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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.

Complaints by model year
  17. 1,192

Of the 2016 reports, 27 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train677 reports · 57% of complaints
Owner complaints1,192Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship10 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train677
  2. Engine237
  3. Fuel/propulsion system165
  4. Other or unspecified107
  5. Electrical system85
  6. Fuel system64
  7. Gasoline61
  8. Engine and engine cooling50

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  1. Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FUEL MILEAGE DISPLAYED 50 MILES WHEN THE TANK WAS HALFWAY FILLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE NEEDLES WERE RAPIDLY FLUCTUATING. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

  2. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 4, 2019

    INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE. FIRST ISSUE - MY CAR WOULD BE READING THAT I HAD (EXAMPLE) 15 MILES UNTIL EMPTY AND REALLY I HAD 0 MILES UNTIL EMPTY. RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. SECOND ISSUE - MY CAR WILL STALL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING/ACCELERATING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. MUCH WORSE WHEN I HAVE LESS THAN A HALF/QUARTER TANK. MY CAR WILL STILL STALL EVEN WHEN I DO HAVE MORE THAN A HALF TANK OF GAS. MOST TIMES, MY CAR WILL NOT RESTART AFTER THE STALL. THIS ISSUE IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON, AT A DEAD STOP THEN ABOUT TO ACCELERATE, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE OF 2018 AND STARTED TO NOTICE THE FUEL TANK ISSUE PRETTY QUICKLY. THE STALLING OUT ISSUE STARTED TO HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER. I DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD.

  3. Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 14, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

  4. Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 11, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM) WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER OF 2018. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (NORTH SIDE FORD, 12300 US HWY 281 NORTH, SAN ANTONIO, TX), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

  5. Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2019

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER (KEARNY PEARSON FORD, 7303 CLAIREMONT MESA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, (858) 560-5544) REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2018, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN OCTOBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

  6. Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 18, 2019

    TOOK FOCUS TO DEALER AND DEALER SAID HE CAN'T FIX DUE TO PARTS BEING ON BACK ORDER FOR A MONTH. HOWEVER, THIS IS A SAFETY RISK " AND ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING OR WITHOUT ABILITY TO RESTART CAN INCREASE RISK OF CRASH". STUCK CANISTER PURGE VALVE. DEPENDING ON WHERE THIS COULD HAPPEN, THIS COULD RESULT IN DEATH. THIS NEEDS FIXED IMMEDIATELY. RECALL ON FORD FOCUS 18V735 CHAPMAN FORD OF HORSHAM, 1100 EASTON RD, HORSHAM, PA 19044. WE HAVE PAPERWORK.

  7. Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 11, 2018

    MY AUTO IS ON A RE-CALL FOR GAS TANK ISSUES THEY TOLD ME PARTS FOR AUTO WOULD BE 15 DAYS MEANWHILE MY AUTO HAS BEEN STALLING NOT STARTING GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF AUTO FORD SAYS ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM TO RENT A AUTO FOR USE THEY SAID FILL THE CAR WITH GAS I DID THAT IT IS WORST THEN BEFORE THE DATE IS JUST ONE OF MANY DATES SINCE RECALL

  8. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 1, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK BATTERY, CHECK OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DIRECTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START WHEN THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL WAS BELOW A 1/2 TANK. OURISMAN FORD & LINCOLN (6129 RICHMOND HIGHWAY, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22303 (703) 660-9000) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.

  9. Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2018

    THE CAR STALLS WHEN I FILL UP THE GAS TANK. THE CAR ALSO LOOSE POWER AS IT TAKES OFF FROM A STOP AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT RESTARTS WHICH THEN CAUSES THE BATTERY LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON INDICATING THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. THE ACT LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL WHENEVER I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN TRAFFIC AND THIS IS A VERY STRESSFUL AND SOMETIMES HORRIFYING FEELING TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DRIVING IN TRAFFIC JAMS IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO. WITH 1.5 MILLION CUSTOMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN DANGER OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT FORD BUY BACK ALL OF THESE CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAYS.. PLEASE ADVISE..

  10. Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2018

    VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE IS OFF BY 50 MILES + - 10 MILES. VEHICLE STALLS AFTER FILLING FUEL TAKE TO FULL LEVEL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON SOLID AFTER THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS. TRANSMISSION IS LOUD AND GRINDS WHEN MAKING TURNS AND HAS A JERKING MOTION WHEN INCREASING AND DECREASING SPEED.

  11. Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 28, 2018

    ON 10/27/2018 APPROXIMATELY 1330 AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO 29 IN WARRENTON HEADED TOWARDS CULPEPER GOING ABOUT 45MPH THE CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED. TOOK 3 TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THEN DID IT AGAIN AFTER MAKING A LEFT ONTO 17 IN BEALETON. THE VEHICLE WOULD GET UP TO ABOUT 20 MPH AND JUST STALL IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS BECOMING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY HAVING MY 12 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME.

  12. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 26, 2018

    APPROXIMATELY AT 30000 MILES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SHEEHY OF WARRENTON BECAUSE WHILE ON RTE 28 IN STERLING VA THE VEHICLE WAS INTERMITTENTLY JERKING SPUTTERING AND STALLING. DEALER STATED THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES BECAUSE NO CODE WAS PRESENT. ON 10/18/18 I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE THE CAR STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. THEY STATED THAT CODE SAYS LOW FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THAT FIRST TO SEE. I NOTICED TODAY THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I'M HAVING BUT RECALLS ARE ONLY ON THE 2.0 MODEL MINE IS THE 1.0.

  13. Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 17, 2018

    ENGINES STALLS OUT WHEN DE-ACCELERATING. ENGINE VERY HARD TO START AFTER REFUELING

  14. Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 14, 2018

    WHEN YOU STEP ON GAS PEDAL IT ISATATES AND RPM JUMPS UP AND IT SHAKES BEEN DOING IT SENSE I BOUGHT IT

  15. Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2016

    BOUGHT THIS CAR THIS SPRING AND BEEN HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. IT FEELS LIKE A MISFIRE BUT IT THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IF I KNEW THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR I WOULD NOT HAVE.