2018 Ford Focus Brakes Problems

Engine light and red oil can symbol's keeps showing on the dashboard. Brake pedal is tight & hard when stopping when pressed on them.

NHTSA ID

11613295

Incident

Sep 6, 2024

With out warning my car lost power and went from 65 mph to 40 in an instant, I was able to avoid hitting the side wall of the freeway and with Gods help avoided hitting any other vehicles. The oil light came on then the engine light soon after, I was able to take the first exit off the freeway and pulled over in a gas station parking lot. Tow truck took it to the dealership, this car has a recall and the recall description matches exactly what happed. The dealership told me it will take them 6-8 weeks before they can even diagnosis the car for that recall. I am stuck without a car, and I am lucky no one was injured. People with this type of Ford ecoboost need to be made aware they are driving a vehicle at any moment can have total engine failure putting lives in danger. When I received the original recall letter, I called Five Star Ford in April to set the appointment, and they told me they are not taking those recall repairs right now and to call back at another time. I called back in May and was told they are still not taking repairs for that recall, to call back 3rd quarter of 2024. You can see that Ford has put lives in danger if others who called for the repaired was turned away as well.

NHTSA ID

11606631

Incident

Aug 3, 2024

On [XXX] 2023, while driving on [XXX] near Dalton GA the brakes did not work. As i exited from the highway i could not stop the car, the brakes did not work. No warning lights showed up on the dashboard. I had to engage the emergency break to get the vehicle to stop. When i had the vehicle towed to the dealership for repairs it was discovered that two of the 3 pistons were not working, the break pump failed and the oil pump failed. If i had to stop suddenly on the highway, i would not have been able to do this. I would have likely crashed into something. This recall needs to be elevated as Ford has still not notified anyone of the needed repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11591272

Incident

Nov 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that the brakes were inoperable. The contact's wife had to slam on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brakes locked up and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine due to a faulty oil pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11573006

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

Mileage

92,000 mi

While driving on I75 the car started to act funny. No issue indicating lights came on the dash board. I exited the highway and the brakes did not work. I was able to get the car to eventually stop without damaging anyone. I had to use the hand break. My foot had the break peddle all the way to the floor and that would not stop the car. Once the car was stopped the check engine light came on when i tried to start the car. The car was towed to the nearby Ford dealership who determined the oil pump failed which caused the turbo to fail and 2 of the 3 pistons to fail. Engine, oil pump and turbo all had to be replaced. The break pump also had to be replaced. These were all related to the oil pump failure. This could have been so much worse had i had to slow down or come to a sudden stop on the highway. Or if there was any oncoming traffic at the exit intersection i had to go through without breaks.

NHTSA ID

11572510

Incident

Nov 23, 2023

I am writing to urgently submit a formal complaint regarding a critical safety issue with my Ford Focus, VIN: [XXX] , and Ford's alarming failure to promptly notify owners about the defect described in Safety Recall 23S64. On [XXX], I experienced a terrifying incident while driving on the highway when my car suffered a sudden loss of power braking, resulting in a near miss accident and inflicting emotional distress. I towed the vehicle to a Ford dealer for assessment, where it was determined that the engine had failed and required a full replacement. After doing research myself, I found that my car is among those affected by Safety Recall 23S64, a fact of which I was completely unaware until after the incident. According to Ford's own communication to US dealers, new or in-stock vehicles under this recall are not to be demonstrated or delivered until repair instructions are provided, and customer notifications are to be issued only after repair instructions and parts ordering information are made available to dealers. At the moment, I have yet to receive any such notification or communication from Ford, despite my vehicle being directly impacted by the defect outlined therein. Furthermore, Ford expects me to shoulder the financial burden of the necessary repairs upfront, with the promise of reimbursement once the full FSA bulletin is released, a process that may extend until June. I am lucky this situation was a near miss, however, for others this might be a life threatening experience. If Ford does not take immediate action to remedy those who have been affected early on in the recall, I will have to seek legal action for Ford's negligence, seeking compensation for material costs associated with the repair of my vehicle, as well as recompense for lost wages due to lack of transportation, the cost of a rental vehicle, and the significant emotional distress I experienced during this harrowing experience. Thank you for your urgent attention. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ID

11571053

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Engine oil light came on. Lost my brakes . Upon inspection brake vacuum pump failed. And turbo failed from oil starvation. Problem found. oil pump screen blocked off with belt particles.

NHTSA ID

11570924

Incident

Jan 8, 2024

The engine died while I was driving with my fiance, and the steering gave out. There was a loss of power to both the engine and brakes. The timing of shifting was inconsistent and I couldn't keep up with speed of traffic. Ford has confirmed that there is a problem with my vehicle and that the engine could explode. This is from their recall live on their site: "The engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm to fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt material may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine damage and/or seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of the mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash." My car has been inspected by the local Ford dealership. There was a warning lamp that showed on the dashboard the day I had planned to get an oil change done by the Tuttle-Click Ford. They completed my oil change and did not acknowledge that I had an engine warning light. I had to call them back the same day to ask why the light was still on and if they fixed it, and they said to bring it back in. Once I did, they said they would have to take apart my engine. After bringing it to two other mechanics (the failure getting progressively worse), one of them was kind enough to let me know my car was recalled. Information that Ford never led out with once I brought my car in.

NHTSA ID

11570422

Incident

Jan 3, 2024

The contact's brother-in-law owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his brother-in-law was driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost braking power. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with the check engine and low-pressure oil lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that an engine replacement was needed. The mechanic informed the contact that the oil pump had failed. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the part to fix the vehicle was not available. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided an estimate when parts would become available. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11567828

Incident

Jan 23, 2024

Mileage

80,000 mi

While driving 70mph on the highway my oil pressure light came on and I loss all power to my engine. I tried pressing the brakes and nothing happened. I lost ability to accelerate and then the brakes got hard and locked up so therefore lost ability to stop. I was able to coast off of an exit off the highway and had to try to not cause an accident until my car finally coasted to a stop. I had it towed to Portage ford in Portage Wisconsin and they told me that there is an advance notice recall but would not diagnose my car. They told me that they cannot do anything because the recall is just an advance notice and they are unable to open a repair order on it. They told me that because they could not open a repair order they could not verify that it was in fact the recall and told me that I would need to purchase a new engine completely. My oil had been recently changed and the oil levels were checked and they were good as well as the consistency. The recall is exactly word for word what happened but they told me the engine would be $6,000 and the labor would be 25 hours and likely another $6,000 so they qualified my vehicle as a total loss and that they wouldn't be able to give me more than $1,000 for my trade in. They said the Kelly blue book value was only a little under $8,000. My vehicle has a little over 50,000 miles on it only and was just out of powertrain warranty by maybe a month or two. This forced me into having to purchase a new car. They told me that if they found that it was related to the recall once they were able to open a repair order they would cut me a check for $5,000 because my car is obviously worth more than $1,000. I had just replaced the battery, front brakes and tires. No body damage or interior damage that would qualify the vehicle as lower trade in value. I bought it brand new and only owed $1,641on it and it would have been paid off completely. This is CLEARLY the recall but they refused to acknowledge it.

NHTSA ID

11566955

Incident

Jan 20, 2024

The brake got stuck and made it very difficult to start the car. Considering it’s a push start. The car then started misfiring and had trouble accelerating. Took it to Ford Auto Nation a few weeks later as it had not advanced, they informed me that the clutch and petal had to be replaced along with a few other parts.

NHTSA ID

11557295

Incident

Oct 28, 2023

Vehicle has less than 70,000 miles on it. While driving lost oil pressure and brakes. Yes available for inspection. When pressure was lost and brakes failed I could not have stopped to avoid an accident. Multiple articles on the pump failure. Spoke with Ford they say not their problem. No warning. Engine light came on with brake light while driving. Car has been sitting parked. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11546390

Incident

Jul 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal became firm. The check oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11546320

Incident

Jul 5, 2023

Mileage

65,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was stiff upon depression and became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then engaged the electronic parking brake in order to stop the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,940.

NHTSA ID

11499058

Incident

Dec 26, 2022

Mileage

73,940 mi

WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT UPON PRESSING THE GAS TO PUT YHE VEHICLE IN MOTION AGAIN , IT STALLS BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE AIRBAG UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED WHEN MY KNEE BUMPED IT. WHEN PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR THE CAR WILL NOT START BACK UP , IT STARTS N TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ID

11394472

Incident

Jan 5, 2021

Mileage

56,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2018 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK ON 06/23/2018 AND ON 09/03/20 I HAD TO HAVE MY FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE ROTOR WAS CRACKED AND THEY WERE REALLY RUSTED. MAKING MY CAR UNDRIVABLE. THIS MAKES ME SICK THAT FORD USES SUCH CHEAP PARTS THAT I MYSELF AS A POOR MICHIGANDER HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WITHIN 2 YEARS OF BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR.

NHTSA ID

11372735

Incident

Sep 3, 2020

Mileage

32,875 mi

TRANSMISSION CLUNKS AND SHUDDERS AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING. WHILE ENGINE RUNNING IN THE STOP POSITION, BRAKE PEDDLE GOES TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ID

11234306

Incident

Jun 22, 2019

Mileage

13,000 mi

2018 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLES BRAKING SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A MAJOR BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE OWNER RESIDING NEAR AN OCEAN. THE CONSUMER OWNED MULTIPLE VEHICLE'S IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT THAT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A SIMILAR. *JS

NHTSA ID

11196315

Incident

Mar 27, 2019

THE 2018 FORD FOCUS TI STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS WHEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING, THE FIST WAS WHEN TAKING OFF AT A STOP LIGHT, THE FOCUS ACCELERATED MORE WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND BRAKING TO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, IT WAS LIKE I WAS HITTING GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER THAT ON THE SAME DAY I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL AND IT WAS ACCELERATING WITH OUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL I HIT THE BRAKES AGAIN AND IT FINALLY STOPPED, WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND AGAIN PRESS THE BRAKE IT REVVED UP TO 3000 RPMS AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL I PRESS THE RUN/STOP BUTTON. THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING AND DID A HARD STOP IT ABOUT STALLED WITH RPMS GOING DOWN TO 400 AND FLUCTUATING UP TO 1200 RPMS, WITH ALL THIS WAS GOING ON MY BRAKES FELT SOFT THEN HARD, THE TRANSMISSION ALSO CLICKED TWO TIMES WHEN HARD STOPPING.

NHTSA ID

11171466

Incident

Jan 19, 2019

Mileage

23,200 mi

HIT SOMEONE DUE TO NO BRAKES. THEN LATER WHEN TRYING TO STILL HEAR AIR IN BRAKES WAS GOING 10 MPH

NHTSA ID

11120830

Incident

Aug 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 FORD FOCUS FROM ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR AND NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. *TT VIN NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD NOT GRAB. CAR JUST KEPT MOVING BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THERE WAS A MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. UPDATED 9/26/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11103373

Incident

May 3, 2018

Mileage

3,000 mi