Ford Focus RS
2.3L EcoBoost, 350 hp, all-wheel drive with torque vectoring — technically the most capable RS of all time, but the head gasket overshadows everything. It fails between cylinders 2 and 3: coolant disappears, white exhaust smoke, poor cold starts. All RS units built before July 2017 affected — Ford replaced the head and gasket as a goodwill gesture. According to Ford, units built after July 2017 are not affected. The drift mode genuinely works: active torque distribution to the rear axle, ESP largely disabled. Not GT86 territory, but remarkable for a 1,600 kg AWD hatchback. Sound: EcoBoost-typical with pops and bangs, not as emotionally engaging as the five-cylinder of the Mk2. Oil changes every 10,000 km, coolant system monitoring is paramount. When buying: service history relating to the head gasket is essential.
350 hp, AWD, Drift Mode — but the Head Gasket...
First AWD RS with a real Drift Mode. 350 hp for a £33,000 list price was unbeatable. But: the head gasket between cylinders 2 and 3 blows on pre-July-2017 cars. Full service history is essential. Rawer than a Golf R, less refined, more character. Want fun? RS. Want fewer worries? Golf R.
Engine Weaknesses 11
Ford inadvertently installed Mustang EcoBoost head gaskets in early Focus RS (2015–2017). Coolant passages did not match; coolant could enter cylinders. Free warranty replacement until January 2019.
Symptoms: White exhaust smoke, coolant loss, HVAC heater failure, engine misfires, engine warning light.
The open-deck design of the 2.3L EcoBoost is not engineered for sustained high load on track. Cylinder head and block are heavily stressed by the integrated turbo temperatures.
Symptoms: Overheating warning on track days, heavy coolant loss, engine damage after sustained high-load driving.
The 1.5 EcoBoost (Focus, Kuga from 2014) shows a cluster of head gasket failures due to a design-inherent weakness: narrow coolant passages between cylinders increase thermal stress on the gasket.
Symptoms: Falling coolant level without visible external leak, pressure build-up in coolant reservoir, white exhaust smoke with coolant smell, temperature gauge spike
All Focus RS built before July 2017 received a Mustang 2.3 head gasket from the factory instead of the RS-specific part. Ford replaced the gasket, cylinder head, or complete engine as appropriate under warranty. Always verify recall completion on used purchase.
Symptoms: White exhaust smoke on cold start, coolant loss without visible external leak, heater failure, engine running on three cylinders when cold
The GKN RDU shuts down at ~150°C PTU temperature — the car temporarily reverts to FWD. No dedicated temperature sensor; value is calculated virtually. Individual clutch plates not available separately, only complete RDU. Aftermarket cooler essential for track use.
Symptoms: AWD cuts out after ~10 minutes on track, car pulls under full throttle like FWD, Drift Mode no longer available
In highly tuned applications, the LPFP can reach its limits under tuning or track day intensity. Standard pump failure at high mileage is also possible.
Symptoms: Power loss under full throttle, code P0087.
The 1.5 EcoBoost shows VCT cam phaser issues at high mileage or after improper timing belt replacement. Fault code P000A; symptoms resemble a timing belt fault.
Symptoms: Poor pull below 2,000 rpm; auto start-stop deactivates itself; engine warning light with codes P000A and crankshaft/camshaft correlation error
The copper crush washers on the turbo oil return line fail repeatedly — multiple owners report recurring oil loss after warranty repairs. An updated part with dual sealing exists but is not always fitted.
Symptoms: Oil weeping visible at turbocharger, slightly elevated oil consumption, oil smell after spirited driving, oil leak noted on MOT
Ford issued a service bulletin (TSB 5461) for 2016–2017 Focus RS PTU oil leaks. Shaft seals and intermediate shaft seal affected. Without repair, drivetrain components risk running dry.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the vehicle front-centre, oil smell after driving, AWD warning light in worst case
Direct injection without port injection wash-down. With frequent high-rpm short-trip use with rich mixtures, deposits can accumulate faster.
Symptoms: Stumbling on cold start, minor power loss, increased consumption.
On hard-used Focus RS Mk3, the OEM engine mounts tear prematurely. 440–470 Nm loads the rubber mounts disproportionately. Uprated mounts recommended for track use or power upgrades.
Symptoms: Vibrations in cabin at 2,000–3,000 rpm under load, juddering on pull-away, visible engine movement
Vehicle Weaknesses 11
Vehicles with 6-speed manual gearbox and 1.0/1.5/1.6 EcoBoost (Aug 2012–Jun 2016) were recalled due to faulty clutch pressure plates. In some cases a complete clutch replacement was required.
The PTU of the GKN all-wheel drive system has no active cooling. Above 150°C the system switches to FWD. TSB 5461 for oil leaks 2016–2017. An aftermarket cooling kit is strongly recommended for track use.
The GKN torque-vectoring rear differential (RDU) of the Focus RS Mk3 requires fresh specialist oil every 48,000 km. Neglecting this causes the clutch plate packs to overheat and the gears to wear prematurely.
Springs and shock absorbers are frequently flagged at inspection. The sportily tuned suspension of the MK3 wears chassis components more rapidly than its predecessor.
The Getrag six-speed shows synchromesh wear in 2nd and 3rd gear at higher mileages. A gearbox oil change with specialist fluid can delay early failure. Repair 1,500–3,000 EUR.
Rear wheel arch openings rust at the bumper transition edge. The roof above the rear doors can deform through body torsion. Boot water ingress through leaking spoiler fixings is widespread.
Launch control and drift mode put enormous strain on the clutch. Replacement including labour over 1,000 EUR. Clutch test: 5th gear, 50 km/h, full throttle — if revs rise without vehicle accelerating, the clutch is worn.
The standard 350×25mm one-piece discs on the Focus RS Mk3 overheat with aggressive driving and warp. Particularly after track days or hard mountain passes. Noticeable as pedal vibration under braking.
A weak battery causes errors in the stop-start and Auto Hold systems. Early SYNC 3 versions show crashes, incorrect traffic sign recognition, and slow boot times.
Door seals can work loose, causing wind noise or water ingress. Door edge protection strips fall off and are expensive to replace.
Early MK3 model years show surface rust on the underbody and exhaust components from around 80,000 km. Silencer boxes and brackets in particular corrode through quickly.
Reports & Tests
12472 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2011–2018). Most reported: Powertrain (6109), Engine (2108), Steering (1627).