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.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2023
Have tried repeatedly to get the CPV recall performed however all dealerships or authorized repair locations have been giving me multi month waits since it started showing the alarm code for it in Dec. 2021. Due to it being the only vehicle my family has we were out in a wait list to bring it in when they had the parts and never got called back. Now the Transaxle is not engaging 4/5/6th gear intermittently. Was informed that it would be 3K for a new transaxle even though I have not had the vehicle for that long.
Power train, Structure, Jul 10, 2023
New clutch failing after 20000 miles about 1.5 years after factory change. Car shutters when trying to change gear. Dealership has been able to reproduce issue but doesn't want to cover it. Transmission randomly goes into neutral when driving on highway at speed. This has caused issues with maintaining control as engine power is not going to propel car while surrounded by other vehicles on highway. Dealer has not reproduced issue. Driver side door when ambient air temperature exceed 85 or 90 degrees, door not easily opened. Occurred for dealership personnel too. In none of these instances, warning lights appeared. My safety and others is at risk if the clutches fail prematurely, transmission randomly goes into neutral while in Drive at speed around others on the highway, and if the driver door is sticking closed when temperatures get hot. Car is available for inspection.
Power train, Jul 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and high engine temperature warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the transmission experienced rough shifting and failed to shift into Sport(S) mode. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone Auto Parts, where it was diagnosed that the clutch was engaged and the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Steering, Jul 3, 2023
Driving down the windy mountain road and all power steering fails and the steering locks up and cause it to jerk hard. Can’t control vehicle at any speed. Not inspected but put on computer and it says steering module failure. 06/20/2023.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 27, 2023
Transmission Fault Service Now warning light keeps coming on and off. I’ve taken it to multiple places to have it checked out and nobody can find and actual issues that would cause the transmission to fail. I got stuck in the middle of an intersection because the transmission randomly stopped. I’ve had to have it towed.
Engine, Jun 27, 2023
Transmission went out. 2016 ford focus are known for bad transmission
Power train, Jun 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and hesitating. On another occasion, while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would no longer accelerate forward and failed to reverse. During the failure, the message "transmission fault" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2023
The speakers are making a LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING. This is now happening with the radio turned off, and no Bluetooth connected to it. It even sometimes does it when the car is completely turned off. This sounds to me like an electrical issue for one. For two, this is an extreme safety issue, especially when I am driving. The last time it happened, it sounded like gunshots going off that that’s how loud it was, when my car was turned off completely, and now I am suffering from extreme tinnitus. Next time this could actually explode my eardrums. I have heard this to be an issue for multiple of these vehicles yet there has not been a recall on whatever may be causing this?! THIS IS AN EXTREME HEALTH/AUDITORY/NEUROLOGICAL SAFETY ISSUE.
Power train, Jun 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking uncontrollably. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 67,000. The contact wants to reimbursed for repairs to the vehicle.
Power train, Jun 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact's daughter was able to maneuver the vehicle into a nearby parking lot, where the vehicle failed to shift into drive. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home and later towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the failure was with the transmission. The contact investigated and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2023
Almost a year ago I noticed my check engine light came on and so I checked the codes which is P1450 - Unable To Bleed Up Fuel Tank Vacuum - Ford - Powertrain. Everytime I fill the gas tank the engine studders and fails upon startup, usually on the 3 or 4th start the engine finally idle and I'm able to change gears. I thought this was the issue that was supposed to be resolved back in 2019 when I took my car into Ford to have the recall issue fixed. Well whatever they did back then didn't fix it and looks like I'm not the only one this is happening to.
Power train, May 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while at a stop light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that several minutes later the vehicle lunged forward. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic test and the contact was informed that Trouble Code: P07A5 (Friction element B stick on and Transmission fault) was retrieved. The contact was referred to the local dealer for assistance. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed in house. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
Power train, May 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure and was informed that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Engine, May 15, 2023
Water pump failed. This is the second time it happens. First time happened back in 2019 and it happened in the highway luckily, I was able to pull over and no accident happened as it was during high traffic flow. It was repaired by Ford but only because I had purchased a supplemental repair package thru Ford Focus when I signed the purchase agreement. Then another issue occurred with the thermostat and it was repaired as well thru the supplemental because they didn't cover it. I leaned that day that the water hoses were damaged as well, which it was due to the prior issue with the water pump but Ford did not fix it as they said it was not covered, I argued that the problem happened because it the water pump and thermostat going bad, a chain reaction, yet they didn't want to fix it unless I paid over $1300. Now the water pump went bad again and the dealer didn't take responsibility of the issue. I was told I have to pay out of pocket.
Power train, May 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering while idling. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal continually to prevent the vehicle from sputtering. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the automatic shifter needed to be replaced along with other unknown transmission parts. The vehicle was repaired; however, approximately 2-years later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the contact was informed that the repair needed to be performed a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
Power train, May 13, 2023
Car jerks and shakes/ will suddenly stop in the middle of traffic. This is especially dangerous if you are making a left or right and the car suddenly stops, which has happened
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, May 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a portable scanner and retrieved DTC codes regarding the fuel rail pressure - Low. The contact’s husband replaced the canister purge valve (CPV); however, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was jerking, and losing motive power, and hesitating to restart. The vehicle was diagnosed again, and the contact retrieved fault codes for the fuel rail system again. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact's husband completed the repair; however, the contact stated that after refueling and driving at an undisclosed speed, the low fuel warning light illuminated. The contact referenced the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Power train, May 9, 2023
The contact’s daughter owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Power train, May 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring while driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission clutch assembly was replaced approximately four times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Power train, May 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and occurred increasingly while driving at low speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the dual transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Power train, May 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown transmission warning light appeared on the instrument panel; the vehicle began to stall and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the clutch assembly was replaced. A few months later, the contact stated that the vehicle failed reverse while in the reverse(R) position. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the transmission clutch assembly was replaced a second time. Once the vehicle was picked upon from the dealer, the failure persisted with the transmission warning light on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Power train, Engine, Apr 25, 2023
I was driving and the car started running hot. The overheating warning came on and said to pull over safely. I was not in an area where I could stop. The light eventually went off and the temp went back to normal. There are no noticeable leaks. The car has also been shifting hard, sputtering during acceleration, and revving really high. I think there needs to be a recall issued immediately. I'm only at 56k miles.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Apr 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, the vehicle stalled occasionally after refueling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle occasionally after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the canister purge valve remained open causing the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Power train, Apr 21, 2023
My 2016 focus has 32,000 miles on the powershift dual clutch transmission and needs to be replaced, per the Ford dealer. The warrantee I purchased at the dealer does not cover the "dry clutch" issue. I can see online dealers have repaired or replaced this issue for free as it is a known issue now, many lawsuits and even being paid by Ford, why not mine. Not only is car shifting funny, but sometimes won't go int gear.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2023
7 year old car requires full engine replacement due to lost compression. For the 2 1/2 years I've owned it 1 entire year has been spent either stranded on the insterstate or at the dealership service repair. Fuel gauge does not monitor or distrubute correct fuel available. I have spent $600 in tows to the dealership . Multiple reports/complaints have been filed against this model & year includeing with NHTSA. "Common problems found on the 2016 Ford Focus include the transmission shuddering, engine failures, as well as issues with the power steering system. Overall, these problems are more severe than in other compact cars, leading to expensive repair bills when parts fail" Please investigate quickly as this is safety related as well as consumer gouging