general problems of the 2016 Ford Focus - part 1

The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend, who owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact became aware that the steering wheel was extremely loose. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.

Stearing went out and car would not start after filling tank with gas.

Electrical power steering goes in and out and the dash displays “steering assist fault” warning, and the power steering goes out entirely. You can still turn, but it takes a lot more physical effort to do so. Since it goes in and out, it can happen at any time and is very hard to get diagnosed through a diagnostic if the mechanic or dealer cannot replicate the issue.

My 2016 Ford Focus se is stalling at higher temperatures while driving at high speeds, which is very dangerous. This issue occurs primarily during hotter daily temperatures. I have previously taken the vehicle in for the recall (NHTSA campaign number: 18v735000) related to the canister purge valve (cpv) malfunction, which was supposed to address excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system. However, this did not resolve the stalling issue. This has stalled my car out at interstate highway speeds (75 mph) which makes me lose power steering and acceleration and has nearly ended in accidents numerous of times due to this.

Continuously get the message steering fault assist service required. It’s impossible to turn the steering wheel.

Power steering fault light came on and the vehicle is very hard to now drive because it is difficult to turn the steering wheel, which could cause an accident.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50-55 mph, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "transmission failure" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The contact stated that the vehicle continuously lost and regained electrical power independently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the transmission was malfunctioning, and the contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the tcm was replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under Ford campaign number: 19n08. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,069.

The car is not running right I can feel shaking, but no one else can.

No issues with steering at all and then stopped for gas and when restarting the car got multiple messages regarding steering assist fault resulting in an inability to properly be able to control/steer the vehicle. Left stranded 5 hours away from home.

Car turned off while driving three times. Once when put in park it locked on a busy road. Replaced fuse to battery, still turned off while driving. Lights stay on and its a pretty new battery so thats nit the issue, when turning the key there is no noise, no clicking or grinding. Main issue is the fact it turns off while driving and the fact it locks up when put in park. That's helpful to no one. Windows can't be rolled up either which meant being trapped guarding a vehicle in 92 degree weather. Anti theft is literally so dumb and in annoying. Great thought, terrible in practice. Am currently waiting on tow truck. Open invention on what caused this now.

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 that 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 stated that the failure recurred increasingly, and the vehicle was downshifting unexpectedly while driving, nearly causing a crash. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond while shifting into reverse (r), and while shifting into drive (d). There was no warming light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18v845000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

On my way to the gas station to fuel up. Turned off car and when turned back on power steering malfunction light came on making steering a lot harder. Ran codes to find out it was a water damage fault based off manufacture design after doing research.

Driving down the windy mountain road and all power steering fails and the steering locks up and cause it to jerk hard. Can’t control vehicle at any speed. Not inspected but put on computer and it says steering module failure. 06/20/2023.

The car worked fine in the first couple months and slowly declined. The rpm will shoot up and down causing the car to jerk and not able to surpass certain speeds. It works sometimes, so when going to work in the freeway it was fine then it started acting up again, causing other cars to almost crash into me. I had to drive with hazards and luckily I was able to safely pull to the side. Instances like this occur a lot more now because the car doesn’t act normal anymore. I took it to a mechanic and it was a gear issue and a module error. I had asked how I was to fix it, and they said only main dealerships can fix a module board. It’s making my transmission overheat and now my steering wheel is stuck and won’t move.

Car stalled at stop sign after filling up on gas. Completely shut off. Would not start back up for 30 seconds. No check engine lights on. It has done this multiple times and I have taken it to the shop but they can’t find a problem. I know there was a recall on the 2. 0 but this is a 1. 0.

Electric steering rack failed while driving, making steering almost impossible.

The transmission started failing in 2020 and part of it was repaired on a recall and part we had to pay out of pocket. The entire steering rack failed in July of 2022 requiring replacement. Reports suggest this is a known issue yet Ford offered nothing. Now the transmission is slipping and failing again less than two years since being repaired by Ford. This is a critical safety issue and they can't diagnose the car for 4-6 weeks and are offering no rental assistance for a known factory defect. These cars are dangerous and the fact that Ford won't do anything to jump on the problem when it happens means more liability for the drivers of these vehicles.

While driving my 2016 Ford Focus, the electric power steering suddenly failed. Instantly, it became extremely difficult to steer and fortunately, I was able to get the car off the road without causing an accident. A “steering assist fault” appeared on the information screen as well. This car has only 24300 miles on it. I firmly believe this is a serious safety issue and a recall is in order.

Power steering failed while driving making it difficult to steer car.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while reversing into the driveway, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,500.

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, she made a left turn and the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle crashed into the side of a house. There were people inside the house, however, they were not injured and medical attention was not received. The contact did not have her seat belt on and her face hit the dashboard upon impact. The air bags deployed. The contact did not receive medical attention on the scene but later went to the hospital for injuries sustained to her face. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,720.

Returning home when a red warning about total power steering loss. Could not steer the car while going about 25mph. Narrowly missed parked cars and eventually went onto the sidewalk where some kids were playing before I stopped. Pushed the car onto the street and towed it to my driveway. Very very lucky! cannot steer car.

I have had the clutch in this vehicle replaced 3 times and it currently has 37014 miles. I have had the steering wheel replaced because the heated steering wheel didn't work. I had the transmission module reprogrammed 3 times. And now my backup camera suddenly turns pitch black. It's random. I could just go into reverse and it is already pitch black. Or I could be reversing with a clear screen and then it turns pitch black.

The electronic steering rack has locked up and the vehicle will not turn with out forcing the steering wheel. This happened luckily as we made a sharp turn into a parking spot and not driving down the highway.

Engine caught fire 2 weeks after service dept at vic bailey Ford replaced. Incident report. Total loss and lawsuit coming if not compensated for property damage and emotional distress. Engine ignited with me in vehicle! service bay released car to me 2 weeks ago. Told them was not fixed for 2 weeks waited on appt. Oil light came on after dropping of daughter to school. Multiple witnesses and videos of fire under car and then blew due to heat source which was all supposedly fixed. I was driving the car and pulled over as soon as oil light came on and I smelled smoke. Turned into nearest parking lot off highway 221, spartanburg SC. Roebuck fire dept responded. Will not driver a vehicle from Ford ever again!.

Hello, my car lost the ability to steer while driving at highway speeds and in a turn. It went out like a light bulb would. No warning. I was luckly as no traffic was coming when this happened and the arch of the curve was favorable for this situation. I noticed the warning light came on power steering assist fault. God forbid if I would have had my grandchildren with me and there was traffic!! this has been identified as an issue before with earlier modles and a recall was issued but the issue still remains with the newer modles as well. Someone will have a terrible accident soon with the possibility of loss of life. Please look into this as it is just a matter of time before something unfortunate happens. Thank you! :-) timothy ussery.

Tl-the contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the steering malfunctioned when he tried to pull out of his driveway. The steering was almost impossible to turn the vehicle especially from a stopped position. The dealer and the manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The contact stated that they had just bought vehicle three months ago from the dealer Dodge Chrysler Jeep ram of winter haven 299 cypress gardens blvd, winter haven, FL 33880 (888) 612-3182. The contact suspects they were sold the vehicle with the steering condition already present. The failure mileage was 69,000. Tf.

Turned vehicle on, there was no power steering. Turned vehicle off and turned it back on. Still, steering wheel felt like it was locked. Thankfully we weren't driving. With much difficulty, was able to get vehicle down the street to Ford dealership. Ford says complete replacement of power steering unit is required to fix the problem. 35k miles on vehicle.

There are class action suits over the transmission/clutch recalls for the Focus. Ford dealers chapman Ford, horsham and hoffman Ford, harrisburg, PA, are refusing to repair the Ford Focus 2016 clutch that is slipping (about 48,000 miles) with their reason being that the car has a branded title. The car was in a minor accident that only affected the side opposite the transmission, and any dealer can clearly see that all the transmission and surrounding areas are not damaged and are original Ford parts. It was really a small amount of body work on the opposing side. If a clutch 'blows up', the driver can have serious leg damage, and also this is a safety issue and crash possibility. Since the transmission was not affected at all in the branded title, Ford should repair it for free. The transmission/clutch issues are all over the internet and since Ford has quit making the Focus, it is evident that Ford knows they have created the clutch issue. This and the canister purge valve recall are very dangerous. You would not want your daughter driving this car, and it needs repaired this week. Ford needs to take care of the situation they knowingly created. The branded title has nothing to do at all with the transmission issues. Even the dealers have admitted that. Chapman Ford, horsham has diagnosed a slipping clutch. I have paperwork.

Steering assist fault. Hard to move the steering wheel. Fortunately it was when starting it this morning.

I bought 2016 Ford Focus, total 55,000 miles on it now 2018 and nothing but trouble in the first 6 months and there after , always in the garage for drive train 2 years now, straps on roof fell off twice , trunk out of line,new tires bought at 26,000 miles . Wire harness totally shut down car in 2017 while doing 65 on the highway , could not steer the car or stop it , brakes went to the floor car total shut down and this year 2018 the steering froze up at 55,000 miles, could not steer the car,, car runs like crap has power then no power, don't dare to pull out in traffic unless I have a long free space to get in, cause it hesitates, back up camera wont shut off till I have gone 100 feet forward , 2018 phone system keeps failing, new brakes, twice I almost got killed, cause I could not stop or steer the car on the highway I am so done with Ford and this car. . Performance is the worst I have ever seen in a car,, I could go to the garage every week cause the performance is so bad, done done done, if I had gotten killed in this car the two worst times it failed, my family would have sued Ford and as far as I am concerned they should have taken the car back, would have been alot less head aches than a death law suit.

I drove the car the morning of the incident, no problems occurred . I went to a gas station later in the day. When I came back out and started the vehicle it said steering assist fault service required. Steering wheel locked up.

2016 Ford Focus se. Consumer writes in regards to crooked steering wheel and defective charging ports and bluetooth.

The transmission doesn't allow for speed that is needed on an interstate. It's sluggish, slow, doesn't respond when given gas.

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.