Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 65 mph, the transmission erroneously down shifted causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into the center median causing damage to the undercarriage of the vehicle. During the crash no injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The contact indicated that prior to the incident the vehicle had experienced rough shifting. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered.. The failure mileage was 63,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting hard and the vehicle was shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted and the warning message "Stop Vehicle Immediately - Transmission Fluid Hot" warning light illuminated while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving, causing her to veer to the side of the road for a moment. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and merging into traffic, the vehicle inadvertently shifted out of gear and the engine started revving loudly. The contact depressed the accelerator, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 25 MPH and the transmission independently shifted back into drive (D). The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The failure had become recurring. Additionally, the contact stated that it then became difficult to shift into reverse (R). The vehicle was also occasionally difficult to start. The contact stated that after shifting from park (P) to drive (D) with the vehicle turned off, there was a message displayed stating that "Transmission Ready", start the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive fuel consumption. The contact stated that after fueling the vehicle, the vehicle consumed three quarts of fuel within 20-30 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) was malfunctioning, causing an excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as the VIN was not included. The canister purge valve was replaced at the contact's expense. Additionally, the contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the check engine warning light was illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal clunking sounds while shifting into gear. The contact did not recall whether a warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist, where the transmission clutch was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred a year and a half later. Additionally, the contact stated that while reversing on an incline, the vehicle failed to respond. The message "Transmission Overheating. Pull Over Immediately" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed the following day; however, the failure reoccurred on another occasion. The contact also stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound while coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken back to the transmission specialist, where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the message "Steering Assist Fault. Service Required" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee. The contact also stated that the hatchback had opened independently while driving and while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V698000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure). Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved to 4,000 but the vehicle failed to accelerate. Additionally, the transmission was slipping. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the steering wheel did not function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the contact stated that the shift gear did not function as intended. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not shift into park, drive, or neutral. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she turned the vehicle off, the vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed Transmission Control Module. The contact was informed that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, and then towed to a certified mechanic. The contact believed that the mechanic had diagnosed a failure within the transmission and had completed a repair to the transmission; however, the contact was unaware of what parts were replaced. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the vehicle started hesitating and there was an abnormal revving noise coming from the engine compartment while accelerating. The contact would depress the accelerator a second time to accelerate as intended. The failure was intermittent. The message that the engine was overheating was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the fuel pump had failed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to continue to drive. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 11 MPH. The vehicle failed to move. The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's neighbor pushed the vehicle into a parking spot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The mechanic used a scanner and retrieved DTC: P2837 and P287B. The vehicle failed to reverse. The mechanic informed the contact that the transmission control module had failed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to experience loss of speed, the contact would depress the accelerator and the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contact heard a grinding metal sound coming the floorboards. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store where the failure was diagnosed as the "transmission friction element A frozen in the on position." The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutches needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. …
Related recalls
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.
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. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026.
Power train › Manual transmission
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.
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.
Power train › Manual transmission
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 674 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Ford Focus, 57% of the model year's 1,183 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Focus transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-376 (manual transmission, Jun 9, 2026); NHTSA recall 18V-845 (manual transmission, Nov 28, 2018); NHTSA recall 18V-169 (manual transmission, Mar 12, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Focus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.