Is the 2016 Ford Focus a bad year?
1,185 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 674, 17× a quiet Focus year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2016 Ford Focus were filed between 31k and 95k miles. You're at 65,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Focus owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 674 (57%) | 31k–95k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 231 (19%) | 50k–89k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 281 (24%) | 37k–90k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 83 (7%) | 24k–75k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 45 (4%) | 32k–72k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 15 (1%) | 32k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 36 (3%) | 14k–56k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 14 (1%) | 11k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 15 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 13 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 12 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,185 complaints: 27 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 19 report an injury · 112 say the car was towed.
38 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
After the original recall to repair the stuck canister purge valve my vehicles fuel gauge is not accurate I run out of gas at 1/4 tank or 135 miles to empty.
While driving 70MPH on the highway - the car immediately shifted into neutral and then after a short period, slammed into a lower gear.
My 2016 Ford focus se gives me great concern when driving as the transmission consistently skips/jerks while accelerating.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Ford Focus: 10
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. 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.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving. An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. 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.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. 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.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. 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.
The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints. 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.
The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 190
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Ford Focus. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission…
Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date…
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Timing Belt Failure
Timing Belt Failure
Oil Pump Failure
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2015 Focus: 1,022 complaints, consider selling · 2017 Focus: 900 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford Focus year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · All Focus years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Ford Focus a bad year?
1,185 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 674, 17× a quiet Focus year. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2016 Ford Focus were filed between 31k and 95k miles. You're at 65,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Focus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (674), fuel system (231), engine (281), electrical system (83), steering (45). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 31k–95k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Focus have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 26V-376), Fuel system (NHTSA 26V-369), Equipment (NHTSA 26V-012), Equipment (NHTSA 26V-011) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.