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
1,192 reports, newest first.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2023
Car turned off while driving three times. Once when put in park it locked on a busy road. Replaced fuse to battery, still turned off while driving. Lights stay on and its a pretty new battery so thats nit the issue, when turning the key there is no noise, no clicking or grinding. Main issue is the fact it turns off while driving and the fact it locks up when put in park. That's helpful to no one. Windows can't be rolled up either which meant being trapped guarding a vehicle in 92 degree weather. Anti theft is literally so dumb and in annoying. Great thought, terrible in practice. Am currently waiting on tow truck. Open invention on what caused this now.
Engine, Aug 23, 2023
The engine blew due to a faulty oil pump that Ford knows about. The oil pump leaks and causes metal shards to enter the engine which causes it to cease while driving. Ford refuses to fix the engine due to out of warranty. This is a known issue for 1.0 Liter engine vehicles such as the Ford Focus and Ecosport. Our Foed dealer has 2 in the shop for same issue. There is also a class action lawsuit against them.
Power train, Aug 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the dual clutch to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the dual clutch to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle back to the local dealer, and the dual clutch was replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to surge and shake erratically. The contact was able to exit the main roadway, after which the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
Wheels, Aug 22, 2023
While attempting to change front brake pads, I couldn't get any of my sockets, of which I have multiple sets of both SAE and Metric, none would fit the lug nuts. After talking with a Ford dealership parts department, I was informed that the lug nuts swell and beating a socket onto the lug nuts was the only way to get them off the vehicle. This is unacceptable, and it was lucky that I wasn't trying to change a tire in the middle of the night. I immediately bought after-market lug nuts to replace them on the vehicle at a cost well over $100. This is unacceptable.
Power train, Aug 17, 2023
While driving at various speeds vehicle would shudder and hesitate to shift. Last vehicle operation while slowing from 50 mph vehicle started jerking and shuddering that followed with a transmission fault code being displayed. Vehicle no longer had reverse or can go past 1 gear. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000 miles, vehcile was towed to dealership and diagnosed with a bad clutch and needed to be replaced. Contacted manufacturer of the issue and was directed to the NHTSA.
Power train, Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her residence. After parking the vehicle, the contact did not notice an issue with the vehicle. The contact stated two days later the vehicle failed to reverse out of the parking spot. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifting gear there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle shook abnormally. The vehicle became unable to shift out of park and felt as though the vehicle was in neutral. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that the failure was related to TSB Number: 14M02 (Power Train) however, the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2023
The transmission/clutch causes the car to sputter when accelerating which is so dangerous at red lights. When I went to the mechanic he said this is happening to does focuses all over so this sounds like a universal ford thing.
Power train, Aug 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before shifting to the next gear. The contact stated that the hesitation occurred after stopping and then depressing the accelerator pedal to drive. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact had spoken to an independent mechanic and was provided information on how to reset the transmission control module (TCM). The contact stated that resetting the TCM failed to fix the vehicle. The failure recurred with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact used a handheld code scanner and retrieved DTC code: P2872 (Clutch Stuck in Engaged Position). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 14M02 TCM - Loss of Transmission Engagement (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Power train, Aug 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the RPM increased dramatically, and the transmission hesitated while the vehicle lost motive power. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined there was a failure with the automatic clutch in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Engine, Aug 3, 2023
The engine shuddered and failed to shift at start from stop sign. It has had 2clutch or transmission changes and now just before 40,000 it shuddered at start from stop sign and almost stopped. Almost hit from behind. How many times much this be fixed before it is done right ?I intended this to be my forever car as I’m 73 years old. Of course the warranty was changed from 10,years to 7. I usually always had good success with Fords . If this doesn’t get covered my new Ford will be a Subaru.
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, Aug 2, 2023
My car has hesitation, and stalling or inability to accelerate, this isn't safe!!! and I cant sink money into something that is a manufacturer issue and i know that they deny that there was a manufacturer issue in the focus hatchbacks for the longest time...
Engine, Jul 31, 2023
Random misfire and wondering if Head Gastker recall repair was done on this vehicle
Power train, Jul 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered abnormally. Additionally, on several occasions the vehicle would not immediately start. The vehicle also failed to reverse as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission clutch assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Power train, Engine, Jul 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission with the "Transmission Fault" message displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced an oil leak and was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the chain gasket was faulty and needed to be replaced. The chain gasket was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 159,000.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2023
The car worked fine in the first couple months and slowly declined. The rpm will shoot up and down causing the car to jerk and not able to surpass certain speeds. It works sometimes, so when going to work in the freeway it was fine then it started acting up again, causing other cars to almost crash into me. I had to drive with hazards and luckily i was able to safely pull to the side. Instances like this occur a lot more now because the car doesn’t act normal anymore. I took it to a mechanic and it was a gear issue and a module error. I had asked how i was to fix it, and they said only main dealerships can fix a module board. It’s making my transmission overheat and now my steering wheel is stuck and won’t move.
Engine, Jul 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The oil warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle coasted to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine and turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Tires, Jul 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Control Contact Tour A/S Plus, Tire Size: 215/50/R15, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the rear driver’s side tire. The low tire pressure message appeared on the instrument panel. The rear driver’s side tread had separated, causing the vehicle to swerve to the right. The contact struck her head on the driver’s side window and sustained an injury to her head, left thumb, and neck. The contact had not sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the tire was replaced. The contact stated that the tire was a replacement tire. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 1,300. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Power train, Jul 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the RPM quickly became elevated; however, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power before returning to normal operation. The contact stated that he was able to drive to residence however, the vehicle had since failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module and determined that the clutch was stuck. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Power train, Jul 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission started to shift abnormally. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02- Supplement #6 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Steering, Jul 14, 2023
On my way to the gas station to fuel up. Turned off car and when turned back on power steering malfunction light came on making steering a lot harder. Ran codes to find out it was a water damage fault based off manufacture design after doing research
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 13, 2023
2016 FORD FOCUS VIN: 1FADP3F20GL341128 Mileage: 64,750 Hello I am having problems with my 2016 Ford Focus. The vehicle is shuddering, moving forward, problems in shifting, vibrating and Ford cannot do anything about this as they have told me that you have not added this model on the recall. I got the vehicle checked over by Ford and they said it is the same issues as the other Ford Focus and Fiesta have and they said they need to replace the clutch and TCM. However this would be charable to me because you have not added this model in the recall. At the Sound Dealership in Renton WA there was 3 cars with the same issue and one being the same fuel flex model as mine. Is this something you could check as Ford will not help me at all. Thank you
Power train, Jul 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was attempting to shift gear, the transmission failed to shift as needed. Additionally, while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The transmission also failed to shift into reverse(R) as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact's daughter that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.