2016 Ford Focus Rs
Common Problems
Ranked from 521 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
28 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Transmission shifting issues and slippage
379complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe transmission frequently shifts erratically or slips, causing the car to jump or stall during acceleration.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Transmission Shuddering and Slipping
128complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences shuddering and slipping during acceleration and shifting, causing the vehicle to hesitate and lose power.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure
22complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe TCM fails, leading to sudden loss of power, dangerous stalling, and transmission overheating, posing a safety risk.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Fuel System Vacuum Issues
16complaintsMedium severityFuel systemFuel system vacuum issues lead to rough shifting, stalling, and difficulty starting the vehicle.
- 5
Clutch Pack Failure
11complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe clutch pack repeatedly fails, requiring frequent replacements and causing the vehicle to experience shifting issues.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Steering Assist Malfunction
10complaintsLow severityElectricalThe power steering assist malfunctions, requiring significant physical effort to steer, posing a safety risk.
- 7
Check Engine Light and Unknown Warning Lights
8complaintsLow severityElectricalMultiple unknown warning lights and the check engine light illuminate, indicating potential electrical system failures.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Check Engine Light and Unusual Vibrations
8complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe check engine light illuminates with codes indicating fuel system issues, accompanied by unusual vibrations and shaking during acceleration.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Clutch Issues
8complaintsMedium severityTransmissionClutch issues cause the vehicle to fail to shift into reverse and experience delayed shifting.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Engine and Engine Cooling Issues
8complaintsMedium severityOtherEngine and engine cooling issues cause the engine to lose power, stall, and emit white smoke.
- 11
Engine Misfire and Stalling
8complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine misfires and stalls occur frequently, especially at higher speeds or under load.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine Overheating
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats, leading to stalling and loss of power, often during long drives or on bridges.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine Stall and Misfire
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and stalls, often without warning, affecting safety and reliability.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Engine Stall During Acceleration
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls or loses power during acceleration, often without warning lights, leading to potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Transmission Clutch Failure
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission clutch repeatedly fails, causing the vehicle to stall or lose power during acceleration.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) Malfunction
7complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe DCT malfunctions cause skipping gears, delayed shifting, and loss of power during acceleration.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Stalling at Low Speeds
7complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stutters and stalls at low speeds, often without warning, affecting vehicle stability.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Transmission Overheating
6complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission overheats, leading to erratic shifting and reduced vehicle performance.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Transmission Slipping Under Load
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission slips under load, causing the vehicle to shake and struggle on hills.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Clutch failure leading to shifting and acceleration issues
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe clutch repeatedly fails, causing the vehicle to shift poorly and experience difficulty accelerating.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Engine failing to start and power steering warning indicator illuminated
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine fails to start and the power steering warning indicator illuminates, indicating a potential electrical or mechanical issue.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Engine stalling at random intervals
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine randomly stalls while driving or upon takeoff without warning, posing a safety risk to the driver and other road users.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Fuel System Surging and Stalling
4complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe fuel system surges and stalls, often accompanied by an abnormal sound and check engine light.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 24
Check Engine Light Illumination Due to Evap Control System Fault
2complaintsLow severityFuel systemThe check engine light illuminates due to a fault in the evaporative emissions control system.
$100–$600est. evap system repair · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 25
Engine Overheating and Loss of Motive Power
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats and loses motive power, often leading to the vehicle stalling or failing to start.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls at idle, especially when using the stop-start system.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Fuel System Issues Leading to Stalls and Check Engine Light
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemFuel system issues, such as a stuck canister purge valve, cause the vehicle to stall and illuminate the check engine light.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Transmission Module Failure Resulting in Shifting Issues
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission module fails, causing the vehicle to shift improperly and experience jerking during acceleration.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.