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, Electrical system, Visibility, Jun 29, 2015
I TRADED THIS VEHICLE IN FROM A 2012 FORD FIESTA, WHICH AFTER THREE YEARS HAD BECOME A ROLLING DISASTER, FROM THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION TO THE ALWAYS-DYING BATTERY AND TWO RECALLS. THE DEALER ASSURED ME THE 2015 FOCUS WAS REDESIGNED AND MUCH BETTER. I'LL ADMIT IT DRIVES MUCH BETTER, IS ROOMIER, AND NO JERKING IN THE TRANSMISSION LIKE THE FIESTA'S "AUTOMATED MANUAL" TRANSMISSION DID. BUT NOW WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS HOT, I SMELL AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING, ALMOST LIKE A GASKET, RUBBERY TYPE SMELL. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BRAKES, ENGINE OIL, WHAT. I TOLD THE SERVICE DEPT. ABOUT IT, BUT THEY SAID WITH JULY THEY WERE SHORT OF HELP WITH VACATIONS, AND SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAD 500 MILES ON IT, I HAD "PLENTY OF TIME" ON THE WARRANTY, NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THEY SAID TO LET IT BREAK IN AT LEAST ANOTHER 500 MILES. SO FAR I'VE NOT HAD SMOKE, STARTING OR STALLING PROBLEMS LIKE OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. I HAVE BROKEN IN LOTS OF BRAND NEW CARS IN MY LIFETIME, AND NEVER, EVER HAD A BURNING SMELL. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT THE USUAL NONSENSE OF "WE'LL ESCALATE THIS ISSUE WITH YOUR LOCAL DEALER," AND LIKE THE FIESTA, NOTHING. ....UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF THE COMPLAINT HAS SINCE BEEN RESOLVED. THE LOCAL FOR DEALER PERFORMED A THOROUGH CHECK OF THE VEHICLE AND ADJUSTED THE CLIMATE CONTROL. UPDATED 11/17/15. *JB
Power train, Jun 25, 2015
MY FATHER BOUGHT A FORD FOCUS, AFTER DRIVING MINE AND LIKING IT SO WELL, IN FEB/MARCH OF THIS YEAR. HE TOOK IT BACK FOR TRANSMISSION WHINING. HE WAS A MECHANIC IN THE ARMED FORCES AND KNOWS THE SOUND, AND CHUCK ANDERSON FORD SAID THAT IT WAS A BEARING PROBLEM AND THEY "FIXED" IT. HE PICKED UP THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION STILL MADE THE SAME WHINING SOUND. A FEW WEEKS WENT BY AND THE NOISE WAS LOUDER SO DAD CALLED AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I GOT INVOLVED AND MADE A CLAIM TO FORD, ON 3/11/2015. I EXPLAINED TO JAMES THAT I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY 79 YEAR OLD FATHERS SAFETY IF THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS "DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS" WITH THE TRANSMISSION. DAD, AGAIN, HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT AND THE DEALER REPLACED SOME OF THE PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. STILL, THE CAR WHINED AND DAD TOOK IT BACK. THE DEALER THEN TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD DRIVE IT 2500 MILES TO LET THE PARTS GET WORN IN. 2500 MILES LATER DAD TOOK IT BACK, NOISE GOT WORSE. THE FORD REP CAME OUT AND TOLD DAD THAT THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS BUT THEY COULDN'T FIX ALL OF THEM. REALLY??? THEY FIXED THE F-150, WHY NOT THE PASSENGER CARS? I AM APAULLED AT THEWAY FORD HANDLES THIS SITUATION. MY FATHERS LIFE MAY NOT MEAN ANYTHING TO FORD, BUT IT MEANS THE WORD TO ME. FORD HAS PROVEN TO ME THAT THEY SEE A LIFE AS DISPOSABLE IN LIGHT OF THE THINGS THEY HAVE NOT DONE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IN ALL OF THE CARS, FORD OWNERS HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT, GO OUT, THEN WHAT? WE AS CONSUMERS ARE STUCK WITH A HEFTY BILL FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE. FORD NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLY FOR THE PRODUCTS THEY PUT OUT AND THE SAFETY OF ALL OF US FORD OWNERS. THEY NEDD TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE ARE STRANDED, CRASHED OR KILLED AND AN INVESTIGATION IS WARRENTED IN THIS SITUATION. ALL FORD OWNERS ARE DUE THIS.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 24, 2015
MY INITIAL COMPLAINT WAS POSTED ON 06/19/2015, THE DAY OF MY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. MISTAKENLY, I FILED THE COMPLAINT UNDER THE REGULAR FOCUS MODEL AND NOT THE ELECTRIC. LAST FRIDAY, I JUST CHARGED MY CAR TO 100% AT WORK. LATER, I WAS DRIVING HOME AT 40 MPH WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I WAS ABOUT TO HIT MY FIRST RIGHT TURN. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE STREET LEADING ME TO THE 210 W FREEWAY. WHILE TURNING RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND FROZE UP AND DID NOT ALLOW ME TO MAKE A FULL TURN. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE THE WIDEST TURN POSSIBLE, THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO CARS OR IT COULD'VE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR STRAIGHTENED OUT SMOOTHLY AGAIN. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I AM 8 1/2 MONTHS PREGNANT I FELT SCARED TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER WHAT JUST HAPPENED I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK MY OR MY UNBORN CHILD'S LIVES ON THE FREEWAY.I TURNED AROUND TO TAKE STREET HOME. AS I DROVE, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF MY RADIO SAID "TURNING OFF AUDIO TO SAVE BATTERY". I WAS CONFUSED AS TO WHY I WOULD GET THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND IT WAS FULLY CHARGED. THEN EVERY MINUTE THE RADIO WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF. NOT TOO LONG AFTER CONTINUING ON STREETS THE CAR MADE A CONTINUOUS ALARM SOUND WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAID "PULL OVER SAFELY, RIGHT NOW!". I WAS SCARED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE CURVE WHICH WAS, UNFORTUNATELY, PAINTED RED, IT WAS A MERGING LANE. I TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS,WITH EVEN GREATER DISAPPOINTED, THE LIGHTS JUST FLICKERED THE ENTIRE TIME. THIS WAS IN EVENING, MY CAR IS BLACK AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHILE IN A MERGING LANE. IT TOOK ME APPROX. 15 MINUTES TO SAFELY GET OUT OF CAR WITH HOPES I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CRASHED INTO. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN A FATALITY. FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SHOWED UP 90 MINUTES LATER. FORD ADVISED ME TO BRING THE CAR TO DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS YET TO BE RESOLVED. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2015
I HAD JUST CHARGED MY CAR TO 100% BEFORE LEAVING WORK. LATER THAT DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 40 MPH AND I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING WAS WRONG UNTIL I MADE MY FIRST RIGHT TURN. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON TO A STREET THAT WAS GOING TO LEAD ME TO THE 210W FREEWAY. AS I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND THEN FROZE UP AND WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO DO A FULL TURN. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE THE WIDEST TURN POSSIBLE. AFTER THE CAR STRAIGHTENED OUT IT WAS GOING SMOOTHLY AGAIN. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I AM 8 1/2 MONTHS PREGNANT I FELT SCARED AND DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. SO, I TURNED AROUND TO TAKE THE STREETS HOME. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF MY RADIO AND SAID "TURNING OFF AUDIO TO SAFE BATTERY". I WAS CONFUSED AS TO WHY I WOULD GET THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE I HAD APPROXIMATELY 97% CHARGE. THEN EVERYTHING MINUTE OR SO THE RADIO WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF. NOT TOO LONG AFTER CONTINUING ON THE STREETS THE CAR MADE A CONTINUOUS ALARM SOUND FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE THAT SAID "PULL OVER SAFELY. RIGHT NOW!" THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE CURVE WHICH WAS, HOWEVER, PAINTED RED AND TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS, WHICH HAPPENED TO FLICKER THE ENTIRE TIME. KEEP IN MIND IT WAS LATER IN THE EVENING SO IT WAS DIFFICULT TO NOTICE THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND MY HUSBAND. I THEN CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO THEM. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SHOWED UP ABOUT 90 MINUTES LATER AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 10, 2015
WHILE PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGN ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE LOST DRIVE POWER. A WRENCH APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAID SERVICE. HAD I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN APPROACHING VEHICLE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AND THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY AGREED THE ISSUE WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE HOWEVER SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE AND ERROR CODE WAS NOT GENERATED. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED.