2016 Ford Focus Safety Report

The 2016 Ford Focus presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its real-world reliability and potential for critical component failures are significant concerns. With 1174 total complaints, including 26 crashes, 3 fires, and 23 injuries, the vehicle has a high volume of reported issues. The most prominent complaint pattern revolves around the POWER TRAIN, accounting for 502 complaints, often related to the problematic DPS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is frequently described as slipping, hesitating, and overheating, sometimes leading to complete vehicle stalls. This issue is so prevalent that it's mentioned in multiple recalls and numerous complaints, with owners reporting repeated transmission failures even after replacement. Recall history further highlights several critical safety risks. There are 8 recalls for the 2016 model year, addressing issues such as engine block heater cracking (increasing fire risk), oil pump drive belt failure (leading to engine stall and loss of power braking), clutch fracture in manual transmissions (fire risk), and canister purge valve malfunction (engine stall risk). Notably, the recall for the oil pump drive belt failure directly links to a loss of engine oil pressure, which can cause an engine stall and loss of power braking assist, significantly increasing crash risk. Another recall addresses improperly welded floor pan joints, which could reduce front-end structural integrity in a crash. Despite strong crash test performance, the high number of complaints, particularly concerning the power train and engine, suggests that the vehicle's operational safety can be compromised by mechanical failures. The recurring theme of transmission issues, engine stalls, and loss of power, as detailed in numerous complaints and recall descriptions, indicates a potential for dangerous situations on the road. The 26 reported crashes and 23 injuries underscore the real-world impact of these mechanical deficiencies, overshadowing the otherwise strong crash test scores.

Our recommendation: Given the extensive history of severe transmission and engine issues, coupled with numerous safety recalls, exercise extreme caution when considering a 2016 Ford Focus; a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, specifically focusing on the power train, is essential.