2016 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 26owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
181 of the 1,181 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 26 of those describe infotainment.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Infotainment 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. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2017, 2018.
What this problem usually is
Screen complaints read like a list of small betrayals. The display goes black or freezes, the backup camera shows nothing when you shift into reverse, CarPlay or Android Auto keeps dropping, or the radio changes volume on its own. Many owners had a software update that didn't fix it. A narrower sheet covers backup camera failures on their own, and another covers screens that freeze.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head unit or screen (11 reports) and the camera (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
All 10 recalls on the 2016 Ford Focus, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Focus
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Engine compartment fires. Closed nov 13, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jul 31, 2002, led to recall 02V-288.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 37,014 and 70,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 41 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.
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 ...
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.
37 more on the 2016 Ford Focus page.
What owners wrote
“The rear view camera does not work most of the time. Hasn't for years. Seems Ford can't make a rear view camera that works, since I see Ford recalling all manner of other vehicles for their rear view camera. They need to do it for the Focus as well.”
Filed Sep 9, 2025
“My radio stopped working and is now making horrible loud screeching and popping noises loud enough to startle me and almost cause a crash from the reaction I have to the loud sudden noises”
Filed May 20, 2024
“Radio will randomly cause a loud popping or screeching sound from the speaker while driving this is a common issue know by ford dealers that requires replacing the ACM witch is $800 for just the part.”
Filed Nov 3, 2023
“The radio failed and yes it is able to be inspected.Screeches as your driving it comes and goes . Never sure when it will do it scares you . There was no warning on this just started to do it and then radio was no longer working.Radio is no longer working but sound is still coming out unexpectely you never know when it will come on .”
Filed Mar 8, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 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. 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 286 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
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 26 reports