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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 1 of 26)

problem #516

Jun 192024

Focus

  • 107,000 miles

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

The contact's niece owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her niece was driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse while shifted into reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #515

Jun 272024

Focus

  • miles
on 6/27/2024 when accelerating into traffic my vehicle stalled and almost caused an accident. Dash board display had two messages was code P0106 MAP sensor and hill start assist wasn't going to work. Possible safety recall 14S17 Saying not for my vehicle.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #514

Jun 252024

Focus

  • 52,850 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and shook abnormally while attempting to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was previously under a recall for a failure with the transmission clutch shudder, but the contact had not received the notification. The contact was also advised to contact the NHSTA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,850.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #513

Jan 012018

Focus

  • 75,000 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 that upon accelerating from a stop, the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a clutch replacement was needed. Additionally, the forks were bent and replaced. The vehicle was repaired four times, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no repair coverage on the vehicle and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Tariffville, CT, USA

problem #512

Jun 132024

Focus

  • 106,122 miles
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the vehicle jerked, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was informed of an unknown recall however, the VIN was included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 106,122.

- Winder, GA, USA

problem #511

Jun 032024

Focus

  • miles
When I accelerate the car stalls and then it jerks before taking off

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #510

May 202024

Focus

  • 61,000 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 approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating and losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence; however, the transmission failed, and the contact was unable to place the vehicle in reverse (R) or drive (D). The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Spanish Fork, UT, USA

problem #509

May 212024

Focus

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission clutch assembly failure. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission clutch assembly was previously replaced in January 2020 under the Customer Satisfaction Program: 19M087. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #508

Jul 202022

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating before moving forward and was shifting with a jolt. The contact stated that that vehicle was also vibrating when it was first started and was vibrating while slowing for traffic signals or traffic. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a constant failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle and referred the contact to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #507

May 082024

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #506

Apr 222024

Focus

  • 120,000 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 the vehicle failed to accelerate above 12 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Houghton Lake, MI, USA

problem #505

May 012024

Focus

  • miles
It seems like from a dead stop my car is stuttering to move or it seems like first gear disappears like the our pins will rev up and then it'll catch I don't know what's going on with

- Losantville , IN, USA

problem #504

Apr 302024

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to shudder, displaying symptoms consistent with the transmission slipping. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N08. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Sutter, CA, USA

problem #503

Jan 012021

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal before jolting forward without warning. The vehicle had been taken to a dealer where a software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. Recently, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal followed by a loud cracking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, Laird Noller Ford of Lawrence (935 W 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046) and it was discovered that the engine mount had cracked due to the excessive slippage of the clutch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- Ottawa, KS, USA

problem #502

Mar 292024

Focus

  • 97,069 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "Transmission Failure" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The contact stated that the vehicle continuously lost and regained electrical power independently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the transmission was malfunctioning, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the TCM was replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under Ford Campaign Number: 19N08. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,069.

- Indian Head, MD, USA

problem #501

Aug 152023

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under Ford Campaign Number: 19N08. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer and to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #500

Mar 282024

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband drove the vehicle at slow speeds to the nearest dealer. A diagnostic test was performed on the vehicle and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in dealer possession. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #499

Mar 132024

Focus

  • miles
The automatic transmission lurches when shifting in any forward gear, most times will not shift at all past 15 mph (engine rpm will red-line), and will not engage the reverse gear at all. When attempting to drive the vehicle, a dashboard warning indicates that the transmission is overheating and the vehicle should be pulled over. The Transmission Control Module was replaced at a Ford dealership in 2020 due to inconsistent shifting of the transmission. Based on the build date of my vehicle, Ford is telling me that it is not covered under their current Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 - Supplement #7. This program describes the very problem my vehicle is experiencing, as the dealership told me their diagnostics indicates the need to replace the TCM (again)!

- Van Buren Township, MI, USA

problem #498

Mar 052024

Focus

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the transmission suddenly malfunctioned and the vehicle would not accelerate forward. During the failure the "Transmission" and "Check Engine" warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that transmission module and transmission clutch were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #497

Sep 012018

Focus

  • miles
UNKNOWN. I believe this vehicle's engine is also impacted by the recall campaign number 18V735000, even though the engine is a 2.0L L4. The same issues that are mentioned in the recall campaign occurred with this vehicle around the 60k milage and 120k milage mark. These issues seems to happen every 60k miles. I did report this same issue with this system with this vehicle when this happened when the milage hit around 60k. The engine check light did show up each time this happened and the vehicle would stall immediately, even while driving at interstate speeds of around 70mph.

- Rome, GA, USA

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