2018 Ford Focus RSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 743 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Focus RS. Most complaints involve power train (285) and engine (195). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Power train285
- Engine195
- Fuel/propulsion system118
- Engine and engine cooling108
- Fuel system, gasoline64
- Electrical system38
- Steering30
- Vehicle speed control23
- Service brakes19
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Power train
“The contact owns 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The message "Transmission Is Overheating" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to reverse as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000(Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the contact was informed through a voicemail message that no assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was 99,500.”
Engine
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to crank as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the head gasket, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
“While driving the vehicle at 60 mph in traffic, all propulsion was lost and the car displayed "stop safely now." Fortunately, I had enough momentum to drift to the side of the road, but this was a very unsafe situation. The vehicle was towed to a dealership where they diagnosed the high voltage battery to have experienced a sudden failure. The vehicle has approximately 60k miles, and searching online indicates that this is a common problem at this mileage. The replacement batteries are jow only built to order, so the vehicle has now been out of service for over 2 months while waiting on a replacement battery.”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Manual 6-spd
- Drive
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus RS AWD Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,600 | 402 |
- 22mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 11.1%
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
2018 Focus RS questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Focus RS have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Focus RS problems?
Owners filed 743 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (285), engine (195), fuel/propulsion system (118). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Ford Focus RS get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Focus RS at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2018 Ford Focus RS?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Ford Focus RS 5 out of 5 stars overall.