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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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,641 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #48

Nov 012020

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 that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. On several occasions, the failure occurred, and the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the purge valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The purge valve was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #47

Jan 012024

Focus

  • 149,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and then shut off. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several attempts. The contact stated once the vehicle was restarted the message "Unable to lead up fuel pump vacuum" was displayed and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed and determined that the clutch and levers and catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated soon after the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact called an independent mechanic to diagnose the vehicle. The contact stated that the message "Unable to read fuel pump vacuum" recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

- Clear Spring, MD, USA

problem #46

May 202024

Focus

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the body shop where it was diagnosed with canister purge valve failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed the diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- White Lake, MI, USA

problem #45

Apr 182024

Focus

  • 68,000 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 driving at high speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his daughter was driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle began to stall. The driver pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who informed him there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Griswold, CT, USA

problem #44

Mar 182024

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to jerk and hesitate, after which the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 60 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel sensor. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #43

Aug 152023

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he observed that the vehicle was idling abnormally rough. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and seemed to hesitate while shifting between gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the canister purge valve was stuck in the open position. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #42

Oct 152022

Focus

  • 113,000 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 driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the fuel tank was deformed due to a stuck canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); the VIN was included, and the repair was already completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 113,000.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #41

Aug 012021

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start up after refueling. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving at various speeds. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle serviced. The contact was later informed by the dealer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Marshall, MI, USA

problem #40

Sep 152023

Focus

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined there was an excessive vacuum in the fuel system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Highland Heights, KY, USA

problem #39

Aug 182023

Focus

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to surge and shake erratically. The contact was able to exit the main roadway, after which the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #38

Oct 012022

Focus

  • 100,000 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 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 #37

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 #36

Feb 232023

Focus

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive fuel consumption. The contact stated that after fueling the vehicle, the vehicle consumed three quarts of fuel within 20-30 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) was malfunctioning, causing an excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as the VIN was not included. The canister purge valve was replaced at the contact's expense. Additionally, the contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon attempting to reverse out of the driveway on another occasion, the gear shifter was moved into reverse (R), but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and pushed the vehicle out of the driveway. The contact was able to drive the vehicle, however, the message "Car Overheating. Stop Safely" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch was defective. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #35

Jan 282021

Focus

  • 143,613 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly. Additionally, the vehicle would sometimes shudder and stall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed the contact that there was a failure in communication to the powertrain control module (PCM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 143,613.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #34

Dec 192022

Focus

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while parked and running the vehicle stalled. The engine warning light was illuminated. The gauges were showing incorrect readings. The contact called the local dealer who informed him that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System Gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #33

Jan 202022

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle exhibited a slight hesitation with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the purge valve failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Willow Grove, PA, USA

problem #32

Dec 012022

Focus

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, the vehicle intermittently failed to start. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and driving, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective purge valve. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

problem #31

Jun 182022

Focus 4-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the fuel gauge failed to indicate the correct amount of fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. The contact stated that the canister purge valve was replaced. Doing so caused the engine light to finally turn off and the fuel gauge to work correctly.

- Allison Park, PA, USA

problem #30

Oct 102022

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle experienced occasional hesitation while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank was deformed causing a failure in the fuel delivery pressure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #29

May 012022

Focus

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to shake. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her place of employment. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the clutch to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V845000 (Power Train) and 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA

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