2016 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 286owner reports
- 65,000median miles
- $2,900median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1040 of the 1,181 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 286 of those describe stalling. Only transmission shudder is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 286 reports
Stalling on other Focus years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the fuel pump (11 reports), the battery (8 reports), the engine (6 reports) and the throttle body (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
8 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
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.
All 10 recalls on the 2016 Ford Focus, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Focus
Timing belt failure. Open.
Timing belt failure. Closed jul 31, 2026.
Oil pump failure. Closed feb 14, 2024, led to recall 23V-905.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 20, 2024.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Engine stalling. Closed jan 16, 2004, led to recall 03V-482.
Engine compartment fires. Closed nov 13, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 9, 2002.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
What owners paid
14 of the 286 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $4,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 44,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 195 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ford Focus that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
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
1 more on the 2016 Ford Focus page.
What owners wrote
“The engine went limp and lost all strength as I was driving on the street. Smoke started coming out. Had an independent mechanic tell me it was the fuel pump that lead to the engine dying. My car will not start and I have been carless. Dealers will not help the situation because although my car has issues related to the recalls specifications, my VIN does not apply. Engine died at 107k miles (mostly highway miles)”
Filed Aug 23, 2024 · 107,000 miles
“My Ford focus will stall, there is fuel in the tank and the rpms drop and the vehicle starts to shake.”
Filed Dec 15, 2022
“car keeps stalling plus having fuel pump problems. Car shuts off and has trouble starting.”
Filed Nov 27, 2022
“My car stalls out when I refuel. I've taken my car to a mechanic who has documented that my check engine was on due to low fuel pressure. They also say that there is a fuel tank deformation being caused because of this issue”
Filed Sep 8, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 286 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 352 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 140 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 56 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 55 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 46 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 45 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 27 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 26 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 26 reports