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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 12 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #225

Jul 172017

Focus

  • 17,050 miles

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

When starting from a stop or accelerating the transmission slips and suddenly gains traction. Noticeable slipping and missed shifts are always occuring.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #224

Dec 072019

Focus

  • 86,074 miles
My vehicle accelerated when I was slamming full pressure on the brake and caused me to hit a store, thank the lord I had full coverage and it only did cosmetic damage to the vehicle, I've also had times where it will say the traction control is out or it has no uphill start, my model doesn't have that. I would like a refund on my vehicle but it has issues already.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #223

Dec 052019

Focus

  • 3,840 miles
The vehicle continually surges when accelerating from a stop. Vehicle has been taken in repeatedly and I am told that they update software on a module. Am told it is a known issue but because it is in litigation they can't replace transmission. I want a safe car. I am afraid to let my grandchildren ride in it. Date below for event date is most recent.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #222

Dec 022019

Focus

  • 79,900 miles

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

While in rush hour traffic the vehicles dps6 dual-clutch "powershift" transmission failed to downshift properly causing the car to rear ended the car in front of it. Impact was roughly 15-25 mph.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #221

Nov 042019

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
Vehicle experiences clutch shuddering on light acceleration. Ford has extended the warranty but refuses to repair the vehicle as the service tech advises, after driving it, that it isn't severe enough yet, per Ford's arbitrary standards. When driving the vehicle, the shudder occurs when first starting out from a stop. The normal reaction when this occurs is to give it more gas, resulting in more rapid acceleration than planned or necessary. This may result in loss of control of the vehicle, especially on wet or icy roads. It is a defective product, acknowledged by Ford, but Ford refuses to repair it, gambling that I'll sell it or time on their extended 'warranty' will run out before it gets bad enough to meet their arbitrary repair threshold.

- Wasilla, AK, USA

problem #220

May 102019

Focus

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle shuddered without warning. The vehicle was taken to Suburban Ford of waterford (248-674-4781, located at 6975 highland rd, waterford, mi 48327) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #219

Jan 282019

Focus

  • 127,857 miles

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

12-2-2016 purchase date. Purchase was delayed because sandifar's had to take it to a dealership for transmission repair. Clutch pack is what I remember being told. 1-26-19 break down. Driving to work on a paved county road and got a 'transmission overtemp' error (it was in the teens temperature-wise outside with snow on the ground). Transmission would not function for several minutes, then would only go a mile or 15 before overheating again. Finally gave up at the diner at highway 9 and highway 26. Had it towed (paid $200) to hubler/dellen/mccoy/whatever in muncie. Had to rent a car for two days (I had it for more than 24 hours). They replaced the transmission control module under warranty and charged me $430.96 to replace the clutch actuator. As far as I can tell it still slips. September 2019 receive letter from Ford. Had some work done at adams (across from work in kokomo). They mention the clutch seems to be slipping. 11-11-19 to it to brad howell Ford in kokomo. Talked to jeff in the service department. He made copies of my letter and my paperwork from hubler. The service manager was supposed to look into what can be done and call me.

- Winchester, IN, USA

problem #218

Oct 232019

Focus

  • 77,000 miles
Car began shuddering and then would no longer shift gears or accelerate while going up an on ramp to the highway. Had to put the car in neutral to roll out of traffics way.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #217

Oct 102019

Focus

  • 78,000 miles
Vehicle shutters very badly in first gear. Ford sent out a letter in September extending the warranty to include a free clutch repair, but dealerships refuse to fix the problem instead opting to 'update' the software, which does nothing.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #216

Oct 302019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
I was sent a letter of recall Dec 2018 for my 2015 Ford Focus, reference 18S32; NHTSA recall 18V-735; I promptly took my car into autonation Ford katy tx for repair, on Dec 22 2018, warranty claim invoice# 981353 at this time PCM was reprogrammed and it checked ok. On Oct 30 2019 my car was at half tank of gas, and it stalled out repeatedly, and engine light remained on. I took it back in. Im concerned that: 1) the repair was not effective 2) I need a calibration & inspection on the powertrain control module; ref recall 19S22N 3) my cpv valve was never replaced, as Ford did not have the part avail at time of recall Dec 2018. My car is showing all symptoms of cpv and or PCM failure..I cannot let my gas tank go till half full or below, or it surely stalls and engine light is on, also the low idle is V rough, classic cpv or pmc failure symptoms [xxx] cell [xxx] work phone [xxx] my dealer claims my cpv is fixed and I do not have right to recall 19S22N this is just wrong, in my opinion, it was never fixed, replaced in the beginning. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #215

Oct 222019

Focus

  • 54,125 miles

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

Slipped transmission, it hesitates to go, when stopped at stop light. It has a salvaged titel

- Mount Vernon, OH, USA

problem #214

Aug 012019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving low speeds, the vehicle violently jerked as the rpms increased. The contact stated that there was a delay in acceleration. The vehicle was taken to autonation Ford gulf freeway (12227 gulf fwy, houston, tx 77034, (713) 489-2089) where the contact was informed to let the computer catch up after getting it upgraded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000. The consumer stated the transmission is slipping.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #213

May 012019

Focus

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact was notified of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). While driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, while adding fuel to the vehicle, the contact detected a fuel leak. Furthermore, the TPMS and windshield wiper fluid low warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to matthews Ford (175 E main St, norwich, NY 13815, (607) 334-3273) who stated that the recall remedy was not available. The dealer diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Norwich, NY, USA

problem #212

Oct 062019

Focus

  • 127,200 miles
My 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 sedan electric randomly had the check engine light come on and started shifting abnormally and out of control. At first it wouldn't shift properly and then out of nowhere it revved up high and made my vehicle accelerate down the road almost causing me to wreck.

- Albany, MO, USA

problem #211

Oct 012019

Focus

  • 6,000 miles
I purchased the car with 6K miles 18 months ago and have driven it for approximately 15K miles since then. During that time I've experienced a recurring, persistent and severe transmission shudder that makes the car lurch and lag when starting from a stop or shifting from 1st to 2nd gear (although it is less severe - still very noticeable, but not scary when shifting from 1st to 2nd). Starting from a stop is the major safety-related concern for me because the driver has a sense of losing control. I assumed since the car was used it was out of warranty. Then a month ago I received a letter from Ford saying the warranty had been extended on the transmission shudder. The letter had my vehicle VIN number on it so I assumed it applied to my vehicle. After taking it to my local dealership they said my car was not under warranty because it had previously been wrecked (prior to my purchase of the vehicle). They charged me $250 to diagnose and confirm it has a severe transmission shudder problem, which they said was not covered by Ford. They estimated the necessary repair to the clutch and actuator to be $2,100. I called the Ford hotline confused about the letter I received only to be told again the warranty doesn't apply to me because the car was previously wrecked. I understand a previous wreck may void the warranty, but in this case it seems an exception is warranted as this a well-known transmission problem with this model and my symptoms are identical to those documented elsewhere. Ford also refused to reimburse me the $250 I paid to have the problem diagnosed, which I did because they sent me a letter telling me my warranty had been extended. Ford should be required to fix this problem even on cars which otherwise don't qualify for the extended warranty because of some technicality.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #210

May 102019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The vehicle failed to shift into the proper gear the shuddering and transmission issue made the vehicle unsafe the transmission failed to operate as intended while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift into the correct gear. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated and the transmission failed to shift into reverse. The vehicle was taken to brighton Ford, 190 w bromley ln, brighton, co 80601, (303) 800-3235, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the shuddering in the transmission was not enough to have the vehicle repaired. The contact was concerned with the vehicle not being able to operate as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V169000 (power train). The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Broomfield, CO, USA

problem #209

Sep 012019

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (engine). Prior to receiving the recall notice, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the vehicle needed to be serviced by a dealer. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to stall while driving various speeds. The contact no longer drove the vehicle. The contact spoke with matt bowers Ford (3724 veterans memorial blvd, metairie, la 70002, 504-887-8410) and scheduled an appointment for diagnostic testing. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it remained for two weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #208

Sep 292019

Focus

  • 71,000 miles
The RPM's constantly jump up and down from 2-4, not accelerating sometimes when I hit the gas stalling and almost pausing happens all the time. Also, the gear switches are not in a safe location. I don't use them and have accidentally hit them while driving which lead to sudden stops on the expressway putting me at risk to be rear ended. Has happened several times.

- Lansing, IN, USA

problem #207

Sep 222017

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
2015 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to powershift transmission settlement. The consumer stated the transmission was rebuilt, but the failure continued. When the consumer attempts to accelerate the vehicle stall and then lurches forward berfore resuming noral driving. The failure was intermittent. The dealer could not duplicate the failure; therefore, the could not repair the vehicle.

- Mena, AR, USA

problem #206

Sep 122019

Focus

  • 85,000 miles
My 2015 Ford Focus has a horrible clutch shudder and slips when you try to pull out into traffic. I have spoken to Ford about this and they claim there is no issue that would cause the slippage. They recognize there is a shudder problem, but refuse to do anything about this. This is a huge safety concern and they will not do anything with the vehicle. The title is branded due to an accident involving the rear passenger corner and it being a cheap car. The accident has nothing to do with the horrible transmission/clutch they designed and new that it was a bad design. This shudder/slipping problem has about caused an accident a couple times now as it doesn't always act like this. It will do great for a little while and then when you need to move quickly it will rear its ugly head again. It is the worst when you are trying to pull into traffic or turn ias you pull out it seems, but always from a stand still or close to it.

- Alamogordo, NM, USA

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