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:
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

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 9 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Jan 162019

Focus

  • 48,000 miles

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

There are class action suits over the transmission/clutch recalls for the Focus. Ford dealers chapman Ford, horsham and hoffman Ford, harrisburg, pa, are refusing to repair the Ford Focus 2016 clutch that is slipping (about 48,000 miles) with their reason being that the car has a branded title. The car was in a minor accident that only affected the side opposite the transmission, and any dealer can clearly see that all the transmission and surrounding areas are not damaged and are original Ford parts. It was really a small amount of body work on the opposing side. If a clutch 'blows up', the driver can have serious leg damage, and also this is a safety issue and crash possibility. Since the transmission was not affected at all in the branded title, Ford should repair it for free. The transmission/clutch issues are all over the internet and since Ford has quit making the Focus, it is evident that Ford knows they have created the clutch issue. This and the canister purge valve recall are very dangerous.you would not want your daughter driving this car, and it needs repaired this week. Ford needs to take care of the situation they knowingly created. The branded title has nothing to do at all with the transmission issues. Even the dealers have admitted that. Chapman Ford, horsham has diagnosed a slipping clutch. I have paperwork.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #34

Sep 022018

Focus

  • 30,300 miles
When it's driving up a hill it's makes a sound where as the speed stays the same and do want increase. I believe it's the clutch is scraping when it runs. When driving same level does the same but sometimes unexpected.

- Fort Benning, GA, USA

problem #33

Nov 072018

Focus

  • miles
Overheating

- San Fernando, CA, USA

problem #32

Aug 162018

Focus

  • 76,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving between 5-20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to turn off the engine, restart the vehicle, and drive slowly. In addition, the transmission indicator illuminated and "warning car is to hot" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle had to be pushed back to the contact's home during the last failure. The vehicle was taken to tasca Ford (250 webster square rd, berlin, ct 06037, (860) 828-3546), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer refused to assist and stated that the contact caused the failure. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- Newington, CT, USA

problem #31

Dec 162018

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. In December of 2018, the contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (engine); however, the repair did not correct the failure. When the contact attempted to start the engine, the vehicle stalled without warning. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

- Medford, NJ, USA

problem #30

Dec 192018

Focus

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle shook and stalled. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle. The dealer (norm reeves Ford Lincoln, 18900 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703, (562) 991-6696) stated that the warranty expired after 36,000 miles and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The dealer stated that the failure was not due to NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 162018

Focus

  • 49,000 miles

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

When accelerating from a stop, transmission/engine stutters making the car shudder at low speeds. Delayed and inconsistent acceleration noted during shuddering episodes. This happens every acceleration under normal driving conditions. If accelerator is advanced more rapidly, shuddering not noted. Car only has 49,000 miles on it. I have taken the vehicle to the Ford dealer for this issue. A transmission part was already replaced once which seemed to solve the problem at first. The problem reappeared approximately 2 months after repair.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #28

Apr 032017

Focus

  • 100 miles
When going from 1st gear to 2nd gear the engine/transmission struggles to change gear. Leaving you with a delay to accelerate which can cause injury & somewhat of a stall out while attempting to turn into traffic. It sounds as if the engine/transmission is going to drop out of the front of the vehicle. It feels as if someone is playing tug of war & can't hold onto the rope when it is shifting gears; so it feels like it will fall out of or not change gears. I was told that is what they are supposed to do by the seller at david irwin Ford in tyler, tx.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #27

Oct 222018

Focus

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving 50 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated and the engine seized. The vehicle was taken to crown Ford (256 swain street, skibo rd, fayetteville, nc 28303, 910-920-9614) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the failure and it was up to the contact to replace the spark plugs. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

- Hope Mill, NC, USA

problem #26

Sep 032018

Focus

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 65 mph and attempting to slow down, the rpms decreased and the engine shut off. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shut off while attempting to accelerate from a stop. The failures recurred several times. The contact called coughlin Ford of pataskala at 740-967-2085 (located at 9800 worthington rd, pataskala, oh 43062) and a diagnostic test was recommended, but not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and advised the contact that the vehicle was safe to drive if the check engine indicator was blinking. The contact was also informed that someone would call back. The contact was not called back and he stated that the check engine indicator did not blink. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Johnstown, OH, USA

problem #25

May 022018

Focus

  • 34,000 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 while stationary and driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check battery, check oil and check engine light illuminated directly after the vehicle stalled. In the drive position, there was a sudden loss of acceleration. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start when the vehicle's fuel level was below a 1/2 tank. Ourisman Ford & Lincoln (6129 richmond highway, alexandria, Virginia 22303 (703) 660-9000) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #24

Feb 012018

Focus 4-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was shuttering and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated.the contact called the local dealer bill pierre Ford (11525 lake city way ne, seattle, wa 98125, (866) 657-0775) where a voice mail message was left but they failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 22,000.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #23

Oct 252018

Focus

  • 55,066 miles
Vehicle fuel gauge is off by 50 miles + - 10 miles. Vehicle stalls after filling fuel take to full level. Engine check light stays on solid after the first time the vehicle ran out of gas. Transmission is loud and grinds when making turns and has a jerking motion when increasing and decreasing speed.

- Petaluma, CA, USA

problem #22

Oct 112018

Focus

  • 27,000 miles
On October 11, 2018 the same day as hurricane michel, my 2016 Ford Focus St was involved in a single car accident where the vehicle cut off while in motion and lost complete control by itself, causing the car to flip on its side and be completely totaled. The cause of the crash was unknown at the time, but on October 25, 2018 Ford puts out a recall for the exact model Ford Focus because of an issue causing the car to randomly stall. They are telling owners to keep their fuel tank above half full to avoid this problem and I know at the time my fuel tank was not above half and the indicator lights were on. I believe the cause of this crash was from the recall that Ford put out only a few days after the accident totaling my 2016 Ford Focus St.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #21

Oct 272018

Focus

  • 61,000 miles
On 10/27/2018 approximately 1330 after making a right turn onto 29 in warrenton headed towards culpeper going about 45mph the car sputtered and stalled. Took 3 times to get the vehicle restarted. Then did it again after making a left onto 17 in bealeton. The vehicle would get up to about 20 mph and just stall in traffic. This is becoming a major safety issue especially having my 12 year old in the vehicle with me.

- Bealeton, VA, USA

problem #20

Oct 172018

Focus

  • 60,900 miles
Approximately at 30000 miles while still under warranty I brought the vehicle to sheehy of warrenton because while on rte 28 in sterling va the vehicle was intermittently jerking sputtering and stalling. Dealer stated they couldn't find any issues because no code was present. On 10/18/18 I brought the car in again because the car stalled multiple times while in motion. They stated that code says low fuel pressure sensor and they would have to replace that first to see. I noticed today there are recalls for the exact issue I'm having but recalls are only on the 2.0 model mine is the 1.0.

- Bealeton, VA, USA

problem #19

Aug 242018

Focus

  • 67,995 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle lost power and the "service engine fault now" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to century Ford of mount airy (302 century dr, mt airy, md 21771, (833) 214-7277) where it was diagnosed that the turbo bypass valve needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 67,995.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #18

Feb 062018

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact called on behalf of the driver. When the driver accelerated from a stop sign, the vehicle shook and made an abnormal noise. In addition, while driving various speeds on the freeway, the vehicle hesitated when changing lanes. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to town East Ford (18411 lyndon B johnson fwy, mesquite, tx 75150, (972) 584-9140), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. Consumer stated 9-23-18 on this ate, we were driving down the highway and the trunk lid opened by itself. The light on the dash board said "trunk lid open." This happened twice on this day. Nothing was touched by us in any way. We are afraid that something will fly out of the truck and cause an accident or a death. Vehicle purchase date should be on or before incident date. Updated 10/17/18

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #17

Dec 102017

Focus

  • 20,994 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to sheehy Ford of marlow heights (5000 auth rd, marlow heights, md 20746, (301) 298-0793) where an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,994. The VIN was not available.

- Northeast, DC, USA

problem #16

Jun 212018

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
When I cut off the car and hen got back in everything was dead nothing would come on would not even come out of park it would no do anythimg

- Gaylesville, AL, USA

Read the next 15 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?