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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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,799 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 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Jul 252019

Focus

  • 69,000 miles

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

Purchased used from a Ford dealer used 2015 Ford Focus. Was told that vehicle had to lern my style of driving. Car shutters when going accelerating, take time to shift between 1,2,3, gears. Also shutters at other speeds in the middle of shifting. Cannot shift quickly from parked or in stopped position like at a stop light or when merging into traffic. Car also now revs high and has to be cooled down after driving. I cannot trust vehicle to be driven by other family members due to transmission and engine acceleration problems. Has been an ongoing problem but dealership charges for diagnostics and states that it is the way I drive.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

problem #16

Jul 122019

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
My husband was driving the car in rush hour traffic, on the highway, and the car suddenly made 3 clunks and then the car suddenly started losing power, almost died out.he could not get the car to accelerate, even though he was stepping on the gas pedal. He almost got hit. This is not the first time that the car has done this. The first time, it stalled out completely and left him stranded on the highway. Ford is aware that there is a stall risk, but they can not repair the car. I have contacted Ford headquarters regarding this safety issue. I have not heard back from them. The 2015 Ford Focus has a bad transmission and the vehicle is not safe to drive because of the stall risk. The dealership that has had my 2015 Ford Focus will not try to repeat the behavior that caused the car to completely lose acceleration. They keep trying to give the vehicle back to me and it is not fixed!! Ford motors needs to be held accountable for knowingly selling the 2012-2016 Ford Focus when they knew that all of these cars had bad transmissions. We do not want the car back. These vehicles should not be allowed to be driven because of the stall risk.

- Bourbonnais, IL, USA

problem #15

Feb 012017

Focus 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
I previously mailed some information in about the powershift transmission error, the following is an interaction with Ford in 2017 attempting to resolve this concern: "360noans@Ford.com tues 8/1/2017 8:20 pm name[xxx] firstname[xxx] lastname[xxx] VIN[xxx] zip code63101 email[xxx] a Ford representative will be with you shortly. [xxx] says: Hello [xxx]. my name is [xxx]. how can I help you" [xxx] says: Great day, I was attempting to find out what type of transmission my vehicle has and was wondering if you all could find out from the VIN? [xxx] says: I'll be happy to assist you! please give me a moment to look into that. [xxx] says: Thanks so much for waiting. Upon research, your vehicle is equipped with a 6 speed auto transmission dps6. I this information helps. Did you have any other questions [xxx]? [xxx] says: Yes, is this model a powershift, or some other type or is there any difference in powershift with other transmission types? [xxx] says: Let me check for you. [xxx] says: I am still researching. I'll be with you shortly. [xxx] says: Cool, no rush ♥ [xxx] says: I appreciate your patience. It appears your vehicle has a dual power shift. [xxx] says: Thank you... I don't really have any other questions at the moment.... can I reach back out if I do" [xxx] says: Absolutely! we are available mon-fri 8:30am-10:30pm est, Saturday 11:00am-7:00pm est. [xxx] says: Thank you so much, have a beautiful week [xxx] says: You're welcome, enjoy you week as well! ____________ thank you for chatting with Ford Motor Company, please take a short survey to rate my service. Click on the small "X" in the top right hand corner to launch the survey." Vehicle is currently being serviced by bommarito Ford for fuel pump.transmission. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #14

Jan 052019

Focus

  • miles

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

Brought the car brand new, enjoyed driving it but then a year later the car would feel like it would stall but it wouldn't stall then when braking it would accelerate more. Took it to the dealership at honolulu Ford 1370 N. king street honolulu, hi 96817 for an oil change and told them about it also told them I got a recall letter in the mail and showed it to them but all I got was "oh you don't have to worry about that right now"! recently I have called the dealership about the recall and still nothing. The customer service is terrible and very rude.I don't know what to do so the only thing I can do is call them every week and ask about the recall.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #13

Dec 122018

Focus

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was driving on an incline, it lost power and decelerated. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called serramonte Ford (located at 999 serramonte blvd, colma, ca 94014, (855) 638-2136) and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Sanfrancisco, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 202019

Focus

  • 62,400 miles
The car shut off on me while driving and I scheduled the dealership to fix it because I found similar issues and a recall but when I dropped my car off they said no recall existed for my car and there is nothing they can about my car. When I was leaving the dealership I almost got hit in traffic because I had the same issue for two days in a row and it keeps happening.

- Brookville, FL, USA

problem #11

May 302018

Focus

  • 0 miles

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

The car has a known recall about the fuel system the car will randomly just shut off without warning Ford said you must keep the car on a half tank of gas at all times.they don't have the parts but my car is getting so bad very very bad

- Laurence Harbor, NJ, USA

problem #10

Jan 012017

Focus

  • miles
When I push on gas it take a while to speed up. Also it idols sometimes. Take awhile to gear up to speed. Sounds like it is dragging

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #9

May 012017

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- Accokeek, MD, USA

problem #8

Feb 232017

Focus

  • 4,300 miles
Takata recall my clutch was messed up in this car when I first leased it from us auto sales back in February 2017 and I had rental for a week only because the warranty covered it. Now the clutch is messed again and I was told I'll have to pay $2000 for it to be fix! is there anyway you guys can recall my car because I don't have that kind of money to keep spending on this car because the same problem keep occurring. Is always jerks and don't accelerate the speed of the car this always happens anywhere.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #7

Jul 152015

Focus

  • 76,706 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to accelerate. After a few minutes, the vehicle would operate normally. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to al packer's white marsh Ford (9801 pulaski highway, middle river, md 21220 (443) 777-5000) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 76,706.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #6

Jan 012017

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
My car stalls shakes and studders when I accelerate, even after I turn the traction control off it continues, I've nearly been rear ended plenty of times. I don't feel safe and either does my passengers as and I'm sure this jerking as and tire spinning will cause other problems.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #5

Aug 152016

Focus

  • 37,000 miles
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.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 052016

Focus

  • 32,000 miles
Have had my Ford Focus just over 2 months. When I bought it noticed that it seemed to hesitate with acceleration after I come to a complete stop. Took it back to dealer they assured me that they reset my transmission and everything would be fine. It still has been doing it. Have another appointment with dealership to see what my options are. It does well on the highway but on the street or regular traffic it does it every time. It bothers me because ive been almost hit a couple times because it shakes and then goes.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #3

Nov 092015

Focus

  • 1,100 miles
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.

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

problem #2

Dec 282015

Focus

  • 4,000 miles
I was driving on a major road at speeds of 50mph when car lost all power to the wheels and transmission slipped. I was leaving a mall parking lot and accelerating when the car jerked dangerously and stopped accelerating causing me to loose speed and control of the vehicle. Probable cause: Transmission failure or disconnect.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 012015

Focus

  • 16,000 miles
When accelerating the transmission is stuttering, grinding and performing poorly. Ford said that this is happening because "I drive too carefully, the transmission is designed to be driven aggressively and will get stuck between gears unless you 'floor it'".

- Louisville, KY, USA

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