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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:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,572 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #155

Aug 262023

Focus

  • miles

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

Vehicle suffered sudden loss of power. No warning lights initially but engine sounded odd at idle. Was able to return home with vehicle as happened nearby. Nothing obvious wrong upon visual inspection but vehicle was undrivable except at slow speed. Eventually check engine light came on while vehicle parked. Made appointment at local dealership. Check oil light also came on in route to dealership. If this had happened on highway would have put me in an unsafe situation. After some research turns out this is a known problem for the 1.0 Ecoboost engine. The oil pump belt fails and shreds clogging up the internals of the engine. In my conversations with Ford they admit it is a known problem but have not taken any steps to support vehicle owners as most failures have occurred outside the warranty. In my case at about 61,000 miles. Also learned direct from Ford that the engine replacement is currently on back order for over 500 customers. Obviously there is a problem as this number does not even include orders they have fulfilled. My car has been sitting at dealership now for 5 weeks waiting on an engine with no end in sight. This was not a spare vehicle so I had no choice but to purchase another used vehicle which has added significant cost to me for Ford's failure. Again, I was fortunate this did not happen on the highway but I bet others were not so fortunate.

- Clear Spring, MD, USA

problem #154

Jun 152023

Focus

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check oil warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the timing chain. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #153

Jul 012023

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. There was an abnormal rumbling noise detected while the vehicle was in first gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the clutch and transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #152

Jun 302023

Focus

  • miles

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

The engine blew due to a faulty oil pump that Ford knows about. The oil pump leaks and causes metal shards to enter the engine which causes it to cease while driving. Ford refuses to fix the engine due to out of warranty. This is a known issue for 1.0 Liter engine vehicles such as the Ford Focus and Ecosport. Our Foed dealer has 2 in the shop for same issue. There is also a class action lawsuit against them.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #151

Sep 112020

Focus

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifting gear there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle shook abnormally. The vehicle became unable to shift out of park and felt as though the vehicle was in neutral. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that the failure was related to TSB Number: 14M02 (Power Train) however, the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #150

Jul 302023

Focus

  • miles
The engine shuddered and failed to shift at start from stop sign. It has had 2clutch or transmission changes and now just before 40,000 it shuddered at start from stop sign and almost stopped. Almost hit from behind. How many times much this be fixed before it is done right ?I intended this to be my forever car as I-??m 73 years old. Of course the warranty was changed from 10, years to 7. I usually always had good success with Fords. If this doesn-??t get covered my new Ford will be a Subaru.

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

problem #149

Jul 312023

Focus

  • miles

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

Random misfire and wondering if Head Gastker recall repair was done on this vehicle

- Ocean Shores, WA, USA

problem #148

Feb 012022

Focus

  • 159,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission with the "Transmission Fault" message displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced an oil leak and was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the chain gasket was faulty and needed to be replaced. The chain gasket was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 159,000.

- Kokomo, IN, USA

problem #147

Jul 072023

Focus

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The oil warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle coasted to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine and turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #146

Jul 052023

Focus

  • miles
2016 FORD FOCUS VIN: 1FADP3F20GL341128 Mileage: 64,750 Hello I am having problems with my 2016 Ford Focus. The vehicle is shuddering, moving forward, problems in shifting, vibrating and Ford cannot do anything about this as they have told me that you have not added this model on the recall. I got the vehicle checked over by Ford and they said it is the same issues as the other Ford Focus and Fiesta have and they said they need to replace the clutch and TCM. However this would be charable to me because you have not added this model in the recall. At the Sound Dealership in Renton WA there was 3 cars with the same issue and one being the same fuel flex model as mine. Is this something you could check as Ford will not help me at all. Thank you

- Fort Worth, WA, USA

problem #145

Jul 112023

Focus

  • miles

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

Have tried repeatedly to get the CPV recall performed however all dealerships or authorized repair locations have been giving me multi month waits since it started showing the alarm code for it in Dec. 2021. Due to it being the only vehicle my family has we were out in a wait list to bring it in when they had the parts and never got called back. Now the Transaxle is not engaging 4/5/6th gear intermittently. Was informed that it would be 3K for a new transaxle even though I have not had the vehicle for that long.

- Duncanville, TX, USA

problem #144

Jun 272023

Focus

  • miles
Transmission Fault Service Now warning light keeps coming on and off. I-??ve taken it to multiple places to have it checked out and nobody can find and actual issues that would cause the transmission to fail. I got stuck in the middle of an intersection because the transmission randomly stopped. I-??ve had to have it towed.

- Honaker, VA, USA

problem #143

Jun 012023

Focus

  • miles
Transmission went out. 2016 ford focus are known for bad transmission

- Michigan City, IN, USA

problem #142

Aug 102022

Focus

  • miles
Almost a year ago I noticed my check engine light came on and so I checked the codes which is P1450 - Unable To Bleed Up Fuel Tank Vacuum - Ford - Powertrain. Everytime I fill the gas tank the engine studders and fails upon startup, usually on the 3 or 4th start the engine finally idle and I'm able to change gears. I thought this was the issue that was supposed to be resolved back in 2019 when I took my car into Ford to have the recall issue fixed. Well whatever they did back then didn't fix it and looks like I'm not the only one this is happening to.

- The Colony, TX, USA

problem #141

Apr 282023

Focus

  • miles
Water pump failed. This is the second time it happens. First time happened back in 2019 and it happened in the highway luckily, I was able to pull over and no accident happened as it was during high traffic flow. It was repaired by Ford but only because I had purchased a supplemental repair package thru Ford Focus when I signed the purchase agreement. Then another issue occurred with the thermostat and it was repaired as well thru the supplemental because they didn't cover it. I leaned that day that the water hoses were damaged as well, which it was due to the prior issue with the water pump but Ford did not fix it as they said it was not covered, I argued that the problem happened because it the water pump and thermostat going bad, a chain reaction, yet they didn't want to fix it unless I paid over $1300. Now the water pump went bad again and the dealer didn't take responsibility of the issue. I was told I have to pay out of pocket.

- South San Francisco , CA, USA

problem #140

Oct 012022

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a portable scanner and retrieved DTC codes regarding the fuel rail pressure - Low. The contact-??s husband replaced the canister purge valve (CPV); however, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was jerking, and losing motive power, and hesitating to restart. The vehicle was diagnosed again, and the contact retrieved fault codes for the fuel rail system again. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact's husband completed the repair; however, the contact stated that after refueling and driving at an undisclosed speed, the low fuel warning light illuminated. The contact referenced the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Deatsville, AL, USA

problem #139

Apr 252023

Focus

  • miles
I was driving and the car started running hot. The overheating warning came on and said to pull over safely. I was not in an area where I could stop. The light eventually went off and the temp went back to normal. There are no noticeable leaks. The car has also been shifting hard, sputtering during acceleration, and revving really high. I think there needs to be a recall issued immediately. I'm only at 56k miles.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #138

Mar 242023

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, the vehicle stalled occasionally after refueling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle occasionally after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the canister purge valve remained open causing the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

- Troy, NY, USA

problem #137

Jan 262023

Focus

  • miles
7 year old car requires full engine replacement due to lost compression. For the 2 1/2 years I've owned it 1 entire year has been spent either stranded on the insterstate or at the dealership service repair. Fuel gauge does not monitor or distrubute correct fuel available. I have spent $600 in tows to the dealership. Multiple reports/complaints have been filed against this model & year includeing with NHTSA. "Common problems found on the 2016 Ford Focus include the transmission shuddering, engine failures, as well as issues with the power steering system. Overall, these problems are more severe than in other compact cars, leading to expensive repair bills when parts fail" Please investigate quickly as this is safety related as well as consumer gouging

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #136

Feb 022023

Focus

  • miles
There is a recall with Ford of 2018 Ford Focus Recall Item Affected: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDate Announced: 10/22/2018 The description of this recall is what is happening to my car, but because my vin doesn't show up they won't look at it. There are no codes, but as I turn on the car and go to drive within 45 seconds it's stalls, in traffic or wherever. I need help.

- Raritan, NJ, USA

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