2016 Ford Focus Powertrain & Transmission Problems

The transmission in this model is horrible they already have recall for the 1.0L mine of course is the 2.0L its 2016 Ford Focus it has last than 165,000 miles. I already replaced put new transmission in it last year and here I am again transmission is out. And of course no repair shops will touch my car deal this known issues

The vehicle experienced failure of the DPS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission. The transmission began slipping during acceleration, hesitating between gear engagement, and triggering a “Transmission Overheat” warning. Eventually, the vehicle lost the ability to reliably shift between Drive and Reverse and would not consistently engage gears. The vehicle can start and move forward but cannot reliably switch directions within the same ignition cycle. The vehicle is available for inspection. The transmission malfunction created safety concerns due to delayed or failed acceleration when entering traffic. The vehicle hesitated and slipped under throttle input, which could prevent timely acceleration when merging or crossing intersections. Additionally, the inability to reliably shift between Drive and Reverse could create hazardous situations in parking lots or emergency maneuvering scenarios. The sudden transmission overheat warning and gear disengagement could result in loss of power in traffic. The issue has been confirmed by an independent mechanic who diagnosed transmission failure. The vehicle has a known history of prior clutch replacement under similar symptoms. The transmission malfunction is consistent with documented DPS6 transmission failures in 2016 Ford Focus models. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center. The manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited shuddering during acceleration from a stop, particularly at low speeds. This condition has been intermittently present for several years following a prior clutch replacement. In the days leading up to failure, the vehicle experienced difficulty accelerating and hesitation under throttle. A “Transmission Overheat” warning message appeared while driving. After cooling, the vehicle temporarily resumed operation but subsequently lost reliable gear engagement.

Transmission is slipping. Check engine light is on. Code P07A5 (3/3) Permanent Transmission Friction Element B Stuck on.

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 wanted the repairs done for the recall to see if that fixed the problem. I filled up my gas tank on Sunday. The car wouldn't start and engine light came on saying engine failure service now. I let it sit for about ten minutes and it hesitantly cranked and engine light went off but accelerates slower with loss of power. It keeps doing this intermittently and sometimes loses power, and struggles when idling. I cut off let sit and then is okay until I pump gas again. I told the service repair person what happened and handed him the key to drop off the vehicle. He said if the light was not on at the time he would not be able to fix it and they couldn't schedule my vehicle for any additional recalls that are greatly needed for the car. It is running terrible. It idles and intermittently loses power while driving. Evan at Ford (Greer) response was to wait until it got bad enough that the engine light came on and stayed on. This was at D&D Ford in Greer, SC. He said it was Ford's policy the light had to be on to replace under recall with no charge. I told him it is unsafe to drive if it gets any worse it could cause an accident. I have two children and his recommendation to wait until it gets worse was appalling. He kept backlashing Ford and stated he doesn't work for Ford he works for D&D and only represents Ford. I said to him he was not representing Ford very well and that it was highly unlikely they would agree with his statements. I asked for documation of this policy--it contradicts what he says.

When driving my car all of a sudden it loses power almost like it’s struggling to go but the RPM revs up and makes a loud noise and my car kind of got stuck for a minute and there were cars behind me then it started going but every couple minutes it would do that again rev up really loud even when I barely push the gas and lose power and then go I have no idea why it was doing that I took it to get it looked at, but there was no light on then a light finally came on and it came up with P07A3. Transmission friction element A stuck on. It starts end doing that with no notice. Light came on later after I tried to get it scanned. There seems to be extended warranty satisfaction things offered on vehicles at the same time mine was made. Same vehicle. But my number is not on the vin recall. But it exhibits same symptoms. The ford customer satisfaction program 14m02 covers same issues but my vin is not listed. This is a driving hazard unsafe that I feel is issues from their manufacturing.

The car shakes when I turn the car on. I always thought it was normal until they told me it wasn't. Also ive smelled like a burn oil smell... Ive gotten stuck on intersection, guessing its the transmission.. i had to put the car it park and put it drive to see if it moved. When it did moved the whole front car shook while doing the turn. That happened like 2x. Both times I've parked afterwards and I tried to put it in reverse and nothing. It did not reverse. And that was the last of it moving.

Something wrong with the transmission the one that Ford extended warranty on and my car is a 2016 and Ford extended it 10 years and they said it ended a few months ago as well as the TCM replacement I didn't know about because I just purchased the vehicle a little over a year ago.

Having fuel problems with this ford se. Adding gas after starting the car it doesn't run right. It misses n doesn't have power. Plus Transmission went out two times again. First time it went out. It was about a year ago. Now the second time [XXX]. First time was about a year ago. It was repaired. Because I had a car warranty from the car dealer ship. Now they won't repair it again. This ford focus Se had the double clutch in it Plus the notorious speed shifter known to go out. These transmissions are known to have problems. But the car place never told me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The powertrain/transmission in my 2016 Ford Focus is malfunctioning. Specifically, the vehicle shudders and hesitates when accelerating in low gears, causing delayed engagement and unpredictable power delivery. This issue occurs at low speeds, such as when entering traffic or moving through intersections, creating a potential safety risk for myself and other drivers. The problem has been officially diagnosed by a Ford dealership as a transmission/clutch issue, with a repair estimate of approximately $3,700. The issue has been reproduced consistently and confirmed by the dealer. No warning lights appeared prior to the malfunction, but the shuddering and hesitation are noticeable during normal driving. The vehicle currently has approximately 26,000 miles, which is very low for transmission failure, and the manufacturer has denied goodwill assistance despite the early and confirmed failure.

Lee County was working on the road and were replacing a section of Lazy D Farm Road and there was a section cut out and try to get across the section the transmission over heating light came on

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.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the floorboard. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and was jerking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the failure was more pronounced after the initial failure. The contact stated that later, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was orange. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the clutch actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to a problem with the dual clutch transmission installed in the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

It is my transmission problem, there is an engine light on and the shifting is very rough and it also jumps gears, i know ford had a recall for this problem i believe it should be under warranty it is the TCM

The transmission is slipping. Research shows it's a known issue. Ford has acknowledged the issue and extended support. My local ford dealership is refusing to fix the issue even though I fall within the extended service mileage. I called 2 transmission shops who refused to work on this specific model due to the dual clutch design and known problems. Attached is a letter I am disseminating requesting proper assistance with this issue.

Additional information related to a case I opened earlier today Vehicle: 2016 Ford Focus SE Component: PowerTrain – Transmission My 2016 Ford Focus has experienced three failed clutch packs with the Ford DPS6 PowerShift transmission. The first clutch was replaced at ~22,000 miles, the second at ~27,500 miles, and it now requires a third replacement at 80,000 miles. This is a known and dangerous defect that was part of a class-action lawsuit. Despite multiple replacements and low mileage, Ford is requiring me to pay over $4,000 for a third repair. This transmission causes slipping, hesitation, and safety issues when pulling into traffic or hills. I am requesting that NHTSA re-investigate or expand the scope of past complaints on this vehicle to include continued post-settlement failures.

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 the dealership to discuss this issue and the only thing that came of it was informing me that I was not eligible for a recall due to my VIN, even if I have all the symptoms under the TSB for my Ford Focus 2016. Since my car failed to start I was not able to bring it to Ford and have it tested, especially after asking if it is eligible and they insisted that it was not. No warning signs from the dashboard appeared on my vehicle to inform me of this issue. I travelled to meet with family and did not end up using my vehicle for a few days and when I tried to start my car, it would not engage. The only warning sounds I would consider a correlation before the problem would be a clicking from the starter pre-firing when I opened the door, and while the car was off.

I am writing you today because my ford focus with transmission DPS6,7SPDCT has all the same problems the older models have. Ford has stopped there 10 year 150000 mile warranty on there transmission on all models built after November 5 2015. Mine is January 1 2016 with all same transmission components. And all my warranty is ran out and still having transmission problems.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated. The contact also stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left or right turn, the lost motive power. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P2872 (Clutch "A" Stuck Engaged). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14N02 (Extended Warranty Coverage for PCM Reprograming in the Event of ABS Vehicle Speed Signal Related Communication Loss that Disables OBDII System Monitors); however, the VIN was not included in the CSP. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Transmission Control Module failed and i had that replaced. Now the clutch pack failed and had that replaced. Now it says transmission hot and to pull over. All of this has been recalled on 2012 to 2016 but for some reason my car is not and its the same powershift transmission. Im over 4000 dollars into these repairs and still having problems.

Purchased 2016 Ford Focus SE with 132,000 Mi on Wednesday June 11, 2025. Drove with no problem when I took it for a long test drive. Drove it Thursday June 12, 2025 with no problem. On Friday June 13, 2025 I thought I felt a little slippage going from 1st to 2nd gear. On Friday June 14, 2025 my 17yr old daughter drove it to the beach and while driving back home she got a msg "Transmission Overheating". She pulled over and called me. I was able to put the key 2 clicks into the starting position and switch to neutral where I got a msg " Transmission now Ready". I then put my scanner on it and was it read Shift Error PO7A3, Clutch "A" Disengagement P286F, Clutch "B" Stuck Engaged P287A. I took it to the dealer I bought it from but it was a As Is Purchase. Now I am stck even though Ford and the dealer knew about these problems.