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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.

6.7

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,857 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #7

Jan 192023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Body Control Module controlling the lights, hatch, and door lock/unlock malfunctioned. Its a serious safety issue when the lights go out unexpectedly while driving.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

problem #6

Dec 132016

Focus

  • 4,402 miles
On 12/13/2016 I brought my 2016 Ford Focus to the dealer because the auto headlights system will come on when I felt like it and it also affected the navigation screen lighting it will come on and go into night mode the said they fix the problem then ON04/17/19 I brought it back to the dealer for the same problem they said they fix the problem again and now March 2021 I'm having the same problem again something is going

- Rolesville, NC, USA

problem #5

Jul 042020

Focus

  • miles
My driver side headlight kept giving out and to find out the wire of the socket to the low beam light is melting causing my headlight not to work. I replaced it now it's still melting again I'm afraid that's there something wrong with the wiring.

- San Juan, TX, USA

problem #4

Mar 182020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 34,600 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 approximately 35 mph and attempting to make a turn, the headlamps and instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that there was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to cortese Ford service department (2500 w. henrietta rd, rochester, NY 14623, (585)277-3280) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,600.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 012019

Focus

  • 0 miles
I have a 2016 Ford Focus and had nothing but problems with it since day one I've had the car at dealership several times for the wipers first they said can't find anything wrong next they said they adjusted the wipers then they said they changed the motor. It still stops in my view whenever it rains I told them it's still happening and I was told to change the wipers. I'm no I should not have to with a new car. One morning I get into the car and had frost on the inside of my windshield I turned the defrost on and watch my windshield crack brought to Ford and they said something hit it like a rock I explained what happened but wouldn't acknowledge that there was a defect I told them that if the windshield had a solid seal I would not get frost on the inside they brushed me off. And now my car doesn't start right away and I called customer service and all they said was nothing they can do about it. I'm so frustrated with this car since day one no one at Ford will help me. There are other problems like the interior lights keep going out. I'm so tired of wasting my time bringing the car to the dealership being made to feel like an idiot. Ford says they pride themselves on customer service but I yet to see it as every time they treat me like I'm making things up. I want my car in safe driving condition. Is that to much to ask for!!!!it shouldn't be but that's how for makes me feel..,I showed videos of windshield wipers also but I'm crazy

- Blackwood, NJ, USA

problem #2

Nov 252018

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
Tail light bulb charred black & socket melted.

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #1

Feb 012018

Focus

  • miles
Every time it rains, I keep on getting water inside the headlights now the right side daytime running lamps are out, the left side is going out.the daytime running went out October 12, 2018 the headlights started getting water inside about 02-01-18. I had to take my car for a fuel pump module they that is under warranty Ford said that the headlights are not covered. There are no cracks in the headlights the service writer said that the seals must be bad to me that sounds like their is a defect in the seals, this is also a safety hazard consider my car is only a 2016 2 years old this should not be happening.

- Kingman, AZ, USA

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