2015 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Transmission hesitates when accelerating
- 77owner reports
- 60,000median miles
- $2,800median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
77 of the 295 reports of transmission shudder on the 2015 Focus describe hesitation when accelerating.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (295 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts, transmission slipping
Tick what matches of 77 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (52 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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 2013-2014 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.
What owners paid
6 of the 77 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $4,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 68 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“1.Clutch shudders and hesitates on acceleration 2. safe driving requires non hesitation when accelerating 3. yes the dealer confirmed 4. Dealership has inspected, recommends replacement of clutch on automatic transmission at 27,000 miles 5. no warnings indicated, car has been regularly serviced by the dealership From what I am reading, this is a common problem and a design flaw per the dealership”
Filed Jun 18, 2024 · 27,000 miles
“Vehicle hesitates and jerks a lot during stop & go. Feels very unsafe when yielding to incoming traffic to make left turn and vehicle hesitates and jerks as Iâm beginning to accelerate during turn. Transmission dash light recently appeared stating âTransmissions Hot.â”
Filed Aug 10, 2023
“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.”
Filed Jul 9, 2022
“Transmission shudder when acceleration from a start. Sometimes it hesitates when starting out from a stop.”
Filed Jun 6, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 77 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 219 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 95 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 56 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 51 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 30 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 25 reports