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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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,141 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2015 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Jan 122020

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Electrical system that supports the radio. I would like to report this electrical because something leaked from the radio area, burning the car interior near the radio. Radio started making a popping noise before the burn. Know the radio does not work in the off position radio still pops. Scared to drive because of safety. Date may be wrong...but on file Ford douglasville thornton road.

- Lithia Springs, GA, USA

problem #31

Dec 152019

Focus

  • miles
The radio and cd is not working.

- Marston, NC, USA

problem #30

Jan 202020

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The radio quit working but more importantly it makes intermittent popping noise so loud it hurts your ears. It even does it with no keys in the ignition. After internet research this has been happening in models since 2012, mine is a 2015. It is my daughters car and she is scared to drive it because it's so loud it startles her while driving. Happens all the time, stationary, driving, no keys in ignition and radio will still work sometimes with white noise but the popping sounds like it is full volume. It is very starting and scares me also.

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #29

Jan 192020

Focus

  • miles

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

Wind shield wipers malfunction after 15 to 30 mins they rapidly speed to and you are not able to control module. Then wipers slow down and turn off and are unable to come back on. Also when you turn vehicle off windshield wipers stay on.

- Lewiston, ME, USA

problem #28

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 #27

Jan 012020

Focus

  • miles
When I took the key out the car was still running we pulled the ignition fuse to shut it down but all the inside lights were still on the dashboard lights like the car had died we disconnected the battery so the battery wouldn't be run down I googled it and it said that there cars were recalled for a microsoft problem I wondered if mine was included in that

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #26

Apr 152019

Focus

  • 70,000 miles

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

When trying to accelerate from stop my car sputters/ stutters and tries to stall out. It also has something wrong in the electrical system that has caused my stereo and other functions to no longer work

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #25

Aug 042019

Focus

  • 39,000 miles
A bought a used Ford car from Toyota, the car unknowingly had a recall on it. The car has been seen 10 times, under warranty, the transmission and clutch has gone out, Ford and Toyota have refused to by back the car. Car has been out of service for 31 days as of now. And I have not received a rental, Ford will not open the recall back open. Hendricks won't look at the car they tell me to take it back to Ford. While driving the car the car would not exelorate pass 40-55 miles per hour. The radio, bluetooth ports stopped working. The auto start and stop stopped working. I have contacted Ford company more than 10 times with 6 case numbers. The last time I was driving the car I was in motion on the highway when I could smell a burning oder, then the clutch pedal went out (stuck in the far back position) then the car when into limp mode and would not excel pas 50 miles per hour after pressing the gas the gas petal goes out. The stick to change gears when out and the car was smoking. I then rolled off the nearest exit ramp where the car came to a stop in the middle of the street

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #24

Jul 022019

Focus

  • 71,000 miles
Took my car for tcm repair - dealership found another sensor issue needing to be replaced 4 days later transmission fault service now and hillside assist unavailable errors came on. When accelorating from a stop the car has a hard time shifting gears. Car is back at dealership but the mechanics and service director say they have never heard of such issues. It is all over the internet(over 4971 complaints) about Ford Focus transmission issues

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #23

Mar 082019

Focus

  • miles
I'm having problems with my Ford Focus 2015 (75000 miles). When accelerating quickly into an intersection, there is a delay in acceleration. When it comes to deceleration, my vehicle cannot properly downshift, even when I apply the brakes, the vehicle lurches forward. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership and they have told no light on dash, no tmc. They keep insisting is the clutch that needs to be replaced and don't want to replace the tmc. Dealership in rutherford

- Carlstadt, NJ, USA

problem #22

Mar 072018

Focus

  • 60,000 miles

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

The fuel gauge reads wrong by atleast an 1/8 of a tank and and when it says you have 30 miles till empty you might get 10 miles before you run out of gas.it will not give you any warning when it runs out of gas it will start to suppder and then will not start until you put more gas in.and you can smell gas inside the car.it happens while driving or just idoling.

- Advance, MO, USA

problem #21

Jan 212019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 42,800 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and could not be turned. The vehicle was towed to bo beuckman quality Ford (15675 manchester rd, ellisville, mo 63011, (636) 227-5700) where it was diagnosed that the electrical box was malfunctioning, which affected the power steering. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls to cover the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,800.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #20

Feb 062019

Focus

  • miles
Radio audio stops working no blue tooth or radio called Ford asst. Given things to make radio work but only works for awhile and radio stops working have to pull fuse to reboot radio but only last a month halve to do this over and over complain to Ford about this to no satisfaction researched online seem several people have the same issue now dealer wants $800 dollars for a repair it's a safety issue do to bluetooth stops working for hands free talking

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #19

Jun 182018

Focus

  • 11,790 miles
Vehicle has intermittent starting problems. Inside dash lights flash on and off. Cannot have inside dome light on (the light that comes on when doors open) or it drains the battery. Settings for radio/heater/clock/etc. Change on their own. Nothing ever stays set. I have taken it in to the dealership a couple times now and they can never find anything. They kept it for 3 days the last time. This has been happening since I bought it. The vehicle is stationary when I have the starting problem. Sometimes the car will start in a few minutes, sometimes longer. The other problems with inside lights and dashboard happen when the car is in motion. This happens on various days and times.

- Dayton, NV, USA

problem #18

Oct 052018

Focus

  • 49,185 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that each time the vehicle was fueled, it failed to start and the check engine, battery, and oil warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to ray varner Ford (located at 2026 N charles G seivers blvd, clinton, tn 37716, (865) 457-0704) where it was diagnosed that the vapor canister needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 49,185.

- Clinton, TN, USA

problem #17

Sep 262018

Focus

  • 74,000 miles
My car does not accelerate on the road when my foot is pressing down on gas pedal but RPM increases resulting in stalling in motion like conditions. It is very scary and frustrating for me and my occupants that ride with me to work.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #16

Jan 042018

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
October 15 2015 I bought a Ford Focus 2015 S 4dr from the dealership. Right away had issues with it stalling and shorting out the computer and keeping a charge. However on January 4th 2018, I was sideswiped going 45 mph and collided into a tree and a few other vehichles also. I sustained serious injuries due to none of my airbags deploying. The car was deemed a total loss and I still am paying on this vehicle. Ive noticed many similar models having similar concerns, however my specific VIN states its not involved in any recalls.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

problem #15

Apr 032018

Focus

  • 8,722 miles
Car was stationary. No power and could not start the engine. Inspected under the hood and there was while powder spots every where around the engine. Removed the battery cover and battery appeared to have exploded. Positive terminal was completely corroded. Dealer cleaned area and replaced a new battery. Now starts and runs.

- Rockport, TX, USA

problem #14

Apr 032018

Focus

  • 8,722 miles
Car was stationary lost power and could not start engine. Inspected under hood and there was white powder every where around engine. Removed battery cover and positive terminal was extremely corroded. Dealer replaced battery

- Rockport, TX, USA

problem #13

Aug 162017

Focus

  • 27,345 miles
Fsa title: Transmission control module extended warranty coverage field service action number: 14M02

- Cabo Rojo, PR, USA

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