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: fuel/propulsion system
165 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 14, 2024
UNKNOWN. I believe this vehicle's engine is also impacted by the recall campaign number 18V735000, even though the engine is a 2.0L L4. The same issues that are mentioned in the recall campaign occurred with this vehicle around the 60k milage and 120k milage mark. These issues seems to happen every 60k miles. I did report this same issue with this system with this vehicle when this happened when the milage hit around 60k. The engine check light did show up each time this happened and the vehicle would stall immediately, even while driving at interstate speeds of around 70mph.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 6, 2024
PURGE CANISTER VALVE SYSTEM FAILURE. CAR SPUTTERS AND WONT START WHEN GAS IS PUT INTO THE CAR. CAR JERKS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 13, 2024
My ford focus had experienced a clutch slipping and is stuck in 2 gear. The car also had antifreeze leak during this event. This occurred on January 31,2023. My Ford dealership is quoted a $3,240 repair cost for clutch system on an automatic transmission. Ford case number CXH01481389.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2024
After receiving a routine oil change in December 2023, my vehicle began malfunctioning. The oil, engine, and battery lights came on abruptly. I returned to the Valvoline location (approx. 1 mile from my home) and they redid the oil change and noted that there were no signs of a leak and advised that I send the car to get a diagnostic done. My car stalled twice as I was driving it home. I then had the car towed to the dealership I purchased it from (Hyundai owned). They advised that an oil tensioner belt near the engine had shredded and pieces had lodged in the engine. Shortly after, the recall was released. Since then Ford has been zero help. I understand that the parts for the new belt are needed, however I need a new engine now due to their negligence. I've contacted Ford directly on numerous occasions as well as my local dealership and they won't release any information because it is in advance notice. I'm expected to wait until April or May for repairs. That will put me at almost six months or more without a vehicle and no viable options. That is not a timely fix for such a dangerous issue.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2024
My gas tank system my engine light came on so I took my vehicle to the nearest auto zone to put on the machine and it popped up a code for a canister purge valve piece. My safety was put at risk because it was messing with my gas can’t fill my take up so I can get stranded really quick especially if I’m far from a gas station that offers my gas which is E85. No it haven’t I tried but ford claim they didn’t see no recalls in my vehicle but I have pics from other ppl of the recalls .my engine light came on I don’t remember the date but it was a while ago still didn’t get it checked out yet
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 20, 2024
Two weeks after an oil change (not by Ford) my 2016 Ford Focus 5dr EcoSport engine lost power climbing a hill outside my home. On inspection two mechanics told me it needed a new engine. $8000 for me to pay. The local Ford dealer replaced the engine and gave me a 3yr unlimited mileage warranty. No symptoms prior to the failure, now that is a recall (Campaign/NHTSA#23S64/23V905) I would like Ford to reimburse all of us who are out of pocket.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2023
Vehicle will stale after driving for some time engine light shows fuel system issue similar similar to other Ford focus models.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2023
Check engine light keeps coming on and it give error EVAP control system fault/unable to bleed up fuel tank vacuum
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 17, 2023
Vehicle hesitates, stutters and stalls when accelerating at any speed. The dealership told us it is either a transmission module or fuel module problem. They don’t have parts to fix it. There’s been a recall and a lawsuit about this same year, make and model, but they tell us our Vin is not included in any of this. it continues to do this to this day. The dealership wants us to drop it off and leave it for 3 to 4 weeks. We can’t be without a car so we are struggling with it. We wrote Ford Motor Company a letter and they told us to contact you. The lawsuit that they lost, gave us an extended warranty, but they refuse to honor it.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 25, 2023
Have been dealing with error codes for cpv, something about fuel, and air intake. The vehicle continuously stalls. Difficult to get it to start after fueling up. Sputters at various different speeds from 5mph to about 50mph. The vehicle will totally shut down on me out of gas even at over a quarter tank to half tank full according to the gauge. I dont have dates for the incidents because they are consistent at this point.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 14, 2023
the car shut off doing 60mph it was very scary took it to mechanic it had 2 codes the check engine light was on they cleaned the throttle body it ran but was struggling and rough idling drove to work and it wanted to stall multiple times put it in neutral to get idle up at a light then it stalled at a light drove home very afraid that it would shut off again took to the same mechanic to explain what happened have appt for estimate to fix . i need this car for work and am very scared to drive it as is never know when it will shut off called the dealer that sold me the car and all they said was theres no recalls and bring it in. i had an extended warranty but they said i was over by 1000 miles so no warranty i wont drive it there its a long drive. driving for many years i have never felt unsafe in a vehicle before this is very dangerous and needs to be resolved asap . also still have a loan for this car that i cant drive along with the repair costs my wife called ford directly and they said theres no recall and werent helpful at all
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2023
I was driving about 45 mph when my car started 2 shack and buck like it was about 2 die. So I pulled over and then it died and took forever to start back. So I took it 1 Midas and they said it was something to do with the vacuum in my gas take. So they reset the computer and told me if I had anymore issues being it back. Well today I stopped at the gas station and filled my car up and it would not start back. So I had it towed back to the shop and they pushed my gas tank flapper open 2 relief the pressure.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 9, 2023
Issue with CPV. Car stalls when getting gas due to ventilation issue. Has manufacturer code P1450 which is recalled for similar cars
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2023
Having issues with the purge valve canister causing the vehicle to stall while driving on a highway late at night. Knowing that this is an issue with other vehicle made in the same year and knowing there is a recall for those parts but not on my vehicle is confusing to me.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 2, 2023
My car has become hard to start after I fill up with gas. It also randomly loses all power. While driving everything in the car stops. It displays a message that says transmission is not in park, like I turned the key off but I did not. After this it won't start and displays a message on the dash that says "system start up fault". If I wait a few minutes it starts again . This has happened 3 times. I had a mechanic pull any codes. The only code is for a gasket in the evap system. The mechanic told me that Ford had a recall for this problem so I had the car towed to a Ford service center. The Ford dealer told me that my car is not included in the recall. I looked up Ford recalls and my car exhibits all of the problems described in the recall.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2023
Have tried repeatedly to get the CPV recall performed however all dealerships or authorized repair locations have been giving me multi month waits since it started showing the alarm code for it in Dec. 2021. Due to it being the only vehicle my family has we were out in a wait list to bring it in when they had the parts and never got called back. Now the Transaxle is not engaging 4/5/6th gear intermittently. Was informed that it would be 3K for a new transaxle even though I have not had the vehicle for that long.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2023
Almost a year ago I noticed my check engine light came on and so I checked the codes which is P1450 - Unable To Bleed Up Fuel Tank Vacuum - Ford - Powertrain. Everytime I fill the gas tank the engine studders and fails upon startup, usually on the 3 or 4th start the engine finally idle and I'm able to change gears. I thought this was the issue that was supposed to be resolved back in 2019 when I took my car into Ford to have the recall issue fixed. Well whatever they did back then didn't fix it and looks like I'm not the only one this is happening to.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2023
7 year old car requires full engine replacement due to lost compression. For the 2 1/2 years I've owned it 1 entire year has been spent either stranded on the insterstate or at the dealership service repair. Fuel gauge does not monitor or distrubute correct fuel available. I have spent $600 in tows to the dealership . Multiple reports/complaints have been filed against this model & year includeing with NHTSA. "Common problems found on the 2016 Ford Focus include the transmission shuddering, engine failures, as well as issues with the power steering system. Overall, these problems are more severe than in other compact cars, leading to expensive repair bills when parts fail" Please investigate quickly as this is safety related as well as consumer gouging
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2023
Hello this complaint is in reference to recall #18S32. I had issues with my vehicle telling me I had gas when it was really empty. The dealership got me in, said it was a recall and repaired it quickly for me, This was in 2019. The past couple months my vehicle is stalling when I get gas. It's usually always associated with me getting gas. I had some mechanics check it out and they all said it was the purge evaporator valve. They informed me to contact the dealership because there should be a recall on this issue. I contacted them and was told there isn't. So I haven't gotten it fixed because well money. I looked it up and there is a recall on that specific thing but the dealership is claiming it was "fixed" in 2019, and they cannot fix it again. I contacted ford and they told me the same thing. I'm just at a lost and concerned because I do not know who to contact or where to go from here since this issue is still tied to a recall issue that was supposedly "fixed"
Steering, Suspension, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2023
Car stalled at stop sign after filling up on gas. Completely shut off. Would not start back up for 30 seconds. No check engine lights on. It has done this multiple times and I have taken it to the shop but they can’t find a problem. I know there was a recall on the 2.0 but this is a 1.0
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 22, 2023
There is a recall with Ford of 2018 Ford Focus Recall Item Affected: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDate Announced: 10/22/2018 The description of this recall is what is happening to my car, but because my vin doesn't show up they won't look at it. There are no codes, but as I turn on the car and go to drive within 45 seconds it's stalls, in traffic or wherever. I need help.
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2023
While driving on the highway my 2016 ford focus stalled without warning and would not start until after having it towed. When I go to the gas station after filling the gas tank my vehicle is either hard to start or doesn't start until after waiting a while. This happens often. My check engine light stays on and it smells like gas from the outside. The front-end apron of my vehicle has recently fallen off without warning and for no reason. I took my vehicle to San Tan Ford in Gilbert, Arizona where I purchased my 2016 Ford Focus in May of 2016. The technicians' diagnosis was engine light ml on 2pcm code p1450 p0507 fuel tank leaking replace leaking fuel tank and recommend new fuel pump possible damaged from excessive vacuum applied to tank code p1450 replace canister purge valve for code p1450 stuck open & retest. Dealership and Ford Motor Company is refusing to do repairs stating that my VIN number does not have any recalls and refused to check my front-end apron joints for recall 17S03 although my front-end apron has unattached for no reason. the technician also included that the front-end motor mount is collapsed and recommend replacing mount. Water Pump Replacement inspection found leaking recommend replacing water pump. Also, the degas bottle cracked and leaking coolant and Damaged from excessive Vacuum applied to tank The Canister Purge Valve malfunction causing excessive vacuum in the vapor management system. Stuck canister purge valves cause it to stall. If the CPV is replaced, dealers should inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. Bearing failed as the result of a sudden overload caused by vibration or imbalance compounded by rapid engine acceleration. This overloads the bearing generating a great deal of heat. Amplified through rapid acceleration and high RPM operation.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2023
1st Started having issues with advancing, at idle stops,when engaging fuel, it will hesitate and run poorly. after a week, engine light started turning on, and stating that transmission, was running hot, and need it to stop and cool down. after the 2nd time, the vehicle runs rought, and grinding can be heard by shifting gear. An off duty Ford worker, checked vehicle with a computer and stated that the transmission clutch had gone out. checked the internet and stated that Ford Focus from 2012 to 2016 had a recall. yet I enter my vin number and nothing is said. I am currently paying my vehicle and can not drive it, have 3 children, and no money to repair. can you please help.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2022
So I have this Ford Focus that my son drives. Check engine light came on with the code of P1450. It is part of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000. Took it to the dealer and they told me that my vin # [XXX] is not part of the campaign/recall and will have to pay to have it fixed. Don't know why the dealer could get this resolved. Ford's recall number is:18S32. Car has all the symptoms of the recall/campaign. Don't know why Ford will not fix it for me? I would like my car to be added to this campaign/recall. The Transmission was another big issue, but I am thinking it is fixed after 5 tries. Thank you for you help. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2022
I believe the power train and some component with the fuel system. Yes it is available for inspection. The car shut off in the middle of traffic. This has happened multiple times. It has not been confirmed by a dealership or service center. The vehicle has been inspected. No warning lamps or messages.