Vehicle Data Hub

2018 Ford Focus drivetrain & axles problems

Owners reported drivetrain & axles problems in 301 complaints for the 2018 Ford Focus, 27% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
301 27% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
56,000 miles 174 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When drivetrain & axles problems show up

Drivetrain & axles complaints by mileage, 2018 Ford Focus Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 56,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 32 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 31 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 30 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 32 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 19 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 13 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 8 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 5 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 3 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 56,000 miles
Based on 174 complaints that include mileage. 53% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles32
20k to 40k miles31
40k to 60k miles30
60k to 80k miles32
80k to 100k miles19
100k to 120k miles13
120k to 140k miles8
140k to 160k miles5
160k to 180k miles3
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 174 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 56,000 miles, and 53% were reported before 60,000 miles.

None of the drivetrain & axles complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death.

What owners wrote

From a complete stop (due to stopped traffic on the highway or while at a stop light), acceleration causes the vehicle to hesitate, rapidly increase RPM, and shudder/shake violently. Happens roughly between 0-35 MPH. The issue is becoming more frequent, so I'll be taking the vehicle into the dealership. Mileage is just under 30k.

Reported at 29,400 miles, March 2018

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was stuck in first gear and the vehicle failed to shift gear as designed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the transmission control module was replaced; however, the failure recurred at the dealer.

Reported at 72,000 miles, January 2024

Other problems reported for the 2018 Ford Focus

Drivetrain & axles problems in other years

Drivetrain & axles problems across all Ford models