2016 Ford Focus
Common Problems
Ranked from 487 federal NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
33 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 Overheating
333complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe transmission overheats, causing the vehicle to stall or fail to restart, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 2
Clutch Failure
94complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe clutch repeatedly fails, requiring multiple replacements and causing driving difficulties.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 3
Transmission Shuddering and Slipping
20complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences shuddering and slipping, leading to delayed acceleration and jerky shifts.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 4
Dual Clutch Transmission Failure
16complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe dual clutch transmission frequently fails, requiring multiple replacements.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 5
Transmission Shuddering and Jerking
14complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shudders and jerks, leading to delayed acceleration and difficulty in shifting gears.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 6
Transmission Shifting Issues
13complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission frequently fails to shift properly, resulting in jerking, hesitating, and loss of power during acceleration.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 7
Check Engine Light Illumination
12complaintsLow severityElectricalThe check engine light illuminates due to various issues, often related to the transmission or engine performance.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 26V011000, 26V012000
- 8
Clutch Issues
12complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe clutch malfunctions, causing the vehicle to hesitate, jerk, or fail to engage gears smoothly.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 9
Engine and Transmission Overheating
12complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine and transmission overheat, leading to a loss of power or vehicle stalling.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 10
Transmission Failure to Shift Properly
12complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to shift into proper gears, resulting in jerky shifts and difficulty in acceleration.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 11
Check Engine Light Illumination Due to Fuel System Issues
10complaintsLow severityFuel systemThe check engine light illuminates due to fuel system problems, such as the canister purge valve malfunctioning.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V735000, 26V369000
- 12
Engine Stall and Loss of Power
8complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly, often accompanied by a loss of power or hesitation.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 13
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure
7complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission control module malfunctions, causing erratic shifting and transmission faults, leading to vehicle instability.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 14
Vehicle Stalling
7complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe vehicle stalls unexpectedly, often due to issues with the fuel system or engine performance.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V735000, 26V369000
- 15
Transmission Fault Warning Light
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission fault warning light is frequently appearing, indicating potential transmission issues.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 16
Transmission Shudder During Acceleration
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shudders and jerks during acceleration, causing the vehicle to hesitate and lose power.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 17
Vehicle Stalling and Loss of Power
6complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe vehicle stumbles and loses power, often accompanied by a check engine light and fuel system warning.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V735000, 26V369000
- 18
Clutch Actuator Malfunction
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe clutch actuator malfunctions, causing the transmission to skip gears and fail to engage properly.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 19
Engine Misfire and Stalling
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and stalls unexpectedly, often without warning, affecting vehicle performance and safety.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 20
Engine Overheating and Stalling
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats and stalls unexpectedly, often without warning, affecting vehicle performance and reliability.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 21
Random Misfires
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine is experiencing random misfires, leading to loss of power and difficulty in shifting.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 22
Steering System Malfunction
5complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering system intermittently fails, causing difficulty in turning the steering wheel and displaying 'steering assist fault' warnings.
- 23
Transmission Failure Leading to Stalling
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails, causing the vehicle to stall and become unresponsive, posing a safety risk.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 24
Check Engine Light Due to Transmission Fault
4complaintsLow severityTransmissionThe check engine light illuminates due to a transmission fault, often requiring a repair or replacement.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V845000, 18V169000, 26V376000
- 25
Stalling at Stop Signs
4complaintsLow severityOtherThe vehicle stalled at stop signs after refueling, preventing it from starting back up immediately.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Vacuum System Failure
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle due to a vacuum system failure, often related to the canister purge valve.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 27
Steering Module Failure
3complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe electric steering module is failing, causing the steering to lock up and become difficult to control.
- 28
Canister Purge Valve Failure Causing Stalls
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe canister purge valve failure causes the vehicle to stall at various speeds, often requiring a recall repair.
$100–$600est. evap system repair · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V735000, 26V369000
- 29
Check Engine Warning Light and Unexplained Stalls
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine warning light illuminates, and the vehicle experiences unexplained stalls and loss of motive power.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 30
Engine and Transmission Issues Leading to Loss of Motive Power
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe engine and transmission issues lead to the vehicle losing motive power and stalling, often without warning lights.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 31
Engine Oil Consumption and Loss of Power
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil and loses power, often requiring multiple repairs and replacements.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
- 32
Sunroof exploding without impact
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof suddenly explodes without any impact, causing damage to the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
- 33
Vehicle rolling back unexpectedly
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe car rolls back unexpectedly when the brake pedal is released, posing a safety risk to the driver and passengers.
Related recalls: 23V905000, 26V011000, 26V012000
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.