2016 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Transmission slips
- 98owner reports
- 55,500median miles
- $3,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
98 of the 352 reports of transmission shudder on the 2016 Focus describe transmission slipping.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (352 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts, hesitation when accelerating
Tick what matches of 98 reports
Transmission slipping 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
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for slipping: the engine revs up but the car doesn't pick up speed to match, as if the transmission lost its grip for a moment. The wider sheet also covers jerks and vibration. Here, every report uses the word slip.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the clutch pack (41 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.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
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
What owners paid
7 of the 98 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $3,900.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 25,000 and 87,000 miles, from the 65 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While driving at highway speed, the transmission slipped, skipping gears. Very difficult to drive care safely. Could not accelerate vehicle safely. Had to stay in right lane with hazard lights on. Basically, using only gears 1, 3 & 5. Later discovered intermittently no reverse. DTC P090C Clutch Actuator B - Circuit Low.”
Filed Jun 15, 2026
“At sixty four thousand miles the clutch began to slip, eventually started smelling and smoking. The clutch pedal gave out and there was no power, which led to pulling over on the highway to get a tow.”
Filed Sep 28, 2023
“Check engine light on with transmission codes. Transmission is slipping and car won't start intermittently. Also loses power intermittently. Car lost power up hill when driving with my daughter. My 18 year old son, who is an inexperienced driver also drives this car. Will be getting the car diagnosed as Ford dealership on Friday.”
Filed Apr 11, 2023
“Transmission slipped occasionally before the TCM finally failed. Unable to repair due to part not being unavailable.”
Filed Feb 1, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 98 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
- 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
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 26 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 26 reports