2016 Ford Focus Safety Report
2016 Ford Focus Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Ford Focus
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Ford Focus. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (8) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (1174) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 29 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2018 | Compare against the 2018 Ford Focus with 800 complaints and 5 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Ford Focus before buying across this generation. |
Ford Focus Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ford Focus years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Ford Focus | 880 | 8 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Ford Focus | 1004 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Ford Focus | 800 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Ford Focus Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Ford Focus, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
502 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Ford onlyEngine
81 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Ford onlyFuel/Propulsion System
81 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Ford onlyUnknown Or Other
52 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Ford onlyPower Train,Engine
40 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Ford onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
40 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Ford onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Ford Focus
Reliability Score
The 2016 Ford Focus receives a reliability score of 80 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Ford Focus
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Ford Focus
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Ford Focus:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Failure Transmission issues are common, with recalls for both manual and dual-clutch transmissions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Cooling Issues Problems with oil/lubrication pumps and engine cooling have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Malfunctions Fuel purge valve malfunctions and rough idling have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical Issues Recalls for engine block heaters have been issued. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Ford Focus:
Transmission issues are the most common problem, with recalls for both manual and dual-clutch transmissions.
Recall Details for the 2016 Ford Focus
The following 8 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Ford Focus by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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. 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 April 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for thi...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: 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 plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.
Consequence: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification l...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Consequence: 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: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Consequence: 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: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall ...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Ford Focus
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Ford Focus with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The transmission in this model is horrible they already have recall for the 1.0L mine of course is the 2.0L its 2016 Ford Focus it has last than 165,000 miles. I already replaced put new transmission in it last year and here I am again transmission is out. And of course no repair shops will touch my car deal this known issues
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered unexpectedly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with dual clutch failure. The contact wa...
My car is showing signs of recalls but it’s stating that it doesn’t have any recalls. There is a recall of the transmission failing because of the clutch and causing the car to just randomly cut off while driving putting risk of a crash to me and my kids There is a recall on the fuel pump being messed up causing the car to cut off randomly while driving because of the vapors and that’s what my...
NHTSA Recall Number23V905 Recall Status recall Incomplete Ford performed an interim engine repair in 2024. Due to the unavailability of parts when the recall was initiated, it took approximately 8 months for the interim engine and repair to be completed. I received my car back in August 2024 and then a supplement to the recall was placed. After getting the car back, my check engine light came on ...
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While operating the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while idling, while low on fuel, while driving long distances, or while driving uphill. The vehicle shut off unexpectedly intermittently. On several occasions, the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle eventually stalled. The accelerator pedal was depressed to the fl...
The vehicle experienced failure of the DPS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission. The transmission began slipping during acceleration, hesitating between gear engagement, and triggering a “Transmission Overheat” warning. Eventually, the vehicle lost the ability to reliably shift between Drive and Reverse and would not consistently engage gears. The vehicle can start and move forward but cannot relia...
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding an ongoing mechanical issue with my 2016 Ford Focus. Although my vehicle currently shows zero active recalls, I have experienced a recurring and concerning problem. Each time I turn on the air conditioning and the air begins to blow cold, my engine temperature rises significantly and causes the vehicle to overheat. This issue occurs consistently a...
Transmission is slipping. Check engine light is on. Code P07A5 (3/3) Permanent Transmission Friction Element B Stuck on.
When driving my car all of a sudden it loses power almost like it’s struggling to go but the RPM revs up and makes a loud noise and my car kind of got stuck for a minute and there were cars behind me then it started going but every couple minutes it would do that again rev up really loud even when I barely push the gas and lose power and then go I have no idea why it was doing that I took it to ge...
This vehicle been having problems with heater
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled with the message "Transmission Overheating" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure milea...
Fuel purge valve is malfunctioning. Vehicle loses power and is sluggish. Idles very rough and sometimes has a loss of power. My car has been at Ford twice in the last six months and problem still isn't fixed. Complete engine was replaced about a year and a half ago due to recall issue which I don't want happening again. I do not feel safe driving this car. I made an appointment with Ford a month ...
Having fuel problems with this ford se. Adding gas after starting the car it doesn't run right. It misses n doesn't have power. Plus Transmission went out two times again. First time it went out. It was about a year ago. Now the second time [XXX]. First time was about a year ago. It was repaired. Because I had a car warranty from the car dealer ship. Now they won't repair it again. ...
Something wrong with the transmission the one that Ford extended warranty on and my car is a 2016 and Ford extended it 10 years and they said it ended a few months ago as well as the TCM replacement I didn't know about because I just purchased the vehicle a little over a year ago.
The car is stalling randomly with no engine lights coming on
Lee County was working on the road and were replacing a section of Lazy D Farm Road and there was a section cut out and try to get across the section the transmission over heating light came on
In the Ford 3 cylinder 1.0L Ecoboost engines there is a terrible wet belt system, there is a recall on the automatic models but nothing for the manual models, regardless of the fact that the manual models are designed far more poorly than the automatic models in the sense that the manual models have no tensioners and rely solely on the factory tension of the screws, keeping in mind that the belt i...
The transistor arm or tensioning arm for the wet belt, which drives the oil pump in the oil pan failed, leading to oil starvation to the engine, causing total catastrophic engine failure, and temporary loss of power steering, while driving, fortunately, I was moving at a slow pace in minimal traffic, however, this is a known fail point in Ford 1.0 L ecoboost 3 cyl engines, that Ford claims my vehi...
The clutch had to be replaced a second time and the engine became disabled while driving due to parts failure and it blowing up. This is all happening with 60,000 miles on the vehicle. My safety came into question with both failures disabling my car while I was driving on the interstate. The clutch was replaced and paid for out of pocket and I have been trying to work with ford about the engine bu...
Fuel pump went out and caused car to stall and leave me stranded on the side of the road when dash indicator showed 23 miles left to travel. I had this fixed through the dealership Drive Time sent me to mechanic shop as was still under dealership warranty.
Showing 20 of 1174 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Ford Focus
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Canister
Opened 2023-09-15 · Closed 2024-12-20
On September 15, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 98 consumer complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles. The RQ focused on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recall 18V-735 and 19V-515. In October 2018, Ford issued Recall 18V-735, which updated Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software in MY 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI engines built prior to April 13, 2017, and th...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Opened 2025-12-18
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 44 complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. These vehicles are equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission. Some consumers report a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. Based on a preliminary review of data currently availab...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Pump
Opened 2023-09-20 · Closed 2024-02-14
On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Ford Focus
Has the 2016 FORD FOCUS been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 FORD FOCUS has 8 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 FORD FOCUS have?
The 2016 FORD FOCUS has 1,174 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 26 involved crashes. 23 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 FORD FOCUS?
The 2016 FORD FOCUS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 FORD FOCUS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 FORD FOCUS involve power train (502 complaints), engine (81 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (81 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, power train,engine, engine and engine cooling.
How many crash reports does the 2016 FORD FOCUS have?
There are 26 crash reports associated with the 2016 FORD FOCUS out of 1,174 total complaints (2.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 FORD FOCUS have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2016 FORD FOCUS out of 1,174 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 FORD FOCUS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 FORD FOCUS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 FORD FOCUS?
23 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 FORD FOCUS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 FORD FOCUS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 FORD FOCUS is proceed with caution. It has 1,174 complaints, 8 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 FORD FOCUS?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 FORD FOCUS are: 1. POWER TRAIN (502 complaints), 2. ENGINE (81 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (81 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (52 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (40 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 502 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 FORD FOCUS?
Be cautious of transmission and engine cooling issues, as these can be dangerous. Check for recalls and address any signs of problems promptly. The 2016 FORD FOCUS has 1,174 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 FORD FOCUS?
The 2016 FORD FOCUS receives a reliability score of 80/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 1,174 owner complaints, 8 recalls, and 29 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Transmission Failure and Engine Cooling Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2016 FORD FOCUS?
Known issues with the 2016 FORD FOCUS include: Transmission Failure, Engine Cooling Issues, Fuel System Malfunctions, Electrical Issues. These are based on patterns found across 1,174 NHTSA complaints. 8 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Ford Focus?
Yes, there are recalls for transmission and engine cooling issues.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Ford Focus?
Transmission failures and engine cooling problems are the most common issues.
Can I still drive my 2016 Ford Focus if it shows signs of recalls?
Yes, but it's important to address the issues as soon as possible to ensure safety.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of transmission and engine cooling issues, as these can be dangerous. Check for recalls and address any signs of problems promptly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Ford Focus
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Ford Focus. The data includes 1174 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 8 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 26 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 23 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Ford Focus an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-15