2016 Ford Focus

1,181 complaints on file, page 1 of 60.

1. Filed Sep 20, 2026Failure Aug 13, 2026Cleveland, TNPower train

   The DPS6 transmission started out shuddering in low gears even after clutch replacement early on. This made pulling out into traffic slower than it should be. Received “transmission overheating” message “pull over for 5 minutes” in heavy traffic. Prior to the message car would shudder and lose power. This happened suddenly going at highway speeds on the interstate. Replaced clutch actuators and TCM only to have the clutch adaptive learn procedure fail and after inspection by the dealer was told needs new transmission. These problems have been present at very low mileage and Ford now wants to charge a ridiculous amount to replace transmission that should have been fixed long ago. Several times the car stalled in traffic almost causing me to get in accidents.

   NHTSA complaint 11765634
2. Filed Aug 31, 2026Failure Aug 31, 2026West Plains, MOFuel system, Gasoline

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while in active traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. Prior to visiting the dealer, the vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics and the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that the fuel tank had collapsed. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized dealer for the repair. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a failed canister purge valve, but the fuel tank was not damaged. The dealer replaced the canister purge valve and EVAP parts. However, shortly after the repair, the vehicle stalled while driving in traffic. The vehicle was taken to another Ford dealer; however, the dealer experienced the same issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); but the recall repair was already performed on the vehicle. The failure was not repaired. The vehicle had lost motive power and would not restart and had to be towed. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint 11761134
3. Filed Aug 25, 2026Failure Jul 27, 2026Fredericksburg, TXEngine, Unknown or other

   I WAS DRIVING 75MPH DOWN I-10 AT 11:30PM AND MY FOCUS SUNDDENLY DIED, I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. INFORMATION FLASHED NOT IN PARK AND STARTED GHOSTLY TRYING TO START ON ITS OWN, I BELIEVE THE TCM FAILED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED.

   NHTSA complaint 11759582
4. Filed Aug 19, 2026Failure Aug 19, 2026Fort Worth, TXEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped accelerating. The contact safely pulled into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was inoperable and was waiting to be towed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was previously contacted about the recall but was informed that there was no part available for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted after the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint 11757916
5. Filed Aug 16, 2026Failure Oct 16, 2025Logan, WVPower train

   My duel clutch transmission started acting up took it to a mechanic they said it needed the TCM and Actuators and possibly transmission replaced that they should be recalled tried taking it to Thirnhill Ford because I received a letter for this to be changed and they refused without me paying up front this has been going on with my car for over 2 years its setting in a driveway being paid on and cant even be drove

   NHTSA complaint 11757255
6. Filed Jul 22, 2026Failure Jun 20, 2026Indianapolis, INEngine, Power train

   The car would not accelerate when pressing accelerator, they said the clutch assembly malfunctioned, confirmed by documentation. Myself and others had our safety at risk because the car could not be controlled properly while on the road. The car was taken to the dealer and they confirmed the problem. The dealer's service center gave inspection, and confirmed the problem. The warning message did not appear until after the problem put myself and others' safety at risk.

   NHTSA complaint 11751981
7. Filed Jul 14, 2026Failure Jul 14, 2026Elizabethton, TNUnknown or other

   Transmission is taking to change gears and when going up a hill it jerks with you the problem was worked on by dealership and it still does same thing after work on it was done and dealership kept making excuses It was a recall on it about 3 years ago and it wasn't fixed and still does the same

   NHTSA complaint 11750399
8. Filed Jul 7, 2026Failure Jun 26, 2026Morrisville, PAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

   Transmission overheated. Transmission fluid leaked but the computer in the car didn't let me know there was a leak. Couldn't move my car into reverse so I had to get a tow to Ford. They said it was a Transmission leak which caused the overheating. But once the car received Transmission fluid the car did not go into reverse. Clutch failed.

   NHTSA complaint 11748862
9. Filed Jun 15, 2026Failure Jun 11, 2026Edison, NJPower train

   While driving at highway speed, the transmission slipped, skipping gears. Very difficult to drive care safely. Could not accelerate vehicle safely. Had to stay in right lane with hazard lights on. Basically, using only gears 1, 3 & 5. Later discovered intermittently no reverse. DTC P090C Clutch Actuator B - Circuit Low.

   NHTSA complaint 11744217
10. Filed Jun 3, 2026Failure May 1, 2026Payson, UTEngine, Power train

    When I bought the car it stuttered it ended up being the clutch then my transmission went out The bolt in my engine mount broke and my engine was basically on the ground

    NHTSA complaint 11741924
11. Filed Jun 2, 2026Failure Jun 2, 2026Alexandria, VAFuel/propulsion system

    So I had check engine light I took it to the mechanic the code was p1450 the mechanic told me it’s the purge valve and it’s recall with ford book and appointment from the website witch is I did after I checked my vin I found out that’s this purge valve has recall and it’s free of charge I went to dealer they denied and said they have to do their diagnostic that will cost 190$ and they did not accept the car

    NHTSA complaint 11741600
12. Filed May 26, 2026Failure May 25, 2026Mount Holly Springs, PAElectrical system, Engine, Power train

    We bought this vehicle from Carvana in February 2023. Since very early on owning this vehicle, the engine hesitated and stuttered when trying to shift from first to second gear, and would lunge forward slightly. In December 2024, I received a letter from Ford Motor Company about a customer satisfaction program, Campaign 24N07. The letter addressed the symptoms my vehicle exhibited, including engine hesitation, engine running rough, and engine stalling at low speeds, though the check engine light was not on. The letter states that Ford Motor Company provides a one-time replacement of the canister purge valve, given these symptoms and the check engine light being on. When I called all the local Ford dealerships, they refused to do it because the check engine light was not on, and that Ford Motor Company issued this as a customer satisfaction program, rather than a safety recall.Everything that was listed in Campaign 24N07 is MOST DEFINITELY a safety issue, and should not be taken lightly. It is highly concerning that Ford Motor Company didn’t think to consider ENGINE ISSUES a safety recall. The class action lawsuit Vargas et al v. Ford Motor Company had a deadline of November 4, 2020, which was 2 years and 3 months prior to us buying the vehicle, so any vehicles of the affected years and models should have been either repaired, or not allowed to be sold unless the repairs were done by an authorized Ford dealership. This information was not told to us when we bought the vehicle.On May 25, 2026, while driving, the engine fault and steering assist fault warnings came on, as well as the check engine light. When we were able to safely park the car, we discovered the entire power train is non operational. The engine no longer turns over, and we are now having to buy a new car.

    NHTSA complaint 11739970
13. Filed May 21, 2026Failure May 9, 2024Memphis, TNPower train

    My car Transmission dual clutch went out in 2024. Car makes a loud winding noise car hesitate when stops Yes,confirmed by dealership and Coleman's transmission. Yes, by the manufacturer. No warning lamps or messages.

    NHTSA complaint 11739372
14. Filed May 20, 2026Failure Jan 20, 2025Philadelphia, PAElectrical system, Engine, Service brakesCrash1 injured

    [XXX] driving her 2016 ford focus hit me [XXX] she claims her btakes did not work hitting multiple times she hit me so hard her car flew many feet back. I believe her car was defective it was alittle snowy but nothing bad. [XXX] said her brakes did not work at all. Me and multiple cars were able to come to complete stop with no skidding i have toyota rav4. I think her car might have been told my car needed repairs. I was severely injured severe permanent concussion brain neck back shoulder arm hand chest back muscle nerve damage. Dunno if [XXX] was also injured INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11738923
15. Filed May 6, 2026Failure May 6, 2026Warsaw, INPower train

    Transmission is slipping. Dealer reported cluthes going out. This is a known issue with all of these cars.

    NHTSA complaint 11736136
16. Filed May 5, 2026Failure May 4, 2026Irwin, PAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

    Ford Motor issued two safety recalls regarding this, but has since closed them without providing a safe resolution for consumers. July 8 2019 Ford issued Ford Safety Recall program 19S22 (following 18S32) for stuck open canister purge valve (CPV). This can result in a failure to bleed the vacuum from the gas tank, and deforms the gas tank upon failure. This has been confirmed, reproduced, and recalled by Ford before, but continues to happen nationwide to Ford Focus ST owners as a small subset of their vehicles. A stuck open CPV can result in a number of codes. In my case, I got a P1450, Ford-Specific check engine light on the MIL. This can cause inability to start, along with rough idle and stalling while driving. Ford reports closing these safety recalls and provides no further support for the issue.

    NHTSA complaint 11735835
17. Filed Mar 27, 2026Failure Nov 1, 2025Amesbury, MAPower train

    The powertrain/transmission in my 2016 Ford Focus is malfunctioning. Specifically, the vehicle shudders and hesitates when accelerating in low gears, causing delayed engagement and unpredictable power delivery. This issue occurs at low speeds, such as when entering traffic or moving through intersections, creating a potential safety risk for myself and other drivers. The problem has been officially diagnosed by a Ford dealership as a transmission/clutch issue, with a repair estimate of approximately $3,700. The issue has been reproduced consistently and confirmed by the dealer. No warning lights appeared prior to the malfunction, but the shuddering and hesitation are noticeable during normal driving. The vehicle currently has approximately 26,000 miles, which is very low for transmission failure, and the manufacturer has denied goodwill assistance despite the early and confirmed failure.

    NHTSA complaint 11727541
18. Filed Mar 26, 2026Failure Jan 3, 2026La habra, CAPower train

    The car shakes when I turn the car on. I always thought it was normal until they told me it wasn't. Also ive smelled like a burn oil smell... Ive gotten stuck on intersection, guessing its the transmission.. i had to put the car it park and put it drive to see if it moved. When it did moved the whole front car shook while doing the turn. That happened like 2x. Both times I've parked afterwards and I tried to put it in reverse and nothing. It did not reverse. And that was the last of it moving.

    NHTSA complaint 11727219
19. Filed Mar 25, 2026Failure Mar 25, 2026Bradford, ARPower train

    The transmission in this model is horrible they already have recall for the 1.0L mine of course is the 2.0L its 2016 Ford Focus it has last than 165,000 miles. I already replaced put new transmission in it last year and here I am again transmission is out. And of course no repair shops will touch my car deal this known issues

    NHTSA complaint 11726919
20. Filed Mar 9, 2026Failure Feb 11, 202565,000 milesOgden, UTPower train

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered unexpectedly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with dual clutch failure. The contact was informed that the dual clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11723110