2015 Ford Focus
2015 model shown · Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Compact cars · C346 generation

2018 Ford Focus: reliability, problems and cost to own

Think twice Well below average

It scores 1 out of 100 for reliability compared with other compact cars. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $14,042 to own, including $5,927 in repairs.

Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Ford Focus.

Reliability

1/100

Well below average

Repairs, 5 years

$5,927

at 12,000 mi a year

Fuel, 5 years

$6,000

34 mpg, $3.40/gal

Price today

$8,939

$7,866 – $10,012, estimate

Recalls

7

on record

Owner complaints

837

filed with NHTSA

These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.

Where repair money is likely to go

Engine & cooling$2,922
Transmission & drivetrain$2,154
Steering$242
Fuel system$197
Electrical system$147
Driver-assist & stability$113

Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.

Recalls

Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Before you buy

These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.

Other years of the Ford Focus

Of the years we rate, the 2015 scores best (5/100) and the 2016 worst (0/100).

YearReliability
20181/100
20172/100
20160/100
20155/100

Questions people ask

Is the 2018 Ford Focus a year to avoid?

Yes. It scores 1 out of 100, among the least reliable compact cars of 2015–2024.

Is the 2018 Ford Focus reliable?

It scores 1 out of 100 against other compact cars from 2015 to 2024, which is well below average. Based on 837 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $5,927 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.

How much does a 2018 Ford Focus cost to own?

About $14,042 over 5 years: $2,115 in lost value, $5,927 in repairs and $6,000 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $8,939 today.

What are the best years of the Ford Focus?

Of the years we rate, the 2015 scores best (5/100) and the 2016 worst (0/100).

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Focus have?

7 recalls on record with NHTSA.