Research · Midsize Cars

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.

Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
743
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Ford Focus RS as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

743 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2018 – Aug 2025
  1. Power train285
  2. Engine195
  3. Fuel/propulsion system118
  4. Engine and engine cooling108
  5. Fuel system, gasoline64
  6. Electrical system38
  7. Steering30
  8. Vehicle speed control23
  9. Service brakes19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Focus RS model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20161,143
2017842
2018743
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

285 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2025Power trainODI 11677067

Engine

195 reports4 crashes3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2025EngineODI 11678881

Fuel/propulsion system

118 reports3 crashes2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11669053
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
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.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Focus RS AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192622$3,600402
  • Focus RS AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Focus RS 5 HB AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 12100
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

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.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026