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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:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,947 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 17 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #196

Feb 022020

Focus

  • 79,706 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 that the gear shifter failed to shift into the reverse position making it impossible to reverse the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to allan vigil Ford of fayetteville, Inc located at (275 glynn St N, fayetteville, ga 30214, (770)461-1151) where the contact was informed that the clutch assembly, seal kit, release assembly, shift lever, and clutch blade cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the warranty period was exceeded and offered no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 79,706.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #195

Jan 022020

Focus

  • 118,000 miles
Lose traction, delay between gears, slide clutch, the car startsshaking. When is in motion

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #194

Mar 082020

Focus

  • 68,990 miles
Transmission shudders after car warms up lack of power when accelerating

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #193

May 202019

Focus

  • 9,000 miles

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

The transmission, drive train, intensely vibrates, simmies, and doesn't want to accelerate when you try to press the gas pedal. Extremely dangerous when esp. Trying to pull out into traffic from any dead stop. Is this a consultant problem with the Ford Focus? have not had the car for a year yet, and do not plan on purchasing another ever again. Currently, 16,000 miles on it. It is a constant problem since purchased.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #192

Mar 062020

Focus

  • 69,000 miles
I had my transmission fixed for the recall in June 2018 & now it is doing the same thing clutch slipping. Took it back & they told me I was out of luck it was already fixed for the recall. If they were going to just put something in to last a year they should have told me.

- Harrogate, TN, USA

problem #191

Feb 082020

Focus

  • 97,000 miles
Has recall for fuel pump deformation. And also transmission fault service soon light. Shifts weirdly and when coming to a stop the transmission shutters and brakes abruptly.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #190

Feb 202020

Focus

  • 66,000 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 50 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle decelerated independently while shuddering without warning. The vehicle was turned off and restarted however the failure persisted. The service transmission and check engine warning lights were then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to greene Ford company located at 2365 browns bridge rd, gainesville, ga 30504, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #189

Feb 012020

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
My car has a hard time changing gears, when stopped is will be delayed on moving forward.. I was trying to pull out on a busy street and my car was very slowly to accelerate and move forward and then it had a different sound coming from the transmission area and it sputtered and then kind of skipped a little forward, this is dangerous because it can cause other people to possibly be hit by oncoming traffic if they're trying to pull out..

- White Pine, TN, USA

problem #188

Nov 032019

Focus

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon shifting gears from first to second, the vehicle shuddered without warning. The contact took the vehicle to white's Ford 1780 N main St, orrville, oh 44667 where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective clutch. The contact stated that the manufacturer previously agreed to repair similar vehicles however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not qualified for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 73,000.

- Apple Creek, OH, USA

problem #187

Feb 132020

Focus

  • 87,000 miles
Have had same clutch and transmission problems as the models under recall, but my car was manufactured a few months after covered manufacturer date

- Lima, OH, USA

problem #186

Feb 102020

Focus

  • 60,000 miles

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

My car looses power the RPM gauge will go to the red and drop back down while the vehicle is in drive in motion like its in neutral then the car begins to slow down and when the RPM gauge drops it drives normal. I was on a highway.

- Addison, NY, USA

problem #185

Jan 172020

Focus

  • 76,600 miles
For the last couple years, my transmission in my 2016 Ford Focus has stalled upon nearly all attempts to accelerate from a stop. On January, 17 2020 I returned to my car from the library in irvine, ca to discover that upon turning the ignition, the car did not start. I tried a couple more times and my windshield wipers went on one time and stopped, the lights on my dashboard lit up, the media screen lit up and the interior car lights came on. I called aaa, my insurance carrier, despite it not appearing to be a battery issue. The representative stayed on the phone with me after I explained the issue and tried to schedule roadside assistance. I tried the ignition one more time and the car started. A notification on the dash screen appeared reading "transmission service required" and remained on the screen for a second before disappearing. Usually if a dash notification appears, the small icon light will remain lit while I operate the vehicle, this icon light did not remain on. My insurance representative explained that an issue with a transmission would need a tow and it may be unsafe to operate my vehicle on the road. I sat in my car for a minute and noticed my average mpg had changed from 33.3 to 0.0. I drove the car home as I needed to leave the location to tend to other parts of my day. I arrived safely to my destination. The following day, the exact same situation occurred when I attempted to start my car and leave for the day. Turning the ignition several times did not work, the windshield wipers came on once, the transmission notice appeared and disappeared and the average mpg was at 0.0 again. This time, the car notified my that I had 0 miles until empty, despite the gas tank containing well over a quarter fill. The gas notification disappeared and the miles to empty section changed back to 175 miles until empty. I have not driven my vehicle since this occurred

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #184

Jan 202020

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving at low speeds the accelerate pedal was depressed however the vehicle hesitated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to automax Ford (3301 E central Texas expy, killeen, tx 76543 (254) 699-2629) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted who referred contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Coppers Cove, TX, USA

problem #183

Jan 302020

Focus

  • 31,000 miles
My 2016 Ford Focus SE gives me great concern when driving as the transmission consistently skips/jerks while accelerating. There were 2 separate instances where I have driven on the freeway and my car has skipped gears, causing change of speeds and nearly had 2 accidents on the freeway. My most recent one was right before I decided to file a complaint. I have been to the Ford service center right before my warranty closed and requested they fix, however was told there is nothing wrong and it operates properly.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #182

Aug 012018

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to (dunning Ford 1051 southgate pkwy, cambridge, oh 43725 (740) 439-7767) and also to (dutro Ford-Lincoln 132 S 5th St, zanesville, oh 43701(740) 452-6334) where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Pleasant City, OH, USA

problem #181

Dec 182018

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
Hi, I notice shuddering in my vehicle when I accelerate form completer stop. I had this problem since I bought the vehicle 3 years ago at 24000 miles. I assumed its because of sudden acceleration that the wheels are slipping. But after reading the news about transmission problems in other Ford Focus, I believe the problem is transmission related. I consulted a mechanic on this and the associated Ford dealer informed me that the there was a warranty extensions for vehicles built till Nov 5th of 2015. My vehicle was built on Dec 21st of 2015. I already drove the vehicle for 85000 miles. I donot want to be burdened with expensive repairs once Ford decides later to extent the warranty to 100000 mile and I donot qualify. Hope someone can help me in this matter. The shuddering happens at random and I am at a loss to explain why. Under rainy conditions shuddering at the 4 way intersection was also noticed and can be dangerous if it happens again.

- Crofton, MD, USA

problem #180

Jan 252020

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
The cvt transmission will occasionally shutter during acceleration from both a dead stop and low speed roll. The most common times when this will occur is when the outside temperature is above thirty degrees faherenheit. This issue will cause slow acceleration as the computer attempts to decipher which gear to shift into.

- Brookline Station, MO, USA

problem #179

Jan 182020

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
Although it's an automatic gearbox, feels like it's acting like a manual with slipping clutch when accelerating at low speeds. Ie 0 to 45mph. Intermittently judders, high revs low power or lack of power at times when pulling off from stationary position clutch intermittently when accelerating

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #178

Dec 232019

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
Engine light came on with "engine fault service now" message. The vehicle went into limp mode and finally car shut down. I took into a Ford dealership and they said the turbo and engine were not getting fuel on the highway pumped into them and would both need replaced.

- Defiance, OH, USA

problem #177

Jan 122016

Focus

  • miles
Shakes shutters since new have had in twice. Said both times not shaking or shuttering enough yet. Um im 52 I am a mechanic. We all know this is lemon I have owned numerous Ford and would like this resolved

- New Lenox, IL, USA

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