“Ford transmission failure Started with chattering and engine acceleration at red lights. Progressed to remaining in drive even though you shifted to park or reverse”
Filed May 5, 2024
“Have owned the car for a little over a year has 150,000 miles on it stopped at a red light and went to take off no power what so ever.Finally went into drive and got it to the garbage transmission is going out. My friction sensor is bad canât buy the part so need a new transmission.”
Filed Mar 11, 2024 · 150,000 miles
“Transmission went out when car overheated. First it would not go in reverse but then none of the gears work. Took to ford dealer advised the clutch was out then was told transmission needs to be replaced. Was getting error code p2837 and p287B.”
Filed May 7, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 38 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
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 33 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 27 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 26 reports