Problems · by component
2016 Ford Focus engine problems
238 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Focus cite engine, 20% of all 1,196 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
238
20% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 diagnostic trouble code P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold). Ford technical service instructions under Recall 18S32 explicitly link code P0420 to a stuck-open CPV dumping unmetered fuel vapors into the exhaust stream. The franchised dealership initially performed only a software calibration without replacing the mechanical valve.Upon return, the dealership confirmed the defect and replaced the CPV under recall warranty at no charge on Repair Order # 872120. However, dealership service management refused to inspect the catalytic converter for secondary fuel-wash damage unless an unauthorized $220 customer diagnostic fee was paid. The technician cleared the diagnostic trouble codes in the stall without executing the required OBD-II drive cycle. Repair Order # 872120, Line C explicitly documents: "VEHICLE RELEASED FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF RECALL 18S32 WHERE…”
“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.”
“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.”
“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”
“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”
Showing 6 of 238 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.