What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Ford Focus

Typical pattern

3% of complaints about the 2016 Ford Focus came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (675 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 64,000 miles.

Complaints
1,568
Median age at failure
5.7 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=993
Crash / fire / tow
10% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
675 reports · 64,000 mi
5.8 yr
8.6%
Engine
233 reports · 53,000 mi
5.8 yr
9.4%
Fuel / propulsion
165 reports · 56,223 mi
5.0 yr
2.4%
Other
105 reports · 43,000 mi
4.9 yr
2.9%
Electrical system
80 reports · 51,600 mi
5.1 yr
3.8%
Fuel system
62 reports · 80,000 mi
6.3 yr
8.1%
Engine cooling
51 reports · 89,000 mi
8.5 yr
58.8%
Steering
44 reports · 48,000 mi
5.7 yr
9.1%
Speed control
36 reports · 37,113 mi
3.9 yr
2.8%
Wheels
16 reports · 28,000 mi
6.7 yr
0%
Air bags
15 reports · 52,288 mi
3.6 yr
80%
Structure
15 reports · 40,000 mi
4.6 yr
40%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V369000 2026-06-09
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.

An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

26V376000 2026-06-09
Power train:manual transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

26V011000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

26V012000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

23V905000 2023-12-22
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

18V845000 2018-11-28
Power train:manual transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

18V735000 2018-10-22
Fuel system, gasoline:storage

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.

The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

18V169000 2018-03-12
Power train:manual transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

17V052000 2017-01-24
Structure:body

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.

Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

16V698000 2016-09-28
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.

In owners’ own words

Other 3,000 mi 5 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 95 APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR SOUTHBOUND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, I DID NOT FEEL ANY IMPACT ON THE AUTOMOBILE BUT BEGAN TO HEAR RATTLING ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF. WHEN I PULLED OVER, I SAW THAT SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED AND EXPLODED. THE SUNROOF COVER ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN OPENED. NO OBJECT HIT THE SUNROOF, IT JUST EXPLODED. I HAVE PICTURES. NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ANYWHERE.
Other mileage not reported 9 mo in service
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I TAKE OFF MY CAR JERKS AND ALMOST JUMPS LIKE. IT ACTS LIKE ITS DOUBLE SHIFTING OR HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING. I HAD FORD LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THEY COULDNT HELP ME UNTIL IT GETS WORSE. I WILL BE REALLY UPSET IF SOMETHING GOES AFTER MY WARRANTY IS GONE. A BRAND NEW CAR SHOULDNT DRIVE LIKE THIS.THEY TOLD ME ITS THE CLUTCHING SYSTEM THAT CAUSES IT TO DO THIS . THAT IS WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT FORD ,BUT EONT REPLACE UNTIL IT GETS WORSE.
Other 1,250 mi 1.3 yr in service
CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES PENDING POSSIBLE AIR BAG RECALL ENGINE STILL RUNNING WHILE PARK UNAUTHORIZED REPAIR DONE WHEN GETTING A SECOND OPINION TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED ONLY.VEHICLE ISSUES ARE WHILE IN MOTION IN CITY STREETS IN HIGHWAY AND TURNING.
Wheels 14,500 mi 6 mo in service
TIRE SEPARATED ON BOTH SIDES WALLS AT THE TIME THE TIRE MADE A BOOM NOISE. MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN MOTION ON JOB IN JACKSONVILLE.

Other Focus model years

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

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