2016 Ford Focus Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
63/100
#4 most-complained of 9 Focus years
The 2016 Ford Focus has 1,181 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 63, ranking 4th worst of 9 model years, earning a 'Caution' rating. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 57% of complaints, with 10 recalls filed.
- Complaints
- 1,181
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 27 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 37 hwy
Top 2016 Ford Focus problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain673 (57%)
- Engine303 (26%)
- Fuel System228 (19%)
- Other108 (9%)
- Electrical System86 (7%)
- Steering45 (4%)
- Brakes25 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (2%)
- Structure & Body20 (2%)
- Airbags15 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners describe unexpected loss of engine power or stalling while driving, sometimes leading to a total loss of control.
- Some drivers report the transmission became sluggish or hesitated during acceleration, contributing to rear-end collisions.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes at moderate speeds, even when the vehicle sustained front-end or side-impact damage.
- One owner described the vehicle shutting off mid-drive along with a loss of braking ability, resulting in a crash.
- A driver reported smoke and a hot smell coming from the vehicle interior tied to a Takata airbag recall, though no fire damage was confirmed at the time.
2016 Ford Focus recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V376000Jun 9, 2026Transmission & Powertrain5,252 vehicles
Power train:manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
- NHTSA 26V369000Jun 9, 2026Fuel System257,868 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
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.
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
- NHTSA 26V012000Jan 15, 2026Other2,403 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026. This recall expands previous recall number 25V685.
2016 Ford Focus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Focus reliable?
- Compared to other Focus model years, 2016 ranks 4th worst out of 9 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 63 and a 'Caution' verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 57% of its 1,181 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Ford Focus?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints are the largest category, making up 57% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 64,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Ford Focus have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 18V845000 for clutch fracture risk on 1.0L manual transmission models, plus a newer 2026 recall (26V376000) covering vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under earlier campaigns.
- How does the 2016 Focus compare to the 2017 and 2018 models?
- The 2017 Focus has a Complaint Index of 25 and the 2018 has 38, both rated 'Good,' while the 2016 model's index of 63 puts it in 'Caution' territory.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Ford Focus?
- EPA rates the 2016 Focus at 30 mpg combined (26 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.