2016 Ford FOCUS: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10837490 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860188 at NHTSA ↗

THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE SHUDDERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN CORNERING . THIS SHUDDER HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED,

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864438 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT MY NEW CAR FORD FOCUS 2016 THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED COMPLETELY AND THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE I DID NOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE CAR STARTED GOING BACK AND FORTH, THE CAR MOVED FORWARD ABOUT 10 FEET AND I CAUSED A CRASH. MILES 9,498 THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND NOTHING WRONG WAS FOUND.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10877036 at NHTSA ↗

MY SON WRECKED OUR BRAND NEW FORD, OVER 6,000 DANGERO. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS FRONT END. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NOT A GOOD SAFETY FEATURE IF THEY DON'T WORK.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883807 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LUNGING, THE RPM WENT ABNORMALLY HIGH, AND THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AFTER AN INSECT FLEW INTO A WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT ABNORMAL AS THOUGH IT WAS LACKING POWER DURING TURNS AND THROUGH NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE OTHER FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXI…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,646 miles reported. Look up ODI 10885606 at NHTSA ↗

MY 2016 FORD FOCUS HAS 5500 MILES ON IT AND IT OVERHEATED LAST WEEK, FORD TOWED TO DEALER AND AFTER A FEW DAYS GOT A CALL STATING THERE WAS A ENGINE PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THEY COULD JUST GIVE ME A NEW VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILLAGE AND I WAS TO NO BY DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER. LAST FORD I BUY

Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888684 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CHECKING ENGINE AND SERVICE CAR SOON WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER FOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE RECURRING FAILURE AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS INTENDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896374 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2016-09-28 (September 28, 2016)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.

Reported: 2017-01-24 (January 24, 2017)

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.

Reported: 2018-03-12 (March 12, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.

Reported: 2018-10-22 (October 22, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.

Reported: 2018-11-28 (November 28, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.

Reported: 2023-12-22 (December 22, 2023)

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.

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

Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

Reported: 2026-01-15 (January 15, 2026)

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.

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

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Reported: 2026-01-15 (January 15, 2026)

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.

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

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.

Reported: 2026-06-09 (June 9, 2026)

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.

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

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

Reported: 2026-06-09 (June 9, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.