2018 Ford Focus Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 2018 Ford Focus, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 67,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “purge valve” (54% of reports).
- 65fuel system, gasoline complaints
- 67,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Purge valve: mentioned in 35 of 65 complaints (54%)
- Fuel gasoline included: mentioned in 18 of 65 complaints (28%)
- Refueling failed: mentioned in 8 of 65 complaints (12%)
- Upon investigation: mentioned in 8 of 65 complaints (12%)
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 59 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 65 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Ford Focus fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Gasoline complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Focus | 65 | 8% | 67,000 |
| 2017 Focus | 61 | 7% | 60,000 |
| 2016 Focus | 61 | 5% | 80,000 |
| 2015 Focus | 34 | 3% | 77,000 |
| 2014 Focus | 53 | 2% | 90,000 |
| 2013 Focus | 53 | 3% | 99,000 |
| 2012 Focus | 56 | 1% | 95,771 |
| 2011 Focus | 2 | 2% | 44,150 |
| 2010 Focus | 15 | 5% | 51,835 |
| 2009 Focus | 4 | 2% | 58,000 |
| 2008 Focus | 1 | 0% | 32,233 |
| 2007 Focus | 8 | 2% | 45,000 |
| 2006 Focus | 7 | 3% | 58,000 |
| 2005 Focus | 17 | 4% | 51,000 |
| 2004 Focus | 8 | 2% | 33,000 |
| 2003 Focus | 12 | 1% | 16,633 |
| 2002 Focus | 58 | 6% | 50,644 |
| 2001 Focus | 277 | 16% | 52,378 |
| 2000 Focus | 366 | 10% | 52,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently stalled with excessive fuel consumption. As a former Ford independent mechanic, the contact diagnosed the vehicle with a deformed fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the canister purge valve was…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling and driving a short distance, the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that later while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. Additionally, on several occasions after refueling, the…
Vehicle fails to start after refueling with gasoline. Research has revealed a faulty, purge valve as the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Ford Focuss have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the 2018 Ford Focus (8% of the 837 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Focus fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems start?
The median reported mileage is 67,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 2018 Ford Focus?
The most frequent phrase is “purge valve”, in 35 of 65 complaints, followed by “fuel gasoline included” (18).
Other 2018 Ford Focus problems
See all 2018 Ford Focus problems or fuel system, gasoline problems across all Focus years.