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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.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,804 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2016 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #15

Sep 202023

Focus

  • 104,500 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 on numerous occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the RPM-??s increased at rapid pace however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was then informed by the mechanic that the vehicle was included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02. The vehicle was not repaired. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure however, an appointment was unavailable until 2024. The manufacture was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall nor the Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 then advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 104,500.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #14

Jun 202023

Focus

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and high engine temperature warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the transmission experienced rough shifting and failed to shift into Sport(S) mode. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone Auto Parts, where it was diagnosed that the clutch was engaged and the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #13

Apr 142018

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle was shifting roughly. The contact pulled over, parked the vehicle, and restarted the vehicle after several attempts and operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the TCM (Transmission Control Module) and clutch might have failed. The contact stated that the TCM was replaced three times however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired after the last failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

- Owosso, MI, USA

problem #12

Jan 282021

Focus

  • 143,613 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 driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly. Additionally, the vehicle would sometimes shudder and stall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed the contact that there was a failure in communication to the powertrain control module (PCM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 143,613.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #11

Oct 012022

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where the TCM was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Byron Center, MI, USA

problem #10

Aug 222022

Focus

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lunged forward. Additionally, while driving the vehicle lost motive power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by Auto Zone with transmission control module failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #9

Oct 242022

Focus

  • 143,245 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 driving 45 MPH, the vehicle would not properly accelerate, with the check engine warning light illuminated. After several attempts to restart the vehicle, the contact was able to start the vehicle and drove home. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 143,245.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #8

Sep 282022

Focus

  • 74,700 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the TCM and clutch assembly; however, the failure recurred while driving at an undisclosed speed, and the gear shifter was unable to shift to the intended gear with the transmission message displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM and the clutch assembly needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 74,700.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #7

Sep 212022

Focus

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact also stated that the engine failed to start occasionally. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #6

Nov 132021

Focus

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a crunching sound coming from vehicle. The contact felt the gear jumping as she shifted gear and felt like the transmission was failing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the mechanic stated that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the parts were not available. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #5

Nov 122020

Focus

  • 40,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at an undisclosed speed, she felt an odd feeling while the accelerator pedal was applied. The contact referenced the Manufacturer's recall number: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module). The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Kingston, NH, USA

problem #4

Aug 042022

Focus

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated he notice that the check engine warning light was illuminated, while driving at 15 MPH. The contact felt the gear shifted roughly. The contact stated at a different occasion the vehicle would not start, the contact had to crank the engine several times for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact informed them that his vehicle was experiencing the same failure as Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 -€" Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage -€" 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta & 2012-2016 Focus and they stated the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Turlock, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 122021

Focus

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to experience loss of speed, the contact would depress the accelerator and the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contact heard a grinding metal sound coming the floorboards. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store where the failure was diagnosed as the "transmission friction element A frozen in the on position." The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutches needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The contact purchased a non-OEM TCM and the vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the contact purchased another non-OEM TCM which was re-installed. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was returned to the same dealer and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 012021

Focus

  • miles
The contact's son owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but the mechanic did not diagnose nor repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and diagnosed as transmission control module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer for 10 weeks, awaiting the transmission control module part. The contact stated that the manufacturer had mailed a notification for the extended warranty up to 150,000 miles for the transmission control module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had the vehicle towed to the dealer and informed the contact's son that they were working on getting the TCM part to the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Howell Township, NJ, USA

problem #1

Oct 012018

Focus

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission was malfunctioning. The dealer (kearny pearson Ford, 7303 clairemont mesa blvd, san diego, ca 92111, (858) 560-5544) repaired the transmission control module back in October of 2018, but the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact was able to slowly pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) after the vehicle was repaired in October. The failure mileage was 97,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

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