Print this page

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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 20 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #136

Aug 182019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

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

On 8/18/19 sent from yahoo mail on android ----- forwarded message ----- from: "[xxx] to: [xxx] sent: Mon, Aug 19, 2019 at 10:58 am subject: VIN #[xxx] to whom it may concern, yesterday I was driving on hwy 17 in Washington state and the transmission issues of my 2016 Ford Focus almost cost me my life. Hwy 17 is a 60 mph, two lane highway surrounded by farmland. While driving on that highway, I maneuvered to pass a semi-truck that was travelling at 50mph. There was more than enough distance from on-coming traffic to pass safely; well, that is if as I pulled alongside the semi-truck I hadn't lost all power even though I was pressing the accelerator. The RPM's went up to "the red" 7-8, I started losing speed and pacing beside the semi- truck. I could hope my acceleration ability came back, or I was going to try to brake and go back when I saw another car behind me in the passing lane, making me a sitting duck. For a few seconds of panic, I considered my options- mostly to go off in the ditch to the left. Luckily, the acceleration came back after the needle on the RPM's went haywire and I slowly was able to get in front of the semi-truck before oncoming traffic hit me. The car behind me sped past me as I got over, with a look that I interpreted as he thought I was trying to kill him. At 47K miles the first transmission faults began to appear. I have attached copies of the Ford services and tickets opened due to the multiple, ongoing problems. I am not part of the class legal action for the transmission issues of 11-16 Focus and fiestas. Respectfully, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Yakima, WA, USA

problem #135

Aug 282019

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
I am making a complaint that my 2016 Ford Focus with a installed automatic dual-clutch power-shift transmission. I am experiencing severe hesitations when I accelerate. I am experiencing a jerky car movement, as I am driving, this having G the feeling that I could lose control of my vehicle. The driving conditions are the worst in normal city driving conditions, as the transmission is working more than on a interstate or freeway. Most of my diving is in the city. I have take it to local authorized Ford dealerships and they say there is no recall, fix, and that it will be $289 to give a diagnosis. There is currently a class action lawsuit that was filed, but is too late to join. I am filing my complaint against how Ford is not helping to solve a known issue with my vehicle, without major costs. Ive taken the vehicle to an established auto transmission business and they diagnosed that the vehicle will need a full transmission rebuild or replacement. The 'check engine' light is on and the diagnosis code is indicating 'transmission issue' only. Photos are attached.

- Waukee, IA, USA

problem #134

Aug 192019

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate or shift into reverse. The vehicle could not be driven and the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a new transmission and clutch needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure later recurred. The vehicle was taken back to a mechanic and a sensor was replaced, which also failed. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic two more times for repairs, but the failure recurred both times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- North Lake, IL, USA

problem #133

Jul 072019

Focus

  • 38,869 miles

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

1st time while driving on street- digital message stated " stop pullover transmission overheating. 2. 7/7/19 vehicle transmission will not go into reverse and went in out drive with hesitation-clutch broken 3. 8/17/19 while stationary transmission would not go into gear. Clutch and seal broken

- Revere, MA, USA

problem #132

Mar 232019

Focus

  • 17,000 miles
My mother is a senior citizen. Peacock Ford (maitland fl) performed extensive transmission work replacing transmission control module (tcm) & clutches shortly before we purchased in Feb 2019. They did not disclose this to us. May 2019, Ford had to replace the tcm again. July 2019, Ford had to replace the clutches again. Given that my mother is a senior citizen, if the transmission goes out while she's driving, she may panic and cause a serious accident. This situation is not acceptable.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #131

Jul 012017

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
Transmission slips

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #130

May 022018

Focus

  • 72,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds on several occasions, the transmission shuddered, slipped, and lost power. The contact stated that the vehicle never stalled. The vehicle was taken to randall reed's planet Ford (located at 19000 eastex fwy, humble, tx 77338, (866) 844-5995) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electronics in the transmission failed and a software update was needed. The software was updated, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V845000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #129

Aug 032019

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission and clutch had to be replaced four times since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was taken to lance cunningham Ford (4101 clinton hwy, knoxville, tn 37912, 865-685-5588) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The dealer stated that the vehicle had the same transmission failure as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 18V845000 (power train). The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact was provided with the number to the federal trade commission. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Strawberry Plains, TN, USA

problem #128

Aug 122019

Focus

  • 73,000 miles
The vehicle started to shudder and jerk while it was in motion only two months after the purchase of the vehicle. The diagnosis was a bad clutch in an automatic vehicle.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #127

Mar 132017

Focus

  • 11,000 miles
When taking off vehicle shutters. Vehicle also will slam into gear when accelerating. Vehicle will sometimes have delayed reaction when stepping on gas- making entering highways/ traffic circles/ pulling onto busy roadways dangerous. Vehicle has been 'fixed' by authorized Ford dealerships 3 times, about to be 4.

- Pleasant Valley, NY, USA

problem #126

Aug 012019

Focus

  • 70,000 miles

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

Vehicle stalled in the middle of highway. Vehicle stall after gas in put intontank. Check engine light comes on and purge valve or vacuumed leak noted. Vehicle randomly shuts off and or loses power. Our car was almost hit while it stalled turning at an intersection. The transmission shutters and doesn't shift. The transmission when in drive goes in reverse and when in reverse the transmission goes in drive.

- Warsaw, MO, USA

problem #125

Jul 282019

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called jenkins & wynne Ford, Honda, & Lincoln (located at 2655 trenton rd, clarksville, tn 37040, (931) 542-4886) and notified them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Stewart, TN, USA

problem #124

Jul 072019

Focus

  • 35,000 miles
Ford Focus 2016-trans. Wont shift right.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

problem #123

Jul 232019

Focus

  • 26,842 miles
January 2019 had transmission clutch replaced under warranty July 2019 transmission went out again on major highway, replaced tansmission control module and clutch motor, car has been in service for 8 days still not repaired. Car was stationary at a red light, went to accelerate, revved like it was in neutral, then hot transmission error, and after repeatedly putting it in park and drive, it drove for 10 seconds and was able to get farther to the edge of the road to wait for tow truck. High speed traffic and cross traffic at intersection extremely hazardous, very lucky not to have been in a major accident.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #122

Jun 012019

Focus

  • 27,000 miles
I had the transmission clutch replaced one then took back because of the hesitation started again before warranty was up took back to len stoler dealer nd they told me that the hesitation was within the threshold. Now the hesitation is worse with grinding sound and they tell me the warranty is up nd I would have to pay.

- Finksburg, MD, USA

problem #121

Feb 202019

Focus

  • 75,748 miles
The transmission of this vehicle has had a consistent problem of being erratic and requires constant very particular pressure on the gas pedal to avoid shuddering and shaking when accelerating which when it happens makes the car very difficult to safely control in any type of traffic since other drivers do not anticipate the lurching and staggering from the car unless they happen to note the Ford emblem and are aware of the safety problems facing all Focus drivers of the affected models. I have found the issues manageable by assertive manipulation of the gas pedal during acceleration and gentle and gradual application of the brakes when possible to offset the dangerously inconsistent acceleration and the tendency for car to misshift when slowing down. I'm absolutely appalled to discover that this is not an isolated situation but is typical of most if not all 2012-2016 it is inconceivable to me that Ford was aware of this life threatening malfunction in their products and instead of solving or addressing it sold cars to unsuspecting public on the basis of the their good name and reputation as a quality american manufacturer. I also had to have the car serviced at hertich Ford of milford Delaware for a separate issue involving fuel system sensors which caused the fuel gage to be inaccurate and caused my vehicle to stall several times due to a vacuum created in the gas tank, which was fixed by the recall work but again caused a potentially dangerous situation for myself and passengers. Apparently there is another recall for the fuel system error which I have not been able to schedule as yet. To whom it may concern and anyone reading this do yourself a favor and buy Chevrolet or Toyota two brands I can highly recommend. Thanks

- Milton, DE, USA

problem #120

Jul 312019

Focus

  • 0 miles
Automatic transmission shuddering while accelerating in 1st and 2nd gears. Transmission actually completely cuts out occasionally, forcing the car to lurch backward somewhat until the transmission engages again. High RPM levels at shift points between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. Definitely a safety issue, as there have been and will continue to be times that I try to accelerate to get up to appropriate speed, but the car takes too long to be able to get up to highway speeds. Articles are saying 2012 to 2016 Focus are affected, yet there is no transmission recall on my 2016? the issues did not go away!

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #119

Jul 292019

Focus

  • miles
Car has shuddered and failed to properly accelerate which started within a few weeks of buying the vehicle new. The shuddering of the transmission sounds like rattling and that the car is going to stall when it is a automatic vehicle. The car is shuddering often from stops to accelerations, feels like the car is trying to grip into the next gear and is a safety concern. I have personally had my clutch replaced by Ford 2 times and I have only owned the vehicle for a little over 2 years. To get Ford to replace the clutch is a huge headache. For months when I would take the vehicle in due to this safety compliant they would say that the shuddering transmission is within normal limits and refuse to fix it under the warranty. I also tried to contact the corporate headquarters to get it fixed and no results there either. For the most recent repair I had to really fight the service center to drive it and get it replaced upon failing their diagnostic tests. Car also has a rough idle which has resulted in the motor mount being replaced. Car is low mileage and a 2016. It is truly a safety issue because when the shuddering occurs the car fails to accelerate to a safe speed timely.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #118

Mar 052019

Focus

  • miles
2016 Ford Focus titan automatic transmission: The transmission has caused the vehicle to lose acceleration and has slipped into neutral. At 1 point the display/monitor turned white with a small car in the center. The car was moving forward and on city streets when it slipped into neutral. This has happen at least 4 times since ownership.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #117

Jul 272019

Focus

  • 19,000 miles
When accelerating from a stop, the car shudders as it goes from first gear to second gear and there is a noise that sounds like gears are grinding.

- Arlington, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?