Ford promise a solution for all Focus RS Engine Woes

Head gasket and engine block failures on Ford’s performance halo hatchback, highlighted by AutoTrader report in mid-October, 2017

By Stuart Johnston

Ford South Africa has confirmed that a solution to the spate of engine failures on low-mileage Ford Focus RS models will be found for “all owners”. This follows AutoTrader’s  report on incidents of engine block cracks and head gasket failures on the desirable 2016-2017 Ford Focus RS all-wheel-drive hatchbacks in mid-October.

The powerful and fast RS was introduced to the South African market in July 2016. The list price of this expensive, complex all-wheel-drive hatchback is currently stated at R699 900, although some RS devotees report that dealer discounts are being offered on this car at some dealerships.

“Ford is Aware”

Since the report, AutoTrader has received correspondence from Ford on the subject. On October 31, AutoTrader received the following correspondence form Ford’s media office in South Africa:

Below please find our latest feedback re Focus RS.

Ford is aware that some 2016-17 Focus RS customers have experienced concerns with their engines, which may initially show white exhaust smoke and/or coolant consumption. We are working on a repair for all customers. In the meantime, if vehicles show these symptoms, customers should visit their dealer for an inspection and repair under warranty.

Meanwhile, Mr Meent Borcherds, a Focus RS owner who initially brought the engine problem to AutoTrader’s attention, has received confirmation in a letter from Ford South Africa that states that a repair for all customers is being investigated and that as soon as we have details on what the repair entails, we will be in touch.

More RS failures reported since October

Initially, AutoTrader reported in mid-October 2017 that  at least seven South African-domiciled  Focus RSs  have needed engine replacement, due to sudden loss of engine coolant and a misfire on engine start-up.  Since that time, incidents of two more related failures have come to the attention of the Ford Focus RS owners forum in South Africa.

Mr Borcherds confirmed that a West Rand Focus RS had a similar failure -  with just 11 000 km logged on the car, while another RS, which was “already on its second engine” suffered a second engine failure with just 500 km logged!

As AutoTrader reported in its earlier report, the engine failures are not restricted to South Africa. On world-wide Focus RS owners forums, this problem has been a  topic of concern  for some months. Focus RS Owners in the USA, Germany and the UK have reported similar problems.

Mr Borcherds reported that the AutoTrader article in mid-October “went viral” amongst RS owners world-wide.

“I have now moth-balled my car with less than 1 000 km on the clock. My car has given no problems yet, but  until I am certain that a replacement engine will not suffer a similar failure, I am taking no chances.”

Initially, replying to an AutoTrader query on this engine problem,  a  Ford South Africa spokesperson  said  the company  was working to understand more about the issue. This more recent confirmation that a solution to the problem will be found “for all owners” has given encouragement to RS owners who fear that a similar fate will befall their cars.

Cylinder-head gasket and block cracking problems

The problem that surfaced in a number of RS engines, in South Africa and in many parts of the world, seems to be in the areas of cylinder-head gaskets that are failing, and in some cases, cracks in the cylinder block. In both cases this allowed coolant to enter the combustion areas of the engine, causing coolant loss and potential damage to the internals of the engine.

The symptoms of this problem are white smoke exiting the exhaust pipe, and a strange engine sound, consistent with coolant entering the combustion chambers, and causing a “popping” sound emanating from the exhaust pipe.

Engines have already been replaced under warranty

In the initial article published by AutoTrader, it was reported that seven out 20 members of the local RS forum group had suffered engine failures. Some of these being very low mileage cars with under 5 000 km logged. The engines were replaced under warranty by Ford. But the concerns are that the failures might occur in replacement engines, as has happened to at least one owner known to the South African RS Forum group.

For more info read Engine Failures Tarnish Ford’s Focus RS Halo Hatchback.