2016 Ford Focus problems and recalls

57% of owner complaints on the 2016 Ford Focus related to the Power Train (676 of 1,191).

1,191
Complaints
10
Recalls
27
Crash reports
3
Fire reports
24
Injuries
29.4
Severity index

Severity index 29.4 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 29.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 135 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 4% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 676 complaints (56.8%)676 57%EngineEngine: 237 complaints (19.9%)237 20%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 165 complaints (13.9%)165 14%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 107 complaints (9.0%)107 9%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 85 complaints (7.1%)85 7%Fuel SystemFuel System: 64 complaints (5.4%)64 5%GasolineGasoline: 61 complaints (5.1%)61 5%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 50 complaints (4.2%)50 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN67656.8%
ENGINE23719.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16513.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1079.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM857.1%
FUEL SYSTEM645.4%
GASOLINE615.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING504.2%

Complaints filed per year

01002002016: 152017: 592018: 802019: 1972020: 1332021: 942022: 1692023: 1572024: 1692025: 892026: 29 (partial year)1617181919720212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201615
201759
201880
2019197
2020133
202194
2022169
2023157
2024169
202589
2026 (year to date)29
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (415 against 396).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V73500022/10/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGEFord 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.
18V84500028/11/2018POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFord 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.
17V05200024/01/2017STRUCTURE:BODYFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
18V16900012/03/2018POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFord 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 Foc
16V69800028/09/2016LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCKFord 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 interi
23V90500022/12/2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMPFord 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.
26V01100015/01/2026EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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.
26V01200015/01/2026EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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.
26V36900009/06/2026FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERFord 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.
26V37600009/06/2026POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFord 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.

Other Ford Focus model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 7 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.