Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest May 20, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 1,176 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed May 20, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported
[XXX] driving her 2016 ford focus hit me [XXX] she claims her btakes did not work hitting multiple times she hit me so hard her car flew many feet back. I believe her car was defective it was alittle snowy but nothing bad. [XXX] said her brakes did not work at all. Me and multiple cars were able to come to complete stop with no skidding i have toyota rav4. I think her car might have been told my car needed repairs. I was severely injured severe permanent concussion brain neck back shoulder arm hand chest back muscle nerve damage. Dunno if [XXX] was also injured INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11738923
Incident
Jan 20, 2025
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the "Oil Pump" message became displayed, and the vehicle decelerated and stalled. Additionally, during the failure there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the brakes failed to function properly while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined that the engine had failed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 160,000.
NHTSA ID
11668146
Incident
Jun 8, 2025
Mileage
160,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking noise coming from the engine. The engine lost oil pressure. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle was slow to respond, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the tensioner arm was fractured, and the fuel pump was not providing power to the engine. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Schicker Ford of St. Louis (3300 S. Kingshighway Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63139), who informed the contact that all the parts were not in the vehicle. The contact called the original local dealer, who informed the contact to pick up the parts. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
NHTSA ID
11595431
Incident
Jun 1, 2024
Mileage
109,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds 6-months after purchasing the vehicle, the brakes became inoperable. The contact stated that the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a caliper failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes locked up, and the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The check engine and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled, the brakes became inoperable, and the parking brake was used to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The contact was notified of the NHTSA 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11587449
Incident
Oct 18, 2023
Mileage
95,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 1, 2023
•Oil pump failed to send oil to the engine causing the brakes to go out. While trying to pull out into traffic, the engine made a pop sound, and lost the ability to accelerate. Engine and oil light turned on, was then unable to accelerate past 20mph and engine sounded horrible. • Our mechanic looked at the car and said the oil vacuum pump was obliterated inside the engine. He replaced the vacuum pump and said that the timing belt is inside the engine which is causing all the issues. • No warning lamps or messages appeared before this. Had just had an oil change a month before and there were no issues.
NHTSA ID
11558007
Incident
Nov 6, 2023
Brakes
Filed Nov 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger’ side rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA ID
11555984
Incident
Nov 17, 2023
Mileage
160,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 15, 2023
The car is not running right I can feel shaking, but no one else can
NHTSA ID
11555319
Incident
Oct 31, 2023
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 20, 2020
CAR JERKING AFTER FUELING GAS, THE SHUTS OFF. HAVE TROUBLE RESTARTING. BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALMOST CRASHED INTO SOMEONE. ECOBOOST WORKED VERY FEW TIMES
NHTSA ID
11318848
Incident
Jun 4, 2019
Mileage
81,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2019
2016 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE PREMATURELY WORN. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHUDDER/CLANK AND DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES DUE TO THIS FAILURE. *JS
NHTSA ID
11258131
Incident
Jul 12, 2019
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD FOCUS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPMS DROPPED BELOW 500 AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VACUUM ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON FRANKLIN FORD (LOCATED AT 388 KY-192, LONDON, KY 40741, (888) 461-0896) ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DUAL CLUTCH IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V845000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WOULD NOT BE HONORED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD A REBUILT TITLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
NHTSA ID
11234509
Incident
Jul 22, 2019
Mileage
57,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed May 1, 2018
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR STOPS SUDDEN WHEN DRIVING AND IS NOT SMOOTH WHEN STOPPING . ITS HARD TO CONTROL THE BRAKE TOO. MAKES NOISE.
NHTSA ID
11091117
Incident
Mar 21, 2018
Mileage
640,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 24, 2018
TRANSMISSION FAILURE LOSS OF COMPLETE POWER JERKING SHAKING COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. DANGEROUS
NHTSA ID
11074635
Incident
Feb 23, 2018
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 25, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported
THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 2PM ON FRIDAY 1/12. WE CALLED TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALAHIPS TO GET THE CAR SERVICED. BOTH MADE AN APPT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK BUT NEITHER TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. LATER THAT DAY IF HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK TO STOP THE CAR SO ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS HIT AND SUP SEQUENTALY TOTALED MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ID
11064917
Incident
Jan 12, 2018
Mileage
32,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own