2016 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Transmission hesitates when accelerating
- 96owner reports
- 67,000median miles
- $2,200median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
96 of the 351 reports of transmission shudder on the 2016 Focus describe hesitation when accelerating.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (351 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts, transmission slipping
Tick what matches of 96 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (66 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 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.
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 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 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.
What owners paid
7 of the 96 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,200 to $4,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 33,000 and 103,009 miles, from the 74 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“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.”
Filed May 21, 2026
“I am dealing with a dual clutch going bad the car is stalling hesitating and loosing power very dangerous to drive. Also i just replaced transmission without finding any help from ford even there was a recall now my dual clutch is going on and there was a recall i never got to be apart of when i first got the car in 2015. I need help please point in the direction i feel like ford should fixed this buy the car back”
Filed Mar 20, 2025
“My car has hesitation, and stalling or inability to accelerate, this isn't safe!!! and I cant sink money into something that is a manufacturer issue and i know that they deny that there was a manufacturer issue in the focus hatchbacks for the longest time...”
Filed Aug 2, 2023
“There are roughly 55k miles on this vehicle and the engine is revving really high but the car is having issues accelerating from a stop and in traffic. It's almost as if the transmission is already going out. The car sputters. It's scary because when I need the accelerate the car hesitates.”
Filed Mar 27, 2023 · 55,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 96 reports involved a crash. 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.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 285 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 140 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 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