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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2015 Ford Focus & its "Powershift" transmission has a defect trend where the car shudders when accelerating, especially when starting uphill.

Most owners have reported their Ford Focus remains driveable while the vehicle is still at low mileage, but the shuddering is annoying & unpleasant & may reduce the resale value of the vehicle.

However, owners of higher-mileage vehicles from earlier 3rd generation Focus model years report transmission failure & a host of other major & expensive transmission-related problems. Potential buyers beware.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,047 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Ford Focus drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2015 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 11 of 23)

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problem #245

Feb 122020

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Trams.

- Fl, FL, USA

problem #244

May 132020

Focus 3-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
The drain plug for the B6 6-speed transmission comes loose and causes the transmission fluid to bleed out. Causing the transmission to burn up. This is a factory shield system no way to check fluid level. Apparently the fluids leak while traveling.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #243

Jan 042016

Focus 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
The power steering went out on this vehicle along with the transmission. We lived in the desert at the time (phoenix metro/san antonio to be exact); yet when we took it in for work the mechanic had found extensive rust damage to everything. Paid out-of-pocket for a new steering column and rebuilt transmission. Now, something is wrong with the radiator compartment. I believe that somewhere there is damage because once we are done driving for a bit, the entire reservoir will leak out onto the ground.

- Minot Afb, ND, USA

problem #242

May 042020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission- was denied service for clutch replacement due to mileage over 100,000. Though I filed complaint at 90,000 miles. Also, transmission leaks due to the faulty transmission. Unsafe due to possible fire hazard. Fuel- fuel tank was repaired by certified service dealer, since the repair I've been stranded 7X due to unable to get fuel. Half tank of gas traveling high speeds on interstate with traffic and car shuts off, I lose ability to control vehicle. 3X I've barely avoided collision. Single mom, one vehicle. Something has to give.

- Bernice, LA, USA

problem #241

Jun 012016

Focus

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the vehicle was taken to automax Ford (3301 E central Texas expy, killeen, tx 76543), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump sensor and transmission sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that several months after the repairs were performed, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the transmission sensor was replaced a second time. The contact stated that 11 months after the first repairs, the vehicle experienced the fuel pump failure. Additionally, the contact stated that after refueling, several attempts were needed to start the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #240

Mar 312020

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
Transmission slipping and causing the battery to drain.

- Eatontown, NJ, USA

problem #239

Mar 252020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle loss motive power. The contact stated that the RPM fluctuated. The transmission overheated warning was displayed on the vehicle's message center. The contact pulled the vehicle over and waited for an hour. The vehicle was driven to sam galloway Ford located at (1800 boy scout dr, fort myers, fl 33907), where it was determined that the transmission control module and clutch motor assembly needed to be replaced. The repair was started completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Consumer stated dealer gave a impression recall was free but was charged $500.

- Walsenburg, CO, USA

problem #238

Feb 272020

Focus

  • 118,000 miles
Showing code P0903 transmission code

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #237

Jan 072019

Focus

  • miles
Had taken my 2015 Focus into sarasota Ford in sarasota, Florida to be serviced and recall about the clutch recall. They had issued me a 2018 Ford Fusion courtesy vehicle for 3 days while working on my car for the recall, as well as the wiperblade motors bogging down to nothing on their own while under warranty. I was given a report upon pickup saying that the technician drove the car to smell for burning disc and looked through inspection port and wrote that there was no burning smell, that clutch is fine and that the wiper issue could not be duplicated. Wiper issue I have personally verified upon picking up my vehicle that was never fixed. Recall issue was never remedied per recall order inspection and or fix including reprogramming. I have gone on multiple websites to pull my car service history and there is no record of my car ever going in for service there. This tells me (speculation) they never reported my vehicle as being serviced, and also all websites including Ford pass is stating my vehicle as being unresolved with the issue. I have checked today as well (2-10-20) and no changes or record has been recorded. Currently in the process of finding my vehicle report from them for documentation. Recall was issued for clutch disk fracture/potential fire risk

- Gibsonton, FL, USA

problem #236

Feb 072020

Focus

  • 28,000 miles
Vehicle shakes and transmission slips when pulling out from a stop. It does this every time you pull out from a stopped position.

- Huntingdon, PA, USA

problem #235

Sep 012019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the gear shift lever was placed in reverse however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle independently decelerated. The contact stated that the electronic control module and transmission clutch were previously repaired. The contact stated that a message indicating transmission overheated was also visible on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to (chapman Ford horsham 1100 easton road, horsham, pa 19044 phone number (215)-674-3600) where the technician replaced the electronic control module several times along with the transmission clutch however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #234

Jan 312020

Focus

  • 115,000 miles
Driving on an interstate and my 2015 Ford Focus wouldn't shift correctly. Then a light came on saying "transmission failure. Service now." I was able to cruise to safety but it was a very scary situation with 3 children in the car!

- Arnold, MO, USA

problem #233

Jan 282020

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
I was heading home pull into driveway and car just cut off and never start back up I wait for a hour car stayed back up headed out to auto zone and they put on a hand computer and it was coded with internal control module called fire gave them the VIN number and was told not a recall after a read the recalls from July 2019

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #232

Dec 042018

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
When I am driving my car is fine, however when I come to a complete stop then try to accelerate, my car's transmission seems to stick... then it causes my car to shudder and shake. This issue also occurs during accelerating at lower speeds (10-30mph) and can occur during acceleration when a complete stop has not been made.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #231

Jun 142017

Focus

  • 16,320 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle shuddered with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was diagnosed as a transmission failure as the clutch had been replaced twice. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired at bill macdonald Ford (200 S carney dr, St clair, mi 48079). The contact stated that the failure has recurred for a third time. A diagnostic was scheduled which was still pending. The contact received an extended warranty notice from the manufacturer in September of 2019 for intermittent transmission shudder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 16,320.

- Algonac, MI, USA

problem #230

Jun 152019

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
On June 15th 2019 I was involved in my first accident. I was at a stop going straight and in front of me was a car turning to go South on the street in front of me. As I was getting my first gear ready to go my car suddenly accelerated forward and I T-boned the person turning. I had my children with me and after this accident I feel very unsafe in my car, I lost trust in Ford keeping me and my family safe. I know there has been recalls but when I take it in they say it just a software update or something about a fuel tank. I have seen a recall in regards to my transmission and I have mentioned it to the dealership but they give me the run around and say that they don't show that in their systems so they can't do anything about that. Now I'm hearing about the Ford employees speaking out on faulty clutches.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #229

Dec 122019

Focus

  • 68,000 miles
I literally just bought this car and the stereo is popping very loudly when it is turned off, loud, low nothing seems to work but turning the car off and on. This a extreme safety hazard from being scared from the popping notices out of no where to my hearing on the road which is a danger. I have read many many problems with this happening but there is no recall. I am also have power issues to where my car jerks and shudders after a complete stop like it doesn't want to take off which it should not do. I have read many defects on this problem too

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #228

Jan 022020

Focus

  • miles
When I am driving my car is fine, however when I come to a complete stop then try to accelerate, my car's transmission seems to stick... then it causes my car to shudder. It happens every time my car hits 1600rpms.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #227

Nov 252019

Focus

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on various occasions, the vehicle stopped abruptly while driving. In addition, all the warning indicators illuminated simultaneously. The contact had the vehicle towed to cavalier Ford greenbrier (1515 S military hwy, chesapeake, va 23320, (757) 424-1111) where the vehicle was inspected multiple times. The key fobs and battery were replaced; however, the failure continued. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 44,000.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #226

Nov 062019

Focus

  • 52,900 miles
#1- on an incline: After coming to a complete stop, transmission periodically shudders around 15-20 mph when shifting gears automatically. Also occurs frequently when slowing down to 10 mph for a speed bump, then accelerating modestly; usually occurs in 15-20 mph range. #2- after transmission heats up (driving for about 30 minutes), transmission shudders after coming almost to a complete stop, then turning onto adjacent street and accelerating moderately. Again, most often occurs between 15-20 mph. #3- hillside assist on an incline: Sometimes transmission holds vehicle in place, sometimes vehicle rolls back. #4- from a dead stop, engine bogs down a little upon initial acceleration unless gas pedal is strongly depressed. Vehicle purchased September 2019 from dealership, multiple events (over two dozen) occurred beginning almost immediately and continuing over a three-month (approximately 1,400 miles driven) period.

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

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