Third generation
2016 Ford Focus
The most reported problem on the 2016 Ford Focus is transmission shudder, with 352 complaints, usually around 62,000 miles.
- 1,181owner complaints
- 10recalls
- 27involved a crash
- 62,500median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Focus doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Ford Focus reliable?
The 2016 Ford Focus has 1,181 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 6.1 times the median of 195 for 2016 hatchbacks on this site. Of the 5 Focus model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 107 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (90). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Transmission shudder has 352 complaints and stalling has 286, out of 1,181 in all. A quarter of the 266 owners who gave a mileage for transmission shudder saw it by about 28,000 miles, and half by about 62,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 31 of the 1,181 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 27 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 24 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 11 of 27, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of transmission shudder, stalling and misfire has a recall on the same system: transmission shudder, 18V-169, 18V-845 and 26V-376; stalling and misfire, 23V-905, 26V-011 and 26V-012. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 196 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 89. So far in 2026, 30 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard, 352 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
1,181 complaints is 4.7 times the median 2016 model on this site and 6.1 times the median 2016 hatchback. Among the 5 Focus model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Ford Focus
Ford filed 200 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Ford Focus. 71 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 3 bulletins · 352 complaints
Certain 2014 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2014 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension
MULTIPLE 2014-2016 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6F35 TRANSMISSION AND BUILT ON 1-JAN-2014 AND THROUGH 31-DEC-2015 MAY EXHIBIT HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT AND HARSH/DELAYED 3RD AND 5TH GEAR UP/DOWN SHIFTS WITH NO DTCS PRESENT.
1 more on this problem
SOME 2011-2015 FIESTA VEHICLES BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/15/2014 AND 2012-2016 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DPS6 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SHUDDER ON LIGHT ACCELERATION.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 5 bulletins · 286 complaints
SSM 47927 2017 F-Super Duty, 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2016-2018 Focus/Fiesta - Radio Reverting To AM Or FM After Vehicle Shut Down and Start Up Some 2017 F-Super Duty, 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator and 2016-2018 Focus/Fiesta vehicles may exhibit a concern where ...
Some 2016-2018 Escape/Focus/Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a remote start system may exhibit an immediate engine shut off with or without diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1594 stored in the BCM after using the remote start function to start the engine.
3 more on this problem
Some 2011-2016 Fiesta and 2012-2016 Focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 transmission may exhibit intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no start or a loss of power.
DPS6 - no satart and/or transmission engagement or loss of power with DTCS u0100, U00101, U1013, U3003 AND/OR P0606
DPS6 - NO START AND/OR TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT OR LOSS OF POWER WITH DTCS U0100, U0101, U1013, U3003 AND/OR P0606 ISSUE Some 2011-2016 Fiesta and 2012-2016 Focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 transmission may exhibit intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no start or a loss of power.
Check engine light or misfire 10 bulletins · 140 complaints
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
8 more on this problem
In some of the affected vehicles, customer may report erratic shifting, missed gear shifting, vibration, and check engine light illumination with one or more of the following codes P0809, P0805, P087A, P087B, P0806, P0900, or P090D, due to the clutch actuator ...
Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2015-2018 Focus ST vehicles may exhibit a misfire condition and/or illuminated MIL with DTCs P0300 and/or P0316 with engine coolant temperature below 49°C (120°F). Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Some 2015-2018 Focus ST vehicles may exhibit MIL On with DTC's P0300 and/or P0316 store in Powertrain Control Module(PCM) memory.
Some 2015-2017 Focus ST vehicles may exhibit MIL On with a perceived Misfire after cold start. Diagnostic Trouble Codes DTC's) may include P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303,P0304, and P0316.
SOME 2016-2017 FOCUS RS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L GASOLINE TURBOCHARGED DIRECT INJECTION (GTDI) ENGINE AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10-DEC-2016 MAY EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED MIL WITH DTCS P0456, P1450 AND/OR P144A.
SOME 2016-2017 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 1.0L GASOLINE TURBO DIRECT INJECTION (GTDI) ENGINE AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 18-JAN-2017 MAY EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED MIL WITH DTC P04DB (CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM DISCONNECTED) STORED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE ...
MAY ILLUMINATE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WITH MISFIRE CODES
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 40 bulletins · 26 complaints
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone ...
Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with 8 inch or larger center display ...
38 more on this problem
Some 2014-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2014-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX, 2016-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV) and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with SYNC screens 8 inch or larger may be ...
Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software.
Some 2016-2021 Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 or SYNC 4 may exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in transport mode.
Some 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2016-2018 Focus/C-MAX, And 2016-2018 Transit Connect vehicles may exhibit a concern where the radio will revert to an AM or FM station after the vehicle's ignition has been turned off and turned back on.
Some 2016-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a SYNC 3 Touchscreen may experience the volume control unresponsive from the Front Control Interface Module (FCIM) and steering volume controls when using Apple Car Play.
Some 2012-2016 Focus Electric vehicles built on 15-Sep-2011 and through 9-Dec-2015 may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center.
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric vehicles may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center.
Some 2016-2019 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a map displayed on the left half of the SYNC screen with no other information/soft buttons present after updating to the latest version of V3.0 software.
Some 2016-2019 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 not at the latest software level may exhibit Various Performance Related concerns such as Display Operation, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Phone Pairing, Applink, Travel Link, Slow System ...
Some 2015-2017 vehicles may experience a no crank concern due to a security access key table error. When attempting to program keys or perform a parameter reset, the procedure may fail and the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool may display an error ...
Plus 28 older ones not listed here.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 2 bulletins · 26 complaints
2014-2017 Fiesta, 2015-2018 Focus, 2018-2019 Ecosport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit coolant consumption,white smoke and/or a runs rough condition.
2015-2018 Edge, Fusion, Focus, MKZ, MKC, Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit coolant consumption, white smoke and/or a runs rough condition.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 18 complaints
SOME 2015-2016 FOCUS VEHICLES IF EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE START AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 17-OCT-2016 MAY EXHIBIT VEHICLE STALL WITH A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC)P1594.
Battery dies or the car will not start 7 bulletins · 13 complaints
For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern.
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2019 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the second Generation 120-volt electric vehicle service ...
5 more on this problem
Some 2012-2018 Focus BEV vehicles may exhibit DTC U0130 in the battery electric control module (BECM) after replacement of the high voltage (HV) battery pack.
Some 2012-2017 Focus BEV, 2013-2016 Fusion Energi And 2013-2017 CMAX Energi vehicles equipped with a Telematics Control Unit (TCU) may exhibit inoperative remote features via My Ford Mobile app, discharged battery, incomplete user authorization and/or ...
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2018 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the Delphi 120 volt electric vehicle service equipment ...
SOME 2016 C-MAX ENERGI/FOCUS ELECTRIC AND 2016-2017 FUSION ENERGI VEHICLES BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10-JUL-2016, MAY EXHIBIT A 12-VOLT AND/OR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY WITH A LOW STATE OF CHARGE AND/OR AN INTERMITTENT BATTERY DRAW.
SOME 2016 FOCUS BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE (BEV) AND C-MAX ENERGI PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES (PHEV) EQUIPPED WITH SYNC3 MAY BE UNABLE TO CHANGE THE SETTINGS FOR THE CHARGE PORT LIGHT RING UNDER VEHICLE SETTINGS FUNCTION.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 13 complaints
2016-2018 Focus RS vehicles with 2.3L EcoBoost engine, may experience a momentary soft or long brake pedal in cold/wet/damp weather after extended driving conditions.
SOME 2016-2017 FOCUS AND C-MAX VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER 1-AUG-2016 MAY EXHIBIT A GROWL OR RUBBING NOISE FROM THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AFTER PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION HAS BEEN PERFORMED TO REMOVE THE BRAKE ROTOR COVERS.
1 more on this problem
SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
Complaints filed by year
196 complaints came in 2019, 2.5 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Timing belt failure. Open.
NHTSA summary
Timing belt failure. Closed jul 31, 2026.
NHTSA summary
Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 20, 2024.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Ford Focus
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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). 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
All 10 recalls on the 2016 Ford Focus, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Ford Focus?
Transmission shudder, with 352 of the 1,181 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 62,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Focus problems start?
Of the 815 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 35,000 miles and half by about 62,000.
Is the 2016 Ford Focus better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 107 a year against 90.
How many 2016 Ford Focus complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
31 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission shudder on the 2016 Ford Focus?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls on the same system: 18V-169, 18V-845 and 26V-376. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.