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, Aug 31, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a traffic light, the clutch failed to operate as designed. The contact was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated she heard an abnormal noise. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the clutch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2021
RPM jumps when pedal is not pushed. Car has issues going into reverse. TCM issues.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 23, 2021
The engine on the car stalled shortly after the vehicle purchase from a local dealer (within less than two weeks), The dealer claimed that he never had a such issue, I had to get the car towed to a local Ford dealership then they found out the issue was the purge valve sticking causing negative pressure in the gas tank, so they ended up replacing the purge valve and updated the PCM which should have been addressed by the Safety Recall 18S32 & Safety Recall 19S22. What makes me confused is that when I did VIN lookup , my car was not affected, however the issue I had seems to be the exact match of those two recalls I mentioned. I nearly paid $800 after tax and this seems quite upsetting after I found out Ford had to recall nearly 1.5M cars for the same issues which excluded my vehicle. Is there anyway appeal this issue? I highly believe that Ford is responsible for those two issues I had to pay for. I attached the dealer invoice that explained what they did to fix the car.
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, Jul 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered without warning. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V169000 (Power train). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall was serviced, and the clutch was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred a year later. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the clutch needing to be replaced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the warranty being expired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2021, crash
I hit a deer, lost control of my vehicle and rolled it twice. None of my air bags deployed and my 911 assist never dialed 911.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 1, 2021
Faulty cannister purge valve causing rough idle, stalling. Code P1450. Dealership has "fulfilled" recall requirement by re-flashing the ECU, without our knowledge or permission. Now that part is actually failing, they will not fix under the recall. This is a KNOWN problem and they try to "fix" is for free while its still working so they can make money off it later.
Power train, Jun 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminating from the time the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where no issue was found. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to reverse when the gear shifter was shifted into reverse. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Steering, Jun 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering box started making a grinding sound. The vehicle became difficult to steer. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer and it was diagnosed with the steering box needing to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 72,254.
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.
Steering, Jun 23, 2021
- power steering system, steering assembly - the power steering stopped working suddenly - yes, both a Ford dealer and an independent mechanic saw the failure code on the computer - steering fault light flashes on the dashboard at the same time as the issue happens
Power train, Jun 19, 2021
Car shifts bad then makes noise and light comes on for engine so park car shut it off wait a few mins and crank again but it won't go still
Power train, Jun 14, 2021
Code error P07A3 Transmission FORK A, car is jerking and gears 3 and 4 are getting stuck!
Power train, Jun 12, 2021
on multiple occasions, the transmission will shudder. this shudder occurs between 1st and 2nd and/or 2nd and 3rd gears. a few times, while driving in the snow, after some tire spinning or sliding, the transmission either slipped from a high gear or froze while driving on the highway at highway speeds. i have been told by Ford and the dealer that the clutch system has already been replaced under the recall and i would now need to pay for repair. along with the clutch recall, there was also a recall on the software component, and i don't believe that has been replaced. there are no warning lamps or messages with this malfunction
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jun 7, 2021
Upon entering Interstate highway 66, my car started jerking and the RPM gage was fluctuating and loosing power. A tractor trailer swerved and blew the horn. My car shut off on me in the right lane. I was able to restart and drive toward the shoulder and a warning light states “Transmission Overheating Stop Safely”. I took it to my certified mechanic and it read code P0460. When he lift the car, the gas tank is sunk in. Back in summer 2019 there was a recall on the “purge valve” and we notified them in 2020 that the car stared jerking and acting like it wanted to shut off. Again the code #P0460 same part and they said the warranty on the valve expired they can not reopen the recall. Now my gas tank is caved in and the car is stalling out on the highway getting worse. Ford Motor company keeps brushing us off and not concerned about the safety of their vehicle.
Structure, Jun 4, 2021
weld came loose from frame.
Power train, May 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered however, the vehicle never lost motive power. The contact also stated that water was leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 18V169000 (Power Train) prior to the failure. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The dealer updated the engine module to keep up with the rpm's however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Power train, May 20, 2021
While driving in traffic, car started lurching, speed slowing down check engine light came on doing about 20 miles, barely made it to my home. Went from about 30 miles speed to barely 20. No warning, just started lurching and shuddering. Was on recall for clutch work was done on Sept 19, 2020.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 17, 2021
There have been several instances, while driving highway speed limits and when braking, the car accelerates for a few seconds before the vehicle brakes and slows down. This can be very dangerous especially if traffic stops unexpectedly. I have a couple close calls. There weren't any warning lamps given and I have not taken it in to dealership to examine. I have not inquired with dealership mechanic if this was an occurrence they have encountered.
Power train, May 12, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PERSON WHO WAS STRUCK WAS THE ONLY INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE FACILITY WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V169000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 7, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FORWARD FROM BEING STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN ACCELERATED INADVERTENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHUDDERED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE MYERS FORD (16634 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77040) WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE RETURNED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE HAD THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED HER A TRADE FOR THE VEHICLE WHICH SHE DECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,040.
Power train, May 3, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO UPSHIFT AS NEEDED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE CASTRUCCI FORD (1020 OH-28, MILFORD, OH 45150, (513)275-1048) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2021
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT AND WON'T START BACK WITHOUT WARNING IT USE AFTER PUTTING GAS IN IT I SEEN WHERE THEY ARE RECALL 2012-2018 FORD FOCUS CPV BUT WHEN I PUT THE VIN IN IT DOESN'T SHOW UP BUT MY IS DOIN THE SAME THING