general problems of the 2016 Ford Focus

When driving my car all of a sudden it loses power almost like it’s struggling to go but the rpm revs up and makes a loud noise and my car kind of got stuck for a minute and there were cars behind me then it started going but every couple minutes it would do that again rev up really loud even when I barely push the gas and lose power and then go I have no idea why it was doing that I took it to get it looked at, but there was no light on then a light finally came on and it came up with p07a3. Transmission friction element a stuck on. It starts end doing that with no notice. Light came on later after I tried to get it scanned. There seems to be extended warranty satisfaction things offered on vehicles at the same time mine was made. Same vehicle. But my number is not on the VIN recall. But it exhibits same symptoms. The Ford customer satisfaction program 14m02 covers same issues but my VIN is not listed. This is a driving hazard unsafe that I feel is issues from their manufacturing.

2016 Ford Focus, VIN: [xxx] power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm) this complaint details a recurring and severe safety defect in our 2016 Ford Focus. The vehicle's transmission control module (tcm) has failed twice, resulting in sudden, complete loss of power and dangerous stalling incidents at highway speeds. In January 2023, at approximately 8,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion while traveling on a highway. We were forced to execute a dangerous emergency maneuver across lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. A Ford dealership diagnosed a failed tcm which had, in turn, caused the clutch to burn out. In July 2025, after only 7,000 additional miles (total vehicle mileage ~15,000), the identical, catastrophic failure occurred again. The vehicle once more stalled without warning on a major highway, creating another life-threatening situation. The diagnostic codes confirmed the same tcm and clutch failure, proving the issue is a persistent, underlying defect and not a random occurrence. This failure is entirely consistent with the widely-documented defect in Ford's powershift (dps6) transmission. This problem has been the subject of multiple national class-action lawsuits and is detailed in thousands of other consumer complaints filed. The repeated failure in our low-mileage vehicle underscores that this is a predictable and systemic design flaw that makes the vehicle inherently unsafe. We attempted to address this critical safety failure directly with Ford motor company. Our concerns were met with dismissal, and despite being issued a case number, Ford has failed to respond to our calls registered letter. This vehicle is unsafe to operate. We are filing this complaint to implore the NHTSA to launch a formal investigation into this defect. The repeated, sudden loss of power presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death to occupants and other motorists. We believe a mandatory recall is urgently required. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of informati.

The car is shuddering on acceleration. Rpm currently rises and falls in an unnatural manner. Loss of power and gas mileage. This appears to be the same issue that other 2016 Ford Focuses are covered by.

When accelerating or breaking, my cars transmission would slip causing me to slow down whiled driving. Also, my check engine light has came on. It goes on and off unexpectedly. Car shutters and shakes when accelerating.

I tried taking out the car and it completely stalled and went into neutral when driving . Ford has a recall for Ford Focus 2014-2016 but apparently mines not one.

This is my second time reporting this the first time I reported this the person I talked to on the phone inaccurately put what I said and didn’t put what I said. I was on my way back home from a little road trip and I had approached a stop sign and had come to a full stop. When it was safe I took off and my car stuttered and had loss of power and became jerky, started to buck and would have delay and sudden burst of acceleration and it felt like the transmission was slipping. And the message transmission fault service now and my check engine light came on. I proceeded to pull over and let my car sit for a bit and turned off and on my car and the warming message went away. When I started driving again my car continued to have the same issues as well as reving high and not speeding up then randomly shifting and suddenly accelerating.

The car shut off doing 60mph it was very scary took it to mechanic it had 2 codes the check engine light was on they cleaned the throttle body it ran but was struggling and rough idling drove to work and it wanted to stall multiple times put it in neutral to get idle up at a light then it stalled at a light drove home very afraid that it would shut off again took to the same mechanic to explain what happened have appt for estimate to fix . I need this car for work and am very scared to drive it as is never know when it will shut off called the dealer that sold me the car and all they said was theres no recalls and bring it in. I had an extended warranty but they said I was over by 1000 miles so no warranty I wont drive it there its a long drive. Driving for many years I have never felt unsafe in a vehicle before this is very dangerous and needs to be resolved ASAP . Also still have a loan for this car that I cant drive along with the repair costs my wife called Ford directly and they said theres no recall and werent helpful at all.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that the gears were lagging while shifting. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle shut down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant. There was no indication of a coolant leak. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v905000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, on multiple occasions while slowing down, the vehicle would stall or attempt to stall before self-correcting and driving normal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

The tcm on this Ford Focus went out (it is available for inspection), which forced the car into limp mode. Fortunately, my kid was on a side road and not the freeway or it could have caused an accident. The car was taken in to the dealership on 10/06/21 and a new sensor was put in. It lasted all of a day or 2 before going back into limp mode, at which point the dealership told me that the tcm would need to be replaced but is on backorder with no eta. He also mentioned that he had about 40 other customers with this exact same issue and no resolution. It is essentially undriveable at this time due to this part being on backorder (and has been on backorder for months or even a year or 2).

Yes, I was on my way to school and as I pulled out into the first busy road along my way my car hesitated, jerked and was very erratic and eventually died completely, all power lost. I just barely missed being hit by another vehicle and somehow I made it within the double suicide lane. I was extremely terrified because I don’t know anything about vehicles and this is my first car so I called my mother. And from there she had it towed and repaired. And then due to further research I stumbled across where my car might fall within a recall that has something to do with a component on my transmission. This effect has put my mother out $4000 for a faulty transmission component sold by Ford. I would love for her to be reimbursed for that. Thank you.

My car idles up high often and the car will speed up on it's own. When at a complete stop it struggles to stay on. Sometimes it will cut off. It has shut off while driving as well. It jerks when taking off from a complete stop. After putting gas in the car it will not start immediately. I have to pump the gas pedal for a few seconds. It eventually starts. At autozone I had a code test ran on it and it suggested evap system needed replacing. So, I took it to have it fixed. Precision tune ran an additional test on my car, but there were no errors. They even checked for any recalls or repair issues posted online, but my car was not listed. They suggested I call the manufacturer. It still does it. I can also hear a scrubbing sound while backing up, but my brake pads are good. The brake light continues to pop on saying I need brake fluid. I had that checked and I do not need brake fluid. The engine light stays on. I get my car tuned on a regular basis. I've only had it for a soon to be year in June 2021. Also, there are times when the gas fumes are strong inside of the car while driving. I want to go on trips but I'm afraid it will shut off in the middle of the interstate.

Car runs hot while in motion on highway or city streets, due to gears sticking causing transmission to malfunction and I must turn off car to disengage for 25 minutes.

Car started trying to shut off randomly and accelerated and decelerated, then car wouldn't start was told the clutch was stuck sounds like a recall I saw online.

When car warms up about 25 minutes when accelerating from a stop the car jolts and shutters and shakes your body as you're holding the steering wheel. So it is very dangerous when entering an intersection and your go to accelerate and the car shakes your body because it's jolting because the transmission is acting up. This is definitely a safety issue and needs to be addressed.

Vehicle stutters and has trouble accelerating/staying in gear after coming to a stop or slowing down and starting movement again multiple times a day. Sounds like transmission is grinding daily when accelerating after being at a stop, or slowing down. Vehicle drops gears randomly while maintaining speed highway speeds. Made right hand turn out and even with the accelerator floored vehicle did not accelerate until almost rear ended when care just took off almost uncontrollably, was like it was in neutral gear and was just rolling for just under a quarter mile on city streets. Even felt like the vehicle might of been slowing down.

Tl the contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced and reprogrammed. Robert horne Ford (3400 s tomahawk rd, apache junction, az 85119, (480) 508-8831) diagnosed the failure and was currently repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and suggested the contact call NHTSA. The cause of the failure was not disclosed. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Canister purge valve, engine stall recall. I have been having this issue since I recieved the car febuary 2017. The issues was when I would step on the gas to drive, it would stall slowly the speed from its original speed and can feel a pull and push from the car trying to speed up even when I step on the gas pedal; the car moves slow, its like its trying to go up a hill with effort but tireless when its not even going up a hill. Its makes a loud clank noise when it tries to speed up. It doesnt feel smooth when driving. I had call the manufacturer Ford since January 2019. They ask for my date of birth to supposely look for me in the system and make me wait for 12 minutes, then they hang up the call. I made an appointment at Ford January 2019, they canceled it the day before. I recalled Ford July 2019, they hang up on me again.

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.

When it's driving up a hill it's makes a sound where as the speed stays the same and do want increase. I believe it's the clutch is scraping when it runs. When driving same level does the same but sometimes unexpected.

When I am in park my driver side floor is shaking and when I'm at a stop light and begin to go my car jerks going from 1 to 2 and it also jerks when I try to pick up speed on the highway.

Car will not shift and stalls speed omiter goes to 0. Car cut off while driving lights say hill start not available.

Transmission failure loss of complete power jerking shaking complete shutdown of power while driving on freeway. Dangerous.

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

When going from 1st gear to 2nd gear the engine/transmission struggles to change gear. Leaving you with a delay to accelerate which can cause injury & somewhat of a stall out while attempting to turn into traffic. It sounds as if the engine/transmission is going to drop out of the front of the vehicle. It feels as if someone is playing tug of war & can't hold onto the rope when it is shifting gears; so it feels like it will fall out of or not change gears. I was told that is what they are supposed to do by the seller at david irwin Ford in tyler, TX.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission failed to function properly because the gears were slow to change over. When the gears finally changed over, the vehicle lunged forward. The dealer (fremont Ford, 39700 balentine dr, newark, CA 94560, (510) 651-5600) stated that the condition was not severe enough to replace the transmission and clutch assembly. The contact was uncertain if the dealer provided an appropriate remedy and was waiting for the manufacturer to provide a solution. The vehicle was parked and stored due to the intermittent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the overheating warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle entered into "limp home" mode, which allowed the use of the vehicle but not over 5 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle experienced multiple engine failures and the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the transmission warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle still experienced hesitation. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 14,000.

I am writing to report a problem with delays in gas pedal responsiveness. This has caused several potentially dangerous conditions in the following scenarios: (1) the car continues to accelerate after the gas pedal is let off (2) there is a delay between pressing the gas pedal and receiving acceleration (this is not a problem with the car being under powered, it can accelerate fine at the same rpm. Here, it will simply act as if the accelerator is not down) (3) 3-point turns or parallel parking in traffic cannot be done quickly/smoothly, since there is no power for a few seconds once the car is in gear. The car will not provide gas to the engine when shifted into gear. This is most noticeable the car is first shifted, but can also occur at stop signs. When you release the gas pedal, the car will continue revving up, even if you switch the brake pedal. During continuous driving, when you release the gas pedal, the car will continue revving up, even if you switch the brake pedal, before upshifting. This upshift will also jolt the car forward. If this occurs during cornering, it can make turns less stable. These unpredictable delays and rough shifts make it harder to respond to different driving conditions and also make it harder for other drivers to judge your intent. Further, problems with jerkiness seem to increase in warmer weather. Potentially solvable with a software update, but the dealer could not correct this problem. Test drove another brand new vehicle and found some of the same behaviors, indicating it is an inherent design problem with the vehicle.

I bought my new car Ford Focus 2016 the vehicle was stopped completely and the car was in drive I did not hit the gas pedal, but the car started going back and forth, the car moved forward about 10 feet and I caused a crash. Miles 9,498 the car was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and nothing wrong was found.