2016 Ford Focus: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · NC

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 federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 15,060 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into second gear while driving. The contact stated there was an abnormal grinding sound while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10-50 MPH, the vehicle began to slow down and kick back. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission control module, purge valve, and power control module failure, and a software reprogramming was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who replaced the transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 15,060.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 30 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated, and a grinding sound was heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated, and jolted while responding. The message "Service Transmission” was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the transmission was slipping out of gear, and the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. A relative, who was a mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2024 · Transmission · 124,079 miles · MN

The transmission has a problem with shifting shaking, slipping, grinding

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while pulling out a parking space, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the clutch and the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the transmission control module was covered; however, the clutch was not covered. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · IA

Car turned off while driving three times. Once when put in park it locked on a busy road. Replaced fuse to battery, still turned off while driving. Lights stay on and its a pretty new battery so thats nit the issue, when turning the key there is no noise, no clicking or grinding. Main issue is the fact it turns off while driving and the fact it locks up when put in park. That's helpful to no one. Windows can't be rolled up either which meant being trapped guarding a vehicle in 92 degree weather. Anti theft is literally so dumb and in annoying. Great thought, terrible in practice. Am currently waiting on tow truck. Open invention on what caused this now.

Filed Mar 3, 2023 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started bouncing. Additionally, the vehicle was making abnormal grinding sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired in 2018-2019 for the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch and PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

1st Started having issues with advancing, at idle stops,when engaging fuel, it will hesitate and run poorly. after a week, engine light started turning on, and stating that transmission, was running hot, and need it to stop and cool down. after the 2nd time, the vehicle runs rought, and grinding can be heard by shifting gear. An off duty Ford worker, checked vehicle with a computer and stated that the transmission clutch had gone out. checked the internet and stated that Ford Focus from 2012 to 2016 had a recall. yet I enter my vin number and nothing is said. I am currently paying my vehicle and can not drive it, have 3 children, and no money to repair. can you please help.

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Fuel system · 40,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made a loud squealing sound. Additionally, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed May 12, 2022 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to experience loss of speed, the contact would depress the accelerator and the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contact heard a grinding metal sound coming the floorboards. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store where the failure was diagnosed as the "transmission friction element A frozen in the on position." The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutches needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The contact purchased a non-OEM TCM and the vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the contact purchased another non-OEM TCM which was re-installed. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was returned to the same dealer and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2021 · Transmission · 14,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the clutch assembly had malfunctioned while driving in first and 2nd gear causing a grinding noise to be present and the vehicle would not properly accelerate from a standing start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000.