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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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,727 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #90

Jan 012022

Focus

  • 88,000 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 his daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed his daughter that vehicle was included in an unknown recall. The contact-??s daughter was informed by the dealer that parts for the recall were on back order and she was advised to leave the vehicle in their possession however, the driver declined. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Yuba City, CA, USA

problem #89

Apr 012021

Focus

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact shifted into neutral and restarted the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the evaporator system had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- York, PA, USA

problem #88

Jan 222022

Focus

  • miles
Vehicle looses all power while driving on freeway. Gas guage inaccurate, after filling gas and driving 150 miles it is out of gas without warning and will loose power under any operating condition. This has happened numerous times.

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #87

Dec 222021

Focus

  • miles

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

My 2015 ford focus has continually stopped in traffic causing a safety risk to other drivers and myself. I've taken it in for recalls and repairs but the problem still exists. The front rail hp switch was replaced and the hp fuel pump was replaced too. I'm afraid for people and my life. I have googled the problem and I see thousands of people have the same problem and can't get it fixed without dumping thousands of dollars into it. This has gone too far. I need help. Please. I'm old and not rich.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #86

Jul 212021

Focus

  • 72,664 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated the vehicle failed to accelerate over 25 MPH. The vehicle was jerking while shifting gears. The vehicle overheated and shut down however, the vehicle was restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The transmission warning message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions and diagnosed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 72,664.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #85

Jun 222021

Focus

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the check engine warning light was illuminated and the RPM started to rise. The contact also stated it the vehicle was rough when shifting gears. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact called a local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Wathena, KS, USA

problem #84

Apr 302021

Focus

  • miles

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

My car has a check engine light with code P1450. This problem occurred in 2019 and was addressed by reprogramming the PCM. In 2021 I got the same code and now the purge valve is stuck open. I noticed that after adding fuel the car had trouble starting up until I gave it a little extra gas. I was advised not to drive the vehicle as it may stall, suddenly go into limp mode, or the fuel tank may collapse. I would like to note that all other focuses of this generation have received a recall on the purge valve, but excluding my engine the 1.0. a lot of digging into forums has shown me that many 1.0 owners have had this problem with their Focus. Quite shady to recall only some of the focuses when it seems that it's a common problem with all engine variations.

- Waipahu, HI, USA

problem #83

Jul 032017

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
The transmission is not shifting gears properly. We took it to the mechanic and he said that it is a computer problem. The only thing that can solve the problem is a master reset. The mechanic said that that it is not something that can be fixed and the vehicle should be recalled.

- Doraville, GA, USA

problem #82

Feb 222021

Focus

  • miles
This car cut off while driving it has been taken to the Ford place in covington Georgia the problem is still here almost cost me my life cut while entering into traffic it happen often I am paying on this car my job close do to covid I need this car to run better so I can work

- Madison, GA, USA

problem #81

Jan 112021

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
From a stop, vehicle seems to shudder as it shifts from 1 to 2, and 2 to 3

- Waldwick, NJ, USA

problem #80

Dec 272020

Focus

  • miles

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

The car has a hard time accelerating and almost almost doesnt sometimes. The engine was silent but now the engine seems kind of loud when starting up. The car was in motion on the street.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #79

Dec 082020

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
While driving my car or even allowing my car to idle it starts shaking and will shut off. Once it is off it is very hard to get and keep it started. Once I do get it started I have to rev the engine between 3K and 4K RPM just to get it to stop doing this. I first thought it was only when putting fuel in or idling but it is happening all the time. I used injector cleaner and octane booster to try to help but it is not working. It is throwing a fuel issue when put on the diagnostic. It happens to the point where I cannot safely drive my car. The dealership stated it is probably the canister purge valve but my VIN is not listed although if falls within the year of the recall.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #78

Sep 042020

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
While driving my car on the highway the engine suddenly lost power just imagine that with 2 kids in the back seat completely scary situation my car felt like I was driving a stick

- Miami Gardens, FL, USA

problem #77

Sep 042020

Focus

  • 0 miles
The clutch actuator circuit-P0902 gave out again within a year of its last recall

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #76

Jul 162020

Focus

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while driving. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated while driving without warning. The contact stated that the engine sputtered and the RPM revved up while switching gears. The vehicle was taken to autonation Ford miami (16800 nw 57th ave, miami, fl 33015, 305-707-0141) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

- North Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #75

Jul 092020

Focus

  • 120,000 miles
I was driving to work on the highway at 70 mph and the tachometer gauge started bouncing and the the engine shut off. Right before the engine shutoff it acted like the fuel was vapor locked and the engine was not receiving an adequate amount of fuel. The fuel gauge showed 1/2 tank of gasoline. My car was fixed last fall because of a fuel tank recall. The dealership installed a canister purge valve and flashed the tcm. Before the dealership installed the canister purge valve and flashed the tcm I experienced the same prior to the dealership fixing the decal. Now whenever my vehicle gets at or below a half of a tank on my fuel gauge it acts like it's starving for fuel and is going to die out.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #74

Apr 142016

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) however the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle resumed normal operation after the vehicle was turned off and restarted. Several unknown warning lights were temporarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the fuel pump was replaced. The vehicle was taken to rich Ford located at 8601 lomas blvd ne, albuquerque, nm 87112, and the motor mount, clutch release bearing, release cylinder bearing, purge valve were replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Estancia, NM, USA

problem #73

Jun 302020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 158,233 miles
My car appears to over heat while idled; sitting in the driveway and again waiting in a drive through. This had happened before over a year ago and it is happening again. I was told that it was a recall transmission issue and it was fixed. I receive a warning stating that the car is too hot pull over because it will cut off. I turn off my car for a minute or less and it returns to normal. This takes place if the ac is on or not.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #72

Jun 302020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
I had my Ford Focus transmission repaired at least three times so far. As of today, the car is still stalling and jerking. I scheduled a service maintenance today. But, I was turned down by todd ( service rep) and bob (service manager) because the level of effectiveness was not amounted to 250. Therefore, they recommend that I should continue driving the car as is and risk my life and my family. This is not acceptable. My life and my family life is worth more than $3000.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #71

Feb 052020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 88,116 miles
I have a 2015 Ford Focus that I got finance through marin county Ford, April 2017. I have taken may car to marin county Ford and recently hilltop Ford regarding the check engine light on and transmission problems. When I drive the car city/highway it shudders, has slow speed, shifting gears, running hot and will not go into reverse. I took my car back to hilltop Ford and they didn't fix the transmission. They broke the coolant tube and charge me to fix it. The issues have not being resolved as of May 21, 2020 my car is undrivable and I have to register it next month by July 7, 2020 as non operable. Hilltop Ford refuse to honor the recall on the transmission issues.

- 510-619-4941, CA, USA

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