CarModelProblems.com

2016 Ford Focus Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 6.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
1,175Complaints
10Recalls
27Crashes
2Fires
24Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (52.8% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Power Train complaints here are 6.4× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train620 · 52.8%RecalledRecall 18V845000 · Recall 18V169000 · Recall 26V376000
Engine231 · 19.7%RecalledRecall 23V905000
Fuel/propulsion System165 · 14%RecalledRecall 18V735000 · Recall 26V369000
Electrical System80 · 6.8%No official action
Fuel System, Gasoline53 · 4.5%RecalledRecall 18V735000 · Recall 26V369000
Engine And Engine Cooling49 · 4.2%RecalledRecall 23V905000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN620 · 52.8%
ENGINE231 · 19.7%
Unspecified / other104 · 8.9%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE53 · 4.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING49 · 4.2%
STEERING44 · 3.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL33 · 2.8%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)19 · 1.6%

Percentages are the share of the 1,175 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · 2018 · reported 10/22/2018

The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:manual Transmission

NHTSA campaign 18V845000 · 2018 · reported 11/28/2018

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body

NHTSA campaign 17V052000 · 2017 · reported 01/24/2017

Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:manual Transmission

NHTSA campaign 18V169000 · 2018 · reported 03/12/2018

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

NHTSA campaign 16V698000 · 2016 · reported 09/28/2016

With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

NHTSA campaign 23V905000 · 2023 · reported 12/22/2023

A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · 2026 · reported 01/15/2026

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

NHTSA campaign 26V012000 · 2026 · reported 01/15/2026

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:evaporative Emissions:canister

NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · 2026 · reported 06/09/2026

An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:manual Transmission

NHTSA campaign 26V376000 · 2026 · reported 06/09/2026

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHEN I AM IN PARK MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR IS SHAKING AND WHEN I'M AT A STOP LIGHT AND BEGIN TO GO MY CAR JERKS…”NHTSA complaint 11121796 — filed 08/23/2018 · POWER TRAIN
“WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY, BUT APPEARS TO SLIP, AND IT MAKES A NOISE WHICH I WOULD DESCRIBE…”NHTSA complaint 11121331 — filed 08/21/2018 · POWER TRAIN
“TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND RATTLING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN LOWER GEARS”NHTSA complaint 11121181 — filed 08/21/2018 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

21201672201711120182722019189202011720212002022210202321820241132025412026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Focus?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 620 of 1,175 NHTSA complaints (52.8%), followed by engine (231), fuel/propulsion system (165), unspecified/other issues (104). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2016 Ford Focus have?

1,175 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 24 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2016 Ford Focus have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V735000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2016 Ford Focus's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.