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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.

4.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,252 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #11

Jun 302020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles

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

The wipers stop working and freeze up in the middle of the windshield constantly!! blocking view from driving. The car shudders every time you go from a stopped position. Worst car I've ever owned. Been to the Ford dealer several times. Never gets fixed.

- Plattsburgh, NY, USA

problem #10

Jun 082020

Focus

  • miles
I have had the clutch in this vehicle replaced 3 times and it currently has 37014 miles. I have had the steering wheel replaced because the heated steering wheel didn't work. I had the transmission module reprogrammed 3 times. And now my backup camera suddenly turns pitch black. It's random. I could just go into reverse and it is already pitch black. Or I could be reversing with a clear screen and then it turns pitch black.

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 062019

Focus

  • 106,328 miles
Wipers suddenly stopped working while it was raining causing a serious safety risk. Couldn't continue to drive so was pulled over on side of the highway until rain stopped. Later wipers came on by themselves while switch was turned to off position and would not turn off until fuse was pulled. Have replaced motors and switch and they haven't been repaired. No longer working at all with no response to the switch at all.

- Anna, TX, USA

problem #8

May 292016

Focus

  • 24,000 miles

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

I was driving on my way home, and my car stalled in the middle of the road. I had to throw the car in neutral and crank it back up and slam it into drive and speed off, because I was going to get hit both directions. The transmission shudders hard in between gears, stalls out on hills/ struggles on hills, it fails to accelerate in the moment, the car fails to know what gear it wants to be in. That's just the beginning. I live in the city a small area not very populated but I still deal with stop and go traffic the transmission jerks hard if you don't start moving at a steady pace. The highway though it does relatively well, but that's when other problems start I have loss of power at times while in cruise control, it will bounce back and fourth like I have bad gas or something, it also has a very bad glitch with the windshield wipers (they hit each other). I have had the upmost problems with this car primarily the transmission, but that's not all folks. I do however feel this car is such a safety hazard to people, I have a "dont buy a Focus" sticker going down both sides of my cars windows. I'm stuck with this car because of credit issues so I'm going to let everyone know my story if I can save them having problems not even a year after buying this brand new Focus. All Ford had to say is it's a clutch problem if completely safe. That's even when I told them I didn't feel safe and I didn't want to drive it till they did something about it. I'm not on transmission clutch set #5 I've dealt with so much lost time because of this matter and Ford should be held completely responsible. Start date for the problems is the day I bought the car. Dont buy a Focus!!!!

- Daphne, AL, USA

problem #7

Jul 282018

Focus

  • 43,000 miles
The wipers stop working in mid sweep, sometimes it's the right side, sometimes the left. Happens when it's raining and also when the windscreen is dry. It is very dangerous as you can't SE through the wiper assembly and you can't see through the rain. Car was in motion during the rain and in motion or stationary when used on a dry/damp windscreen.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #6

Mar 082018

Focus

  • miles
Wiper blades stopping in line of sight during rain and snow conditions car has been taken to dealer multiple times and not being fixed. Has replaced windshield and motors and still occurring. Video showing problem not being taken seriously and tired of ricart not fixing

- Pickerington, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 102018

Focus

  • 5,400 miles

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

With just over 5K miles, our 2016 Focus has developed a wiper problem. The driver's side, to be exact. The wiper arm will go past it's normal stopping point, & then lock up. But sometimes, it will stop mid way, while the right side wiper continues to work. Have had it to the dealer 5 times already. They've made adjustment, & repairs, but it continues to mess up. Each wiper has an independent motor. Beginning to think we've bought a lemon. It doesn't matter if the car is in motion or sitting still.

- Petersburg, IN, USA

problem #4

Aug 102016

Focus 4-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the windshield wipers occasionally stopped working without warning. The contact was concerned that the failure would occur during a rainstorm. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (stuckey Ford and Subaru, located at 500 broad St, hollidaysburg, pa 16648; (814) 695-9862) where it was diagnosed that the motors needed to be redesigned by the manufacturer; therefore, they could not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 1,000...updated 10/25/17

- 16602, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 102017

Focus

  • 5,500 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving in the rain at any speed, the wiper blades stopped in the middle of the windshield without making a full cycle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was unable to remedy the failure after three attempts. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the regional manager would get in touch with the contact. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 232017

Focus

  • 14,900 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds in the rain, the windshield wiper blades would stop in mid-use. In order for the blades to continue operating, the windshield wiper control would need to be turned again. The dealer could not duplicate the failure, but determined that the windshield wipers were not designed to operate on a dry surface. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 14,900.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #1

Jan 042016

Focus 4-cyl

  • 13,646 miles
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 approximately 13,646. Updated 09/08/16

- Fairland, OK, USA

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