2016 Ford Focus: won't start

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · TX

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2016 Ford Focus S and concerns about a potentially recurring safety defect associated with Ford’s safety recall involving the canister purge valve. My vehicle experienced a no-start condition and stalling. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed to an authorized Ford dealership for inspection. These symptoms are particularly concerning because the recall information describes the possibility of engine stalling and difficulty restarting the vehicle. The dealership informed me that the recall had previously been performed on my vehicle. However, despite the recall repair, my vehicle experienced symptoms consistent with those described in the recall. The dealership was able to start the vehicle when it arrived and stated that it could not reproduce the problem. The dealership subsequently performed diagnostic testing on a dyno but claimed that the issue was unrelated to the recall. No definitive cause for the no-start and stalling condition was identified. I was charged $219 for the diagnostic testing. I am concerned that the dealership’s inability to reproduce an intermittent problem does not establish that the underlying safety defect has been corrected or that the current symptoms are unrelated to the recalled component. A vehicle that unexpectedly stalls or fails to restart creates a serious safety risk. If the engine stalls while driving, the driver could lose power and potentially lose power steering assistance and normal brake assistance. The vehicle could become disabled in traffic, at an intersection, or in another dangerous location. A vehicle that unexpectedly fails to restart could also leave the driver stranded in an unsafe location.The problem was intermittent, which may explain why the dealership was unable to reproduce it during its inspection. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether the recall remedy is adequately addressing this safety concern and reimbursement of a diagnostic and tow fee.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

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.

Filed Dec 26, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 137,823 miles · TX

Stearing went out and car would not start after filling tank with gas

Filed Sep 14, 2024 · FL

(UNKNOWN) I am [XXX] and don't know much about cars but I will explain my issue as detailed as I've experienced it. The issue started on or about two days ago, on [XXX]. The car drives and as I'm driving it, it stalls and/or gets stuck momentarily and then begins to drive again as usual. I've been close to being hit from behind and causing an accident because the cars behind me don't expect to stop so suddenly. I've been lucky so far to have not been crashed into. It did the stalling without warning sensors alerting a problem for two days. The car now does show a yellow sensor on the right side of the dashboard which looks to me like a motor of some sort, I'm not sure. Additionally, during these two past days while the car has been having the stall/stop issue... the car does not start as it used to. I put the key in the ignition and turn the key to start the car but it won't start or make any sound as if it's gonna start. I have to turn the key two or three times for the car to start and then it finally does. Since the issue started, I've had the necessity to use the car and have used it about three times but I've not had it checked yet because the weather has been very bad in my area with on and off thunderstorms which makes it not possible for me to drive. I have very poor eyesight, I can barely see from my right eye due to the retina being detached and I don't feel safe driving under these circumstances. Additionally, the car started to make a noise; coming from under the hood the last time I started it which subsided once I drove it. Please advise me of what is best for me to do. I'm [XXX] and I do for myself without help nor do I have relatives near me at the moment to drive myself as I do to get my groceries and meet my doctors appointments and such. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Engine · NV

The engine went limp and lost all strength as I was driving on the street. Smoke started coming out. Had an independent mechanic tell me it was the fuel pump that lead to the engine dying. My car will not start and I have been carless. Dealers will not help the situation because although my car has issues related to the recalls specifications, my VIN does not apply. Engine died at 107k miles (mostly highway miles)

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Fuel system · CA

My car stalled several times and then one day it stalled on a busy street near my school and would not start. I had to pay to have it towed to a mechanic. He replaced the CPV and told me that my gas tank was now dented and needed to be replaced. My fuel gauge does not correctly gauge fuel because of the dented tank. My VIN is not included in the recall for this problem, but it is clearly affected by the same issue. I cannot trust how far I can drive as a result. I am constantly worried that my car will just run out of gas even though I put gas in it every day.

Filed Jun 22, 2024 · AL

2016 Ford Focus Transmission Control Module Recall 14M02. I received a recall notice from Ford on my Transmission Control Module. I called Long-Lewis Ford in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in January 2024 and asked them when I could bring my car in for repair. I was told that I couldn't just bring it in, that I needed an appointment. Long-Lewis Ford called me on [XXX] and told me to bring my car in. I took it to Long-Lewis Ford on [XXX]. Long-Lewis Ford then parked my car outside in their parking lot for 54 days without doing anything to it. Long-Lewis Ford finally called me on [XXX] and told me to come and get my car. When I arrived at Long-Lewis Ford, the Long-Lewis Ford employee said "Here are your keys, but the car won't run. I tried to start my car, but the battery was dead from sitting in their parking lot for 54 days. I went to a parts store and bought a new battery. I installed the battery and my car started. On the way home I noticed that the transmission shift points were between 4,000 and 5,000 RPM's. The transmission would only go into Drive, Neutral and Park. It would not go into Reverse. It appears that Long-Lewis Ford did not follow the Recall Letter that requires the battery to be fully charged with a battery charger connected to the battery when programming the Transmission Control Module. Also, since Long-Lewis Ford stated the "car won't run" they never did a road test to see if my car was roadworthy. Long-Lewis Ford also told me that if I had transmission problems they would not fix it and I would have to pay for it, even though, Transmission Control Module failure can damage the Titanium disks in the transmission. ford has bought back or repaired thousands of these vehicles, but they have refused to repair mine. it is currently sitting in my yard and will not start. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 6, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · WV

Purge canister valve system failure. Car sputters and wont start when gas is put into the car. Car jerks. Check engine light stays on.

Filed Oct 13, 2023 · Fuel system · AL

I was driving about 45 mph when my car started 2 shack and buck like it was about 2 die. So I pulled over and then it died and took forever to start back. So I took it 1 Midas and they said it was something to do with the vacuum in my gas take. So they reset the computer and told me if I had anymore issues being it back. Well today I stopped at the gas station and filled my car up and it would not start back. So I had it towed back to the shop and they pushed my gas tank flapper open 2 relief the pressure.

Filed Aug 2, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · GA

My car has become hard to start after I fill up with gas. It also randomly loses all power. While driving everything in the car stops. It displays a message that says transmission is not in park, like I turned the key off but I did not. After this it won't start and displays a message on the dash that says "system start up fault". If I wait a few minutes it starts again . This has happened 3 times. I had a mechanic pull any codes. The only code is for a gasket in the evap system. The mechanic told me that Ford had a recall for this problem so I had the car towed to a Ford service center. The Ford dealer told me that my car is not included in the recall. I looked up Ford recalls and my car exhibits all of the problems described in the recall.

Filed Apr 11, 2023 · Transmission · NJ

Check engine light on with transmission codes. Transmission is slipping and car won't start intermittently. Also loses power intermittently. Car lost power up hill when driving with my daughter. My 18 year old son, who is an inexperienced driver also drives this car. Will be getting the car diagnosed as Ford dealership on Friday.

Filed Mar 25, 2023 · Fuel system, Steering · TX

Car stalled at stop sign after filling up on gas. Completely shut off. Would not start back up for 30 seconds. No check engine lights on. It has done this multiple times and I have taken it to the shop but they can’t find a problem. I know there was a recall on the 2.0 but this is a 1.0