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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 9 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #356

Aug 262022

Focus

  • miles

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

Transmission issues

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #355

Aug 212022

Focus

  • miles
I was stopped at a stop sign in my 2016 Ford Focus Hatchback. I looked both ways and proceeded to hit my gas pedal. The car moved as it should and normally. Halfway through the lane my car stopped accelerating and i put my gas pedal to the floor and my car just continued coasting slowly. I panicked looking at the car coming towards me then let go and stepped on it again finally it kicking into gear and then making it across. This happened later in the day again while driving on a straight road. (Luckily this didn-??t put me in danger but did catch me by surprise again) I tried calling multiple dealerships about this and they just said it-??d cost $125 for them to take a look. But i know it-??s deeper than that and here-??s why. My friend has a 2015 Ford Focus and his has been experiencing similar issues. As well as a family members co-worker who has a 2017 Ford Focus they-??re all hatchbacks keep in mind. (including mine) I also wanted to go looking for a new car the day after my car nearly got me into accident. So i went out and i met a sales associate from a dealership who told me his friend has a 2016 Ford Focus Hatchback that was dealing with the exact same problem as me. As well as 4 others that week who-??s been coming in looking for a new car with their personal trade in vehicle being. You guessed it, a Ford Focus with transmission issues.

- Kensington, OH, USA

problem #354

Mar 282022

Focus 4-cyl

  • 42,105 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact's granddaughter attempted the start the vehicle when and heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle failed to start. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plug was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to another auto body mechanic where it was also diagnosed that the spark plug was blown. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and ignition coils needed to be replaced. Additionally, a rethread kit was needed to repair damages to cylinder #4. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure however, the contact was informed there was no recall associated with the failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,105.

- Holbrook, MA, USA

problem #353

Jul 242021

Focus

  • miles

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

Very bad Transmission shutter 1-2 gear

- Austin, MN, USA

problem #352

Jul 282022

Focus

  • 96,569 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle emitted abnormal clutching sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. However, as his wife turned on the vehicle, the failure persisted while driving. The contact stated the failure reoccurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clutch actuator needed to be replaced. The part was replaced. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission components were misaligned. The transmission was aligned and the check engine warning light turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the dual-clutch assembly and the transmission seal assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 96,569.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #351

Aug 012022

Focus

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact initially stated that the vehicle would fail to start up as needed. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle would fail to shift gears upon the depression of the accelerator pedal as several unknown warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the PCM (Powertrain Control Module)needed to be replaced. The contact agreed to the repair; however, the parts for the repair were on backorder. The contact eventually found the part online which he paid for out of pocket and the dealer was able to install the part and repair the vehicle. The contact expressed concern that the failure with his transmission may occur again. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #350

Jul 012016

Focus

  • 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 while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would fail to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact would then manually shift the transmission to operate the vehicle; however, the "transmission overheating stop safely, " warning message would then appear on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she informed that the transmission control module was replaced; however, the failure persisted after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and was then informed that the failure could be linked to the vehicle's clutch plate. The dealer was also notified of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000(Power Train). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Alpine, CA, USA

problem #349

Aug 152022

Focus

  • miles
I have been having issues with my EVAP system and it is effecting my Drivability. It will stall but there is no recall for my car.

- Kent , OH, USA

problem #348

Aug 152022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission or clutch slipping between gears and pedal response time is delayed

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

problem #347

Aug 012022

Focus

  • miles
Vehicle slips at gears 1 and 2 and doesn-??t have power when accelerating.

- Rice, TX, USA

problem #346

May 092022

Focus

  • miles

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

Transmission. Car on dealership lot. Car stopped running in busy hospital underground parking ramp. Unable to restart. Ford dealership confirmed bad transmission control module TCM. No warning or warning lamps prior.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #345

Jul 092022

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 90,000.

- Spencer, OH, USA

problem #344

Jul 022022

Focus 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and merging into traffic, the vehicle inadvertently shifted out of gear and the engine started revving loudly. The contact depressed the accelerator, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 25 MPH and the transmission independently shifted back into drive (D). The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The failure had become recurring. Additionally, the contact stated that it then became difficult to shift into reverse (R). The vehicle was also occasionally difficult to start. The contact stated that after shifting from park (P) to drive (D) with the vehicle turned off, there was a message displayed stating that -??Transmission Ready-??, start the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched the failure online and related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The contact stated that the part necessary to repair the vehicle is the same one Ford includes in the extended warranty. So, they are unsure as to why their VIN is not included in the recall.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #343

Jul 012022

Focus

  • miles
Same transmission fluttering when you take off as the recalls for up to 2016 years, but for some reason my car-??s vin doesn-??t show up as covered. Help!!!

- Maryville , MO, USA

problem #342

Mar 012022

Focus

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and a diagnostic test showed that the clutch assembly was faulty. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not under warranty or included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #341

Jul 252022

Focus

  • miles
UNKNOWN the transmission is sluggish and shuddering. This problem has almost cause me to be rear ended a few times. No new warning lamps have popped up.

- Carlinville, IL, USA

problem #340

Jan 212022

Focus

  • miles
wheels such as automatic and manual transmissions, transfer cases, fluid cooling/management systems and related hoses and pipes, electronic control units and software, shift lever/gear control and indicator devices, clutches and torque convertors, drive axles, hubs, i have my service system report from the diagnostic. I've called the manufacturer they said they could not do anything.i have to go get my police report again i lost it mam ive gotnmy other paper work until then thank you i have been having problems with these people please help me god bless

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #339

Mar 072021

Focus

  • 21,717 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift gear normally. While continuing to drive, the vehicle started operating normally. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that a part of the dual clutch transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 21,717.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #338

Oct 052021

Focus

  • miles
The TCM on this Ford Focus went out (it is available for inspection), which forced the car into limp mode. Fortunately, my kid was on a side road and not the freeway or it could have caused an accident. The car was taken in to the dealership on 10/06/21 and a new sensor was put in. It lasted all of a day or 2 before going back into limp mode, at which point the dealership told me that the TCM would need to be replaced but is on backorder with no ETA. He also mentioned that he had about 40 other customers with this exact same issue and no resolution. It is essentially undriveable at this time due to this part being on backorder (and has been on backorder for months or even a year or 2).

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #337

Jun 162022

Focus

  • miles
I have a 2016 Ford Focus which I can no longer drive. Not safe. At times car doesn't move. Gears don't engage. Ford doesn't think this is a safety issue. There are warning lights on my dash. Ford is suppose to fix the issue, but can't make the parts. CSP 14m02 and 19n08 are the Customer Satisfaction Program. This will be the second time that my car is getting fixed. The risk is that I might get hit because the car will not move. So I can no longer drive the car. The car has been inspected by a Ford dealer. All they say is that I have to wait until the parts come in. Why is the same parts being used. They don't seem to fix the problem. There needs to be a better answer from Ford on how they are going to fix this issue. All Ford tells me is that I just have to wait and they are no giving me any other options. I really believe they need to rethink this repair, because it isn't fixing the problem. You can look at all the Focus that are on the lot and see that they have been fixed multiple times and most likely they will have to be fixed again. I just need answers and something done by Ford.

- Strongsville, OH, USA

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