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2016 Ford Focus: common problems and reliability
· 3rd generationOne of the worst Focus years.
One of the Ford Focus years to avoid. All Focus years
3,472 owner complaints, most about power train. 10 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Focus?The 2016 Ford Focus has 3472 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine. Owners most often flag dual-clutch automatic shuddering, jerking, and rough low-speed behavior.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Ford Focus vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Focus years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Focus?
Across the 20 Focus model years we track, complaint volume runs from 11 (1999) to 5,240 (2014). With 3,472 complaints, the 2016 Focus sits above the model's median of 1,018.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Focus
fuel system, gasoline:storage
Campaign 18V735000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
power train:manual transmission
Campaign 18V845000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
structure:body
Campaign 17V052000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
power train:manual transmission
Campaign 18V169000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Show 6 more recalls
latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock
Campaign 16V698000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump
Campaign 23V905000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 26V011000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 26V012000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Focus, 2019 Explorer, and 2024 Explorer vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
Campaign 26V369000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
power train:manual transmission
Campaign 26V376000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
What owners report on the 3rd generation Focus
Owner sentiment for the 2010-2018 Focus is sharply split by transmission choice.
- Very frequentDual-clutch automatic shuddering, jerking, and rough low-speed behavior
- Very frequentPremature clutch wear and repeated clutch replacement
- RecurrentTransmission control module (TCM) failures and related fault codes
- RecurrentTransmission fluid/seal leaks contaminating the clutch pack
- RecurrentLoss of reverse gear or dropped gears from internal transmission damage
Owner insights for the 3rd generation Focus. Read the full 3rd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Focus listings typically run $7,194–$10,865 across 2003 to 2018 model years.
Other Focus model years
Compare every Focus year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Focus against its rivals
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