Recall 16V479 affects 865 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles for a differential pinion shaft fracture. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 865 2015-2016 Focus Electric vehicles because the transmission's differential pinion gear shaft can overheat and fracture. If the shaft fractures, the vehicle can lose motive power and the transmission park function, increasing crash risk, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The transmission differential in the 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric sends motor power through gears so the drive wheels can turn at different speeds in a corner. The differential pinion gear shaft helps hold and align small gears inside that unit as power moves to the wheels. That shaft and the gear bores around it need low-friction surfaces because they operate under load.
On affected Focus Electric vehicles, the supplier left off a friction-reducing coating on the differential pinion gear bores during fabrication. Without that coating, heat and wear build up around the pinion shaft. Continued wear can overheat the shaft, then fracture it, damaging the differential inside the transmission.
Ford says audible signs of wear can appear before the shaft fractures. Listen for a new noise from the transmission or driveline during acceleration, deceleration, or turning, and report that sound when you call the Ford dealer.
Who's affected?
Covers 2 Focus Electric model years with the same driveline component.
| 2016 Ford Focus Electric | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2015 Ford Focus Electric | driveline |
| Units affected | 865 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fractured pinion shaft can cause loss of motive power and loss of the transmission park function, increasing crash risk. Ford says owners can hear wear before a fracture, so treat new drivetrain noise as a reason to park the vehicle and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free transmission differential assembly replacement that fixes the overheating pinion gear shaft.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, or reference recall number 16V479 and Ford recall 16S28 when you call.
- Avoid driving if the car loses motive power or will not stay in Park; ask the Ford dealer what to do before moving it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the transmission differential assembly. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now through Ford dealers. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because Ford says the warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how that warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 28, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 25, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 24, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V479?
Recall 16V479 covers 865 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles with a transmission differential pinion gear shaft that can overheat and fracture. Ford dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V479. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule replacement of the transmission differential assembly. Reference Ford recall number 16S28 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of motive power and loss of the transmission park function. If the pinion shaft fractures, the vehicle can lose drive power or fail to stay in park, increasing crash risk.
When did Ford start this recall repair?
Ford began the recall repair on March 24, 2017. The remedy is available now, so an included 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric can be scheduled with a franchised Ford dealer for the free transmission differential assembly replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V479000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V479 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V479000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →