Problems · by component
2018 Ford Focus RS engine and engine cooling problems
108 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Focus RS cite engine and engine cooling, 15% of all 743 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
108
15% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
“The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact’s daughter received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact's daughter was fearful of driving the vehicle with the open recall. The contact stated that previously the vehicle experienced engine failure and the failure had occurred without warning. The contact stated that his daughter was traumatized and afraid of the failure reoccurring while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the engine was revving and the message to pull over was displayed. The contact turned on the hazard lights and waited for the engine to cool down. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking noise. Additionally, the transmission was slipping, and the gears were sticking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no associated recalls on the VIN for the failures. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine mount, transmission, canister, water pump, and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated unintendedly. The check engine, oil, and engine failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 141,000.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and oil warning lights were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the following day, the contact's wife drove the vehicle to the dealer, and there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. A diagnostic test was performed,d which determined that the oil pump drive belt had failed, resulting in engine failure. The contact was later notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the contact's vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, but was given the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.”
Showing 6 of 108 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.