2016 Ford Focus Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,183 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Ford Focus, 1% of the 1,183 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,900 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on my way home, and my car stalled in the middle of the road. I had to throw the car in neutral and crank it back up and slam it into drive and speed off, because I was going to get hit both directions. The transmission shudders hard in between gears, stalls out on hills/ struggles on hills, it fails to accelerate in the moment, the car fails to know what gear it wants to be in. That's just the beginning. I live in the city a small area not very populated but I still deal with stop and go traffic the transmission jerks hard if you don't start moving at a steady pace. …”
NHTSA complaint #11232307, filed 2019-07, 24,000 miles“The wipers stop working in mid sweep, sometimes it's the right side, sometimes the left. Happens when it's raining and also when the windscreen is dry. It is very dangerous as you can't se through the wiper assembly and you can't see through the rain. Car was in motion during the rain and in motion or stationary when used on a dry/damp windscreen.”
NHTSA complaint #11115486, filed 2018-08, 43,000 miles“Wipers suddenly stopped working while it was raining causing a serious safety risk. Couldn't continue to drive so was pulled over on side of the highway until rain stopped. Later wipers came on by themselves while switch was turned to off position and would not turn off until fuse was pulled. Have replaced motors and switch and they haven't been repaired. No longer working at all with no response to the switch at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11291262, filed 2019-12, 106,328 miles“The wipers stop working and freeze up in the middle of the windshield constantly!! Blocking view from driving. The car shudders every time you go from a stopped position. Worst car I've ever owned. Been to the Ford dealer several times. Never gets fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11337066, filed 2020-07, 42,000 miles“I have had the clutch in this vehicle replaced 3 times and it currently has 37014 miles. I have had the steering wheel replaced because the heated steering wheel didn't work. I had the transmission module reprogrammed 3 times. And now my backup camera suddenly turns pitch black. It's random. I could just go into reverse and it is already pitch black. Or I could be reversing with a clear screen and then it turns pitch black.”
NHTSA complaint #11328772, filed 2020-06Related service bulletins
- 10164508Aug 9, 2019Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in…
- 10092555Aug 18, 2016Some 2015-2017 focus/c-max/escape vehicles equipped with one touch up feature. The 2016-2017 workshop manual section 501-11 was updated 8/2016 with revised diagnostics, the 2015…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 | 11 | 1% |
| 2015 | 11 | 1% |
| 2014 | 32 | 1% |
| 2013 | 29 | 1% |
| 2012 | 70 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% |
| 2007 | 11 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% |
| 2005 | 10 | 2% |
| 2004 | 11 | 3% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
| 2002 | 28 | 3% |
| 2001 | 59 | 3% |
| 2000 | 118 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Focus
674 complaintsEngine
234 complaintsFuel system
230 complaintsOther or unknown
105 complaintsElectrical system
82 complaintsEngine cooling
50 complaintsSteering
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsWheels
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology