VehicleVerdict

2016 Ford Focus engine problems

The 2016 Ford Focus has 281 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

281

Engine complaints

18%

Share of year

7

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Focus engine complaints by model year512 complaints1999: 7 complaints2000: 512 complaints2001: 281 complaints2002: 122 complaints2003: 78 complaints2004: 35 complaints2005: 29 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 18 complaints2008: 21 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 53 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 499 complaints2013: 355 complaints2014: 446 complaints2015: 176 complaints2016: 281 complaints2017: 301 complaints2018: 350 complaints
Focus engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

23V905000EngineDecember 22, 2023 · 139,730 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 report

“ON NOVEMBER 4, 2018- WHILE MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN, THE 2016 FORD FOCUS I WAS DRIVING STALLED OUT ON THE MAIN ROAD. ON JANUARY 4, 2019 I FILLED OUT A COMPLAINT ONLINE WITH THE NHTSA-( HAVE BEEN GIVEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS) AT FIRST I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPLAINT WAS LOST BECAUSE OF A COMPUTER ERROR,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 4, 2018 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Ford Focus have?

NHTSA has 281 complaints about the 2016 Ford Focus engine — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Ford Focus engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 23V905000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.