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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.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,353 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 1 of 2)

problem #26

Feb 012024

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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was made aware of the issue and an appointment was scheduled to bring the vehicle in to have the vehicle worked on for an extended period. The contact called back to plan for transportation while the vehicle was in the dealer's possession and was informed that unless there was a knocking noise coming from the engine; the dealer would not be able to service the vehicle until the first quarter of 2025. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #25

Jun 262024

Focus

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a loud beeping sound and the -??Engine Power Reduced-?? warning light was illuminated and the vehicle failed to respond as needed after the warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 012024

Focus

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking noise coming from the engine. The engine lost oil pressure. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle was slow to respond, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the tensioner arm was fractured, and the fuel pump was not providing power to the engine. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Schicker Ford of St. Louis (3300 S. Kingshighway Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63139), who informed the contact that all the parts were not in the vehicle. The contact called the original local dealer, who informed the contact to pick up the parts. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #23

Mar 012024

Focus

  • 89,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oil pump drive belt had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #22

Mar 292023

Focus

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pump resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The VIN was included, but parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Wanaque, NJ, USA

problem #21

May 092024

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #20

May 072024

Focus

  • 70,000 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 60 MPH, the engine started to overheat, and the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the diagnostic result was undetermined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- York, SC, USA

problem #19

Oct 182023

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds 6-months after purchasing the vehicle, the brakes became inoperable. The contact stated that the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a caliper failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes locked up, and the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The check engine and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled, the brakes became inoperable, and the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The contact was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Glens Falls, NY, USA

problem #18

Jan 152024

Focus

  • 205,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while operating the vehicle the oil pressure warning light activated and a ticking noise was coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the timing belt and oil pump drive belt had failed causing severe damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 205,000.

- Glenmont, OH, USA

problem #17

Dec 152023

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated, and a grinding sound was heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Conway, NH, USA

problem #16

Mar 282024

Focus

  • 79,000 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 her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was not able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pump drive belt tensioner, resulting in damages to the engine and requiring the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 79,000.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #15

Mar 102024

Focus

  • 58,600 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, he observed low-frequency rumbles emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken home. The next day when the vehicle was started, the contact observed the rumbling noise again and then the vehicle began shaking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic engine mount leaked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 58,600.

- Eaton, NY, USA

problem #14

Oct 252023

Focus

  • 68,085 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,085. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Juneau, AK, USA

problem #13

Mar 252024

Focus

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, prompting the driver to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump belt, resulting in damages to the engine, requiring the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Monroeville, OH, USA

problem #12

Mar 152024

Focus

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pump, resulting in damage to the engine and requiring a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:?23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 139,000.

- Franklinville, NJ, USA

problem #11

Aug 032022

Focus

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed uphill, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The oil pressure and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The failure nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and then was towed to the residence. The contact's husband, an independent mechanic, diagnosed that the engine oil pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Cresco, IA, USA

problem #10

Sep 282023

Focus

  • 84,320 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while his wife was driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and lost motive power. The contact-??s wife pulled to the side of the road. The contact-??s wife was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine had seized due to the oil pump drive belt failure. The vehicle was repaired, and the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,320.

- Sun Lakes, AZ, USA

problem #9

Feb 292024

Focus

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while at a stoplight, the light turned green, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the RPM revved up, the vehicle lunged forward but did not properly move forward. The general fault light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle fell under the guidelines of the recall and was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V9050000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and stated that the vehicle failed the oil pressure test and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #8

Feb 052024

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The service engine soon message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle lost oil pressure, and the drive belt went into the timing chain. The engine was replaced. The failure recurred and was taken back to the independent mechanic, who replaced the engine. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Palmyra, WI, USA

problem #7

Apr 102023

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed oil pump and that the oil pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was informed that the failure of the oil pump caused significant damages to the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and was advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Wright, WY, USA

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