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
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 15, 2022
My Ford focus will stall, there is fuel in the tank and the rpms drop and the vehicle starts to shake.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2022
Engine light came on I scanned my car code p1450 unable to bleed up fuel tank vacuume. Same issue I had with another vehicle of this type
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2022
car keeps stalling plus having fuel pump problems. Car shuts off and has trouble starting.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 20, 2022
I am getting a check engine light. P01450 which is the Stuck canister purge valve issue. NHTSA Campaign number 18V735000. 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. Dealer said my Ford was not part of recall. Ford Recall number is 18S32. Can you assist with this? It's my son's car and needs it for college. Want to make sure it is safe. Thank you.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 15, 2022
I was exiting Parking lot into busy intersection when vehicle suddenly hesitated and stalled completely. Was hard to restart and kept stalling after that. Very dangerous when traveling on busy streets when it stalls and steering wheel locks up. As I accelerate the car violently jerks and has hard time shifting and getting up to speed maybe a “slipping” feeling and engine is constantly misfiring and stalling. Idles very rough when stopped RPM jumps all over the place. No warning lights on dash whatsoever. Had this problem and took to ford about 2 years ago they said they fixed it but the problem still persists. I can see there are various recalls for this vehicle for the exact things that are happening to me. Huge safety concern. Seems to me it’s something to do with fuel tank and transmission.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2022
Fuel pump system is causing the car to intermittently stall out in any gear (manual transmission). This symptom has caused my car to stall while driving in traffic leading to loss of acceleration control and total engine stall. I live in constant fear that i will be in another accident due to completely random engine stall. I feel my safety is at risk while continuing to drive this vehicle, and will continue to look for a different safer vehicle. All other ford engines put in this year and model have this recall already in place.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2022
My car stalls out when I refuel. I've taken my car to a mechanic who has documented that my check engine was on due to low fuel pressure. They also say that there is a fuel tank deformation being caused because of this issue
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 21, 2022
Car stalls when brakes are pressed it locks and 15 minutes later car starts again. It has happened 3 times
Power train, Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2022, crash
wheels such as automatic and manual transmissions, transfer cases, fluid cooling/management systems and related hoses and pipes, electronic control units and software, shift lever/gear control and indicator devices, clutches and torque convertors, drive axles, hubs, i have my service system report from the diagnostic. I've called the manufacturer they said they could not do anything.i have to go get my police report again i lost it mam ive gotnmy other paper work until then thank you i have been having problems with these people please help me god bless
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2022
When filling the vehicle with gas the vehicle shakes uncontrollably and shuts off for about 5 minutes due to the cylenoid in the fuel tank. This year make and model has an open recall for this however my vin is not listed under the recall .
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2022
my car has bad performance, when I put gasoline it does not want to start and many times it does not detect the real level of gasoline and ramdomly the check engine light turn on on my dashboard after a mechanic check it OBD detect P144-A. I changed the valve twice and after I took the car to the dealer but as the engine light turns on and off randomly they did not detect the problem since when I took it the light was off. They told me that the car is fine but I still have the same problem.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2022
Certain engine types of the Ford Focus had a recall campaign to replace the stuck canister purge valve. However, the 1.0 Ecoboost 3-cylinder engine was not included in that campaign. Our car is having the same exact issue and we don't understand why the campaign wasn't extended to the other engine types. This should have been an issue corrected by Ford. Please let me know if there is any way to have Ford correct this issue for this vehicle. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2021
The Check Engine Light came on and did not go off. The Auto Parts store ran a scan and three (3) codes, all of which were the same displayed as P1450. The Error Code deals with the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) malfunction and causing excessive vaccuum in the fuel tank. My car cuts off and stalls when I fuel up. It is becoming harder to start at times. The stalling concerns me because I do not want to be in traffic and it stalls out. I see there has been a Recall on other Ford Focus vehicles, but unfortunately mine was not included. Please investigate so that I nor any other drive may be left unsafe and have to pay out of pocket during these difficult times, when a Recall can cover the issues for free.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 21, 2021
Had recall from manufacturer for fuel tank issues. Was inspected and still have engine light on for codes P1450 (fuel tank vacuum bleed error. Was never repaired by dealer.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 5, 2021
A stuck CPV is leading to excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor system, causing the plastic fuel tank to deform, resulting in an inaccurate or erratic fuel gauge indication, inaccurate distance to empty (DTE), and/or other drivability concerns. The vehicle also is exhibiting an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0420, P1450, P0443, P0452, P0456, P0460 and/or P2196
Fuel/propulsion system, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 17, 2021
Engine light on. Fuel Tank Deformed, defective canister purge valve. Ford doesn’t want to do the service for safety recall 18S32. Ford dealership did not inspected the parts associated for safety recall 18S32 in February 2019 and noted that our vehicle is not part of the recall. Engine light when on June 2021 related to safety recall 18S32 but Ford will not fix it.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 14, 2021
Engine light on. Fuel tank deformation again after safety recall done in February 2019. 18S32. I do not know if the dealership really fixed it properly the first time, or that Ford made a very defective vehicle that should not have been released in the market. Ford doesn’t cover recurrence of the same safety recall.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2021
My car idles up high often and the car will speed up on it's own. When at a complete stop it struggles to stay on. Sometimes it will cut off. It has shut off while driving as well. It jerks when taking off from a complete stop. After putting gas in the car it will not start immediately. I have to pump the gas pedal for a few seconds. It eventually starts. At Autozone I had a code test ran on it and it suggested EVAP system needed replacing. So, I took it to have it fixed. Precision Tune ran an additional test on my car, but there were no errors. They even checked for any recalls or repair issues posted online, but my car was not listed. They suggested I call the manufacturer. It still does it. I can also hear a scrubbing sound while backing up, but my brake pads are good. The brake light continues to pop on saying I need brake fluid. I had that checked and I do not need brake fluid. The engine light stays on. I get my car tuned on a regular basis. I've only had it for a soon to be year in June 2021. Also, there are times when the gas fumes are strong inside of the car while driving. I want to go on trips but i'm afraid it will shut off in the middle of the interstate.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 9, 2021
I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY ON A MAIN STREET AND THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS IF IT COULDN'T SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN RESTARTED IT WITH NO CHANGE I HAD IT TOWED TO FORD WHERE ITS CURRENTLY GETTING SERVICED WHICH THEY SAID MIGHT NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE I ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE MY PURGE VALVE REPLACE AS WELL THEY SAID THAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANT I BELIEVE A RECALL IS NECESSARY IN THIS SITUATION IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS OR THAT TO HAPPEN I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED PRIOR TO IT GOING TO FORD AND THE CODE WAS P090C WHICH SAID THE CLUTCH B ACTUATOR CONTROL CIRCUIT LOW AND MY MILAGE IS ABOUT 72,000
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 30, 2021
VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC TO HAVE MALFUNCTIONING CANISTER PURGE VALVE THAT IS STUCK IN AN OPEN POSITION, IDENTICAL TO CURRENT RECALL #18V735000 FOR CERTAIN 2012-2018 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES WITH A 2.0L GDI OR 2.0L GTDI ENGINE. MY VEHICLE STALLS AFTER I REFUEL FOR ABOUT A MINUTE; I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START AND STOP MY ENGINE UNTIL IT STAYS ON, AND THE ENGINE RUMBLES EXCESSIVELY FOR A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER BEING ABLE TO DRIVE AFTER REFUELING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON FOR CODE #P0441.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2021
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND MY CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. TOOK THE CAR TO SAYVILLE GIANT FORD ON 1/6/21 FOR REPAIR UNDER RECALL #18532. I WAS TOLD THE CAR PASSED INSPECTION AND THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE. TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND INFORMED THAT IT IS A VALVE CAUSING A VAPOR ISSUE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2021
BACK IN MARCH 2020 I BEGIN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES SO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WITH THAT BEING SAID THE MECHANIC PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THEY HAD TO REBUILD A CLUTCH IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE COST OF THE FIX WAS GOING TO BE $2600 I BEGAN TO TELL THE MECHANIC THAT I DID NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY AND THAT I WILL COME GET MY VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE I WAS AT WORK SO THE NEXT DAY WHILE I WAS AT WORK I GET A PHONE CALL FROM THE MECHANIC AT THAT FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE TELLS ME THAT MY CAR IS READY TO BE PICKED UP AND THAT THE ISSUE WAS FIXED I BEGAN TO REPEAT MYSELF TO THE MECHANIC THAT I DID NOT WANT TO PROCEED WITH THE SIX OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY I ALSO STRESS THIS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR THREE WEEKS AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY AND HAD TO STRUGGLE TO FIND THE MONEY TO GET MY VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE FIX WAS ALREADY DONE AND AFTER I CAME UP WITH THE MONEY TO DAYS LATER I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION FAULT ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE SO IS THERE ANYWAY FOR IT CAN REIMBURSE ME BACK MY MONEY OR FIX MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE I WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 30, 2020
THE CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS NO REVERSE AND WHEN IT FINALLY DID GO INTO DRIVE ONLY 11 MPH