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: power train
677 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Aug 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact initially stated that the vehicle would fail to start up as needed. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle would fail to shift gears upon the depression of the accelerator pedal as several unknown warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the PCM (Powertrain Control Module)needed to be replaced. The contact agreed to the repair; however, the parts for the repair were on backorder. The contact eventually found the part online which he paid for out of pocket and the dealer was able to install the part and repair the vehicle. The contact expressed concern that the failure with his transmission may occur again. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000
Power train, Aug 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would fail to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact would then manually shift the transmission to operate the vehicle; however, the "transmission overheating stop safely," warning message would then appear on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she informed that the transmission control module was replaced; however, the failure persisted after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and was then informed that the failure could be linked to the vehicle's clutch plate. The dealer was also notified of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000(Power Train). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Aug 15, 2022
I have been having issues with my EVAP system and it is effecting my Drivability. It will stall but there is no recall for my car.
Power train, Aug 15, 2022
Transmission or clutch slipping between gears and pedal response time is delayed
Power train, Aug 14, 2022
Vehicle slips at gears 1 and 2 and doesn’t have power when accelerating.
Power train, Aug 13, 2022
Transmission. Car on dealership lot. Car stopped running in busy hospital underground parking ramp. Unable to restart. Ford dealership confirmed bad transmission control module TCM. No warning or warning lamps prior.
Power train, Aug 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated he notice that the check engine warning light was illuminated, while driving at 15 MPH. The contact felt the gear shifted roughly. The contact stated at a different occasion the vehicle would not start, the contact had to crank the engine several times for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact informed them that his vehicle was experiencing the same failure as Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 – Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage – 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta & 2012-2016 Focus and they stated the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 90,000.
Power train, Aug 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and waited until the vehicle cooled down. The contact stated that when she restarted the vehicle, the vehicle would not accelerate as needed. The contact stated that after several minutes, the vehicle started to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they could not assist because the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Power train, Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and merging into traffic, the vehicle inadvertently shifted out of gear and the engine started revving loudly. The contact depressed the accelerator, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 25 MPH and the transmission independently shifted back into drive (D). The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The failure had become recurring. Additionally, the contact stated that it then became difficult to shift into reverse (R). The vehicle was also occasionally difficult to start. The contact stated that after shifting from park (P) to drive (D) with the vehicle turned off, there was a message displayed stating that “Transmission Ready”, start the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched the failure online and related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The contact stated that the part necessary to repair the vehicle is the same one Ford includes in the extended warranty. So, they are unsure as to why their VIN is not included in the recall.
Power train, Jul 30, 2022
Same transmission fluttering when you take off as the recalls for up to 2016 years, but for some reason my car’s vin doesn’t show up as covered. Help!!!
Power train, Jul 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and a diagnostic test showed that the clutch assembly was faulty. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not under warranty or included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Power train, Jul 25, 2022
UNKNOWN the transmission is sluggish and shuddering. This problem has almost cause me to be rear ended a few times. No new warning lamps have popped up.
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
Power train, Jul 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift gear normally. While continuing to drive, the vehicle started operating normally. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that a part of the dual clutch transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 21,717.
Power train, Jul 7, 2022
The TCM on this Ford Focus went out (it is available for inspection), which forced the car into limp mode. Fortunately, my kid was on a side road and not the freeway or it could have caused an accident. The car was taken in to the dealership on 10/06/21 and a new sensor was put in. It lasted all of a day or 2 before going back into limp mode, at which point the dealership told me that the TCM would need to be replaced but is on backorder with no ETA. He also mentioned that he had about 40 other customers with this exact same issue and no resolution. It is essentially undriveable at this time due to this part being on backorder (and has been on backorder for months or even a year or 2).
Power train, Jul 6, 2022
I have a 2016 Ford Focus which I can no longer drive. Not safe. At times car doesn't move. Gears don't engage. Ford doesn't think this is a safety issue. There are warning lights on my dash. Ford is suppose to fix the issue, but can't make the parts. CSP 14m02 and 19n08 are the Customer Satisfaction Program . This will be the second time that my car is getting fixed. The risk is that I might get hit because the car will not move. So I can no longer drive the car. The car has been inspected by a Ford dealer. All they say is that I have to wait until the parts come in. Why is the same parts being used. They don't seem to fix the problem. There needs to be a better answer from Ford on how they are going to fix this issue. All Ford tells me is that I just have to wait and they are no giving me any other options. I really believe they need to rethink this repair, because it isn't fixing the problem. You can look at all the Focus that are on the lot and see that they have been fixed multiple times and most likely they will have to be fixed again. I just need answers and something done by Ford.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jul 6, 2022
The contact called on behalf of a friend who owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after the driver refueled the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated while driving 3 MPH, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Power train, Jun 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the gear shifter was not able to shift into the intended gear and the vehicle was not able to drive forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Power train, Jun 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked more violently while accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the purge valve failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the clutch actuator needed to be replaced. On another occasion, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an unauthorized dealer and the contact was informed that the clutch assembly, transmission control module, and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 67,500.
Power train, Jun 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and accelerating, the vehicle started stalling and rumbling inadvertently. After several minutes of driving rough the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
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).
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jun 13, 2022
The contact's sister owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and also while in reverse(R) while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would fail to accelerate above 40 MPH while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was out of warranty and not under recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Power train, Jun 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. Once she was able to shift to the next gear the vehicle accelerated. The service engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a transmission clutch slip. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train), however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Power train, Jun 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while making a right turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and explained that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 92,500.