Third generation
2015 Ford Focus
The most reported problem on the 2015 Ford Focus is transmission shudder, with 295 complaints, usually around 61,000 miles.
- 1,019owner complaints
- 9recalls
- 31involved a crash
- 63,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Focus doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2015 model year.
Is the 2015 Ford Focus reliable?
The 2015 Ford Focus has 1,019 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 6.7 times the median of 151 for 2015 hatchbacks on this site. Of the 5 Focus model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Transmission shudder leads with 295 of the 1,019 complaints (29%), ahead of stalling at 221. A quarter of the 223 owners who gave a mileage for transmission shudder saw it by about 28,000 miles, and half by about 61,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 35 of the 1,019 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 31 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 28 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 14 of 31, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of transmission shudder, stalling and misfire has a recall on the same system: transmission shudder, 18V-169 and 26V-376; stalling and misfire, 26V-011. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2019, with 223 complaints, 2.1 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 32 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard, 295 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
1,019 complaints is 3.7 times the median 2015 model on this site and 6.7 times the median 2015 hatchback. Among the 5 Focus model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Ford Focus
Ford filed 130 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Ford Focus. 35 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 4 bulletins · 295 complaints
Certain 2014 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2014 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension
MULTIPLE 2014-2016 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6F35 TRANSMISSION AND BUILT ON 1-JAN-2014 AND THROUGH 31-DEC-2015 MAY EXHIBIT HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT AND HARSH/DELAYED 3RD AND 5TH GEAR UP/DOWN SHIFTS WITH NO DTCS PRESENT.
2 more on this problem
SOME 2011-2015 FIESTA VEHICLES BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/15/2014 AND 2012-2016 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DPS6 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SHUDDER ON LIGHT ACCELERATION.
FORD: 2012-2015 FOCUS AND 2011-2015 FIESTA MAY EXHIBIT TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE AND EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SHUDDER ON LIGHT ACCELERATION ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE A DPS6 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION *CN
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 4 bulletins · 221 complaints
Some 2011-2016 Fiesta and 2012-2016 Focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 transmission may exhibit intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no start or a loss of power.
DPS6 - no satart and/or transmission engagement or loss of power with DTCS u0100, U00101, U1013, U3003 AND/OR P0606
2 more on this problem
DPS6 - NO START AND/OR TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT OR LOSS OF POWER WITH DTCS U0100, U0101, U1013, U3003 AND/OR P0606 ISSUE Some 2011-2016 Fiesta and 2012-2016 Focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 transmission may exhibit intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no start or a loss of power.
FORD: 2011-2015 FIESTA AND 2012-2015 FOCUS MAY SHOW CONCERNS OF LOSS OF TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING OR LOSS OF POWER *CN
Check engine light or misfire 10 bulletins · 96 complaints
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
8 more on this problem
Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2014-2015 Escape, 2015 C-Max and Focus vehicles equipped with integrated remote start may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0116 in the powertrain control module (PCM) immediately following a remote start event.
Some 2015-2018 Focus ST vehicles may exhibit a misfire condition and/or illuminated MIL with DTCs P0300 and/or P0316 with engine coolant temperature below 49°C (120°F). Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Some 2015-2018 Focus ST vehicles may exhibit MIL On with DTC's P0300 and/or P0316 store in Powertrain Control Module(PCM) memory.
Some 2015-2017 Focus ST vehicles may exhibit MIL On with a perceived Misfire after cold start. Diagnostic Trouble Codes DTC's) may include P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303,P0304, and P0316.
MAY ILLUMINATE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WITH MISFIRE CODES
Some 2012-2015 Focus vehicles may exhibit inaccurate fuel gauge indication and/or inaccurate distance to empty. The vehicle may also exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0420, P1450, P0443, P0452, ...
FORD: AFTER POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ON WITH SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P06B8, P068A, P2610, IF KEY NOT LEFT FOR 30 SECONDS IN OFF POSITION FOLLOWING PROGRAMMING ON SOME MODEL 2009-15 ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 7 bulletins · 25 complaints
Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with 8 inch or larger center display ...
Some 2012-2016 Focus Electric vehicles built on 15-Sep-2011 and through 9-Dec-2015 may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center.
5 more on this problem
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric vehicles may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center.
Some 2015-2017 vehicles may experience a no crank concern due to a security access key table error. When attempting to program keys or perform a parameter reset, the procedure may fail and the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool may display an error ...
THE EV RANGE AFTER FULLY CHARGING A 2012-2016 FOCUS ELECTRIC, 2013-2016 C-MAX/FUSION ENERGI MAY VARY AFTER EACH CHARGING EVENT. THE WINDOW STICKER INDICATES 0-19 MILE RANGE FOR 2013-2016 CMAX/FUSION ENERGI.
2013-2016 FOCUS S MODEL VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE AN OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DISPLAYED IN THE IPC AND THIS FEATURE CANNOT BE ADDED. THE SENSOR IS IN THE RIGHT HAND OUTSIDE MIRROR AND IS USED BY THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) FOR CALCULATIONS.
In some of the affected vehicles, the front control/display interface module (FCDIM) may have been unintentionally programmed for the European market instead of the North American market
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 2 bulletins · 20 complaints
2014-2017 Fiesta, 2015-2018 Focus, 2018-2019 Ecosport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit coolant consumption,white smoke and/or a runs rough condition.
2015-2018 Edge, Fusion, Focus, MKZ, MKC, Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit coolant consumption, white smoke and/or a runs rough condition.
Battery dies or the car will not start 6 bulletins · 12 complaints
For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern.
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2019 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the second Generation 120-volt electric vehicle service ...
4 more on this problem
Some 2012-2018 Focus BEV vehicles may exhibit DTC U0130 in the battery electric control module (BECM) after replacement of the high voltage (HV) battery pack.
Some 2012-2017 Focus BEV, 2013-2016 Fusion Energi And 2013-2017 CMAX Energi vehicles equipped with a Telematics Control Unit (TCU) may exhibit inoperative remote features via My Ford Mobile app, discharged battery, incomplete user authorization and/or ...
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2018 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the Delphi 120 volt electric vehicle service equipment ...
Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset procedure not being properly completed.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
SOME 2015-2016 FOCUS VEHICLES IF EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE START AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE 17-OCT-2016 MAY EXHIBIT VEHICLE STALL WITH A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC)P1594.
Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
Complaints filed by year
223 complaints came in 2019, 2.4 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Timing belt failure. Open.
NHTSA summary
Timing belt failure. Closed jul 31, 2026.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 20, 2024.
NHTSA summary
Door latch failures. Closed feb 7, 2022, led to recall 20V-177.
NHTSA summary
Door latch failure. Closed oct 29, 2016, led to recall 16V-643.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2015 Ford Focus
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 9 recalls on the 2015 Ford Focus, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Ford Focus?
Transmission shudder, with 295 of the 1,019 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 61,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Ford Focus problems start?
Of the 698 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 37,000 miles and half by about 63,000.
How many 2015 Ford Focus complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
35 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission shudder on the 2015 Ford Focus?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls on the same system: 18V-169 and 26V-376. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.