Is the 2016 Ford FOCUS RS reliable?

The 2016 Ford FOCUS RS has 6 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ford FOCUS RS?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (3 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (2 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ford FOCUS RS?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Ford FOCUS RS.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Ford FOCUS RS?

The 2016 Ford FOCUS RS gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ford FOCUS RS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ford FOCUS RS is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Ford FOCUS RS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford FOCUS RS has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 6. The most common issue is transmission problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: was in stop and go traffic due to an accident for 40 mins. at one point my clutch pedal got stuck down to the floor and would not come back up yet the clutch was still engaged and burning. the burning smell so so bad. i managed to reach down and pull the clutch pedal up with my hand. once i did that.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 3 of 3)

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

50%

• WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO AN ACCIDENT FOR 40 MINS. AT ONE POINT MY CLUTCH PEDAL GOT STUCK DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP YET THE CLUTCH WAS STILL ENGAGED AND BURNING. THE BURNING SMELL SO SO BAD. I MANAGED TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE CLUTCH PEDAL UP WITH MY HAND. ONCE I DID THAT
• CLUTCH STICKS TO FLOOR AND WILL NOT COME BACK UP. I EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING ALL NIGHT ON A VERY COLD WINTER NIGHT IN UPSTATE NY. I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND PULL OUT OF MY APARTMENT, BUT THEN THE CAR STALLED. I PUSHED THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE GROUND AND TRIED TO TAK
• CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AT INTERSECTION WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND READY TO ENGAGE FIRST GEAR TO GO. ANOTHER DRIVER HELPED ME PUSH MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. KEPT PUSHING CLUTCH BUT IT WOULD NOT COME BACK TO REGULAR POSITION. I WAS ABLE WITH MY HAND AFTER GETTING OUT IF THE CAR TO PU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO AN ACCIDENT FOR 40 MINS. AT ONE POINT MY CLUTCH PEDAL GOT STUCK DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP YET THE CLUTCH WAS STILL ENGAGED AND BURNING. THE BURNING SMELL SO SO BAD. I MANAGED TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE CLUTCH PEDAL UP WITH MY HAND. ONCE I DID THAT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Ford FOCUS RS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ford FOCUS RS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford FOCUS RS Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2016 FOCUS RS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO AN ACCIDENT FOR 40 MINS. AT ONE POINT MY CLUTCH PEDAL GOT STUCK DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP YET THE CLUTCH WAS STILL ENGAGED AND BURNING. THE BURNING SMELL SO SO BAD. I MANAGED TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE CLUTCH PEDAL UP WITH MY HAND. ONCE I DID THAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AT 26000 MILES MY HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. STARTED WITH ROUGH MORNING START WHITE SMOKE AND LOSS OF COOLANT. LEAK WAS CONFIRMED IN CYLINDER 3. THE CAR IS STOCK WITH NO MODIFICATIONS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HELLO MY CLUTCH PEDAL KEEPS STICKING AND BURNING MY CLUTCH ALSO PEDEL STICKS TO FLOOR UNLESS I TURN CAR OFF AND PULL PEDEL UP HAS HAPPENED NOW 5 TIMES PLEASE REPORT THIS SO FORD CAN LOOK INTO IT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Ford FOCUS RS — Year Comparison

How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2016

6Below Average

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 6
Recalls: 0
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 0
Injury reports: 0
Segment avg: 6

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Ford FOCUS RS

Compare With

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