2016 Ford Focus engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V905000Dec 22, 2023139,730 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

  Risk: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 25, 2026TXEngineOther / Unknown

   I was driving 75mph down i-10 at 11:30pm and my focus sunddenly died, i had to push the car to the shoulder. Information flashed not in park and started ghostly trying to start on its own, i believe the tcm failed. I had to have it towed.

   NHTSA complaint #11759582 · source
2. Filed Aug 19, 2026TXEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped accelerating. The contact safely pulled into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was inoperable and was waiting to be towed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was previously contacted about the recall but was…

   NHTSA complaint #11757916 · source
3. Filed Jul 22, 2026INEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car would not accelerate when pressing accelerator, they said the clutch assembly malfunctioned, confirmed by documentation. Myself and others had our safety at risk because the car could not be controlled properly while on the road. The car was taken to the dealer and they confirmed the problem. The dealer's service center gave inspection, and confirmed the problem. The warning message did not appear until after the problem put myself and others' safety at risk.

   NHTSA complaint #11751981 · source
4. Filed Jun 3, 2026UTEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   When I bought the car it stuttered it ended up being the clutch then my transmission went out The bolt in my engine mount broke and my engine was basically on the ground

   NHTSA complaint #11741924 · source
5. 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
6. 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
7. Filed May 5, 2026PAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Ford Motor issued two safety recalls regarding this, but has since closed them without providing a safe resolution for consumers. July 8 2019 Ford issued Ford Safety Recall program 19S22 (following 18S32) for stuck open canister purge valve (CPV). This can result in a failure to bleed the vacuum from the gas tank, and deforms the gas tank upon failure. This has been confirmed, reproduced, and recalled by Ford before, but continues to happen nationwide to Ford Focus ST owners…

   NHTSA complaint #11735835 · source
8. Filed Feb 16, 2026INEngine

   NHTSA Recall Number23V905 Recall Status recall Incomplete Ford performed an interim engine repair in 2024. Due to the unavailability of parts when the recall was initiated, it took approximately 8 months for the interim engine and repair to be completed. I received my car back in August 2024 and then a supplement to the recall was placed. After getting the car back, my check engine light came on but Ford advised that it didn't have anything to do with the engine replacement…

   NHTSA complaint #11718286 · source
9. Filed Feb 11, 2026150,000 miAREngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. While operating the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while idling, while low on fuel, while driving long distances, or while driving uphill. The vehicle shut off unexpectedly intermittently. On several occasions, the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle eventually stalled. The accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal became firm. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11717299 · source
10. 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
11. Filed Jan 13, 2026SCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    Fuel purge valve is malfunctioning. Vehicle loses power and is sluggish. Idles very rough and sometimes has a loss of power. My car has been at Ford twice in the last six months and problem still isn't fixed. Complete engine was replaced about a year and a half ago due to recall issue which I don't want happening again. I do not feel safe driving this car. I made an appointment with Ford a month ago for tomorrow for same stalling issue. I went to drop off and explain I…

    NHTSA complaint #11710571 · source
12. Filed Nov 1, 2025NJEngine

    In the Ford 3 cylinder 1.0L Ecoboost engines there is a terrible wet belt system, there is a recall on the automatic models but nothing for the manual models, regardless of the fact that the manual models are designed far more poorly than the automatic models in the sense that the manual models have no tensioners and rely solely on the factory tension of the screws, keeping in mind that the belt is both rubber and sitting in hot oil when in use, if not a money grab, my best…

    NHTSA complaint #11696939 · 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