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.
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.
Wheels, Jun 5, 2022
Three of the five lug nut studs on my front passenger side wheel broke off.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2022
Ever since I first purchased this car I have had issues with the automatic transmission. It feels like the gears are slipping whenever you speed up and the car also vibrates when speeding up and you can feel and hear the gears slipping. I took my car to Hagerstown Ford a little after I bought this car and told them about this and they just told me that they hooked it up to their "machine" and it told them that the transmission was fine but yet it still to this day, over 5 years later, is still doing the same thing but now it's also making a strange noise when going in faster speeds, anywhere from 50mph to 80mph, and really has me worried that the transmission is now failing. I have heard that many, many people have had issues with ford focus/fiesta's automatic transmissions around the same year as my car, a 2016.
Power train, Jun 2, 2022
Many cars of this make, model and year have had a recall for the automatic clutch. I’ve taken it into a Ford dealer when the vehicle had around 55,000 miles and they replaced the clutch under warranty. Ford said that they extended the warranty to 7 years, 100,000 miles. My automatic clutch started doing the same thing again after about 20,000 miles after the first repair. I took it to the Ford dealer last week and they confirmed the automatic clutch was bad again but my VIN didn’t show up as being covered under the extended warranty. Their comment was “it depends on what plant the car was manufactured at.” My comment was “Ford already replaced this clutch once so it has nothing to do with where my car was manufactured at.” They would not fix it under warranty so I paid my $150 diagnostic fee and left the dealership very upset. Doesn’t make sense to me and I think Ford is purposely not covering all vehicles with this clutch problem. The vehicle is still drive-able but the faulty clutch makes the whole car shudder often, so much so that if the shudder doesn’t break the clutch it’s going to break something else.
Power train, Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating and almost stalled; however, once the contact accelerated, the vehicle continued driving normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
Power train, May 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while at a traffic light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle started shuddering while shifting gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the DPS6 clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Wheels, May 26, 2022
This is a lug nut-related complaint regarding the swelling and distorting of your tire factory installed lug nuts. I was not able to be remove lugnuts with the cars provided lug wrench. I was left stranded in a parking lot with a flat tire and had to drive the car with the flat tire to a local Firestone dealer, to have them remove and replace the damaged tire because I couldn't remove the tire after several attempts. an hour later I had several people try and help, It was a nightmare with my 90 year old mother. I should contact a lawyer, this is very unsafe if stranded on the highway. Ford needs to recall and replace all lug nuts. ASAP!
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, May 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission and fuel system failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was no longer drivable and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of gasoline. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed approximately 12-gallons of gasoline per week. The contact stated that a message was displayed stating 40-45 miles to empty however, the vehicle would stall even though there was fuel in the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start up after refueling. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer; Santa Fe Ford (16330 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32615) to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair had been completed on the vehicle three years ago. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Power train, May 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal as the service engine light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Power train, May 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated and started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed as a transmission failure associated with Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19N08. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19N08 due to the manufactured date of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to experience loss of speed, the contact would depress the accelerator and the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contact heard a grinding metal sound coming the floorboards. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store where the failure was diagnosed as the "transmission friction element A frozen in the on position." The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutches needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The contact purchased a non-OEM TCM and the vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the contact purchased another non-OEM TCM which was re-installed. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was returned to the same dealer and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Power train, May 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and then stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to return to the residence. The contact called an unknown local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Wheels, May 6, 2022
Lug nuts have expanded and have to be replaced. This is a known safety issue and a recall needs to take place.
Air bags, May 6, 2022, crash
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, a vehicle stopped abruptly causing a 3-vehicle collision ahead. As a result, the brake pedal was depressed however she crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deployed. The driver of the vehicle that the contact crashed into was taken by ambulance to the hospital, the driver's injuries and whereabouts were unknown. The contact later went to the hospital and was treated for pain and soreness in her back and right shoulder. The contact mentioned that after the impact she suffered a panic attack. A police report was filed. The contact's vehicle was towed to a collision center where it was pending to be towed to a salvage yard by the insurance company. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not reading the correct fuel level. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
Power train, Apr 26, 2022
The transmission slips going from first to second gear. Was told the clutches have went bad.
Power train, Apr 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle would hesitate while shifting gear and then lunge forward. The contact stated that the failure was ongoing. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was fluctuating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Power train, Apr 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the transmission failed to shift as needed with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward abruptly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 2, 2022
Car died and would not accelerate after slowing down to turn; no warning or dashboard lights on before incident; no overheating; started back up afterwards but stalled before engine turn over. Happened 3 times within 30 minutes
Power train, Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist who provided the same diagnostic information. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated to an extended warranty and the repair would be covered; however, he needed to contact the manufacturer for towing assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist with the repair of the vehicle as his VIN was not included in an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,751.