Ford Focus RS head gasket fault: what owners need to know

Some Ford Focus RS cars built between 2015 and 2017 are reported to have developed a head gasket fault serious enough to cause significant engine damage, according to a trade report.

The head gasket sits between the engine block and the cylinder head, and its job is to seal the combustion chambers and keep coolant and oil from mixing. When it fails, coolant can leak into the cylinders or the oil system, which can lead to overheating and, in the worst cases, a ruined engine. It is one of the more serious faults a car can develop, and repair costs can run into thousands of pounds if the engine has been allowed to run in a damaged state.

The Focus RS is a high-performance all-wheel-drive hatchback producing around 350 horsepower, and examples from the reported affected production years are now circulating on the used market. Anyone considering buying one of these cars is advised to look carefully at the service history, check for signs of overheating in the past, and inspect the coolant and oil for any indication of contamination, such as a milky or frothy appearance under the oil filler cap.

This report has not yet been confirmed by a second independent source or by an official statement, so the full picture is not yet clear. A qualified mechanic carrying out a pre-purchase inspection would be well placed to spot the warning signs before any money changes hands.