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What 1,143 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Focus RS

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 (1,143)Crash / fire / injury (31)Transmission & drivetrain (649)Engine (220)Fuel system (215)Electrical system (77)Engine & cooling (46)Steering (45)Speed control (34)Wheels (15)Airbags (14)Body & structure (14)

Newest first · 1,143 complaints · page 29 of 46

Sep 19, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS ON THE WAY DRIVING TO FIESTA FORD IN INDIO TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FIXED I HAD NO OTHER WAY TO GET IT TOWED DOWN THERE THAT MY WARRANTY,PATRIOT WARRANTY DECIDED NOT TO FIX MY CAR AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS REMIND YOU I'M A CAREGIVER SO DRIVING ON THE WAY YOU KNOW MY TRANSMISSION IS GONE IT STARTLED ON ME AND A DIESEL NEARLY HIT MEI'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE RECALL ON ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY SAID THAT IT'S TOO LATE THE TRANSMISSION BEEN MESSED UP SINCE THE DAY THAT I GOT IT IT WAS A USED CAR I GOT IT FROM COACHELLA VOLKSWAGEN

NHTSA ODI 11360003

Sep 16, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERED BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS. NO WARING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A LETTER HE RECEIVED FROM FORD FOR THE REPAIR OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND HARDWARE, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH MODULATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT DUE TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NORTHGATE FORD (8940 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45251), AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH AND HE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,552.

NHTSA ODI 11355410

Sep 14, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 2011 TO 2016 FIESTAS AND 2012 TO 2016 FOCUS MODELS. THE POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION IS A SIX-SPEED DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC, AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE GEARBOX INCLUDE STUMBLING, SHUDDERING, ROUGH SHIFTS, HESITATION, AND PREMATURE WEAR.MAR 6, 2020 DOES THIS APPLY TOWARDS MY CAR MAKE & MODEL????

NHTSA ODI 11354988

Sep 8, 2020Fuel system

WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE, WAS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND, RPM'S WE'RE GOING UP AND DOWN AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE. WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND EVEN IN PARK THE RPM'S KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN AND CAR WAS SHAKING AND VIBRATING STILL

NHTSA ODI 11353761

Sep 8, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS AND IT'S SPUTTERS,LOSES ACCELERATION AND FINALLY DIED. DOES NOT GO IN REVERSE. TRANSMISSION SHOT.

NHTSA ODI 11353829

Sep 3, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITHING 1,700 MILES. THE FIRST AT 64,000 MILES AND CHANGE, WHICH BEGAN WITH GRINDING IN 3RD GEAR AND PROGRESSED TO 4TH AS WELL. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A FACTORY REFURBISHED TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 66,000 MILES, LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER REPAIR. THIS TIME IT WAS JUST GRINDING IN 4TH GEAR. BOTH OF THESE OCCASIONS OCCURRED DURING DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND NORMAL SHIFTING, IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DURING BOTH OF THESE

NHTSA ODI 11353088

Sep 1, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE MANUFACTURED 06/2016. VEHICLE HAS SHUTTERED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SINCE PURCHASE IN FALL 2016. I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THIS AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT, IT IS JUST THE WAY THE 2016 FORD FOCUS IS BUILT. ON 31 AUGUST 2020 THE VEHICLE WAS OFF IN A PARKING SPOT. WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, TO BACK OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CAME ON. WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR READS R AND THE BACK UP CAMERA ACTIVATES BUT THE TIRES DO NOT SPIN AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE I HAVE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE APPROX 30 MILES SINCE THIS HAPPENED AND THE SHUTTERING IS MUCH WORSE THAN BEFORE. WHEN STARTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE STRUGGLES FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATION. VEHICLE IS AT 82,395 MILES.*DT CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND HAS REPLACED THE TCM WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL BUT ISSUE IS RECURRING. DEALER IS ASKING FOR $3,000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED #20B23 (REPLACEMENT OF CLUTCH ACTIVATOR MOTOR). CONSUMER PROVIDED INFO TO DEALER BUT VEHICLE IS NOT QUALIFIED DOES NOT HAVE ERROR CODES LISTED.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11352460

Aug 31, 2020Speed controlFuel system

I BOUGHT A USED 2016 FORD FOCUS 4DR SE AT AUTOCITY EL CAJON ON MAY 21, 2018 WITH ODO: 45,141 AND WAS UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY UPON PURCHASE FOR THE PRICE OF $15,164.23. OCTOBER 29, 2018- I RECEIVED A MASS EMAIL REMINDER FROM AUTO CITY TO CHECK IF THERE ARE ANY KNOWN RECALLS UNDER MY CAR. DECEMBER 2018- I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD VIA SNAIL MAIL AND CALLED A FORD DEALER TO SUBMIT A TICKET. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE RECALL AND WILL BE NOTIFIED ONCE AVAILABLE. NO RESPONSE BACK REGARDING THE ISSUE TILL THIS DAY. SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 18S32/ NHTSA RECALL 18V-735 *I WAS ADVISED AND COMPLIED WITH ALWAYS LEAVING MY FUEL LEVEL TO 1/2 TANK OF GAS UNTIL THE RECALL GETS RESOLVED. AUGUST 2019- RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE VIA SNAIL MAIL. SAME ISSUE. SAME PROCEDURES: CALLED FORD DEALER, LEFT A TICKET/REQUEST, NO RESOLUTION. AUGUST 10, 2019-WENT TO GET OIL CHANGE AND ALIGNMENT. STARTED TO NOTICE JERKING WHILE DRIVING, ACCELERATION ISSUE, CAR START TROUBLES AND ENGINE LIGHT TURNING ON/OFF. DECEMBER 2019-GOT AN INITIAL CHECK FROM NORTH PARK AUTO REPAIR DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT ON. DTC DESCRIPTION: P219A- AIR/FUEL RATIO IMBALANCE -I WAS REFERRED TO AUTOCITY TO GET IT FIX UNDER WARRANTY DECEMBER 9, 2019- I REACHED OUT TO AUTOCITY VIA EMAIL AND TELLING THEM MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN USING MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS. DECEMBER 19, 2019- I GOT AN APPOINTMENT WITH AUTOCITY AND GOT A RESOLUTION UNDER THEIR WARRANTY: PORTFOLIO SERVICE WARRANTY WHICH LEFT ME TO PAY $100 COPAY. RECEIPT SHOWS THE FAULT CODE: P1294 THE ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE WAS FIXED , HOWEVER, I AM STILL EXPERIENCING JERKING, ACCELERATION LAG AND TROUBLE STARTING WHILE USING THE CAR TILL THIS DAY.

NHTSA ODI 11352342

Aug 29, 2020

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS - IT IS NOT SIFTING SPEEDS

NHTSA ODI 11351948

Aug 21, 2020Fuel system

CAR ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE STATIONARY ON A STREET AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK AND THE CAR SHOOK AGGRESSIVELY BUT WOULD NOT START. I WAS STRANDED A BUSY ROAD UNTIL SOMEONE COULD PUSH MY VEHICLE OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC WHILE IN NEUTRAL. EVENTUALLY AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND CALLED TOW, THE CAR DID START UP AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF STALLED TIME. WHEN CAR STARTED, OIL AND ENGINE LIGHTS WERE LIT UP ON DASH. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS AT 88 MILES TO EMPTY. WHEN CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP, DEALER EVALUATED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FREEZE FRAME DATA SHOWED NO FUEL PRESSURE AT START. THEY SUSPECTED FUEL PUMP FAILURE, THERE WAS TANK DEFORMATION AND THE STRAP RETAINER POPPED OFF SHOWING TANK FLEX. FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED, AND FUEL PUMP AND ALL RELATED HARDWARE, EVAP CANISTER, EVAP PURGE VALVE. INVOICE EXPENSES TOTALED TO $1070.67. CALLED FORD DIRECTLY TO FILE COMPLAINT REGARDING SAFETY RECALL 18S32 AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2019 FOR THESE SYMPTOMS THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 18S32. RECALL STATES: "THE ENGINE MAY STALL DUE TO A STUCK CANISTER PURGE VALVE (CPV) WITHIN THE FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM. A STUCK CPV CAN LEAD TO EXCESSIVE VACUUM IN THE FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM, CAUSING THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK TO DEFORM, RESULTING IN AN INACCURATE OR ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE INDICATION, INACCURATE DISTANCE TO EMPTY (DTE), AND/OR OTHER DRIVABILITY CONCERNS. THE VEHICLE MAY ALSO EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP.

NHTSA ODI 11350688

Aug 19, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE TRANSMISSION ENGINE REVVING AND IS UP THERE IN THE SHIFTER

NHTSA ODI 11350202

Aug 13, 2020Engine

MY ENGINE HAD RUBBER PIECES IN IT FROM THE BELT INSIDE THE ENGINE EXPLODING - I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FORD WILL NOT COVER IT DUE TO THE TENSIONER BELT BROKE TOO WHICH IS NOT A COVERED PART

NHTSA ODI 11349094

Aug 12, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND START TO DRIVE TO CAR STARTS TO SHUTTER, EVERY TIME! UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO REACH AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR, THEN IT WILL STOP. IT FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS COMING OUT. THIS CAR HAS DONE THIS SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2018. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP 3 X'S A EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11348925

Aug 11, 2020

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS(TODAY BEING MOST RECENT) WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION ON A STATE HIGHWAY AND TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ON ITS OWN BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE DRIVER USING THE ACCELERATION BUTTON ON THE CRUISE CONTROL OR PRESSING DOWN WITH RIGHT FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI 11348711

Aug 11, 2020Fuel system

MY GAS TANK IS STARTING TO IMPLODE

NHTSA ODI 11348722

Aug 10, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

I HAD A RECALL REPLACED ON 9/18/2018 FOR THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS REPLACED MY CAR WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAD THIS PART RETESTED AND AGAIN IT DID INDEED FAIL THE TEST AND THE CLUTCH IS NOT PROPERLY WORKING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS ISSUE TENDS TO HAPPEN ON FORDS ABOUT 45,000 MILES. IVE ALREADY HAD THIS PART REPLACED AND DONT QUALIFY UNDER THE NEW RECALL ON THE SAME PART. ANYTIME I INCREASE IN SPEED MY WHOLE FRONT END SHAKES AND JOLTS. IVE PAID ATTENTION TO HOW IT WILL DO THIS IN GEARS1-2 ONCE IT HITS JUST OVER THREE IT EVENS OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11348374

Aug 7, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER, 30 DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION BLOWS IN THE MIDDLE OF A ACTIVE FREEWAY , I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK BECAUSE IT'S BEEN OVER 2 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI 11343844

Jul 29, 2020Engine

ENGINE TROUBLE AT 62,000 MILES - METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL

NHTSA ODI 11342142

Jul 27, 2020Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOSSY FORD (4570 MISSION BAY DR #4919, SAN DIEGO, CA 92109) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (TRANSMISSION FAILURE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY.*DT CONSUMER HAS STATED VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES.*JB*DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11341666

Jul 25, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

2016 FOCUS RS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR. RANDOMLY THE CAR STARTS BLOWING OUT A VERY LIGHT WHITE SMOKE WHILE IDLING (FROM WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED.) AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT CONTACTING MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY SEEM TO BELIEVE IT IS THE HEAD GASKET WITH A DEFECT. THIS SMOKE IS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN IDLING. ALSO I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE TO DEVELOP WHEN PUTTING THE AIR CONDITIONING ON FULL BLAST.

NHTSA ODI 11341413

Jul 21, 2020

MY ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING AND SOMETIMES HAS THE INABILITY TO RESTART INACCURATE OR ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE INDICATION INACCURATE DISTANCE TO EMPTY ENGINE STALL

NHTSA ODI 11340549

Jul 21, 2020Electrical systemLights

MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEPT GIVING OUT AND TO FIND OUT THE WIRE OF THE SOCKET TO THE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS MELTING CAUSING MY HEADLIGHT NOT TO WORK. I REPLACED IT NOW IT'S STILL MELTING AGAIN I'M AFRAID THAT'S THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING.

NHTSA ODI 11340535

Jul 16, 2020Electrical system

ODOMETER IS OFF BY 50,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN ALTERED

NHTSA ODI 11339849

Jul 14, 2020Engine

HAD A FEW INCIDENTS WHERE IF YOU FORGET TO HIT THE SHUT OFF BUTTON TO THE ECOBOOST THAT WILL SHUT YOUR ENGINE OFF DURING A STOP LIGHT/TRAFFIC STOP TO SAVE GAS, IT WOULD COMPLETELY STALL THE ENGINE OUT WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. ONLY HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF THIS,OF COURSE I'VE ALWAYS CHOSE TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO SAVE THE STARTER. BUT THEN RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, THE ENGINE STARTED TO LEAK COOLANT MAKING ONE THINK IT WAS A BLOWN GASKET BY THE WHITE SMOKE. AS I RESEARCHED I'VE FOUND FORUMS THAT STATED THAT IT WAS COMMON. BUT ONLY THE RS SERIES HAD A RECALL AND NOT THE STANDARD. BUT IF IT'S THE SAME COMPONENTS THEN WHY AM I TOLD ONLY THE RS SHOULD HAVE THE RECALL? BUT ANYWAYS MY ENGINE IS UNREPAIRABLE, CAUSE AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR IT DID THE SAME THING. IF A VEHICLE THAT COSTS SO MUCH WON'T LAST UNTIL A 100,000 THEN WHY SELL IT? IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

NHTSA ODI 11339241

Jul 13, 2020Steering

29,000 MILES - CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF STEERING SYSTEM VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. STEERING GEAR/RACK & PINION ASSY REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11339076

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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 RS verdict →