2015 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Transmission slips
- 76owner reports
- 49,000median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
76 of the 295 reports of transmission shudder on the 2015 Focus describe transmission slipping.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (295 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts, hesitation when accelerating
Tick what matches of 76 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the clutch pack (38 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
9 of the 76 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $430 to $3,600.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 22,000 and 78,000 miles, from the 53 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission slipping. I was waiting to turn into my apartment and as I went to turn, my gear slipped where i was stuck in on coming traffic. Found out that there is a lot of ford focus having the same issue with transmission.”
Filed Aug 6, 2025
“When I left work one evening, my 2015 Focus transmission started slipping and wouldn't stay into gear. The folks at Koons Automotive (Silver Spring, MD) indicated that this transmission is habitually problematic and has probably failed.”
Filed Mar 2, 2024
“Unknown, vehicle slips out of gear leaving you stranded in the middle of the street”
Filed Feb 28, 2024
“The transmission is known to be defective on this type of car, causing the clutch and TCM to need to be replaced every couple of years. Just this past week my clutch went out while I was merging onto a crazy highway, 485, in NC and I was unable to accelerate for a long time. I was able to get home but the clutch slipped another two times within a 10 minute period.”
Filed Aug 24, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 76 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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