The problem
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."
The risk
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.
The fix
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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 16V-698 (16V698000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 16C13 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock |
| Report date | September 28, 2016 |
| Owners notified | November 16, 2016 |
| Vehicles affected | 64,038 |
| Initiated by | OVSC |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the locks & latches
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 16V-698 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 64,038 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.