Problems · by component
2016 Ford Focus electrical system problems
87 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Focus cite electrical system, 7% of all 1,196 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
87
7% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The vehicle was brought to a certified Ford dealership for an active safety recall and manufacturer extended warranty repair. Due to a malfunction related to the recall issue, the fuel lines were completely ripped off the fuel tank. This component failure is currently available for inspection on the dealership's lot. This failure created an immediate, severe safety risk. Severed fuel lines present an active fuel leak, toxic vapor release, and an extreme fire/explosion hazard in a public dealership parking lot. The physical damage was personally inspected and photographed by me on the dealer's lot. However, the dealership service center is actively refusing to execute the safety recall remedy or fix the severed fuel lines unless I pay out-of-pocket for an unrelated, standard maintenance battery replacement. Furthermore, the dealership provided a multi-point inspection report falsely marking the vehicle status as "all green" despite the severed fuel lines, and they have intentionally withheld the true condition of the vehicle and the required repair orders from the manufacturer's corporate tracking database.”
“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 electrical wiring harness. This short circuit caused a massive electrical spike that blew the high-amperage master mega-fuses located on the front of the battery box, causing a total loss of electrical power to the entire vehicle. The manufacturer's initial safety recall remedy (Recall 18S32) failed to prevent this dangerous recurrence, and the vehicle is currently at a dealership being evaluated under Customer Satisfaction Program 24N07.”
“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.”
“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 the check engine light was not on. The letter states that Ford Motor Company provides a one-time replacement of the canister purge valve, given these symptoms and the check engine light being on. When I called all the local Ford dealerships, they refused to do it because the check engine light was not on, and that Ford Motor Company issued this as a customer satisfaction program, rather than a safety recall.Everything that was listed in Campaign 24N07 is MOST DEFINITELY a safety issue, and should not be taken lightly. It is highly concerning that Ford Motor Company didn’t think to consider ENGINE ISSUES a safety recall. The class action lawsuit Vargas et al v. Ford Motor Company had a…”
“[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 neck back shoulder arm hand chest back muscle nerve damage. Dunno if [XXX] was also injured”
“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. Overheating poses a serious safety risk and may lead to engine damage or sudden breakdowns. Given that this problem appears to be directly connected to the operation of the air conditioning system, I am concerned that this may be a known defect or design issue that has not been addressed through a recall. I am requesting that this issue be formally documented, investigated, and addressed. I would appreciate guidance on next steps, including inspection, repair options, or whether this issue has been reported by other 2016 Ford Focus owners. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.”
Showing 6 of 87 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.