2016 Ford Focus: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

Transmission overheated. Transmission fluid leaked but the computer in the car didn't let me know there was a leak. Couldn't move my car into reverse so I had to get a tow to Ford. They said it was a Transmission leak which caused the overheating. But once the car received Transmission fluid the car did not go into reverse. Clutch failed.

Filed Feb 8, 2025 · Transmission · TN

At times will not go into reverse and shifts very hard. It will randomly shut off while driving and transmission overheating will pop up.

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 57,255 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to continue to drive. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 11 MPH. The vehicle failed to move. The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's neighbor pushed the vehicle into a parking spot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The mechanic used a scanner and retrieved DTC: P2837 and P287B. The vehicle failed to reverse. The mechanic informed the contact that the transmission control module had failed. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed there was no recall coverage on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 57,255.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

Faulty dual clutch. I only have 34000 miles on it. I shouldn't have this problem . Started 2 weeks ago .very rough shifting. Sometimes it won't shift at all.

Filed Oct 16, 2024 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the steering wheel did not function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the contact stated that the shift gear did not function as intended. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not shift into park, drive, or neutral. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when she turned the vehicle off, the vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed Transmission Control Module. The contact was informed that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had received recall notification the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000(Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the contact was advised that the failure was not associated with the recall repair. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed Transmission Control Module. The contact was informed that the Transmission Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

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 18, 2024 · Transmission · MI

The automatic transmission lurches when shifting in any forward gear, most times will not shift at all past 15 mph (engine rpm will red-line), and will not engage the reverse gear at all. When attempting to drive the vehicle, a dashboard warning indicates that the transmission is overheating and the vehicle should be pulled over. The Transmission Control Module was replaced at a Ford dealership in 2020 due to inconsistent shifting of the transmission. Based on the build date of my vehicle, Ford is telling me that it is not covered under their current Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 - Supplement #7. This program describes the very problem my vehicle is experiencing, as the dealership told me their diagnostics indicates the need to replace the TCM (again)!

Filed Feb 7, 2024 · Engine · WA

The vehicle went into limp mode while driving. The mechanic says engine needs to be totally replaced at 68,300 original miles. The mechanic originally said it was related to the recall on the 1.0 liter engines and the oil pump. Now they say the head gasket is blown and entire engine needs to be replaced due to overheating. Ford says this failure is not related to the recall and the recall does not affect our car. Our safety was at risk with a catastrophic engine failure while driving. We have only taken it to an independent mechanic. We have to two it to Ford to have them verify and they want to charge to diagnose the issue. There were no warnings prior the malfunction.

Filed Oct 22, 2022 · FL

When I start to go it lags, doesn't want to go like it gets stuck in gear. No it has not been seen by dealer but other cars the same as mine has had recalls due to the same issue. No warning lights or signal lights come on.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Transmission · IL

There was not an accident, but I don't know where else to type my comments. The car won't shift properly and tends to stall at times. This is not only dangerous as cars behind can't always know why I am driving so slow, but obviously, poses a problem if car can't shift at all and I (or my wife or daughter) is left stranded somewhere. Took car to dealer last week and they replaced clutch assembly for $2925. This is extremely frustrating since the clutch was repaired at 26,100 miles. That didn't work, so now we have to pay that amount. Let's be honest, these cars are known for clutch/transmission issues, so replacing this again at 45,000 is not fair at all. Why isn't Ford doing the right thing and offering to replace this at their own cost? I don't have current receipt for $2900 as I haven't picked up car yet, but work costs can be confirmed at Manning Ford in DeKalb, Illinois. I will upload original receipt when my dad took car in the first time for this issue. That was covered by warranty, and since this happened again, I believe the fair things to do would be for Ford to replace at no cost to us.

Filed Sep 12, 2022 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and accelerating up a highway onramp, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the transmission fault warning light was illuminated. The contact had observed that as he depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond; however, the engine was revving with the RPM going up to 5,000 RPM. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off the engine. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle had gone into Limp Mode. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2022 · VA

My TCM stopped working and now my vehicle won't go into reverse 2nd 4th gear. My dad noticed it when he tried to back it into the garage to do some maintenance on it. I have been told it will be months to fix because of a backorder. I know this is a common issue for Focus but my vehicles Vin doesn't have a recall listed.