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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,933 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 31)

problem #602

Oct 062025

Focus

  • miles

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

Lee County was working on the road and were replacing a section of Lazy D Farm Road and there was a section cut out and try to get across the section the transmission over heating light came

- Estero, FL, USA

problem #601

Jan 062025

Focus

  • miles
The clutch had to be replaced a second time and the engine became disabled while driving due to parts failure and it blowing up. This is all happening with 60,000 miles on the vehicle. My safety came into question with both failures disabling my car while I was driving on the interstate. The clutch was replaced and paid for out of pocket and I have been trying to work with ford about the engine but they have not helped at all. The issues just popped up and failed immediately while driving. This engine failure issue is covered for my vehicle, but my VIN is not covered. The only explanation I have received is that it is because my car is a manual transmission, which has no link to the part that failed on the engine. I was also notified by the ford service manager that my vehicle was made in the exact location and time frame that the recall covers, but my VIN still is not covered. I have received absolutely no help or solution with my vehicles failure and have been without a vehicle for 9 months because of the large price on replacing an entire engine, right after I had to pay for a very expensive clutch replacement.

- Dwight, KS, USA

problem #600

Jul 152025

Focus

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated. The contact also stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left or right turn, the lost motive power. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P2872 (Clutch "A" Stuck Engaged). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14N02 (Extended Warranty Coverage for PCM Reprograming in the Event of ABS Vehicle Speed Signal Related Communication Loss that Disables OBDII System Monitors); however, the VIN was not included in the CSP. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Yuma, AZ, USA

problem #599

Sep 102025

Focus

  • miles

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

I was driving the car other all of a sudden died on me and told me to put it in park I put it in park and then turned the key off and tried to restart it. It did not restart and would not turn of kept popping up a warning saying starter system failure. Could not turn my wheel or pit it in neutral to get it out of te middle of the road.

- Marcus, IA, USA

problem #598

Aug 112025

Focus

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the floorboard. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and was jerking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the failure was more pronounced after the initial failure. The contact stated that later, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was orange. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the clutch actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to a problem with the dual clutch transmission installed in the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #597

Jul 202025

Focus

  • miles
The car failed to start, it did not recognize it was in park. After trying to start my car with the keys it failed. My safety is put at risk, my car failing to recognize which gear shift it is in causes malfunctions while I am on the road, especially since I drive long distances at high speeds. I had a Master Technician review and preform a diagnostic on my vehicle and the codes formed for this test matched hand in hand with TCM issues under the TSB. After this, I went to the dealership to discuss this issue and the only thing that came of it was informing me that I was not eligible for a recall due to my VIN, even if I have all the symptoms under the TSB for my Ford Focus 2016. Since my car failed to start I was not able to bring it to Ford and have it tested, especially after asking if it is eligible and they insisted that it was not. No warning signs from the dashboard appeared on my vehicle to inform me of this issue. I travelled to meet with family and did not end up using my vehicle for a few days and when I tried to start my car, it would not engage. The only warning sounds I would consider a correlation before the problem would be a clicking from the starter pre-firing when I opened the door, and while the car was off.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #596

Aug 072025

Focus

  • miles

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

It is my transmission problem, there is an engine light on and the shifting is very rough and it also jumps gears, i know ford had a recall for this problem i believe it should be under warranty it is the TCM

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #595

Apr 012025

Focus

  • 137,000 miles
The contact's son owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Transmission Hot - Wait 5 Mins" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact's son followed the instruction; however, the warning light returned soon after restart the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

- Crestwood, KY, USA

problem #594

Jun 272025

Focus

  • miles
Transmission Control Module failed and i had that replaced. Now the clutch pack failed and had that replaced. Now it says transmission hot and to pull over. All of this has been recalled on 2012 to 2016 but for some reason my car is not and its the same powershift transmission. Im over 4000 dollars into these repairs and still having problems.

- Clarksville, IA, USA

problem #593

Jul 302025

Focus

  • miles
Additional information related to a case I opened earlier today Vehicle: 2016 Ford Focus SE Component: PowerTrain -?" Transmission My 2016 Ford Focus has experienced three failed clutch packs with the Ford DPS6 PowerShift transmission. The first clutch was replaced at ~22,000 miles, the second at ~27,500 miles, and it now requires a third replacement at 80,000 miles. This is a known and dangerous defect that was part of a class-action lawsuit. Despite multiple replacements and low mileage, Ford is requiring me to pay over $4,000 for a third repair. This transmission causes slipping, hesitation, and safety issues when pulling into traffic or hills. I am requesting that NHTSA re-investigate or expand the scope of past complaints on this vehicle to include continued post-settlement failures.

- Gansevoort, NY, USA

problem #592

Jul 302025

Focus

  • miles

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

The transmission is slipping. Research shows it's a known issue. Ford has acknowledged the issue and extended support. My local ford dealership is refusing to fix the issue even though I fall within the extended service mileage. I called 2 transmission shops who refused to work on this specific model due to the dual clutch design and known problems. Attached is a letter I am disseminating requesting proper assistance with this issue.

- Gansevoort, NY, USA

problem #591

Jul 152025

Focus

  • miles
I am writing you today because my ford focus with transmission DPS6,7SPDCT has all the same problems the older models have. Ford has stopped there 10 year 150000 mile warranty on there transmission on all models built after November 5 2015. Mine is January 1 2016 with all same transmission components. And all my warranty is ran out and still having transmission problems.

- Lilly, PA, USA

problem #590

Jun 102025

Focus

  • 179,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission was slipping, the vehicle exceeded 3,000 RPM and suddenly lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to resume driving; however, the failure recurred while at a complete stop at a four-way intersection. The contact was able to drive approximately 2 MPH to his son's residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pressure regulator had failed, and a fuel line was rusted. The dealer replaced the parts. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

- Fridley, MN, USA

problem #589

Jun 022025

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while idling at a stop sign and attempting to accelerate, the transmission failed to shift into gear and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted to park until the transmission shifted to drive. The message that the transmission was overheating was displayed and informed the contact to park the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the traction control module and clutch had failed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V845000 (Power Train) and 18V169000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

- West Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #588

Jun 142025

Focus

  • miles
Purchased 2016 Ford Focus SE with 132,000 Mi on Wednesday June 11, 2025. Drove with no problem when I took it for a long test drive. Drove it Thursday June 12, 2025 with no problem. On Friday June 13, 2025 I thought I felt a little slippage going from 1st to 2nd gear. On Friday June 14, 2025 my 17yr old daughter drove it to the beach and while driving back home she got a msg "Transmission Overheating". She pulled over and called me. I was able to put the key 2 clicks into the starting position and switch to neutral where I got a msg " Transmission now Ready". I then put my scanner on it and was it read Shift Error PO7A3, Clutch "A" Disengagement P286F, Clutch "B" Stuck Engaged P287A. I took it to the dealer I bought it from but it was a As Is Purchase. Now I am stck even though Ford and the dealer knew about these problems.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #587

May 152025

Focus

  • miles
There are known issues with the 2016 ford focus transmission dual clutch transmission shudder. My vehicle is the se and seems to have this but there is no safety recall for the se or my vehicle specifically. There was even a law suit for the 2016 ford focus se with this issue. My car has under 77,000 miles. When I asked ford about this issue previously they said there was nothing g they could

- Port Angelws, WA, USA

problem #586

Oct 132023

Focus

  • miles
The transmission is awful, delayed acceleration, rough shifting and lack of power. Delayed acceleration is the main issue due to it -?? lagging -?? in the middle of intersections and at green lights, etc. may fall under the ford focus lawsuit but when I look up my vin on this website, no recalls pop up but all the signs of the other models recalled are shown and present in my model of the Focus.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #585

Jun 092023

Focus

  • 131,206 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and then jerked into the next gear. The contact stated that the hesitation occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while slowing down, the vehicle hesitated, and then the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle jerked. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 131,206.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #584

Jun 022025

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle briefly began to jump and jolted before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch, determining that the transmission friction element B was stuck on. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #583

May 022025

Focus

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jolted and hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch motor. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V479000 (Power Train); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 134,000.

- Columbia, MO, USA

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