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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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,116 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Jan 012022

Focus

  • 95,000 miles

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

The contact's sister owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and also while in reverse(R) while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would fail to accelerate above 40 MPH while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was out of warranty and not under recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Oakton, VA, USA

problem #20

Apr 182022

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission and fuel system failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was no longer drivable and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Canton, IL, USA

problem #19

Jul 152021

Focus

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of gasoline. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed approximately 12-gallons of gasoline per week. The contact stated that a message was displayed stating 40-45 miles to empty however, the vehicle would stall even though there was fuel in the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start up after refueling. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer; Santa Fe Ford (16330 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32615) to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair had been completed on the vehicle three years ago. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #18

Jul 302019

Focus

  • 107,000 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 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was fluctuating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #17

Feb 282022

Focus

  • 103,338 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start up and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with oil sensor failure. The mechanic replaced the oil sensor; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and diagnosed with canister purge valve (CPV) failure. The contact was informed that the CPV needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the repair would not be made until next week. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,338.

- Deerfield Beach, FL, USA

problem #16

Jan 282022

Focus

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly stall while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light and fuel system failure warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. A certified mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The contact was referred to NHTSA for assistance and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #15

Jan 022019

Focus

  • 50,000 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 while his granddaughter was driving and stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The driver waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle and driving back to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The driver took the vehicle to a local dealer for an oil change was informed there was an open recall on the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer reprogrammed the Powertrain Control Module to repair the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer; Sam Pack's Five Star Ford Lewisville (1144 N Stemmons Fwy, Lewisville, TX 75067, (469) 491-1050) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PCV valve need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #14

Jan 092022

Focus

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal and was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the purge valve had failed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the water pump, the O2 sensors, and the battery were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while his wife was accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle stalled inadvertently in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle was pushed to side of the road with assistance. The contact-€™s wife was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts and continued to drive. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that he would need to pay for the diagnosis of the vehicle before they could complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair was completed in July 2019; however, VIN tool and manufacturer website showed the recall incomplete. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Girard, KS, USA

problem #13

Jan 012021

Focus 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving or after refueling, the vehicle stalled but was able to be restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with error code P1450 (Fuel intake system). The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign number 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #12

Mar 302021

Focus

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact was driving at an undisclosed speed when the fuel level sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a fuel level sensor circuit failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer randy marion Ford Lincoln, llc (1030 gateway crossing dr, statesville, nc 28677) was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #11

May 012020

Focus

  • 40,000 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 the vehicle stalled soon after start-up. There was no warning sign illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Greenwood, MS, USA

problem #10

Oct 132020

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving a between 35-55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that magnesium was found in the fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. Shults Ford - harmarville (1300 gulf lab rd, pittsburgh, pa 15238, (412) 828-2300) was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall or warranty. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Indianola, PA, USA

problem #9

Apr 102019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the fuel tank close to empty. The contact filled the fuel tank to a quarter tank and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to greulich's automotive repair (1429 E motorplex loop, gilbert, AZ 85297) and the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The purge valve was replaced and the ECM was reprogrammed however, the failure recurred several times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the recall repair was performed incorrectly and that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. Consumer stated vehicle stalls when close to quarter tank of gas and approximate mileage was slightly higher.

- Queen Creek, AZ, USA

problem #8

Apr 012018

Focus 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while traveling at a low rate of speed, the vehicle jerked and hesitated with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mossy Ford (4570 mission bay dr #4919, san diego, ca 92109) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (transmission failure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000 and is out of warranty. Consumer has stated vehicle has been taken in for service several times.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Jun 172019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to turn in either directions, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact placed the gear shifter in park, depressed the accelerator several times to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure to start the vehicle occurred after the vehicle was refueled. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the oxygen sensor, fuel tank, fuel pump and an unknown valve needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle previously received the recall repair. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

- Bridgeton, MO, USA

problem #6

Oct 182019

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called kelly Ford (420 cabot St, beverly, MA 01915, (978) 922-0059) and was informed that the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Billerica, MA, USA

problem #5

Aug 182019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
On 8/18/19 sent from yahoo mail on android ----- forwarded message ----- from: "[xxx] to: [xxx] sent: Mon, Aug 19, 2019 at 10:58 am subject: VIN #[xxx] to whom it may concern, yesterday I was driving on hwy 17 in Washington state and the transmission issues of my 2016 Ford Focus almost cost me my life. Hwy 17 is a 60 mph, two lane highway surrounded by farmland. While driving on that highway, I maneuvered to pass a semi-truck that was travelling at 50mph. There was more than enough distance from on-coming traffic to pass safely; well, that is if as I pulled alongside the semi-truck I hadn't lost all power even though I was pressing the accelerator. The RPM's went up to "the red" 7-8, I started losing speed and pacing beside the semi- truck. I could hope my acceleration ability came back, or I was going to try to brake and go back when I saw another car behind me in the passing lane, making me a sitting duck. For a few seconds of panic, I considered my options- mostly to go off in the ditch to the left. Luckily, the acceleration came back after the needle on the RPM's went haywire and I slowly was able to get in front of the semi-truck before oncoming traffic hit me. The car behind me sped past me as I got over, with a look that I interpreted as he thought I was trying to kill him. At 47K miles the first transmission faults began to appear. I have attached copies of the Ford services and tickets opened due to the multiple, ongoing problems. I am not part of the class legal action for the transmission issues of 11-16 Focus and fiestas. Respectfully, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Yakima, WA, USA

problem #4

Aug 182019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 61,034 miles
Tamara recall. My fuel pump is gone (no longer working) and my Ford Focus has just reached 61000/miles. The car stalls when driving and cuts out in traffic, a seriously dangerous issue. This is an issue that has to be related to other Ford Focus recalls regarding the fuel system and fuel pump. I would like for someone to reach out to me to help me resolve this matter asap! my contact info is [xxx], although I would prefer you call me at [xxx]. this is an issue that needs resolution immediately, it is severely impacting my life. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Crofton, MD, USA

problem #3

Apr 262019

Focus

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off. The contact stated that the fuel gauge indicated there was a quarter tank of fuel left; however, it was completely empty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 61,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #2

Oct 222018

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. West valley Chrysler Jeep (21422 roscoe blvd, canoga park, ca 91304, (818) 348-7510) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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