Ford Focus transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2018
1,460 of the 2,931 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Focus 2016–2018 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (681), 2017 (456), 2018 (323). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Focus transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 in depth | 323 | 39% | 59k | 12 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 456 | 50% | 50k | 25 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 681 | 57% | 65k | 43 TSBs · 4 recalls | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 7 · 2017: 38 · 2018: 59 · 2019: 209 · 2020: 159 · 2021: 112 · 2022: 200 · 2023: 232 · 2024: 220 · 2025: 170 · 2026: 54
Across the model years, half of the 934 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 28,000 and 87,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Clutch pedal stuck to the floor at intersection while vehicle was stopped and ready to engage first gear to go. Another driver helped me push my car to the side of the road. Kept pushing clutch but it would not come back to regular position.
Clutch sticks to floor and will not come back up. I experienced the issue after the car had been sitting all night on a very cold winter night in upstate ny. I went to put the car in gear and pull out of my apartment, but then the car stalled. I pushed the clutch pedal to the ground and tried to take it out of gear.
My 2017 Ford Focus se has a really bad hesitation when shifting through gears, it will roll backwards on hills after coming to a complete stop. Very horrible shuddering and vibration in front end. Clunking and chattering when driving. Slow response when accelerating. I feel like my car has to search for the gear sometimes.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was stationary, the clutch pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. In order to operate the vehicle, the clutch had to be manually pulled back up. The vehicle was taken to klaben Ford lincoln, inc. the vehicle was not repaired.
Takata recall. My car is only 8 months old and already has had the clutch replaced. It is showing signs that my 2014 did for it's recall. It is acting like it is going to stall and actually stalled on me in the middle of the highway 17 just south of maysville nc while I was driving.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V376000 HighJun 9, 2026 · 5,252 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- 18V845000 HighNov 28, 2018 · 2,828 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- 18V169000 HighMar 12, 2018 · 5,361 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- 16V479000 HighJun 28, 2016 · 865 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles manufactured August 20, 2015, through April 13, 2016. The transmission's differential pinion gear shaft may overheat and fracture.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Mar 4, 2026
- Certain 2015 - 2018 Model Year Focus Vehicles with 1.0L Engine Canister Purge Valve (CPV) Replacement (if required) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming Submitting Owner Letter
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Focus
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford Focus problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Focus years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 681; 2017, 456; 2018, 323. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (57%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ford Focus?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V376000 (2018), 18V845000 (2018), 18V169000 (2016), 16V479000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Ford Focus?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 28,000 and 87,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.