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.
Driving down the interstate from Chicago to Alabama. We went to take the off ramp and steering was very rough with a scrubbing type noise. I called the dealer who said he already knows what it is. It's a very common issue and it will cost over $2000 to fix. it is the the steering rack/power steering gear.
My wife is 62 years old, and she lost the power assist and was forced to drive home with out it. The situation of no assist was made worse due to the cold weather (-10F). She could barely drive and if she had been confronted with a dangerous situation she most likely would not have been able to safely steer out of it. This is a huge safety problem, both because it failed and because Ford knows it is a problem with this system, yet has failed to fix it.
The steering assist on on our 2015 Ford Focus failed at 35,000 miles as I was backing out of the driveway. Had I been driving on the street or expressway this very well could have resulted in a serious or even fatal accident. Sure seems like Ford should issue a safety recall regarding this issue since there is one for the 2014 Ford Focus and other Ford cars. It is the same steering assist unit. The car was undrivable, of course, and the local authorized Ford dealer charged me $2,470 to replace the steering gear. It was in the shop for more than a week.
We are retired on a fixed income and an unexpected $2,470 expense is devastating to us. We bought this car hoping to keep it forever and save money along the way. After dealing with the defective transmission, sync that doesn't, radio and brake repairs we see now this was a big mistake. My grandfather built Model Ts in Detroit and both of my parents worked for Ford their entire adult life. We have always been a Ford family. I will never buy another Ford.
I cannot believe that Ford does not have a recall for this problem. I purchased this vehicle for my 20 year old daughter. I am extremely lucky that the power steering went out on a side road. She did not have the strength to steer the vehicle. She would have crashed had she been on a highway. This happened without any notice. I had to tow the vehicle to the dealership and it cost me $2319 to replace the entire steering system plus 3 days without a vehicle. This vehicle only has 39,000 miles. This is the last Ford product that I will ever purchase!!
In April of 2016 bought a "certified used" 2015 Ford Focus 2015 SE. Warranty ran out at 48k mi. The electrical steering rack failed at just over 71,000 miles at the cost of $1800 to replace the entire part (which I was told it the ONLY way to repair it from multiple repair shops) I've heard most folks paid over $2000 for the same fix. Very dangerous vehicle because steering failed while car was in motion.
Contacted Ford who didn't see it as a safety issue and did not cover the failed part as requested - because it has not been recalled yet. We've filed with the NHTSA to investigate this vehicle for recall. It appears that the Ford Focus also has some serious transmission issues - that required Ford to legally increase their power train warranty to 100k mi.
We will NEVER buy another Ford vehicle again and have since parted ways with it! If you like spending lots of time in the service department, and buying parts that shouldn't fail under 150k mi, the Ford Focus is the vehicle for you! Happy to be going back to Mazda...
- Damon F.,
Wylie, TX, US
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Power steering just went out while I was driving. No way to steer the car, the wheel was like a ton of bricks. Super dangerous! So lucky I was not on a more congested road, as it happened close to a parking lot. I have seen so many Ford's recalled for the same problem, why wasn't my make and model? Had to pay my own towing and rental for 2 weeks [$400] while the dealer replaced the steering gear. Lucky I had purchased an extended warranty but this has seriously shaken my trust in Ford.
The power-assist electric steering just failed as we drove down the road. Took it to the dealership and they stated the electrical assist steering rack (complete unit) must be replaced at a cost of $2,400! They told me it's an electrical problem... internet research shows it's probably a computerized sensor failure. Lemon laws protect against computer failures. If they sensor is sending data to the computer... this is a computer failure and should be covered under lemon laws.
While we were driving and making a turn onto a busy intersection, the car literally stopped. The Power steering wheel failure showed up. We tried to turn off the car but it stayed on. We tried to hold the button down and it still wouldn't turn off. Then the Engine failure light came on. We called the toll truck and it was over an hour wait, middle of over 90 degree weather on a Saturday. We called the dealership that was in an infinite loop, I texted/called my sales person and sales manager and never got a response. About 45 minutes later, the car started again. We tried rolling up the window but that failed also. We took it straight to the dealership once the car decided it wanted to work again. Then I get a call 4 days later saying they only fixed the sun visor that caused a short in the windows. The rest - can't fix what ain't broke attitude. WTF. I emailed Ford HQ and they put me in touch with a sweet lady but she gave me the same thing - can't fix what ain't broke then to top it off, the service manager John tells me that I will have to pay for the loaner! Seriously? You put my family's life in danger and you are demanding money? I have a feel choice words for the guy. The 2013 Focus we used to own had continuous clutch issues that would want you to constantly drive in neutral and had radiator problems 2 weeks after we purchased that! So basically, if you want to risk your life and deal with continuous car headaches - Ford Focus is the car to buy. Ford DOESN'T build cars to last, they only build frustration and bullshit.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Driving down the interstate from Chicago to Alabama. We went to take the off ramp and steering was very rough with a scrubbing type noise. I called the dealer who said he already knows what it is. It's a very common issue and it will cost over $2000 to fix. it is the the steering rack/power steering gear.
- Douglas K., Grand Bay, AL, US