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:
37,875 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.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the contact noticed that the fuel gauge fluctuated and the readings were inconclusive. The contact stated that the battery, check engine, and oil warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions since may of 2017. In addition, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of acceleration. Furthermore, upon filling the fuel tank, the engine began to shake/tremble and the vehicle stalled while stationary. The contact restarted the vehicle several times and applied pressure to the accelerator pedal in an attempt to correct the failure. An independent mechanic removed the fuel tank to assess the vehicle, but was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. Waldorf Ford (2440 crain highway, waldorf, Maryland 20601, (301) 843-2400) was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
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.
My car was driving very sluggish on 10/24/2018, I had my car towed 42 miles to the last Ford dealerships that worked on my car last for a engine issue. After they did some test they said that my engine has blown due to the head gasket warped and the cylinders warped which caused coolant to leak into my engine. Upon talking with the Ford dealership they said that I did nothing to cause this, the service advisory said it was a defect of the design since my car showed no signs of issues. Ford said that my car should have overheated or had warning signs appear.
The car is own 3 years old and I have already replaced the fuel emission valves, the cooling system, and now the unaffordable transmission control, catylattic converter, and transmission clutch have gone out to where my car wont change speeds while on the highway, nor reverse.
There is now this grinding noise coming from my car engine. Was acting up a month after I bought it in 2017. Everyone said oh it's fine there's nothing wrong with it. Well it acts up as soon as I start to drive it slow.... others say it's the transmission. And others say I'm stupid. It slips when you start to go. I want this fixed
- Waupaca, WI, USA
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I took my Focus in for an oil change and was informed that the front timing cover has a leak the car has only 39068 miles on it but I have a friend who has the same vehicle and said she experienced the same problem had 41K miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and battery warning indicators illuminated, and the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to moon township Ford (5304 university blvd, coraopolis, pa 15108) for diagnostic testing, but no failures were found. The contact mentioned that the check engine and battery indicators illuminated prior to this failure. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.
From the very first year that I bought this car, (2015) it has had multiple problems with it; it shakes, shutters, 9even at 40-50 mph) uses way too much gas, it had a badly corroded battery, the clutch and transmission both, had problems and recalls!! I was raised, believing that either Ford or Chevrolet, were the american cars to own; not anymore, customer service, after the sale, is a joke; both autonation's (850 N. burleson blvd, burleson, tx 76028 and the 5000 bryant irvin rd, 76132 locations are horrible!! after I pay this loser of a car off, I will never buy Ford again!!!
Issues with the transmission slipping, engine hesitating and not accelerating immediately. Has been to the dealer twice and both time said nothing is wrong. Same issues that is part of the class action lawsuit. Occurs when accelerating from a stop, every time.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving 25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (nalley Ford sandy springs 7555 roswell road, atlanta, ga 30350), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was contacted, but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. On numerous occasions, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle shuddered. The dealer made several attempts to change the coil packs, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,600.
Twice pulling on to a busy hwy my car has stalled/shuddered, and lost power. Both times heat gauge sky rocketing. The last time my car turned off entirely, and had over heated. However it had only been in operation for about 5 min. Both times on a busy hwy. First time I took it in, they said it was a module update. Two weeks later it happened again and worse. I was able to limp my car into the dealership after letting it sit for 5 minutes. They replaced gaskets, and blew them on their test drive. Replaced a hose and gaskets again. My car was returned to me two days ago, and less than 50 miles later, the check engine light came on. The coolant was half full, and in the course of roughly 30 minutes of operation it had gone through half of the coolant. Yet there is no trace of a leak on the ground. In addition to all of that, on the first fix the ac had cut out twice which since they have claimed to have fixed. With all of this, it had created quite a fowl smell in my car as a result. My car at this point, my car has been in the shop 21 business days (not including saturdays.. which they work), the issues started mid August and it is now October 7th. They offered to give us the car back and that it was "just an air bubble". despite the check engine light being on and excessive loss of coolant. My car has been in motion each time it has had an issue. The first issue I was just pulling on to the hwy, so was just attempting to accelerate. The second time I had reached the hwy speed of 55 mph. (separate incident, they also had to replace a faulty seatbelt).
Purchased mid August 2016. We have put approx 750 miles on it in that short time. 1st incident, my wife stopped and while the car was in drive rolled backwards on an incline that resembles level. 2. from stop attempting to accelerate it jumps, stutters and barley moves. We have already had a near collision in an intersection due to this. Additionally, while getting on the on ramp it is so sluggish at times, that we are not even at proper speed to get on a freeway. Unsafe, purchased from enterprise who told us nothing about this at the time of purchase. Enterprise is allowing people drive away in these piles. If there hasn't been deaths, there will be. Enterprise is not advising customers of this because they have many in their fleet they must move out. Shame on them. Note: The following from the enterprise web site. Worry free ownership. Our job doesn't end when you pull off the lot. For your continued driving pleasure, we offer a unique combination of benefits to keep you happy down the road. They boast about a 12 month/12,000 mile powertrain warranty (limited) so you don't have to worry. They will tell you all of the issues we be taken care of. This is a lie because Ford doesn't have the answer yet.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving the vehicle at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerate pedal was depressed. The dealer diagnosed that the clutch in the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home with no failure. The following day, while driving 15 mph, the engine revved to 100 mph without warning. The RPM was at 8. the contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000. Updated 12/13/16 the consumer stated the dealer replaced the clutch and transmission control module. Updated 12/19/16.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and lost power. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags deployed and smoke fumes were noticed. The passenger received a neck injury from the seat belt and the child bit their tongue upon impact. The contact was also injured and transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 08/30/16
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving at various high speeds, the temperature gauge displayed that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle lost power and the check engine and high temperature warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown sensors and wiring were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My 2015 Ford Focus' transmission started to "shudder" with a jerking motion when accelerating at low RPM. Also I've experienced a loss of power/delayed acceleration when I press the gas pedal, especially when going up a hill, causing the car to not accelerate for about two seconds when I need it. There was a message "transmission overheating", then "press brake pedal" when I was idling in heavy traffic on the freeway. I had the car towed to serramonte Ford where I bought it, and bill the service person told me that "Ford Focus' are supposed to shudder, but that it probably had a bad double-clutch that needed to be replaced, and that there was a 12-week back order from the manufacturer, and that they would reprogram the computer and that should help the shudder problem as a temporary fix. I had an appointment that I waited four days for, then he told me the day of the appointment that it would be 3-7 days before he could look at it. When I called bill three times 3days in a row to see if it was fixed and him ignoring the messages, he called on the 5th day saying my car was ready. I went to pick it up and he said it still might have a little bit of a shudder and that it was normal and that it was safe to drive my car. He only listed that I complained of a shudder on the work order, never put down that any repair parts were ordered or on back order, and made it look like there was only an inspection along with an oil change. I drove my shuddering car home, perturbed at they're inadequacy. I received an E-survey from the dealership and I gave them the poor grade that was warranted. Within 30 minutes, service director henry called saying he'd have the clutch in only 8 weeks to appease me, but that I'd have to keep calling for updates. I don't feel safe driving it, fearful of it stalling when I need power critically. Faulty car that needs recall among many focuses.
The car lurches forward, experiences delayed acceleration all the time, delayed downshifting and vehicles that have trouble stopping. It is scary when I go to pull out and the car just revs and does not move I step on gas it will slowly go, then it will just rev. Several times I had to pull to side of shoulder to get out of the way because the car was not accelerating. Scary when my kids are in the car. It does it on a weekly bases. I have taken it in several time but they say sorry if they cant see the car doing it they cant fix it. This is a safety hazard when the car does not accelerate to move.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Accokeek, MD, USA