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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.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
32,950 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
2015 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #3

Aug 312019

Focus SE 4-cyl Flex Fuel

  • Manual transmission
  • 51,891 miles

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

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engine failure

I also have electrical, overheating, transmission, power train systems running rich, calibration and alignment issues. It’s spent more time in the shop than we have had it. Groove Ford won’t look at it and Carmax wont return our calls - we had the engine replaced that same day the check engine light was back on.

- Joseph S., Littleton, CO, US

problem #2

Jul 172018

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 43,000 miles

The initial problem began a week earlier when my power seemed greatly diminished struggling to hold 65 mph. It seemed to go away but a week later while traveling 70 on I-285 near Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta it just shut down. I knew my car was under recall for a clutch pressure plate and thought perhaps that was it. It did shudder briefly before shutting down and the oil light coming on.

Dealership informed me yesterday the engine locked up and that they were replacing the entire engine rather than hunt down the cause. I am speculating they know what it is but it is much more cost effective to just replace the engine. I have received no cost estimate from the dealership as they are going forward with the repair. They provided a loaner vehicle to me at no cost.

Hopefully this new engine will correct what appears to be a defect flaw. If Ford, repairs it with no cost to me, I will be a very satisfied customer as long as this repair takes care of it with no future issues. I had been paying ahead on this vehicle and it will be paid off in a little over a year. I would hate to have to go purchase a new car so soon. My previous car was a 2005 Saturn Ion manual with 240K and I never had an issue only replacing the tires, brakes, and battery.

- Greg M., Braselton, GA, US

problem #1

Jun 182016

Focus 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,900 miles

So after the stupid steering wheel failure showed up, the engine failure appeared. The piece of s** car wouldn't shut off or turn on. The errors kept toggling between the two. The freaking windows stopped working as well, at least we had the damn radio working. All of this sht happened on June 18, over 90 degrees of sun, on a Saturday going to an early Father's Day luncheon. Needless to say, we spent more of our time besides starving at the dealership. To Koon's sales guys, they are nice decent fellas. The Service Manager John is a dick. After Ford customer service called to talk to him about all the problems I've been having since 2013 focus and now the 2015 focus, little turd says he's going to charge me for the loaner if I didn't bring it back in within the hour. Mind you that they didn't fix the problem and I told every single last person I spoke to at Ford that this is negligence and life endangerment. If I want out of the car, then I have to buy another car that costs 200 more a month. What the heck do they think I have money coming out of my behind? Again, you want to risk your life and your family's life - purchase a Ford.

- nikkiweston, Ashburn, VA, US

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