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, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 18, 2016
THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD, EXPERIENCES DELAYED ACCELERATION ALL THE TIME, DELAYED DOWNSHIFTING AND VEHICLES THAT HAVE TROUBLE STOPPING. IT IS SCARY WHEN I GO TO PULL OUT AND THE CAR JUST REVS AND DOES NOT MOVE I STEP ON GAS IT WILL SLOWLY GO, THEN IT WILL JUST REV. SEVERAL TIMES I HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF SHOULDER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING. SCARY WHEN MY KIDS ARE IN THE CAR. IT DOES IT ON A WEEKLY BASES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIME BUT THEY SAY SORRY IF THEY CANT SEE THE CAR DOING IT THEY CANT FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE TO MOVE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 5, 2016, fire
AFTER STOPPING TO GET GAS ON I-80 AT A SERVICE AREA IN INDIANA WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND NOT RUNNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR IS A NEW VEHICLE, STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON IT. FORD DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY OFFERED NO PROOF, AND STATED THAT WE COULD NOT APPEAL THE CASE.
Engine, Jan 11, 2016
THE FORD FOCUS STUTTERS AT STARTUP WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM THE CAR GETS WORSE. THE CAR WILL STALL AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. FORD HAS NO FIX THEY JUST TELL ME IT IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN AN AUTOMATIC CAR. I HAVE TRIED PREMIUM FUEL NOTHING HELPS. THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS FIRST CAR AND I AM AFRAID FOR HER LIFE
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 28, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD AT SPEEDS OF 50MPH WHEN CAR LOST ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. I WAS LEAVING A MALL PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATING WHEN THE CAR JERKED DANGEROUSLY AND STOPPED ACCELERATING CAUSING ME TO LOOSE SPEED AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PROBABLE CAUSE: TRANSMISSION FAILURE OR DISCONNECT.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 13, 2015
I BOUGHT THIS CAR LESS THAN 6 MOS. AGO. IT HAS HAD 2 RECALLS SO FAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A PROBLEM. IT JUMPS AND ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE. TWICE WHEN I HAVE STARTED IT THERE WAS A KNOCKING LIKE THE ENGINE HAD SOMETHING WRONG. WHEN I CHANGED THE GEAR THE KNOCKING QUIT. WHEN I RUN THE HEATER THERE IS A BURNING SMELL. I TOOK IT IN AND TOLD THEM I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND THEY DID THE RECALLS THEN TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT DO THE OTHER THINGS I HAD MENTIONED. I ASK THEM TO PUT ME IN SOMETHING ELSE AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $400.00-$500.00 A MONTH PAYMENT. I BELIEVE FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM BUT CONTINUES TO SELL THEM SO WHEN PEOPLE COMPLAIN THEY CAN CHARGE THEM MORE MONEY. I AM A 55 YEAR OLD WOMAN THAT DRIVES 120 MILES A DAY BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. WHEN I GET OFF WORK I DRIVE HOME IN THE DARK. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR!!! FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE HESITATION. I PICKED IT UP AND NOW IT IS WORSE! WHEN I TURN THE CORNER IT DOES THAT JERKING THING NOW LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP PROTECT CONSUMERS . THE JERKING HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING, TAKING OFF AND NOW EVEN WHEN YOU ARE TURNING. THE KNOCKING NOISE THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN I WAS BACKING UP AND THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN IT WAS IN PARK AND I HAD JUST STARTED IT.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 31, 2015
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP BEFORE A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR JERKED FORWARD LIKE I WAS BEING REAR-ENDED. SEVERAL TIMES I WAS GOING OVER A MAN-HOLE COVER; THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING OVER THE RAIL TRACKS. IT SHOCKED ME AS I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STOP AND THE WHEELS JUST SPUN FASTER. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE IN FRONT AND DIDN'T HIT ANY CAR IN FRONT OF MINE.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 10, 2015
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGN ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE LOST DRIVE POWER. A WRENCH APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAID SERVICE. HAD I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN APPROACHING VEHICLE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AND THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY AGREED THE ISSUE WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE HOWEVER SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE AND ERROR CODE WAS NOT GENERATED. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED.