2016 Ford Focus Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 674 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2016 Ford Focus, 57% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 64,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “control module” (8% of reports).
- 674power train complaints
- 64,000median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,750typical repair cost reported by owners
- 28%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Control module: mentioned in 54 of 674 complaints (8%)
- Transmission clutch: mentioned in 51 of 674 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2016 Ford Focus at $2,750, and half of them between $1,800 and $3,500.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2020–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 474 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 674 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Ford Focus power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Focus | 319 | 38% | 56,000 |
| 2017 Focus | 454 | 51% | 50,000 |
| 2016 Focus | 674 | 57% | 64,000 |
| 2015 Focus | 559 | 55% | 60,000 |
| 2014 Focus | 1,576 | 61% | 40,500 |
| 2013 Focus | 1,102 | 52% | 39,000 |
| 2012 Focus | 1,446 | 38% | 55,000 |
| 2011 Focus | 20 | 18% | 61,000 |
| 2010 Focus | 45 | 16% | 63,000 |
| 2009 Focus | 39 | 17% | 57,641 |
| 2008 Focus | 23 | 9% | 77,000 |
| 2007 Focus | 43 | 11% | 53,250 |
| 2006 Focus | 14 | 7% | 58,127 |
| 2005 Focus | 47 | 11% | 53,500 |
| 2004 Focus | 20 | 5% | 34,190 |
| 2003 Focus | 48 | 5% | 19,000 |
| 2002 Focus | 58 | 6% | 40,350 |
| 2001 Focus | 90 | 5% | 41,500 |
| 2000 Focus | 225 | 6% | 38,610 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-169.
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicle is subject to NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 18V-735 (Ford Recall 18S32) regarding a defective Canister Purge Valve (CPV) that causes fuel vapor saturation, excessive fuel tank vacuum, fuel tank deformation, and engine stalling.The vehicle presented with an active check engine light for…
The DPS6 transmission started out shuddering in low gears even after clutch replacement early on. This made pulling out into traffic slower than it should be. Received âtransmission overheatingâ message âpull over for 5 minutesâ in heavy traffic. Prior to the message car would shudder and…
My duel clutch transmission started acting up took it to a mechanic they said it needed the TCM and Actuators and possibly transmission replaced that they should be recalled tried taking it to Thirnhill Ford because I received a letter for this to be changed and they refused without me paying up…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 Ford Focuss have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 674 owner complaints about power train for the 2016 Ford Focus (57% of the 1,183 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford Focus power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 64,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2016 Ford Focus?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,750 (half paid between $1,800 and $3,500), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2016 Ford Focus?
The most frequent phrase is “control module”, in 54 of 674 complaints, followed by “transmission clutch” (51).
Other 2016 Ford Focus problems
See all 2016 Ford Focus problems or power train problems across all Focus years.