NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 14 recalls, 1008 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Ford Focus.
105 MPGe combined
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant story across 2015 Ford Focus complaints centers on the powertrain, which accounts for nearly half of all reports filed. Owners consistently describe problems with the dual-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission, shuddering, jerking, hesitation on acceleration, and what many describe as the car feeling like it won't move from a stop. Repeated shop visits for the same transmission or clutch control module issues without a lasting fix is a recurring theme. Engine-related complaints also appear frequently, with owners reporting stalling while driving, rough running after brief idling, and power loss, sometimes with little or no warning light before the problem becomes severe. Steering complaints rank second by volume, though at roughly one-fifth the rate of powertrain reports. The transmission shudder and stall pattern is the clearest thread running through the complaint set for this model year.
1,008
Total Complaints
31
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
19
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Ford Focus has 14 recalls, with the most serious being multiple fire and stall risks: transmission fluid leaks that can ignite near hot engine components, an overheating 120V charge cord that can catch fire, and a canister purge valve that can cause the engine to stall without warning and without the ability to restart.
Fire risks appear across several systems. On models with a 1.0L engine and 6-speed manual transmission, a clutch fracture can damage the transmission and allow fluid to leak onto hot surfaces. An engine block heater on certain 2.0L models can crack, leak coolant, and short-circuit when plugged in, raising fire risk. There is also an ignition concern where the engine may continue running after being switched off, allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of park and roll unexpectedly. On Focus Electric models, a differential pinion gear shaft can overheat and fracture, cutting drive power and disabling the transmission's park function. Three separate door latch recalls cover the same underlying problem: a latch component can break or fail to engage, leaving a door that appears closed but can swing open while moving, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue in all cases. On hatchback models with a manual transmission, a single press of the interior release button can unlatch the rear hatch, posing a risk to rear passengers. A compliance recall rounds out the list covering theft protection and rollaway prevention standards.
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The canister purge valve may malfunction in certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles that received an incorrect repair under recall 18V735, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to address the valve malfunction.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch may fracture in vehicles that were previously repaired under recalls 18V169 and 18V845. A fractured clutch can damage the transmission assembly and cause transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, creating an electrical short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater or install a threaded plug and remove the electrical cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A door latch component may break, making doors hard to close or allowing doors to appear closed when they're actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect door latches and replace them if needed at no cost. Owners can also check latch date codes online to verify if repair was done correctly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine control module wasn't updated as planned. This can cause the canister purge valve to fail, creating too much vacuum in the fuel vapor system.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control module software, check for fault codes, and replace the canister purge valve if needed. Related components will be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The canister purge valve may stop working properly, creating too much vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
What the fix does
Dealer will reprogram the engine control module and check for fault codes. Canister purge valve, carbon canister, fuel tank, or fuel delivery module will be replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 120V charging cord lacks a thermistor. If your home's outlet or wiring has high resistance, the cord can overheat and melt during charging.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your cord with a new 120V convenience cord that includes a thermistor, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch may fracture, damaging the transmission assembly and potentially causing transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly free of charge. Focus vehicles will also receive software to prevent prolonged clutch slip.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hatchback can open with a single press of the interior release button, failing to stay latched properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A component inside the door latches can break, causing doors to fail to latch or appear closed when they are actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission's differential pinion gear shaft can overheat and fracture in certain 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The differential pinion gear shaft may wear excessively due to a manufacturing error, causing overheating and fracture. This could cause sudden loss of driving power and failure of the park function, allowing the vehicle to roll away.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine may continue running after you turn off the key or press the START/STOP button, preventing the engine from shutting down as intended.
What the fix does
Dealers will update your vehicle's body control module software at no cost to fix the engine shutdown issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine may continue running after you turn off the ignition or press the Engine Start/Stop button and remove the key. This allows the vehicle to be driven without the key present.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software in the body control module to stop the engine when the ignition is turned off or the start button is pressed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
