MYRModel Year Report

2016 Ford Focus

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Ford Focus
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,181
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

57% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2013: 2,111 complaints 2014: 2,601 complaints 2015: 1,019 complaints 2016: 1,181 complaints 2016 1,181 2017: 896 complaints 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2007 2008: 250 complaints 2009: 229 complaints 2009 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2014: 2,601 complaints 2015: 1,019 complaints 2016: 1,181 complaints 2016 1,181 2017: 896 complaints 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2000 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2004 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2006 2007: 391 complaints 2007 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2009 2010: 287 complaints 2010 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2012 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2014: 2,601 complaints 2014 2015: 1,019 complaints 2015 2016: 1,181 complaints 2016 1,181 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints 2018

2016: 1,181 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199911
20003,686
20011,761
2002939
2003977
2004387
2005441
2006205
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123,766
20132,111
20142,601
20151,019
20161,181
2017896
2018833

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

57% · 677 reports

Most commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and automatic transmission.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The car shifted out gear and lunged forward causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle was damaged.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-26

My duel clutch transmission started acting up took it to a mechanic they said it needed the TCM and Actuators and possibly transmission replaced that they should be recalled tried taking it to Thirnhill Ford because I received a letter for this to...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-16

The car would not accelerate when pressing accelerator, they said the clutch assembly malfunctioned, confirmed by documentation. Myself and others had our safety at risk because the car could not be controlled properly while on the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-22

Also filed under Engine

Engine

20% · 233 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle turned off as we were driving down the road at 2PM on Friday 1/12. We called two different Ford dealahips to get the car serviced. Both made an appt for the following week but neither told us not to drive the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-25

Also filed under Service brakes

I was driving 75MPH down i-10 at 11:30PM and my Focus sunddenly died, I had to push the car to the shoulder. Information flashed not in park and started ghostly trying to start on its own, I believe the tcm failed. I had to have it towed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-25

Fuel/propulsion system

14% · 166 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle experienced a catastrophic failure of the canister purge valve (CPV), causing an excessive vacuum that violently deformed and collapsed the plastic fuel tank.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-07

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

7% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing fuel gauge.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

5% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing canister and fuel pump.

CRASH

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 1,181 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-11-16Latches/locks/linkages, structure16V698000 Ford 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.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2017-03-08Structure17V052000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2018-08-03Power train18V169000 Ford 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.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2019-01-17Power train18V845000 Ford 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.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2019-08-19Fuel system, gasoline18V735000 Ford 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.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2023-09-15Recall queryClosed 2024-12-20 Loss of Motive Power
  8. I
    2023-09-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 2024-02-14 Oil Pump Failure
  9. R
    2025-08-11Engine and engine cooling23V905000 Ford 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2025-12-18Preliminary evaluationOpen Timing Belt Failure
  11. R
    Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline26V369000 Ford 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    Date not on fileEquipment26V012000 Ford 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.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    Date not on fileEquipment26V011000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    Date not on filePower train26V376000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 677 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 233 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 166 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V369000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 26V012000 · Equipment
  • Recall 26V011000 · Equipment
  • Recall 26V376000 · Power train
  • Recall 16V698000 · Latches/locks/linkages, structure
  • Recall 17V052000 · Structure
  • Recall 18V169000 · Power train
  • Recall 18V845000 · Power train
  • Recall 18V735000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 23V905000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Ford Focus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Ford Focus is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Focus?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 57% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Focus have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.