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Performance cars · Ford

Ford Focus RS: performance, engines and what owners say

Ford Focus RS in Nitrous Blue, AI illustration

Focus RS Mk3 · 2016–2017

350horsepower
4.60–60 mph, sec
165mph top speed

350-hp EcoBoost, manual only, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.

Mk3 Focus RS · 2016–2018

How fast is the Focus RS?

Hatchback, 2016–2018. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

Focus RS

2016–2017

350 hpon 93-octane fuel

Torque
350 lb-fton 93-octane fuel
0–60 mph
4.6 sCar and Driver test
Top speed
165 mph
Gearbox
6-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Weight
3,459 lbWikipedia figure, no maker source found
Price new
$36,6052016, including destination
Sources
  1. Ford Media: 350-horsepower Focus RS now arriving at U.S. dealerships (Jul 2016, archived)
  2. Ford Media: 2.3-liter EcoBoost powering Focus RS wins Ward's 10 Best Engines (Dec 2016, archived)
  3. 0-60specs.com: Ford Focus 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek)
  4. Ford Media: Focus RS sprints to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and hits 165 mph (Sep 2015, archived)
  5. Ford Media: All-new Ford Focus RS makes U.S. debut in New York (Mar 2015, archived)
  6. Wikipedia: Ford Focus (third generation)

Focus RS Limited Edition

2018

350 hpon 93-octane fuel

Adds a Quaife mechanical front limited-slip differential, forged 19-inch wheels, black roof and the RS2 interior. 1,000 for the U.S.

Torque
350 lb-ftWikipedia says output was unchanged
0–60 mph
4.7 sMotorTrend test
Gearbox
6-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Sources
  1. 0-60specs.com: Ford Focus 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek)
  2. Wikipedia: Ford Focus (third generation)
  3. Ford Media: Fans inspire new limited-edition Focus RS (May 2017, archived)

The engine: Ford 2.3 EcoBoost (Focus RS)

2.3-liter inline-4, turbo

Rev limit6,800 rpm
Output350 hp, 350 lb-ft on 93 octane
TurboTwin-scroll turbo with a larger compressor, much bigger intercooler
Block and headAluminum block with stronger cast-iron liners; heat-resistant alloy head
Performance engines →

Known issues

  • Head gasket coolant leakMaker bulletin

    On 2016–2017 cars built through July 6, 2017, the head gasket can leak coolant into the cylinders, showing as white smoke or a dropping coolant level with no outside leak.

    Fix: Ford program 17B32 pressure-tested and replaced the gasket (or the head) free, with no mileage limit, through May 31, 2019.

    33 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2018)
  • Oil use in hard drivingMaker bulletin

    Ford says track use and long stints at high rpm can raise oil use on early cars, and running low on oil can destroy the engine.

    Fix: Program 16B43 reprogrammed the engine computer to call for oil changes sooner; Ford tells owners to check the oil more often.

    57 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2018)
  • Oil seep at the head jointMaker bulletin

    Some 2016–2018 engines seep oil where the cylinder head meets the block.

    Fix: Dealers reseal it using a revised sealant procedure (Ford SSM 47443).

    4 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2018)
  • Block heater recallRecall

    On 438 Focus RS cars with a factory block heater, the heater can leak coolant and short out when plugged in, a fire risk.

    Fix: Don't plug it in; dealers replace the heater or fit a blanking plug free (Ford 25SA4, NHTSA 26V-012).

    2 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2016–2018)
Engine sources
  1. Ford Media: 350-horsepower Focus RS now arriving at U.S. dealerships (Jul 2016, archived)
  2. Ford Media: 2.3-liter EcoBoost powering Focus RS wins Ward's 10 Best Engines (Dec 2016, archived)
  3. Ford Media: Focus RS sprints to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and hits 165 mph (Sep 2015, archived)
  4. Ford Media: All-new Ford Focus RS makes U.S. debut in New York (Mar 2015, archived)
  5. Ford Media: All-new Ford Focus RS (Feb 2015, archived)
  6. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 17B32, 2016–2017 Focus RS cylinder head gasket replacement (Jan 2018)
  7. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 17B32, Supplement #2: extended to May 31, 2019 (Jan 2019)
  8. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 16B43, 2016–2017 Focus RS PCM reprogramming for oil use (Nov 2016)
  9. Ford Special Service Message 47443, 2016–2018 Focus RS oil seepage at block-to-head surface (Aug 2018)
  10. NHTSA recall 26V-012 (Ford 25SA4) Part 573 report: engine block heater may short circuit (May 2026)

What owners say on YouTube

The Focus RS YouTube study is queued: the 200 most-watched videos, their tone and what owners praise and complain about show here when it lands.

Should you buy a Focus RS?

  • New, the Focus RS cost $36,605 (2016, including destination).
  • Most owner complaints: the 2016 (1183). Fewest: the 2018 (837). Raw counts, not per car sold, for every version NHTSA files under this name.
  • Budget for head gasket coolant leak: 33 owner complaints mention it. Ford program 17B32 pressure-tested and replaced the gasket (or the head) free, with no mileage limit, through May 31, 2019.
  • Budget for oil use in hard driving: 57 owner complaints mention it. Program 16B43 reprogrammed the engine computer to call for oil changes sooner; Ford tells owners to check the oil more often.
  • 12 recall campaigns across 2016–2018 (all Focus versions). Check a VIN before you buy.
  • Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the Focus RS yet.
Sources
  1. Ford Media: 350-horsepower Focus RS now arriving at U.S. dealerships (Jul 2016, archived)
  2. Ford Media: Focus RS sprints to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and hits 165 mph (Sep 2015, archived)

Compare the Focus RS

Focus RS vs Volkswagen Golf RSee it →Focus RS vs Subaru WRX STISee it →Focus RS vs Honda Civic Type RSee it →
Focus RS vs Ford Focus STComing soon
All sources (13)
  1. Ford Media: 350-horsepower Focus RS now arriving at U.S. dealerships (Jul 2016, archived) Ford
  2. Ford Media: 2.3-liter EcoBoost powering Focus RS wins Ward's 10 Best Engines (Dec 2016, archived) Ford
  3. 0-60specs.com: Ford Focus 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek) magazine tests, aggregated
  4. Ford Media: Focus RS sprints to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds and hits 165 mph (Sep 2015, archived) Ford
  5. Ford Media: All-new Ford Focus RS makes U.S. debut in New York (Mar 2015, archived) Ford
  6. Wikipedia: Ford Focus (third generation) Wikipedia (fallback)
  7. Ford Media: Fans inspire new limited-edition Focus RS (May 2017, archived) Ford
  8. Ford Media: All-new Ford Focus RS (Feb 2015, archived) Ford
  9. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 17B32, 2016–2017 Focus RS cylinder head gasket replacement (Jan 2018) Maker bulletin
  10. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 17B32, Supplement #2: extended to May 31, 2019 (Jan 2019) Maker bulletin
  11. Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 16B43, 2016–2017 Focus RS PCM reprogramming for oil use (Nov 2016) Maker bulletin
  12. Ford Special Service Message 47443, 2016–2018 Focus RS oil seepage at block-to-head surface (Aug 2018) Maker bulletin
  13. NHTSA recall 26V-012 (Ford 25SA4) Part 573 report: engine block heater may short circuit (May 2026) Recall

Owner complaints to NHTSA

NHTSA files almost every Focus RS complaint under Focus (only six 2016 complaints are filed as Focus RS, and the Focus search includes them), so these counts are every Focus of these years.

No Lemon Index for the Focus RS: the index is complaints per car sold, and sales by trim aren't published. These are raw counts.

2,919 complaints for 2016–2018.

20161183
2017899
2018837

What they're about

Power train1448
Engine695
Fuel/propulsion system415
Unknown or other263
Engine and engine cooling255

Recalls

  • 18V735000 Fuel System, Gasoline2016–2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine.

  • 18V845000 Power Train2016–2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission.

  • 17V052000 Structure2016

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles.

  • 18V169000 Power Train2016

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission.

  • 16V698000 Latches/Locks/Linkages2016–2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission.

  • 23V905000 Engine And Engine Cooling2016–2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles.

  • 26V011000 Equipment2016–2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.

  • 26V012000 Equipment2016–2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles.

  • 26V369000 Fuel System, Gasoline2016–2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735.

  • 26V376000 Power Train2016–2018

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845.

  • 19V515000 Fuel System, Gasoline2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735.

  • 17V528000 Seat Belts2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Focus vehicles.

Source: NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov). Check a VIN for open recalls on one car.

Quick answers

How fast is the Ford Focus RS?

The Mk3 Focus RS makes 350 hp and 350 lb-ft. Car and Driver measured 0–60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speed: 165 mph.

What engine does the Ford Focus RS have?

The Mk3 Focus RS (2016–2018) uses the Ford 2.3 EcoBoost (Focus RS), a 2.3-liter inline-4, turbo.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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