2016 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,192 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 27 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, manual transmissionJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V376000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, evaporative emissions, canisterJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
Campaign 26V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, oil/lubrication, pumpDec 22, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
Campaign 23V905000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, manual transmissionNov 28, 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. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
Campaign 18V845000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 22, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Campaign 18V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, manual transmissionMar 12, 2018
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. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.
Campaign 18V169000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyJan 24, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.
Campaign 17V052000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hatchback/liftgate, lockSep 28, 2016
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. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
Campaign 16V698000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
85 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 27, 2023
Transmission Fault Service Now warning light keeps coming on and off. I’ve taken it to multiple places to have it checked out and nobody can find and actual issues that would cause the transmission to fail. I got stuck in the middle of an intersection because the transmission randomly stopped. I’ve had to have it towed.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2023
The speakers are making a LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING. This is now happening with the radio turned off, and no Bluetooth connected to it. It even sometimes does it when the car is completely turned off. This sounds to me like an electrical issue for one. For two, this is an extreme safety issue, especially when I am driving. The last time it happened, it sounded like gunshots going off that that’s how loud it was, when my car was turned off completely, and now I am suffering from extreme tinnitus. Next time this could actually explode my eardrums. I have heard this to be an issue for multiple of these vehicles yet there has not been a recall on whatever may be causing this?! THIS IS AN EXTREME HEALTH/AUDITORY/NEUROLOGICAL SAFETY ISSUE.
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2023
I am having issue out of my engine harness I have shorts all in my harness and am only at 100k miles.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 19, 2023
The Body Control Module controlling the lights, hatch, and door lock/unlock malfunctioned. Its a serious safety issue when the lights go out unexpectedly while driving.
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2022
The radio makes sudden extremely loud popping sounds out of nowhere that are startling, this can happen when the radio is off. Makes me jump and that’s unsafe during operating the vehicle. This should be a safety recall!
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 8, 2022
I got my 2016 Ford Focus in the summer of 2019 and from the start i had issues. The first issue was my car overheating the coolant tank kept getting a hole burned in it and the coolant would leak leaving my car to overheat I've had the tank replaced twice. The second issue was my car just kept turning off still don't know what that was about. Third issue was the vehicle not telling me the correct amount of gas i had it would say i would have a good amount of gas, but it really had little to no gas. The last issue was the Transmisson the car was stalling and gave me kick back that's the only way i can describe it I took it to my mechanic because there was no recall when i looked up my VIN, I paid almost $4000 for the transmission to be fixed to just bring it back to the mechanic because the transmission started giving me problems again. My mechanic told me that Hes having problems figuring out the programming. Today 12/08/2022 I read an article talking about how thousands of Ford Focus owners are having the same issue. I was never contacted by Ford. I called my local ford dealership, and they told me the part that my vehicle needs are on back order and they can't even look at my car until February.
Electrical system, Jul 21, 2022
The vehicle transmission looses power on the highway and it’s too dangerous to be on the road. I was arguing with Ford customer service but they said my car is not covered under some kind of transmission recall.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 20, 2022
In the last 6 months my car has been to Rottet Ford in Tamaqua. My car Failed to start after driven had towed to dealer, replaced TCM, paid $200. 2nd time car system shut off everything and engine while driving. Started after hour, dealer replaced TCM paid $200 3rd time car failed to start after driven, even within 24hours from leaving dealership being fixed, waiting to see WHY. But assuming TCM again. Ford customer experience specialist [XXX] ext [XXX] [XXX] Recall on 2016 ford focus, but not her VIN. All 3repairs were the TCM (transmission control module) Ford customer service told me to report this and ask it be added to recall list. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not reading the correct fuel level. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 2, 2022
Car died and would not accelerate after slowing down to turn; no warning or dashboard lights on before incident; no overheating; started back up afterwards but stalled before engine turn over. Happened 3 times within 30 minutes
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 27, 2022
Yes, I was on my way to school and as I pulled out into the first busy road along my way my car hesitated, jerked and was very erratic and eventually died completely, all power lost. I just barely missed being hit by another vehicle and somehow I made it within the Double suicide lane. I was extremely terrified because I don’t know anything about vehicles and this is my first car so I called my mother. And from there she had it towed and repaired. And then due to further research I stumbled across where my car might fall within a recall that has something to do with a component on my transmission. This Effect has put my mother out $4000 for a faulty transmission component sold by Ford. I would love for her to be reimbursed for that. Thank you.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2021
The transmission slips and jerks at 4000 rpm's from acceleration and transmission does not go into reverse sometimes and over heats after 2 minutes of driving. It's available to be looked at. The car would not accelerate in the middle of driving on the highway. Just revs over 5000 rpm's. I took it to a transmission shop and they said it was the clutch which was going to be $3,000 to fix. My husband and my children have to experience the whiplash it gives you from the hard shifting. Also have to push it backward in neutral just to go anywhere because it has no reverse most of the time. There is a warning message on the dash that says transmission overheating wait 5 minutes and the check engine light is always on. They first appeared at 87,000 miles and it is horrible on gas I need to pay 20 dollars every 2 days just to go to work and back which I'm only work 15 minutes away. I have called my dealer no call back. I have called ford no call back. I even called the warranty place cause they sent me a notice and they said to call my dealer but they never called back
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 24, 2021
CAR RUNS HOT WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS, DUE TO GEARS STICKING CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION AND I MUST TURN OFF CAR TO DISENGAGE FOR 25 MINUTES.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2021
CAR WILL NOT SHIFT AND STALLS SPEED OMITER GOES TO 0. CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING LIGHTS SAY HILL START NOT AVAILABLE
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Feb 28, 2021
NO RECALLS WHERE REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE
Electrical system, Feb 8, 2021
MY VEHICLE STARTED ALL OF THE SUDDEN TO MAKE SOME NOISES AFTER THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNING ON ON THEIR OWN.WE WERE TOLD THE BATTERY IS LOW , WHICH WE REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DOES THE SAME.VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 18, 2021
MY VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL/YEAR (2016 FORD FOCUS) HAS A REPORTED RECALL FOR A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVING THE POWERSHIFT DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. ONLINE, IT STATES THAT MODEL YEARS 2012-2016 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES HAVE THIS ISSUE. THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION IS CONSIDERED A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT IS CONTROLLED ELECTRONICALLY BY A COMPUTER WHILE USING A DRY CLUTCH RATHER THAN A WET ONE, MEANING OIL IS NOT SUPPLIED TO THE SHIFTING MECHANISM AND CAN RESULT IN INCREASED WEAR AND TEAR THE LONGER THE ISSUE PERSISTS. WHEN THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT OPERATES THE TRANSMISSION CAN'T HANDLE RAPID ACCELERATION OR SPEED SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WILL SPUTTER AND MAKE AN AUDIBLE NOISE. OTHER ISSUES THAT CAN BE CAUSED ARE PROBLEMS WITH DOWNSHIFTING, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN A HIGHER GEAR DESPITE DECELERATION AND CAUSE IT TO "LURCH". THE MAIN SAFETY HAZARD THIS ISSUE CAUSES IS WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY INTO AN INTERSECTION, THE DELAY PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM REACHING THE SAME SPEED A VEHICLE SHOULD ACHIEVE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IN TERMS OF DECELERATION, THE CAR'S INABILITY TO CORRECTLY DOWNSHIFT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD, DESPITE THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED.
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2021
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT GIVING ME WARNING MESSAGES FIRST, THIS HAPPENED LAST WEEK 01/07/21. IT'S READING "STEERING LOSS".
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 5, 2021
CAR STARTED TRYING TO SHUT OFF RANDOMLY AND ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED, THEN CAR WOULDN'T START WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH WAS STUCK SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL I SAW ONLINE.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 29, 2020
CAR WOULD NOT START, BATTERY TESTED FINE. THE CAR GAVE A MSG OF TRANSMISSION FAULT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY RAN TEST NOT FINDING ANYTHING WRONG. LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT NIGHT LIGHTS AND GAGES FLICKER SAME MSG. BUT SOMETHING SEEMED TO ARCH UNDER THE HOOD
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2020
MANUFACTURER RECALL #18S32 NHTSA RECALL #18V735 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS PROBABLY ABOUT A MILE AND HALF AWAY FROM MY WORK. I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND PREPARE TO STOP. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE DISPLAY SHOWS "NOT IN DRIVE" WHEN IT OBVIOUSLY WAS OR I WOULDN'T BE MOVING... NEXT THING, LIGHTS/ELECTRONICS WERE FLICKERING AND CAR JUST TURNED OFF IN DRIVE. WHAT WAS REALLY SCARY AND ALMOST COSTED ME MY LIFE WAS MY HAZARDS WERE NOT DISPLAYING TO SURROUNDING DRIVERS THERE WERE A FEW TIMES WHEN I GOT YELLED OR HONKED AT BUT 1 OR 2 TIMES I ALMOST GOT RAN OVER.... AFTER MY FRIEND CAME TO HELP ME PUSH IT OUT OF ROAD, HE GOT IT IN PARK, RESTARTED AND GOT CAR STARTING AGAIN.... WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR FAMILY MECHANIC AND HE TOOK A LOOK AT IT. HE WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME A LOT FOR THE PART NEEDED TO GET FIXED. WHICH BROUGHT ME TO GO SEE IF I CAN FIND A PART FOR CHEAPER OR A MECHANIC FOR CHEAPER. THAT'S WHEN I DISCOVERED ABOUT THIS VIN AND CAR RECALL.
Electrical system, Oct 3, 2020
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, BACKUP CAMERA FOR 2016 FORD FOCUS SE FREQUENTLY DISPLAYS AS "CAMERA UNAVAILABLE" OR DISPLAYS AN IMAGE TOO DARK TO DECIPHER.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 24, 2020
MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S JERKING.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 8, 2020
CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS AND IT'S SPUTTERS,LOSES ACCELERATION AND FINALLY DIED. DOES NOT GO IN REVERSE. TRANSMISSION SHOT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 21, 2020
MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEPT GIVING OUT AND TO FIND OUT THE WIRE OF THE SOCKET TO THE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS MELTING CAUSING MY HEADLIGHT NOT TO WORK. I REPLACED IT NOW IT'S STILL MELTING AGAIN I'M AFRAID THAT'S THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING.