2015 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,030 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 32 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 29 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, manual transmissionJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V376000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, evaporative emissions, canisterJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJun 8, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Campaign 20V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 22, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Campaign 18V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, manual transmissionMar 12, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.
Campaign 18V169000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hatchback/liftgate, lockSep 28, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
Campaign 16V698000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchSep 6, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Campaign 16V643000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionJul 8, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.
Campaign 15V436000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
182 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 31, 2023
Car began losing power particularly at low speeds. AAA inspected vehicle and determined that clutch and transmission would need to be replaced (~$10K repair). This is the second time the transmission and clutch have been replaced. The car has a total of 50,000 miles on it (ie, it is still, mechanically, very, very young ) Manufacturer seems to have known about the issue.
Engine, Apr 16, 2023
Car stalling while driving, cutting in and out, completely unable to drive with the risk of it randomly dying
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 30, 2023
I found the ac compressor clutch hub plate in my driveway detached from my vehicle somehow...
Power train, Engine, Jan 11, 2023
I literally had this car for about a week heard a puppy sound on the left side now my rpm's rev up car seems to be running extremely rough it shakes and jerks sometimes. I know there are a lot of recalls on the 2015 for transmission power train/engine Just wondering why my car is not one of them
Engine, Dec 31, 2022
Was driving the vehicle and saw that the vehicle was losing coolant change the coolant reservoir and the replaced both of the heater hose, all of a sudden it was still losing coolant but I was always topping it out with coolant. Until the day that it gave out
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 23, 2022
Vehicle will loose power and ac as if the gears are slipping causing a sudden reduced speed. The transmission warnings will also light up stating transmission overheating.
Steering, Engine, Sep 6, 2022
Start the vehicle, put it in reverse, stop and change gears to drive and the vehicle will not move forward the steering wheel jerks. I have to put the car in park turn off the engine and then power back on and try again.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2022
The transmission has been repaired only to have worse problems surface. Overnight, I lost my Reverse and a week later the Drive function stopped working. It placed me in a dangerous situation. I was at a gas station, suddenly no Reverse. I was wedged between cars. I had to push it backwards to give room for the car in front. I took it to Ford and they wanted $3000 for a clutch, they made me pay $210 diagnosis fee at Gene Butman Ford. I was angry. I went to a part store, the part was $245!!! I told Ford this car has been in for recalls with transmission and evaporative system. This is at least the third time for the transmission. It's a 2015, only 115,000 miles on it and it already is a piece of junk. I'm never buying a Ford again. The dealership folk were rude and offered nothing even when I mentioned a recall on the transmission.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2022
On August 14th at approximately 2 pm my Ford Focus came to a complete stall at the intersection of Seymour Hwy and Brookes Ave in Wichita Falls, Texas. After several failed attempts to restart the vehicle it was pushed into a saver location and towed by Mike's Towing in WF to Quality Lube on Pearlie Drive also in WF. Fuel gauge was sitting at a little over 1/4 tank and panel was reading 78 miles to empty. I ran the VIN and pulled up a recall from 10/22/2018 that Ford neglected to contact me the owner of. The mechanic at Quality Lube would not touch it because of the recall. On August 15th I put gas in and the vehicle started right up, I drove the vehicle from Quality Lube straight to Pruitt Ford (location of purchase) located in Burkburnett, Texas. Left the vehicle and my mother called the next day and explained the problem and dangers improper vacuum through the fuel tank could cause and recall was pulled up. Pruitt Ford failed to run diagnostic to insure their fix actually fixed the issues, stating that they performed the recall and the check engine light was no longer on so they were done on their end. Picked up the vehicle from Pruitt Ford midafternoon on August 18th. August 24th the Check Engine Light came back on, Pruitt Ford was called and stated I would be responsible for $135 to run a diagnostic. I had the code pulled up and it stated P1450 Unable to Bleed Up Fuel Tank Vacuum. Pruitt Ford failed to repair the vehicle to a safe condition. On the 25th the vehicle was taken back to them after being supplied a case number to get the vehicle properly repaired through Ford Motor. CAS-38298302-J2R8C6 This morning I get a call from Pruitt Ford stating that Ford Motor will not honor the recall due to the mileages on the vehicle. This is a 2015 with 65,844 miles on it, there is no mileage limit on a recall and recalls have no expiration date. Ford Motor states it is not a warranty problem therefore the dealership is responsible recall repairs.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 11, 2022
Car will not go in reverse and shakes vigorously when shifting gears. We think it is an issue with the transmission. I called multiple ford dealerships as focuses have known transmission issues with these exact symptoms, but they said they cannot take a look for weeks. They have a policy where they will give rental cars for these transmission issues, but they are pretending they are not sure what the issue is and will not take a look for weeks, leaving me without a car for weeks because ford sold me a defective car.
Power train, Engine, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 90,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 26, 2022
Vehicle stalls & shuts off during use with zero warning, both while in park and while car is running and stopped with foot on brake at a stoplight, and also seems sluggish and straining during active driving as if it wants to stall and shut down. When car stalls, a warning displays (System Start Fault) when attempt is made to restart vehicle and the vehicle WILL NOT restart for anywhere between 45 minutes to 4 hours (so far). The vehicle will then go through varied reactions to attempts to restart when ignition key is turned ... ranging from the dashboard warning of System Start Fault with no success at restart to absolutely NO response of dashboard or other lights/warnings/electrical (completely dead). When this stall/complete shut down occurs, it also becomes locked in whatever gear it was in (Park or Drive) when the stall & immediate shutdown occurs and the gearshift locks in place and you're unable to shift into park or neutral as needed for tow or to move the vehicle off the roadway without the tow driver or other person dismantling the area covering the gearshift to access the hidden pin to shift into neutral to move the vehicle from the roadway. After the first complete shutdown during use occurred, it was taken to a local Ford dealership who was "unable to find the cause" at that time. Since that time, this complete shutdown while in use has occurred another four times within the 3 months following, resulting in either towing the vehicle or waiting 1-4 hours where the vehicle stalls/dies (parking lot, stoplight, etc) until the vehicle decides to restart. I have become terrified of driving this only means of transportation as I don't know when or where this vehicle is going to shut down without warning and fear I will be struck and killed by another vehicle or someone else killed when it shuts down again on the active roadway.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 18, 2022
after fueling the 2015 ford focus.Car is very hard to start and when it does start engine runs rough spits and sputters.Check engine light is on had diagnostic done, code was evap problem. was told problem was canister purge valve. no recall that i know of on this issue. this is very concerning because my wife drives this car hauls our grand kid and very elderly mother this should be a recall. THIS IS ALSO A VERY SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you.This is not the first time this has happened. fifth to sixth times. ford needs to man up on this issue.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Apr 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed his daughter that vehicle was included in an unknown recall. The contact’s daughter was informed by the dealer that parts for the recall were on back order and she was advised to leave the vehicle in their possession however, the driver declined. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Engine, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact shifted into neutral and restarted the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the evaporator system had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 27, 2022
Vehicle looses all power while driving on freeway. Gas guage inaccurate, after filling gas and driving 150 miles it is out of gas without warning and will loose power under any operating condition. This has happened numerous times.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 22, 2021
My 2015 ford focus has continually stopped in traffic causing a safety risk to other drivers and myself. I've taken it in for recalls and repairs but the problem still exists. The front rail hp switch was replaced and the hp fuel pump was replaced too. I'm afraid for people and my life. I have googled the problem and I see thousands of people have the same problem and can't get it fixed without dumping thousands of dollars into it. This has gone too far. I need help. Please. I'm old and not rich.
Power train, Engine, Aug 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated the vehicle failed to accelerate over 25 MPH. The vehicle was jerking while shifting gears. The vehicle overheated and shut down however, the vehicle was restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The transmission warning message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions and diagnosed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 72,664.
Power train, Engine, Jun 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the check engine warning light was illuminated and the RPM started to rise. The contact also stated it the vehicle was rough when shifting gears. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact called a local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 10, 2021
MY CAR HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODE P1450. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2019 AND WAS ADDRESSED BY REPROGRAMMING THE PCM. IN 2021 I GOT THE SAME CODE AND NOW THE PURGE VALVE IS STUCK OPEN. I NOTICED THAT AFTER ADDING FUEL THE CAR HAD TROUBLE STARTING UP UNTIL I GAVE IT A LITTLE EXTRA GAS. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT MAY STALL, SUDDENLY GO INTO LIMP MODE, OR THE FUEL TANK MAY COLLAPSE. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT ALL OTHER FOCUSES OF THIS GENERATION HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE PURGE VALVE, BUT EXCLUDING MY ENGINE THE 1.0. A LOT OF DIGGING INTO FORUMS HAS SHOWN ME THAT MANY 1.0 OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR FOCUS. QUITE SHADY TO RECALL ONLY SOME OF THE FOCUSES WHEN IT SEEMS THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL ENGINE VARIATIONS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 19, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT IT IS A COMPUTER PROBLEM. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM IS A MASTER RESET. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FIXED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2021
THIS CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE FORD PLACE IN COVINGTON GEORGIA THE PROBLEM IS STILL HERE ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE CUT WHILE ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC IT HAPPEN OFTEN I AM PAYING ON THIS CAR MY JOB CLOSE DO TO COVID I NEED THIS CAR TO RUN BETTER SO I CAN WORK
Power train, Engine, Jan 12, 2021
FROM A STOP,VEHICLE SEEMS TO SHUDDER AS IT SHIFTS FROM 1 TO 2, AND 2 TO 3
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 27, 2020
THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME ACCELERATING AND ALMOST ALMOST DOESNT SOMETIMES. THE ENGINE WAS SILENT BUT NOW THE ENGINE SEEMS KIND OF LOUD WHEN STARTING UP. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE STREET.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 10, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR OR EVEN ALLOWING MY CAR TO IDLE IT STARTS SHAKING AND WILL SHUT OFF. ONCE IT IS OFF IT IS VERY HARD TO GET AND KEEP IT STARTED. ONCE I DO GET IT STARTED I HAVE TO REV THE ENGINE BETWEEN 3K AND 4K RPM JUST TO GET IT TO STOP DOING THIS. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY WHEN PUTTING FUEL IN OR IDLING BUT IT IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME. I USED INJECTOR CLEANER AND OCTANE BOOSTER TO TRY TO HELP BUT IT IS NOT WORKING. IT IS THROWING A FUEL ISSUE WHEN PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC. IT HAPPENS TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT IS PROBABLY THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED ALTHOUGH IF FALLS WITHIN THE YEAR OF THE RECALL.