Home · 2016 Ford Focus Bev · Complaints

What 1,137 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Focus Bev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,137)Crash / fire / injury (31)Transmission & drivetrain (646)Engine (218)Fuel system (215)Electrical system (77)Engine & cooling (46)Steering (45)Speed control (34)Wheels (15)Airbags (14)Body & structure (14)

Newest first · 1,137 complaints · page 43 of 46

Apr 8, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

ON MY 2016 FORD FOCUS SEDAN AUTOMATIC, I AM EXPERIENCING SHUDDERING SHIFTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. I COUNTED THE SHIFTING POINTS WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR. THE CAR SHUDDERS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I HAVE TRIED TO LET THE CAR SHIFT ON ITS OWN INSTEAD OF FORCING IT TO SHIFT BUT THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT.

NHTSA ODI 11083847

Apr 2, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I WENT UP AN INCLINE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HAVE A SLIGHT STUTTER. THEN ON A RECENT TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA AND WAS GOING UP A LONG HILL THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPM REVEVED UP THEN IT SLIPPED BACK INTO GEAR.ALSO IN FUTURE YOU MIGHT PUT THE TRUNK BUTTON IN A DIFFERENT PLACE SO IT IS NOT HIT EVERY TIME YOU TURN OFF THE HEAD LIGHTS. BUT BY THE TIME I GOT BACK TO TEXAS THE TRANSMISSION HAD SHUTTERED,SLIPPED AND GONE BACK INTO GEAR MANY TIMES. WHEN I WOULD KICK THE CAR DOWN TO GET INTO THE PASSING LANE AND PASS SOMEONE IT WOULD TRY TO STALL WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS IF ITS HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. AND THESE WERE IN HIGHWAY SITUATIONS LIKE I-20 IN DALLAS AND ON THE ROAD OUTSIDE OF AREAS LIKE THAT. IT WAS LESS NOTICEABLE WITH INTOWN DRIVING BUT STILL THERE.THE LESSER PROBLEMS STARTED APPROX. THREE WEEKS AFTER I GOT THIS CAR AND ALWAYS AT A STREET BY THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HERE IN CLYDE BECAUSE ITS THE ROUTE I TOOK TO TAKE MY GRANDSON TO SCHOOL. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS I HAD WERE ON THE TRIP TO AND FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHERE MY SISTER WAS ON HER DEATH BED AND THE DOCTOR TOLD THE FAMILY TO GET THERE.

NHTSA ODI 11082440

Mar 29, 2018

WHEN I DRIVE MY "BRAND NEW" 2016 FORD FOCUS THAT ONLY HAS 11K MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, STALLS, AND SHUTTERS. IT'S A ROAD HAZARD BECAUSE WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE POWER TO ACCELERATE WITH UP COMING TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY THE HIGHWAY. NOT ONLY DOES THIS CAUSE A HAZARD FOR ME AND PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT'S ALSO AN EMBARRASSING ORDEAL TO DEAL WITH. I HAVE WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP I HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR THROUGH 5 TIMES! FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND I FEEL VERY STUCK.

NHTSA ODI 11082030

Mar 21, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROUNDTREE MOORE FORD (2588 W US HWY 90, LAKE CITY, FL), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 11080660

Mar 20, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT ON 3/18 AT FAULT OF ANOTHER DRIVER TRAVELING EAST, PASSING A STOP SIGN, WHILE I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE HIT IMPACTED THE FRONT OF MY DRIVER'S LEFT SIDE. THE FORCE WAS HARD ENOUGH TO DESTABILIZE MY VEHICLE AND GO INTO 'CRASH MODE' CALLING THE POLICE VIA BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY. EMS WAS CALLED TO CHECK MY SHOULDER, LOWER BACK AND HEAD WHICH IS IN A LOT OF PAIN THIS MORNING. THING IS NO AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. I WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI 11080325

Mar 9, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "STEERING FAULT" MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE DRIVER NOTICED A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING ABILITY. AFTER PARKING, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE "STEERING FAILURE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WICHITA FALLS FORD (5401 KELL BLVD, WEST WICHITA FALLS, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11078369

Mar 8, 2018Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

WIPER BLADES STOPPING IN LINE OF SIGHT DURING RAIN AND SNOW CONDITIONS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOT BEING FIXED. HAS REPLACED WINDSHIELD AND MOTORS AND STILL OCCURRING. VIDEO SHOWING PROBLEM NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND TIRED OF RICART NOT FIXING

NHTSA ODI 11076807

Mar 1, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11075626

Feb 27, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

SOMETIME WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY GO FROM 2K RPM TO OVER 6K RPM BUT YOU CANT HERE THE ENGINE AND IT LOSES POWER AND STARTS TO JERK VIOLENTLY. ONCE YOU RELEASE GAS AND THE RPM'S GO BACK DOWN TO 2K THEN YOU CAN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I THOUGHT THIS ISSUE WAS JUST BECAUSE IT WAS COLD THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR LITTLE UNDER A YEAR AND IT HAS LESS THEN 20K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11075156

Feb 27, 2018

I HAVE A 2016 FORD FOCUS THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH IT. IN THE LAST MONTH THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME MY CAR HAS GONE TO FORD TO BE FIXED. MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START AND A FEW HOURS LATER TURN ON. IT WILL ALSO THROW FALSE CODES. AFTER THE FIRST VISIT TO FORD THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE BATTERY AND TOLD ME IT WOULD NO LONGER BE AN ISSUE. YET, ONLY THREE WEEKS LATER I AM BACK TO FORD BECAUSE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND DIED WHILE I WAS BACKING DOWN A HILL. I HAD TO HAVE FORD COME TOW IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THEM THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING AND SENT ME HOME WITH IT. AND NOW NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS LATER IT IS ALREADY DYING AGAIN AND MY TRANSMISSION STILL NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. MY RPMS RANDOMLY FLY UP AND THE CAR SHAKES AND FEELS LIKE ITS GETTING NO POWER TO IT. YET NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SO THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. AND THE ELECTRICAL IN IT KEEPS GOING OUT AND MY BACK UP CAMERA ONLY WORKS 5% OF THE TIME. THIS ISN'T ACCEPTABLE I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD HAVE BARELY HAD THE CAR A YEAR AND HAVE 30,000 MILES ON IT. AND THEY WON'T FIX IT

NHTSA ODI 11075270

Feb 24, 2018Speed controlBrakesEngine

TRANSMISSION FAILURE LOSS OF COMPLETE POWER JERKING SHAKING COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI 11074635

Feb 21, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

2016 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11074754

Feb 10, 2018Visibility & wipers

WITH JUST OVER 5K MILES, OUR 2016 FOCUS HAS DEVELOPED A WIPER PROBLEM. THE DRIVER'S SIDE, TO BE EXACT. THE WIPER ARM WILL GO PAST IT'S NORMAL STOPPING POINT, & THEN LOCK UP. BUT SOMETIMES, IT WILL STOP MID WAY, WHILE THE RIGHT SIDE WIPER CONTINUES TO WORK. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES ALREADY. THEY'VE MADE ADJUSTMENT, & REPAIRS, BUT IT CONTINUES TO MESS UP. EACH WIPER HAS AN INDEPENDENT MOTOR. BEGINNING TO THINK WE'VE BOUGHT A LEMON. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR SITTING STILL.

NHTSA ODI 11072073

Feb 6, 2018Seats

DRIVERS SEAT WILL SLIDE SIDE TO SIDE DURING TURNS. ONLY SLIDES ABOUT .5" BUT SLIDES NONE THE LESS. SLIDES LEFT TO RIDE. AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER FINALLY GETTING A NEW SEAT FRAME INSTALLED. THEY WERE VERY HESITANT, BUT THEN FOUND OUT ITS ON BACK-ORDER. BUT THIS COULD LEAD TO INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT. AS IT MAY HAVE YOU OFF CENTER OF THE AIRBAG IF DEPLOYED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND, OUT THIS PROBLEM ISNT FIXED WITH NEW SEAT TRACK IT WILL REAPPEAR AFTER SEVERAL MORE THOUSAND MILES OF DRIVING. STARTED TO NOTICE AROUND 7000 MILES, AND HAS GOTTON PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.

NHTSA ODI 11067248

Jan 30, 2018SteeringSpeed controlEngine

THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ALLOW FOR SPEED THAT IS NEEDED ON AN INTERSTATE. IT'S SLUGGISH, SLOW, DOESN'T RESPOND WHEN GIVEN GAS.

NHTSA ODI 11065823

Jan 25, 2018BrakesEngineCrash1 injury

THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 2PM ON FRIDAY 1/12. WE CALLED TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALAHIPS TO GET THE CAR SERVICED. BOTH MADE AN APPT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK BUT NEITHER TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. LATER THAT DAY IF HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR SO ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS HIT AND SUP SEQUENTALY TOTALED MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11064917

Jan 7, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, DUE TO A BROKEN STOP LIGHT, FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES..WHEN THE DISPLAY INDICATOR BEGAN ALARMING, AND SAID "TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING, STOP SAFELY" THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS WARNING INDICATOR TO TURN ON, AND THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO STOP RIGHT WHERE I WAS. I HAVE ALSO SMELLED BURNING COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICE THAT AT TIMES MY CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR IT SEEMS TO SHUDDER AND STAMMER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE AND INSTEAD GOES INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11060970

Dec 12, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STILLWELL FORD LINCOLN (3780 W CARLETON RD, STE M-99 HILLSDALE, MI 40242) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH AND SEAL KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 4,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED WHILE SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH AND SEAL KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11054215

Dec 3, 2017Steering

WE WERE DRIVING APPX 57 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, WHEN AN INFORMATION WARMING CAME ON SAYING STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED AND MY BOYFRIEND SAID ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD. HE MANAGED TO STEER IT HOME AND WE READ THE MANUAL ABOUT IT, THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND IT WAS OK AT FIRST THEN ABOUT W MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SO WE HAD IT TOWED IN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE BATTERY HAD TO BE CHARGED BECAUSE IT WAS LOW.

NHTSA ODI 11052113

Nov 27, 2017Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

FIRST PROBLEM WERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING VERY HARD AND ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN TRYING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. DEALER RECODED THE TRANSMISSION. CAR IS NOW STILL SHIFTING VERY HARD, SOMETIMES THE RPMS WILL HIT 4,000+ BEFORE IT WILL HARD DOWNSHIFT. OTHER TIME I HAVE HAD TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE TO GET THE RPMS DOWN. ALSO WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL THE RPMS WILL ALSO REV TO 4,000 WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. ON A RECENT TRIP WHEN I CANCELLED THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR ACTUALLY SPED UP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. CAR CONTINUES TO SHIFT HARD AND WHAT OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR HAVE DESCRIBED AS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. DEALER ALWAYS SAYS THEY HAVE NOT HEARD ANYONE ELSE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS FUNNY SINCE I GET CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT MAIL ABOUT EVERY OTHER WEEK ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11048612

Nov 27, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

FROM A STOP, WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SHUDDERING AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THAT SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR, ALSO WILL NOT PICKUP SPEED SO PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC IS DANGEROUS , THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS CAR. 2016 FORD FOCUS SE WITH ONLY15000 MILES ON IT.....PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI 11048638

Nov 13, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

FROM A STOP, TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHILE SHIFTING THROUGH THE LOWER GEARS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I GET A SHUDDERING IN THE VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T STOP UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11045617

Nov 11, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN REVERSING CAR OUT OF PARKING SPOTS CAR HESITATES. CAR HESITATES WHILE DRIVING. CAR STOPS IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CAR SHUDDERS AND HESITATES TO PICK UP SPEED. CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO PICK UP MY CAR THREE TIMES FROM FORD AUTO BODY SHOP THIS WEEK AND TOOK IT BACK WITHIN MINUTES AFTER BECAUSE IT IS NOT WORKING STILL. THEY REPLACED MY CLUTCH TWICE AND OTHER PARTS INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 11045296

Nov 4, 2017AirbagsCrash2 injuries

MY GIRL FRIEND ,AGE 72 WAS DRIVING THE FORD FOCUS AND TURNING INTO HER APT. COMPLEX, SHE WAS HIT AT ABOUT A 35 DEGREE ANGLE AND ALTHOUGH THE LOWER AIR BAG ON THE STEERING COLUMN DEPLAYED THE AIR BAG ON THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED.THE SEAT BELT SAVED HER FROM SERIOUS INJURY, BUT HER CLAVICLE WAS BRUISED AND SHE HAS SORE MUSCLES ON HER NECK AND THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BODY. THE LOWER AIR BAG THAT DID DEPLOY SAVED HER FROM SERIOUS LOWER BODY INJURY EXCEPT FOR SOME SWELLING AND BRUISING. HER VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN SHE WAS HIT BY A TRUCK COMING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION. MY CONCERN IS SHOULD THAT UPPER AIR BAG DEPLOYED THE SAME AS THE LOWER AIR BAG DID. IS IT POSSIBLE THE UPPER AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE,AND HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED THIS?

NHTSA ODI 11043308

Oct 27, 2017SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

THE CARS STEERING HAS ON 3 OCCASIONS IN 2 MONTHS LOST STEERING! THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS AND LOCKS UP AND WE LOSE CONTROL ON A TURN! THIS HAS HAPPENED AT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND AT 5 MILES . IT'S BEEN TO FORD 4 TIMES THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH CHANGED TWICE A NEW MOTOR MOUNT BUT THEY KEEP STATING IF THERE IS NO CODE AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN FRONT OF THEM THERE ISN'T ANYTHING TO FIX. I ALSO NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER BUT THEY DENIED THE CLAIM!

NHTSA ODI 11040503

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Ford Focus Bev verdict →