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: other or unspecified
107 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
I HAVE BEEN NOTICING FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS THAT MY CAR HAS LITTLE TO KNOW PICK UP ACCELERATING, SPECIALLY UP A HILL. IT SEEMS TO BE BOGGING OR SHUTTERING. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE 2016 AND I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM THAT IS AFFECTING MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2017
CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES PENDING POSSIBLE AIR BAG RECALL ENGINE STILL RUNNING WHILE PARK UNAUTHORIZED REPAIR DONE WHEN GETTING A SECOND OPINION TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED ONLY.VEHICLE ISSUES ARE WHILE IN MOTION IN CITY STREETS IN HIGHWAY AND TURNING.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2017
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FEB 23, 2017 WITH 137 MILES ON IT. DROVE IT OFF THE LOT WITHIN A MONTH OF HAVING THE CAR IT STARTING MAKING A WEIRD NOISE KIND OF LIKE A CLANKING NOISE IN THE FRONT ENGINE AREA, CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THIS WAS NORMAL NOISES FOR A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE NOISES CONTINUED TO GET LOUDER TOOK IT BACK THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLUTCH DOWNSHIFTING(MIND YOU IT MAKES THE NOISE BEFORE THE CAR EVEN HAS A CHANCE TO EVEN GET TO A SPEED HIGH ENOUGH TO SHIFT SO HOW IS IT DOWNSHIFTING?) IT ALSO IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REMOTE START YOU START IT WITH THE REMOTE START IT SHUTS OFF, START IT AGAIN SHUTS OFF AGAIN, START IT FOR THE 3RD TIME IT STARTS YOU GO TO UNLOCK THE CAR TO GET IN AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN ( NOT NORMAL AND IT WAS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY NOT AFTERMARKET) NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING TO SHIFT AS WELL AS LUNGING WHEN IT DOES SHIFT AND WHEN WE BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY TELL US THIS IS ALL NORMAL AND THEY HAVE A BULLETIN FROM FORD STATING THAT IT IS "NORMAL " FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I TAKE OFF MY CAR JERKS AND ALMOST JUMPS LIKE. IT ACTS LIKE ITS DOUBLE SHIFTING OR HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING. I HAD FORD LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THEY COULDNT HELP ME UNTIL IT GETS WORSE. I WILL BE REALLY UPSET IF SOMETHING GOES AFTER MY WARRANTY IS GONE. A BRAND NEW CAR SHOULDNT DRIVE LIKE THIS.THEY TOLD ME ITS THE CLUTCHING SYSTEM THAT CAUSES IT TO DO THIS . THAT IS WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT FORD ,BUT EONT REPLACE UNTIL IT GETS WORSE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2017
HELLO MY CLUTCH PEDAL KEEPS STICKING AND BURNING MY CLUTCH ALSO PEDEL STICKS TO FLOOR UNLESS I TURN CAR OFF AND PULL PEDEL UP HAS HAPPENED NOW 5 TIMES PLEASE REPORT THIS SO FORD CAN LOOK INTO IT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2017
CAR WAS DRIVING FINE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY. ACCELERATOR WAS PUSH TO THE FLOOR, RPM'S WENT UP TO 6,000, CAR WAS JERKY. AT 6,000 RPM THE CAR WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR. SPEED LIMIT WAS 50. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE, ONCE IN OCTOBER 2016 AND ONCE ON APRIL 1, 2017. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY STATED IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND REPROGRAMED MY CAR. IN BETWEEN THE TWO INCIDENTS, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY DATED FEBRUARY 2017. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE CAR "MAY EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS OF INTERMITTENT LOSS OF TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING, NO-START, OR LACK OF POWER, USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY AN ILLUMINATED SERVICE ENGINE SOON ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER." THE LETTER AUTHORIZES REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, BUT IT IS THE OPINION OF THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR CO. THAT THEY HAVE TO SEE THE PROBLEM IN ACTION FOR THEM TO REPLACE IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND HAS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 95 APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR SOUTHBOUND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, I DID NOT FEEL ANY IMPACT ON THE AUTOMOBILE BUT BEGAN TO HEAR RATTLING ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF. WHEN I PULLED OVER, I SAW THAT SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED AND EXPLODED. THE SUNROOF COVER ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN OPENED. NO OBJECT HIT THE SUNROOF, IT JUST EXPLODED. I HAVE PICTURES. NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ANYWHERE.