2016 Ford Focus problems
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The Ford Focus is a compact car (C-segment in Europe) manufactured by Ford Motor Company since 1999. It was created under Alexander Trotman's Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compact vehicle worldwide. The original Focus was primarily designed by Ford of Europe's German and British teams. Production of the fourth generation Focus began in 2018 in Germany and China.
Naming
The decision to name the new car the "Ford Focus" was made in early 1998, as Ford's senior management had been planning to keep the "Escort" nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. A last-minute problem arose in July 1998 when a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publisher Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the cars in the German market since the name was already taken by one of its magazines (Focus). This eleventh-hour dispute was resolved, however, and the car was launched with the name Focus.
First generation (C170; 1998)
Ford of Europe introduced the Focus in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for the Ford Escort. The Focus Mk 1 was awarded the 1999 European Car of the Year award. The project manager for the Ford Focus at Dunton was Rose Mary Farenden.
Ford of North America began marketing the Focus in September 1999 for the 2000 model year, with some changes from the European version. The car was launched as a three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door wagon; a five-door hatchback debuted in 2001.
In 2002, Ford launched its highest performance version of the Focus, called the Focus RS. It came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged Duratec RS engine, a Quaife ATB limited-slip differential, an AP Racing clutch, and a revolutionary design front suspension strut system called "Revo-knuckle"- as marketed by Ford, Sachs Racing dampers Brembo brakes, 18” O.Z Racing alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres and a host of other performance changes, combined with a much more aggressive appearance, and was available only in Ford's Imperial blue. Tickford Engineering won the engineering contract for the research, development and to oversee production of the Mk 1 Focus RS. Tickford made substantial modifications to the base unit, with up to 70% of the base components either updated, re-engineered or completely redesigned. Despite the development being carried out in the United Kingdom, Ford produced the Focus RS in the Saarlouis plant in Germany between 2002 and 2003 making a limited run of 4501 cars only. This original Focus RS was only available in Europe; just under half (2147) of these were sold in the UK.
For decades, in the U.S., small cars like the Focus were seen as a tool to draw in younger buyers looking for a cheap basic transportation and to increase auto makers' fleet average fuel economies to meet U.S. federal standards. Ford was said not to be concerned about losing money on the Focus so the company could sell gas guzzlers for big profits. However, recent sales of new Focuses have been able to maintain lower or overall discounting incentive rates than many competing vehicles in its class. Many industry insiders view cars like the Focus as 'compliance cars' because of their role in helping to bring up the corporate fleet average fuel economy to meet current fuel-economy standards.
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Common 2016 Ford Focus problems
The Ford Focus, a popular hatchback known for its sporty yet budget-friendly appeal, has faced several common problems over the years. While the 2016 model is considered more reliable than some of its predecessors, it still has a few issues that owners have reported.
- Fluctuating Engine Revolutions Per Minute (RPM): This problem is particularly common in the 2016 Ford Focus. Owners have reported that the engine's RPM can jump after shifting the gear to park, which can be disconcerting and potentially affect the vehicle's performance.
- Transmission Issues: The Ford Focus has had widespread transmission issues, particularly between the 2011 and 2016 model years. Many experts believe these problems stem from Ford's update of the PowerShift automatic transmission. This issue can lead to a jerky driving experience and increased repair costs.
- Fuel and Exhaust System Issues: In 2018, Ford issued a recall for over a million Focus models between 2010 and 2018 due to a faulty purge valve that may indirectly damage the fuel tank and cause the vehicle to stall. While this issue primarily affected earlier models, it's still a concern for 2016 Focus owners.
- Engine Stalls: Engine stalls have been reported in various Ford Focus models, including the 2000 and 2016 models. The most common symptom is the engine dying during operation. In the worst cases, this can lead to blown engines that need replacement.
- Electrical Accessories: Owners of the 2016 Ford Focus have reported issues with various electrical accessories, including the rear hatch release button, rear camera, brake lamp bulb fault light, and climate control system. These problems can range from inconvenient to potentially dangerous, depending on the specific issue.
In conclusion, while the 2016 Ford Focus is generally considered more reliable than some previous models, it still has several common problems that owners should be aware of. These issues primarily revolve around the transmission, fuel and exhaust system, engine stalls, and electrical accessories. Regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues can help ensure a safer and more enjoyable driving experience.
What is the common problem of Ford Focus?
The most common Ford Focus problems include fluctuating engine revolutions per minute (RPM), pre-ignition at low speeds, and engine stalling. Many issues can also develop in the exhaust, fuel system, transmission, steering, and ignition key.
How many miles will a 2016 Ford Focus last?
The Ford Focus is a reliable vehicle that can, with proper maintenance, last up to 200,000 miles. They offer competitive fuel efficiency with an average of 30 MPG for city driving and 40 MPG for highway driving.
What is the recall on the 2016 Ford Focus engine?
Recall Reference Number: 23S64
That is why Ford has issued a safety recall for certain 2016–2022MY Ford EcoSport® and Focus® vehicles with the 1.0L engine. The oil-drive belt tensioner arm may fracture or separate, causing a loss of vehicle power and power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
What are bad years for Ford Focus transmission?
As thousands of consumers who have purchased or leased a defective 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta or 2012-2015 Ford Focus have discovered, their transmissions and clutch assembly may contain a defect that causes, among other problems, transmission shuddering, slips, bucking, kicking, jerking, harsh engagement, premature ...
What is the common problem of Ford Focus?
The most common Ford Focus problems include fluctuating engine revolutions per minute (RPM), pre-ignition at low speeds, and engine stalling. Many issues can also develop in the exhaust, fuel system, transmission, steering, and ignition key.
What is the recall on the 2016 Ford Focus engine?
Recall Reference Number: 23S64
That is why Ford has issued a safety recall for certain 2016–2022MY Ford EcoSport® and Focus® vehicles with the 1.0L engine. The oil-drive belt tensioner arm may fracture or separate, causing a loss of vehicle power and power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
What is the fuel problem with the 2016 Ford Focus?
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.
What is the clutch problem on a 2016 Ford Focus?
Ford Recalled the 2016 Focus Over Clutch Slip, but that may not be the End of it. Out of 579 NHTSA complaints, 314 are listed under powertrain. In January of 2022, one driver reported that their clutch has a tendency to slip, eventually resulting in a $2,500 trip to the shop.
2016 Ford Focus car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Focus problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Ford Focus vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2016 Ford Focus
The NHTSA has received 1051 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Ford Focus. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Ford Focus vehicles.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-12
- VIN: 1FADP3F20GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle began jerking and stopped. The engine light was illuminated. There was an unknown red symbol displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined the transmission had failed. The contact called the local dealer, who referred her to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who informed the contact that there was no recall coverage, opened a case, and referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 1FADP3F2XGL
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: i know there is already a recall for other ford focuses with this same issue. my cpv is not working. the car breaks down every time i fuel and its a huge safety hazard as this happens far from my home usually and its very scary for me. i heard it can ruin my engine.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-10
- VIN: 1FADP3K28GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Failed tcm. Shaking and jerking car. Under 80k miles. Breaks stopped working in drive. Won't reverse. Same make,model,year and problem as recall warranty but for some reason my vin isn't included.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- VIN: 1FADP3FEXGL
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure was related to the recall. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- VIN: 1FADP3K23GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the steering wheel did not function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the contact stated that the shift gear did not function as intended. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not shift into park, drive, or neutral. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she turned the vehicle off, the vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed Transmission Control Module. The contact was informed that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had received recall notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000(Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the contact was advised that the failure was not associated with the recall repair. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed Transmission Control Module. The contact was informed that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-09
- VIN: 1FADP3F20GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to merge onto the highway at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle independently switched from first to third gear, jerked, and shifted into the park gear to control the vehicle. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle failed to move forward or in reverse. A bystander shifted the vehicle in neutral and pushed the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch was fractured and transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to costs. The contact was concerned as the vehicle was her primary source of travel since she was a traveling nurse and discovered that the clutch was previously replaced by the first vehicle owner. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- VIN: 1FADP3F27GL
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Continuously get the message steering fault assist service required. It’s impossible to turn the steering wheel.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-08
- VIN: 1FADP3F23GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The transmission system, specifically the clutch, malfunctioned. The clutch slipped, which caused the car to suddenly stop in busy traffic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The sudden stop in heavy traffic put my safety and the safety of others at risk. It could have led to a rear-end collision or other accidents as the vehicle stopped without warning.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-01
- VIN: 1FADP3K28GL
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a stationary position, the vehicle experienced severe jerking, vibrations, and hesitation. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the transmission clutch but later the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled. Upon inspection, it was discovered that there was no coolant inside the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that no visual evidence of a coolant leak could be found. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 10,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-15
- VIN: 1FADP3FE4GL
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an oil pump and engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 83,790.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-01-15
- VIN: 1FADP3F2XGL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired on 3 different occasions for transmission failure under warranty. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the warrant being expired. In addition, the contact stated that the reverse failed to engage when the gear shifter was shifted into reverse. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- VIN: 1FADP3K26GL
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Electrical power steering goes in and out and the dash displays “steering assist fault” warning, and the power steering goes out entirely. You can still turn, but it takes a lot more physical effort to do so. Since it goes in and out, it can happen at any time and is very hard to get diagnosed through a diagnostic if the mechanic or dealer cannot replicate the issue.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 1FADP3F2XGL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and decelerated, with the message "Transmission Fault" displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC code: P074 (Third gear failure, clutch failure). The mechanic confirmed that the vehicle jerked and popped out of gear and confirmed the whining noise from the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 132,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-22
- VIN: 1FADP3F21GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and jerked abnormally. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission independently downshifted and the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred intermittently; however, recently the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was scheduled for diagnostic testing at the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or warranty. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-23
- VIN: 1FADP3FE8GL
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The blank warning light was illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the engine was not original to the vehicle, because the original engine had previously been replaced. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 1FADP3E26GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: This car stalls in traffic. It has had recalls in the past. Not fixed. Unable to drive it with out fear of it stopping in traffic. Was told it was fixed and road worthy when purchased. guess i was lied to. this vehicle show be recalled due to transmission issues. Safety issue. Vehicle randomly slows down in traffic
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
- VIN: 1FADP3F26GL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: (UNKNOWN) I am [XXX] and don't know much about cars but I will explain my issue as detailed as I've experienced it. The issue started on or about two days ago, on [XXX]. The car drives and as I'm driving it, it stalls and/or gets stuck momentarily and then begins to drive again as usual. I've been close to being hit from behind and causing an accident because the cars behind me don't expect to stop so suddenly. I've been lucky so far to have not been crashed into. It did the stalling without warning sensors alerting a problem for two days. The car now does show a yellow sensor on the right side of the dashboard which looks to me like a motor of some sort, I'm not sure. Additionally, during these two past days while the car has been having the stall/stop issue... the car does not start as it used to. I put the key in the ignition and turn the key to start the car but it won't start or make any sound as if it's gonna start. I have to turn the key two or three times for the car to start and then it finally does. Since the issue started, I've had the necessity to use the car and have used it about three times but I've not had it checked yet because the weather has been very bad in my area with on and off thunderstorms which makes it not possible for me to drive. I have very poor eyesight, I can barely see from my right eye due to the retina being detached and I don't feel safe driving under these circumstances. Additionally, the car started to make a noise; coming from under the hood the last time I started it which subsided once I drove it. Please advise me of what is best for me to do. I'm [XXX] and I do for myself without help nor do I have relatives near me at the moment to drive myself as I do to get my groceries and meet my doctors appointments and such. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-27
- VIN: 1FADP3J27GL
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the canister purge valve, resulting in fuel tank deformation. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-01
- VIN: 1FADP3F26GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed. After the recall repair was performed, the contact stated that the transmission would intermittently shudder while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to several dealers where the transmission clutch had been replaced multiple times; however, the failure persisted after the repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired five times for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was recently repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- VIN: 1FADP3F2XGL
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power and stalling. Additionally, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the purge valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 77,974.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-16
- VIN: 1FADP3K20GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I had a powertrain failure on the highway and went Ford fixed it. They only fixed one component of a three component issue saying that if the components did not break they could not fix it. When I picked it up I drove it again and the second component of the powertrain failed which caused me almost to get in a second accident. Then when I went back to Ford and told them that I wanted the third piece replace, they said they could not replace it because it was not broken. I called Ford motor Company and they pass it off to try and push it off on the lemon law which will not work because it's not that type of failure we believe. Please check into this. Thank you very much
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-16
- VIN: 1FADP3K26GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. When the contact's son started the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal while in drive(D). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was called to the scene where the vehicle was started in neutral(N) and resumed normal driving operation. Approximately a week after the initial failure, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal while the contact's son was at a stop light. The contact's son restarted the vehicle and was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the clutch position sensors A and B, the clutch actuator control circuit, and the shift fork A position circuit need to be replaced. The contact was referred to the dealer and the manufacturer who stated that there were no recalls on the VIN. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 146,750.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-30
- VIN: 1FADP3K20GL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Driver felt a "slipping" of gear while accelerating.The car then stalled at a stop light. Driver was able to get the car started again and drove it 1 mile up the road to Auto zone. Once the car got to Autozone and diagnostic test was ran, the car threw multiple codes for clutch system failure. The car was towed to ford for a through assessment. Once they got the vehicle started again the engine light came on. Upon being inspected Ford stated the Clutch System was stuck in place. The car was currently frozen in 2nd gear and was having a hard time starting. Ford was able to get the car started but the car would not move out of 2nd gear and was not able to be driven. Recommended service was a full clutch system replacement. Ford has had multiple cars recalled for the same issue but claimed the VIN was not included in the current recall.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 1FADP3F26GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving off from a complete stop and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly shuddered and hesitated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch, observing that the clutch was shuddering during a test drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 86,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- VIN: 1FADP3F21GL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Clutch and both Actuators needed replacing at only 69,623 miles.
2016 Ford Focus recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the 2016 Ford Focus.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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). Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 20, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated in 4th Quarter 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2016 Ford Focus car reviews
Positive 2016 Ford Focus car reviews
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Before buying a car, it's important to do your research. In my case, I went for a Ford because of their reputation and my son's positive experience with his 2017 Focus. However, at 32000 miles, the clutch went out on my automatic transmission. Although Ford did replace it, I am now concerned about the durability of the new dry clutch system. Despite this, the car is still enjoyable to drive and has some great features like the backup camera and proximity sensors. While it may not have a lot of room in the back seat, it's still a decent car for the price. As a 66-year-old woman, I've had a long history with American-made cars, but I may consider trying a Toyota next time. Thank you for reading my experience.
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As a car enthusiast with over 60 years of experience, I believe I can provide valuable information for potential buyers of the new revised Focus. Firstly, I can attest to the car's reliability as I have driven it for over 20,000 miles in both heavy city traffic and on the freeway with no major issues. On the freeway, I have achieved up to 42 mpg by keeping my speed down. The car is also impressively quiet with no rattles or other non-new car noises. It's important to note that the 6-Speed Auto transmission is a Manual with electronic auto shifting, not a fluid auto transmission. The dry clutch does not fully disengage at stops when in drive, which is designed to mimic a fluid type automatic transmission I really like the trunk space of the sedan, and it's great that it comes with a usable spare donut tire. It's surprising how many more expensive cars don't even have a spare tire!
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I previously owned two 2003 Focus hatchbacks with automatic transmissions that my sons drove. I was always impressed with their quick acceleration and solid handling. After reading reviews on this generation, I purchased a well-equipped model with a manual transmission (to avoid the issues so many others had complained about with the DCT). It easily delivers two out of three things I wanted - terrific fuel economy (30 MPG after 1300 miles, though my shorter trips as the weather is becoming cold it's getting me around 27 MPG), and very nimble handling. Other bonuses include that it's fun to drive, the German manual tranny & clutch are the smoothest I've ever had, it's quiet, and the interior is nicely appointed. Contrary to what some say, the back seat leg room seems adequate for my 5'11Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with this car. Overall, I really enjoy driving it, but I did want to mention that I had to drop my rating from 5 stars to 4 stars due to some issues I experienced during the winter months. Unfortunately, the 17
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No more off-line hesitancy or stuttering from the automatic transmissions of these new Focuses. Ford has finally fixed that multi-year problem for good. The new one here is silky-smooth. Of course, the rest of the car was already competitive and a great value during rebate time. Keep an eye out for aggressive small-car promotions from Ford to maintain their corporate average fuel economy in light of their booming truck and SUV sales. They are giving away Focuses and Fiestas.
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The car is priced great and comes with four doors. While the backseats don't offer much space, it's a hatchback car. However, I did notice a defect in the Bluetooth audio system that can be uncomfortable for the user.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Ford Focus problems:
2016 Ford Focus Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Nov 10, 2022 ... The 2016 Ford Focus is a terrible compact car. There are a lot of engine failures & transmission issues, making it a car buyers should ...

looking at a pretty 2016 Focus Titanium. I was wondering is this ...
Apr 7, 2022 ... So yeah, the transmission issues are definitely still present on the 2018 models. Honestly I would just stay away from Ford Focuses altogether, ...
2016 Ford Focus Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Electrical Accessories · Transmission Major · Paint And Trim · Steering And Suspension · Engine Cooling · Engine Major · Body ...
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2016 Ford Focus transmission issues : r/Ford
Apr 22, 2022 ... The PowerShift 6-speed dual clutch automatic is rife with problems, and was not designed properly to be put into production. Biggest issue is ...
2016 Ford Focus Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Ford Focus? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Sigmund Prohaska 2025-02-19
My wife and I purchased a 2016 Focus s e sedan for her to use in her retirement. The car was very stylish and pretty. However, within the first month, we noticed that the transmission was making a loud clicking noise when coming to a stop. We took it back to the dealer five times in the next two months, but they told us that it was just the car getting used to our driving. Unfortunately, six months into owning the car, it suddenly shut off and shook violently while we were at a toll booth. We were able to drive away, but we immediately went to the dealer and traded it in. We were disappointed to find out that we had lost half of the car's value in just six months, as we had paid $23,000 for it and were only offered $10,600 for trade-in. We learned a valuable lesson and will be more cautious in the future. It's important to do your research before making a purchase. Thank you for reading.
Jaleel Satterfield 2025-02-11
Update: Unfortunately, the transmission issues have not been resolved yet. However, I would like to share my positive experience with the 2016 Focus SE w/Sport Appearance package that I purchased as a daily driver. In my opinion, the Sport appearance package offers the best value for money as it comes with a variety of features such as rear disc brakes, upgraded rear bumper, painted lower trim, fog lights, upgraded front honeycomb trim, paddle shifters, leather steering wheel, leather shifter, and 17I've already achieved the title of 'Eco Champion' even though I have no idea how I did it. I don't usually drive with economy in mind. However, I did have a minor issue with the display freezing on me during a 40-mile trip. I attempted to switch from Trip 1 to Trip 2 and it hung up with a blank blue background with miles and gears displayed. The miles were stuck and did not go up. Once I got to my destination, the screen stayed on with the key out of the ignition. Eventually, it went out and came back to normal once I restarted the car. The miles did jump up to the expected amount. Thankfully, it has not happened since, so hopefully, it was just a fluke. The steering wheel controls are plentiful and work well. Bluetooth audio streaming works well and picks up quickly. I prefer paddle shifters to the +/- on the gear shifter. The back seat is a little tight in the legroom department, but I will rarely have anyone back there. Little touches like dual USB, hinged 12v power cover, coin slot, armrest tray, and a plethora of cubbies are very nice. The car has the three blinks option when using the turn signal which I prefer. It may seem kind of cheesy, but I like the wipers. They aren't normal in their sweep; they kind of come out of the middle. I would call it euro-style. This also means you don't get the half-moon missed spot in the middle since they fold back into that spot. There are a couple of minor annoyances I've uncovered after owning it for a few months. First, the top of the dashboard is not dull enough and reflects onto the windshield quite a bit in the mornings driving directly east. Next, there is a slight dip in the dash where it meets the windshield (this is for the defroster). Normally this wouldn't be any sort of issue, but it causes a visual distortion due to the reflection change. For example, if you are driving along a road marked with a solid line to the right - you will notice the line will shift on the bottom inch or so of the windshield due to this. Once you see this, it may annoy you, but overall, I am enjoying my car and its features.I wanted to let a passenger know about something, and once they noticed it, it bothered them too. Also, the key I have is not smart (that's a different package). I wish, however, that it at least folded or something. It's a bit bulky and 'old fashioned'. Audi/VW keys, for example, flip out like a switchblade and, as such, fit better in your pocket.
Alexander Konopelski 2025-01-23
The automated manual transmissions in these Focus' are not up to the mark, which is evident from the issues I faced with my car. Despite being a new car, it had to be taken to the shop twice in just 5 months. The jerks and hard shifts were so bad that I could hear metal grinding. However, I must say that the car looks great and has a good engine performance. It would have been a wonderful car if a conventional automatic transmission was used. Unfortunately, I had to trade it in for a loss due to the poor car quality and customer service. This experience has made me reconsider my decision to buy a Ford in the future.
Lindsey Mayert 2024-10-20
This car has had persistent problems since I first got it. Despite Ford's attempts to fix it by replacing the clutch, there is still a grinding noise in the engine. A Ford employee even admitted that the design of this car was flawed. Additionally, a mechanic has warned me that there is a grinding vibration underneath my feet, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Despite my concerns, Ford corporate has been unresponsive. As a result, I have lost faith in the Ford brand and will not be purchasing from them again.
Soledad Baumbach 2024-10-07
The 2016 Focus S Sedan has some areas that could be improved. The passenger side rear wheel cap fell off within the first 400 miles of driving, which was not covered by the warranty. However, the parts are cheaply made and easy to replace. Vibrations are also noted in the front seat roof storage panel, possibly from a loose part. The S model's panel is merely for show and has no direct access without taking the entire panel off, which is an unnecessary feature. The acceleration is minimal and the rear seats offer little leg room for taller drivers. On the manual transmission model, the pedals have a cramped feel and the clutch could be offset to the left by 3-4 inches. Despite these issues, the basic model (S trim) still offers Ford Sync and a rear backup system with monitor. The instrument panel is well laid out and the front seating is spacious. The manual 5-speed transmission provides smooth shifting and the car is fuel efficient for both city and highway driving.