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
1,030 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jul 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test determined a fault within the transmission. The contact then called the dealer where he was informed that there would be a delay in service due to overwhelming service demand. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2022
My sound system in my vehicle, OEM, started making loud crackling noises in my speakers. It comes at no warning at full volume. When I'm driving it may cause me to jump when it happens. I've already caught my self veering to out of control when it happens, because of jumping out of my seat. The only solution I have is to remove the fuse that supplies power to my center console. Now it is completely blank. No radio, backup assist, being able to use my phone through the vehicle to prevent accidents or have a clock for time.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration with the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,778.
Power train, Jul 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the transmission fault and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a defective clutch. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train). The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 153,757.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2022
The car feels like it's skipping when I try to pull out at stop signs and lights. Also does it when I'm driving. Feels like a gear slips or something
Power train, Jul 9, 2022
I had my check engine light come on afterwards the car started to hesitate. My car is having issues with shifting through the gears and feels bogged down. I took it to a Ford dealership where they tried for 3 and a half hours to get the light to come on again with no luck. They told me to bring it back if the light comes on again.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over safely and activated the hazard lights. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump was defective. The contact stated that an unknown sensor was reprogrammed. The contact indicated there was more damage to the vehicle from the sensor; however, the dealer was unable to repair the additional damage. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
Power train, Jun 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating. The contact was able to continue driving and pulled into a gas station however, the vehicle hesitated and started sputtering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle. Upon attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact pushed the vehicle into a parking space with assistance. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact replaced the starter however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed and the failure was associated to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 14M02. The contact was informed that the parts to do the repair were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts would be available within 9-10 months. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Power train, Jun 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving on a highway at a disclosed speed the vehicle started shuddering and shifting then starting hesitating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was diagnosed as the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. This happen on several occasions The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The mileage was approximately 60,000.
Wheels, Jun 21, 2022
Cannot change my tires due to swollen lug nuts. Because of this my tires have not been able to be rotated and will need to be replaced because of too much wear. Several mechanics have had difficulty getting them off and on and have said that I need to purchase replacements because Ford lug nuts are notoriously bad. If I were to get a flat tire, I would be stranded.
Power train, Jun 16, 2022
While driving the vehicle it begins shuddering and jerking, when parked and shifted into reverse the vehicle did not move, when brake was applied to shift to park, the vehicle lunged forward up and over the curb. This has been a continuous problem, when is the NHSTA going to do their job and make ford recall these vehicles.
Power train, Jun 15, 2022
The car intermittently doesn't shift into reverse and struggled to shift from first to second gear and sometimes loses some power when shifting into or while in higher gears. I had it looked into by an independent service center who recommended replacement of 2 clutch actuators which I had done at a cost of $853.17. I didn't drive it for a week after the repairs while on vacation. When I returned, the same issues exist and the engine light is on. I couldn't back out of my driveway and had to drive through my yard to go to work.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2022
-RECALL TITLE: TRANSMISSION CONTROL -UNKNOWN -THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY ARIZONA VEHICLE EMISSIONS --UNKNOWN -THE PROBLEM APPEARED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. IF FEELS LIKE SHAKING.
Power train, Jun 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift gear as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Power train, Jun 8, 2022
3rd time the clutch has started to shudder violently during acceleration. 1st clutch replacement was covered under a Ford safety recall in Nov 2019 (58,000 miles), 2nd clutch replacement was paid in cash in April 2021 (76,000 miles), and now I'm looking at paying cash for a 3rd clutch replacement in June 2022 (92,000 miles). Ford has only covered ONE clutch replacement despite the clutch issue happening every 14 months. This is just outside the 12-month "warranty" for the parts & labor, and I'm fed up with having to replace the clutch almost every year.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2022
The CHECK ENGINE light keeps turning off and on, had a diagnostics test done and it came back, "TRANSMISSION FRICTION ELEMENT B STUCK ON", SERVICE INTERVAL LIGHT RESET PROCEDURE" the vehicle is a 2015 Ford Focus it has approximately 67,223 miles on it. we keep it maintained. it has been periodically shaking and jerking while driving and it tends to loose momentum as well. This started about a month ago. I have put in some gas treatments thinking it was bad gas. it gets better for a minute then gets worse. it has progressively gotten worse over the week.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM’s fell to zero, causing the vehicle to stall. The check engine, ABS, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank was deformed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was then towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 108,102.
Power train, Jun 6, 2022
Transmission shudder when acceleration from a start. Sometimes it hesitates when starting out from a stop.
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2022
Radio is making a loud popping noise at random times. It’s easily distracting and could very possibly cause an accident due to the random loudness of the popping.
Other or unspecified, Power train, May 30, 2022
Esta es la segunda vez que se arruina la caja de la transmisión voy caminando y no agarra velocidad voy en el freeway y no avanza no hace los cambios al tratar de rebasar, aparece una luz roja y marca motor. Hoy apareció una advertencia en el tablero que dice transmisión caliente espere 5 minutos voy en freeway do de me parqueo??? Fui a la agencia y no me han ayudado dijeron que debo dejar el carro por 3 meses.ahi parado con ellos repito es la segunda vez en 2 años y medio que esto pasa
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.
Power train, May 24, 2022
The transmission went out and will not go in reverse. Thank goodness my daughter made it her friends from where we had it towed to bulldog transmission. The car is not drivable. It has 116000 mileage. The car did have a louder engine noise that other cars I’ve driven. The car was fine for several weeks, we bought it used. The car had a hard time getting up the neighborhood hill then died in the friends driveway.
Air bags, May 17, 2022, crash
This car was involved in an accident recently. Car was totaled in the accident. Car hydroplaned during rain and hit another car on interstate. Air bags FAILED to deploy during accident. Car is available for inspection if needed. This could have been a fatal crash without air bag deployment. Car is currently being inspected by insurance company. Police were at the accident scene. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms that anything was wrong with air bags. There are no current recalls for air bags according to Ford manufacturer. Ford manufacturer was contacted regarding issue and they stated that they won't do anything about it, they won't look at car or investigate, only to follow up with our insurance company.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 16, 2022
I had a ford certified tech work on my Ford Focus and after my recalls were supposedly repaired my car is doing worse than ever, if I stop on a hill I will sometimes roll backwards due to apparent engagement issue, and after a new tcm to fix that my car now displays “transmission overheating stop safely” after a few miles on the highway. it shifts really rough and I haven’t ran the risk of stopping on a hill. Not what I would expect coming from a family who has over 100 years put into working at ford motor company.
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2022
1.) After getting gas the car wouldn’t start. It took several attempts over half an hour to get it to start. This happened a couple of of times before the next incident. 2.) While driving on I-35 at 70 mph the car stopped accelerating, like it were in neutral, the dashboard warning message said “VEHICLE NOT IN PARK”. Lights, radio, etc. continued to work at full power,. The car never started again, but gave faint sounds of attempting to turn over. This is dangerous because I and my fellow drivers doing 70+ mph on a popular hwy weren’t expecting a car to just suddenly stop without warning. Towed to Grand Prairie Ford. Told it’s likely a transmission recall issue. They have 3 other 2015 Ford Focus in their service lot with the same issue. Those cars have been waiting for 2 & 3 weeks since diagnosis and parts are still not available.