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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2016 Ford Focus & its "Powershift" transmission has a defect trend where the car shudders when accelerating, especially when starting uphill.

Most owners have reported their Ford Focus remains driveable while the vehicle is still at low mileage, but the shuddering is annoying & unpleasant & may reduce the resale value of the vehicle.

However, owners of higher-mileage vehicles from earlier 3rd generation Focus model years report transmission failure & a host of other major & expensive transmission-related problems. Potential buyers beware.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ford Focus brakes problems

brakes problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #8

Oct 182023

Focus

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds 6-months after purchasing the vehicle, the brakes became inoperable. The contact stated that the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a caliper failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes locked up, and the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The check engine and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled, the brakes became inoperable, and the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The contact was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Glens Falls, NY, USA

problem #7

Nov 062023

Focus

  • miles
-??Oil pump failed to send oil to the engine causing the brakes to go out. While trying to pull out into traffic, the engine made a pop sound, and lost the ability to accelerate. Engine and oil light turned on, was then unable to accelerate past 20mph and engine sounded horrible. -?? Our mechanic looked at the car and said the oil vacuum pump was obliterated inside the engine. He replaced the vacuum pump and said that the timing belt is inside the engine which is causing all the issues. -?? No warning lamps or messages appeared before this. Had just had an oil change a month before and there were no issues.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #6

Oct 312023

Focus

  • miles
The car is not running right I can feel shaking, but no one else can

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #5

Jun 042019

Focus

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car jerking after fueling gas, the shuts off. Have trouble restarting. Brakes went out while I was driving almost crashed into someone. Ecoboost worked very few times

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 122019

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
2016 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to brake and transmission issues with vehicle. The consumer stated the brake pads were prematurely worn. The transmission would shudder/clank and did not shift properly. It has been to the dealer four times due to this failure.

- Palmyra, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 212018

Focus

  • 640,000 miles
The transmission slips or stops sudden when driving and is not smooth when stopping. Its hard to control the brake too. Makes noise.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #2

Feb 232018

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
Transmission failure loss of complete power jerking shaking complete shutdown of power while driving on freeway. Dangerous

- San Jacinto, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 122018

Focus

  • 32,000 miles
The vehicle turned off as we were driving down the road at 2pm on Friday 1/12. We called two different Ford dealahips to get the car serviced. Both made an appt for the following week but neither told us not to drive the car. Later that day if happened again and the brakes would not work to stop the car so another vehicle was hit and sup sequentaly totaled my vehicle.

- Covington, GA, USA

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