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: power train
562 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jul 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after placing the vehicle in drive and beginning to slowly accelerate out of a parking space, the vehicle started going backwards. The contact immediately turned the vehicle off and coasted back into the parking space. An on looker had the contact restart the vehicle and drive to see if the vehicle functioned properly; however, the failure reoccurred. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was included in an unknown recall; however, the recall repair was already performed; however, approximately a year later the failure recurred. The contact stated that the check oil and another unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was shifted to park(P); after waiting for approximately one hour, the vehicle was restarted without an immediate failure. However, while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally and unexpected went into reverse. The vehicle was turned off and the contact coasted into a nearby gas station where an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oil was contaminated with water. The mechanic was unable to check the transmission. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The dealer sent a technician to inspect the vehicle and it was confirmed that the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The technician was unable to duplicate the transmission failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Engine, Jul 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the engine power was reduced. Additionally, the contact stated that while making a turn, the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with clutch failure. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the clutch had previously been replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown,
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 15, 2024
Clutch was replaced already 1 time now it’s bad again also the tmi was replaced 2 times since I’ve had the car it has 126000 miles
Power train, Jul 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while accelerating at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, shuddered, and jerked. The contact stated that the wheels locked up while accelerating. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. While driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shut off. There was an abnormal growling sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 74,239.
Power train, Jul 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked and occasionally the vehicle could not be shifted out of park. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,205.
Power train, Engine, Jul 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. Additionally, while shifting the gear shifter, there was a delay before the shifter would move to the desired position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had failed. The clutch was replaced. After having the vehicle repaired, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the engine revved; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and failed to exceed 2 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission failure was confirmed. The dealer had stated the transmission and the clutch might need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Power train, Jul 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact's daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle as a failure with the clutch. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 79,502.
Power train, Jul 7, 2024
I was driving in the city and my car did the transmission clutch shudder so bad I almost got t boned I have 120k miles on it and I think ford should have to find a better replacement fix to fix it right I had it already in there for a year just waiting on a part for the transmission now this
Power train, Jul 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shifted erratically, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the clutch assembly. The contact was informed that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Jun 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shuddering while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.
Power train, Jun 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle had the message "Starting Fault System" displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the instrument panel had completely failed. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the intersection, and had to be manually pushed into a parking lot. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,970.
Power train, Jun 18, 2024
1.Clutch shudders and hesitates on acceleration 2. safe driving requires non hesitation when accelerating 3. yes the dealer confirmed 4. Dealership has inspected, recommends replacement of clutch on automatic transmission at 27,000 miles 5. no warnings indicated, car has been regularly serviced by the dealership From what I am reading, this is a common problem and a design flaw per the dealership
Power train, Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that there was hesitation or lagging while attempting to accelerate at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had failed. The clutch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Power train, May 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and shifting to drive(D), the vehicle jerked and vibrated. Eventually, the transmission failed, and the vehicle would not drive forward. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission clutch was replaced but the vehicle continued to jerk and vibrate while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission clutch was failing again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, May 18, 2024
What happened? I purchased a 2015 Ford Focus from Carvana in November 2022 with about 70,000 miles on it. Since then, the vehicle has experienced numerous and severe mechanical failures. The engine mount and transmission mount have both failed and required replacement. Additionally, the rotors, Transmission Control Module (TCM), and clutch have all needed to be replaced, with the clutch failing five times throughout the car's history. Despite extensive repairs costing upwards of $7,000, the issues persist. Most Recently,The vehicle was subsequently towed to a Ford dealership after replacing the clutch for the 6th time in vehicle history. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The components that failed include the engine mount, transmission mount, rotors, Transmission Control Module (TCM), clutch, and evap purge system. These components are available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The frequent mechanical failures and replacements, particularly of critical components like the TCM and clutch, have compromised the reliability and safety of the vehicle, posing a significant risk during operation. The vehicle's tendency to stall while driving or idling increases the risk of accidents, potentially leading to rear-end or T-bone collisions. Yes, the problems have been confirmed and addressed by both a dealer and independent service centers. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by independent service centers and possibly by the dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, there were no check engine lights or warning lights prior to the failures. The issues began appearing shortly after the purchase in November 2022.
Power train, Fuel system, Gasoline, May 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted in to neutral(N). The check engine warning was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed transmission clutch failure and the fuel pressure sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 94,946.
Power train, May 9, 2024
When accelerating through 10-15 mph the vehicle shudders more than normal
Power train, May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at 75 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to assist. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic who stated that the transmission belt had caused of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Power train, May 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that no defect was found; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Mace Ford (4501 S US Hwy 41, Terre Haute, IN 47802), where the TCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with transmission clutch shudder and determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 19N08 because the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Power train, May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking, and the transmission shuddered. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a persistent failure. In addition, the contact stated that the internal transmission clutch was replaced eight years ago; however, the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed internal transmission clutch and that the internal transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 49,242.
Power train, Apr 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated and shuddered. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 17 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutches and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired as the clutch was not included in a warranty program. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the module and transmission was covered under the warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. The VIN was not available.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 18, 2024
Stopped to get gas. Turned off engine. After filling up gas tank, car would not start, or crank/turn over. No check engine light has been on, no warning lights. Disconnected battery for about fifteen min. Car started up. Took it to shop, they changed out the evap Purge system. It failed when they tested it so they changed that out. Car did not stall when they test drove it. Car stalled two more times. Once when accelerating from a red light, and second time when just sitting in idle. Car just shuts itself off but the radio stays on. This is such a safety hazard because of the fact that not only does it stall in the middle of me driving But I’m very lucky I didn’t get rear ended or T boned because of this. So I thought this issue was fixed but obviously not. After the last time it stalled after getting it fixed, I then had it towed to a Ford dealership. I know this has been a recall on other Ford focuses. For some reason not mine which is a 2015 Focus. Last year I had to have the TCM fixed which was a recall so that was free however then they tell me that my clutch went bad at 60k miles? I shelled out almost $3k for that nonsense. Now This stalling it constantly Day after day at 75k miles? Thanks a lot FORD. Take your piece of [XXX] back and issue this a recall. Either way it’s Ford’s fault and should pay for this safety issue for free. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Apr 17, 2024
Purchased this car used from a family friend about 4 years ago. The car currently has 59,000 miles on it. I recently noticed a shuddering in the transmission when I accelerate the car (mostly in the lowest starting gear). The car was taken to the Ford dealer for diagnosis. The dealer states that the issue is with the transmission clutch and the price to repair the issue is approximately $4,300. The Ford service technician described this transmission as a manual transmission automatically shifted. The prior owner confirmed he had the same issue with the car early in his ownership and had the transmission clutch replaced then. I confirmed with the dealer that the transmission clutch was replaced at 10,178 miles. This is the same exact issue again. The Ford dealership said the transmission clutch issue had caused Ford to extend the warranty to 7 years and 100,000 miles, whichever occurred first. The car is now 8 1/2 years since original purchase, but way under the warranty limit of 100,000 miles. Ford will not honor any warranty or remedy the situation. I believe a $4,300 clutch assembly replacement at least every 50,000 miles or less is horrendous.
Power train, Apr 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure continued for approximately eight months. Additionally, recently the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed clutch fork and the clutch fork needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.