2016 Ford Focus electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026INElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The vehicle experienced a catastrophic failure of the canister purge valve (CPV), causing an excessive vacuum that violently deformed and collapsed the plastic fuel tank. The deformation was so severe that it breached the fuel system, causing raw gasoline to pour directly out of the filler area and onto the ground when fueling was attempted, presenting an immediate fire hazard. Furthermore, the structural collapse of the fuel tank pinched and shorted out the fuel pump…

   NHTSA complaint #11769646 · source
2. Filed Jul 7, 2026PAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission overheated. Transmission fluid leaked but the computer in the car didn't let me know there was a leak. Couldn't move my car into reverse so I had to get a tow to Ford. They said it was a Transmission leak which caused the overheating. But once the car received Transmission fluid the car did not go into reverse. Clutch failed.

   NHTSA complaint #11748862 · source
3. Filed May 26, 2026PAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   We bought this vehicle from Carvana in February 2023. Since very early on owning this vehicle, the engine hesitated and stuttered when trying to shift from first to second gear, and would lunge forward slightly. In December 2024, I received a letter from Ford Motor Company about a customer satisfaction program, Campaign 24N07. The letter addressed the symptoms my vehicle exhibited, including engine hesitation, engine running rough, and engine stalling at low speeds, though…

   NHTSA complaint #11739970 · source
4. Filed May 20, 2026PACrash1 injuredTowedBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   [XXX] driving her 2016 ford focus hit me [XXX] she claims her btakes did not work hitting multiple times she hit me so hard her car flew many feet back. I believe her car was defective it was alittle snowy but nothing bad. [XXX] said her brakes did not work at all. Me and multiple cars were able to come to complete stop with no skidding i have toyota rav4. I think her car might have been told my car needed repairs. I was severely injured severe permanent concussion brain…

   NHTSA complaint #11738923 · source
5. Filed Jan 27, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngine

   I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding an ongoing mechanical issue with my 2016 Ford Focus. Although my vehicle currently shows zero active recalls, I have experienced a recurring and concerning problem. Each time I turn on the air conditioning and the air begins to blow cold, my engine temperature rises significantly and causes the vehicle to overheat. This issue occurs consistently and makes it unsafe to operate the vehicle while using the air conditioning.…

   NHTSA complaint #11713578 · source
6. Filed Sep 11, 2025IAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving the car other all of a sudden died on me and told me to put it in park I put it in park and then turned the key off and tried to restart it. It did not restart and would not turn of kept popping up a warning saying starter system failure. Could not turn my wheel or pit it in neutral to get it out of te middle of the road.

   NHTSA complaint #11686601 · source
7. Filed Aug 9, 2025FLElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car failed to start, it did not recognize it was in park. After trying to start my car with the keys it failed. My safety is put at risk, my car failing to recognize which gear shift it is in causes malfunctions while I am on the road, especially since I drive long distances at high speeds. I had a Master Technician review and preform a diagnostic on my vehicle and the codes formed for this test matched hand in hand with TCM issues under the TSB. After this, I went to…

   NHTSA complaint #11679525 · source
8. Filed Jun 12, 202567,855 miCAElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, an alarm sounded, the message " Pull Car Over Safely " was displayed, and the vehicle turned off independently. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and was restarted several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

   NHTSA complaint #11666609 · source
9. Filed Apr 4, 2025NMElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   I’m having a very difficult time with ford dealership there is a lot of information about this 2016 ford focus automatic transmission that has problems with either its dry clutch or the tcm transmission control module. It is revving high when you stop it doesn’t shift gears properly it jerks hard it won’t go into higher gears it will start reversing out of no were that’s a very very terrifying situation especially that me and my fiancé have a little boy in this vehicle. We…

   NHTSA complaint #11652818 · source
10. Filed Apr 3, 202590,000 miTXElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Remote Function Actuator (RFA) module. The vehicle was not repaired due to a lack of available parts. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11652549 · source
11. Filed Feb 10, 202558,500 miVAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was an unknown failure with the battery. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM needed to be replaced, but the clutch was unrepairable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was…

    NHTSA complaint #11641787 · source
12. Filed Jan 16, 2025FLElectrical System

    While driving my car started skipping from first to second gear and then lowering acceleration. When at a complete stop car would not accelerate and just revs through first and second gear making a pinging clicking sound. Brought to dealership to be told codes p0702 and code p0734 were reading. I've had the car one year and has been maintained. Before I got the diagnosis I drove to the dealership there was no lights on even though there was the issue and then right as I…

    NHTSA complaint #11636276 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology