NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 16 recalls, 1172 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Ford Focus.
105 MPGe combined
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2016 Ford Focus draws complaints heavily concentrated around the powertrain, which accounts for roughly half of all reports filed for this model year. Owners consistently describe transmission shuddering, hesitation during acceleration, and delayed engagement, particularly at low speeds when merging into traffic or moving through intersections. Many report the car lurching or jerking in lower gears, and some describe having to shift into park and back into drive to get the vehicle moving again. Clutch wear comes up repeatedly, with some owners reporting transmission failure even after having the unit replaced. The engine category also draws a notable share of complaints, with some owners describing shaking at startup and a burning oil smell. Fuel system reports include a pattern of gas tank deformation tied to a vacuum pressure issue. The transmission shudder and engagement problems at low speed are by far the most consistently reported pattern across this model year.
1,172
Total Complaints
26
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
18
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Ford Focus has 16 recalls, the most serious involving engine stall risks from multiple sources, transmission fluid leaks that can ignite near hot engine components, and a fire risk from a cracked engine block heater that shorts when plugged in.
The stall-related recalls stem from two separate issues. On models with a 2.0L engine, a faulty canister purge valve can create excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor system, causing the engine to stall without warning and without being able to restart. On models with a 1.0L engine, the oil pump drive belt or tensioner can fail and cut oil pressure, stalling the engine and reducing braking assist so the pedal requires more force and stopping distances increase. A separate oil pump belt recall covers the same consequence on 1.0L models under an additional filing. The clutch-related fire risk applies to 1.0L six-speed manual transmission models, where the clutch can fracture and damage the transmission, potentially leaking fluid onto hot exhaust components. Some of these clutch recalls cover vehicles where earlier repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue. Focus Electric models face a separate drivetrain concern: the differential pinion shaft can overheat and fracture, causing sudden loss of drive power and disabling the transmission's park function.
On the structural side, certain vehicles may have floor pan welds that reduce front-end crash protection. There is also a hatchback latch concern on manual-transmission hatchback trims, where a single press of the interior release button can unlatch the rear hatch unexpectedly.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The clutch may fracture in vehicles that were previously repaired under recalls 18V169 and 18V845. A fractured clutch can damage the transmission assembly and cause transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may malfunction in certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles that received an incorrect repair under recall 18V735, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to address the valve malfunction.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, creating an electrical short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater or install a threaded plug and remove the electrical cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant, which may cause it to short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater at no cost, or install a blanking plug and remove the heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can leak coolant, which may cause it to short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
The block heater will be replaced at a Ford dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine oil pump tensioner and drive belt may fail, causing loss of oil pressure. Engine failure could result, leading to loss of power to the wheels and reduced braking assist.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect and replace the oil pump drive belt tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The oil pump drive belt or tensioner can fail, causing the engine to lose oil pressure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and drive belt at no cost. If engine damage has occurred, dealers will replace the engine assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine control module wasn't updated as planned. This can cause the canister purge valve to fail, creating too much vacuum in the fuel vapor system.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control module software, check for fault codes, and replace the canister purge valve if needed. Related components will be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch can slip repeatedly and wear prematurely, weakening the pressure plate. If this continues, the pressure plate may crack, allowing transmission fluid to leak. A leak near an ignition source could cause a fire.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect the clutch, replace it if worn, and install software to prevent prolonged clutch slip.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch can fracture, potentially damaging the transmission assembly and causing transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will install software to detect and prevent clutch slip, and replace the clutch if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may stop working properly, creating too much vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
What the fix does
Dealer will reprogram the engine control module and check for fault codes. Canister purge valve, carbon canister, fuel tank, or fuel delivery module will be replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch may fracture, damaging the transmission assembly and potentially causing transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly free of charge. Focus vehicles will also receive software to prevent prolonged clutch slip.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left side floor pan may have improperly welded joints at the body apron, reducing front-end structural strength and increasing occupant injury risk in a frontal crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the body apron joints and repair them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The floor pan's left-hand apron joints may not be properly welded, which could compromise structural integrity.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the apron joints and repair them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hatchback can open with a single press of the interior release button, failing to stay latched properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission's differential pinion gear shaft can overheat and fracture in certain 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
