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: other or unspecified
119 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2017
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD, TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH AS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN, WHEN MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. I NEARLY DROVE STRAIGHT THROUGH A METAL FENCE TRYING TO MAKE THE TURN TO GET OFF THE ROAD. NOW WHEN I TURN MY KEY FORWARD MY CARS COMPUTER SENDS A MESSAGE SAYING "STEERING LOSS, SAFELY PARK VEHICLE" THE ISSUE I AM REFERRING TO BY CHECKING "UNKNOWN/OTHER" IS A SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION. EVERYTIME MY CAR IS GOING THROUGH FIRST GEAR THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS. THIS GETS MUCH WORSE WHEN WHEN MY CAR IS CLOSE TO BEING DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. IVE SERVICED THE CAR REGULARLY AND SOME MONTHS HAD TO GET MULTIPLE OIL CHANGES TO TRY AND COMBAT THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2017
I AM AWARE THAT THE 2013 AND 2014 FORD FOCUS' HAVE A ISSUE THAT WAS RECALLABLE. MY 2015 FORD FOCUS HAS THE SAME ISSUE. DURING THE TRANSITION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR THE CAR SHUTTERS WHICH INDICATES A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I AM WORRIED THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT OR CAUSE ME TO WRECK IN THE FUTURE. AGAIN, I DO KNOW THAT PREVIOUS YEAR CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND WERE RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2017
ROUGH IDLING AT STOPPING POSITION, STALLING, CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODE P0507 IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE THROTTLE BODY. CAR CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC WHILE SHIFTING DOWN
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2017
SINCE PURCHASING MY 2015 FORD FOCUS BRAND NEW IN JULY 2015, I WAS STONEWALLED BY TWO DEALERSHIPS OVER THE CLUTCH SHUDDERING/JERKING/JUMPING ISSUE BEFORE A THIRD DEALERSHIP (IN ANOTHER STATE!) FINALLY REPLACED IT. SHORTLY AFTER I HAD A FRONT COVER OIL LEAK THAT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS ON THE VISOR AND RADIO CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING, THEY FIXED MOST OF IT BUT THE PASSENGER VISOR LIGHT STILL DOESN'T WORK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT I STARTED HEARING A POPPING SOUND IN THE RADIO, THEN THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK THE TRANSMISSION BLEW WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THEN THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS UNDER THE CAR AFTER IT WAS TOWED AWAY.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2017
"MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES"! WARNING & BUYER BEWARE: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS AN OPEN CLAIM UNDER THE STATES LEMON LAW POLICY. ON 7/22/17 AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS AS STATED IN THIS COMPLAINT, THE VEHICLE PROPELLED FORWARD BEHIND TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR ROADWAY AT A RAILROAD STOP TOWARDS THE GATES WITH AN ONCOMING TRAIN. REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO FORD AND FORD WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAS HAD MULTIPLE CLUTCH REPLACEMENTS AT FORD. THERE HAVE BEEN APPROXIMATELY 18 SERVICE VISITS AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THE DELIVERY DATE OF 12/15/15. ONBOARD SYNC SYSTEM- DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS. FORD SERVICE MANAGER HAS WARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES ARE NOT REPAIRABLE AND THE ISSUES WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR DESPITE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION REPAIRS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2017
THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS,JERKS ...WHEN I START TO LEAVE AN AREA.FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING.!!. WHEN I START THE CAR TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY OR EVERYTIME I LEAVE AN AREA,ALSO AT RED LIGHTS,ETC. ITS BEEN THIS WAY EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT IT BUT GILLIE HYDE SERVICE DEPT (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR )SAID IT WAS NORMAL WHEN I TOOK IT BACK.ALLTHOUGH I STILL HAVE THE CAR.VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS ISSUE
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2017
TRANSMISSION LOSES POWER RANDOMLY. ALSO, SHIFTING IS JUMPY, WHEN GOING FROM STOP, AT TIMES. HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS COMMON OF THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. I AM JUST USING TODAY'S DATE AS ONE OF MANY! STARTED ON THE FIRST DAY I HAD THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2017
THE CLUTCH IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SWITCHED OUT TWICE BECAUSE OF ITS DEFECTIVE PERFORMANCE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD DISTRIBUTOR, WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND CARED FOR, THE 3RD TIME AND IT WAS SUPPOSABLY ATTENDED TO AND CORRECTED BY REBOOTING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE CAR SHUTTERS AND DRIVES POORLY. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW TITANIUM, TOP DOLLAR, AND RECEIVED A LEMON THAT DRIVES TERRIBLY. ALSO, THE USB PLUGS DO NOT WORK. AND HAVE BEEN ATTENDED TO 3 TIMES, WITH NO AVAIL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE GENERAL MANAGER, AND MECHANIC THAT THE SPECIFIC MODEL IS DEFECTIVE. THAT THEY JUST CAN'T GET THE CLUTCH RIGHT. AND THAT IT IS A LEMON. IT IS MY RIGHT, AS A CONSUMER, WHO THOUGHT SHE WAS BUYING THE BEST OF AMERICA'S CARS, AND PAID FULL PRICE, TO BE REIMBURSED AND COMPENSATED.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2017
RECALL NHTSA # 15V436 (FORD RECALL #15C06) IS ON THE C-MAX BODY CONTROL MODULE. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO NOT START. IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE 7/3/17 AND I HAVE NO UPDATES. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED 7/1/15 AND THE CAR, ITSELF, WAS PURCHASED THE NEXT 8/2015 SO IT WAS SOLD WITH A KNOWN RECALL AND NOW, 2 YEARS LATER, IT'S VERY CONCERNING THAT A FIX IS STILL NOT READILY AVAILABLE WHEN BROUGHT IT FOR SERVICE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2017
A/C NOT HEATING PROPERLY, DEALER SAYS CAN'T FIND PROBLEM, I EXPECT AS MUCH FOR WARRANTY WORK. SOUNDS LIKE STRANGE NOISES UNDER DASH.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 5, 2017
MY CAR STALLS SHAKES AND STUDDERS WHEN I ACCELERATE, EVEN AFTER I TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF IT CONTINUES ,I'VE NEARLY BEEN REAR ENDED PLENTY OF TIMES. I DON'T FEEL SAFE AND EITHER DOES MY PASSENGERS AS AND I'M SURE THIS JERKING AS AND TIRE SPINNING WILL CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2016
MY CAR SHAKES TERRIBLY WHEN GOING INTO AND OUT OF FIRST GEAR. TRANSMISSION ISSUE I ASSUME. BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW WITH 2 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST OF 2015. HAS BEEN DOING THIS EVER SINCE. I GET MY REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND DRIVE NORMALLY
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2016
THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED, NOTHING HIT IT AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2016
HAVE HAD MY FORD FOCUS JUST OVER 2 MONTHS. WHEN I BOUGHT IT NOTICED THAT IT SEEMED TO HESITATE WITH ACCELERATION AFTER I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY RESET MY TRANSMISSION AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE FINE. IT STILL HAS BEEN DOING IT. HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. IT DOES WELL ON THE HIGHWAY BUT ON THE STREET OR REGULAR TRAFFIC IT DOES IT EVERY TIME. IT BOTHERS ME BECAUSE IVE BEEN ALMOST HIT A COUPLE TIMES BECAUSE IT SHAKES AND THEN GOES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2016
ACCELERATION ISSUES UP ACCELERATION IT FEELS AS IF THE FORD FOCUS IS STRUGGLING TO ACCEL WITH WORRIES ME SINCE I JUST BOUGHT IT NO EVEN A WEEK AGO. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO CHECK IN TO THE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT ISSUES BEING REPORTED ABOUT THESE CARS FOR BEING BASICALLY BRAND NEW I SHOULD NOT HAVE ISSUES ON ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2016
A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT GRILLS COMING LOOS AND POPPING OUT WHEN DRIVING, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE THE GRILL IS LARGELY COSMETIC IF IT FALLS OUT AND IS RUN OVER OR HITS ANOTHER VEHICLE IT CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK. NOTICED THIS HAPPENING ON MY OWN CAR AND GOOGLED IT, HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE, NO RECALL OR EVEN TSB.
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.
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, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2015
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CROSS A BUSY HIGHWAY. WHEN I ACCELERATED THE GAS PEDAL HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS SLUGGISHNESS CONTINUED AS WELL AS HARD JOLTING FORWARD SHIFTS AFTER INITIAL ACCELERATION AND EVENTUALLY A FORWARD JERKING LOUD DOWNSHIFT NOISE WHEN STOPPING. THESE PROBLEMS CONTINUED, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO COVER IT.