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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,408 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. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The contact stated that the failure occurred during freezing temperature; however, after approximately 45 minutes, the vehicle warmed up and regained power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000. The VIN was unavailable.
A warning saying steering assist failure appeared after which I couldn't turn the wheel more than 10 to 15 ? in either direction. I pulled over on the shoulder and 30 minutes later, the check message had disappeared the steering worked fine.
Start the vehicle, put it in reverse, stop and change gears to drive and the vehicle will not move forward the steering wheel jerks. I have to put the car in park turn off the engine and then power back on and try again.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with steering rack failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
- Plymouth, MN, USA
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My vehicle began making loud rubbing noises when turning and then in addition, progressed to having trouble steering. I took it to a shop that advised me that I needed a new rack and pinion steering system. I took the vehicle home and when I went to get return to the garage to have it replaced, the car would not turn at all except with extreme force; I had to have it towed. I had to pay for an entire new rack and pinion steering (and labor) and for the front end to be aligned after. I checked and even though there are numerous complaints, there is no recall.
I was driving home from work when I got a "steering fault" notification, followed by very limited control over my vehicle's steering system. I was going between 55-65 miles, as I was on an expressway, and came very close to colliding with other vehicles on multiple occasions. I was able to make it home and then when I went to drive it to the shop for repairs, I received the "steering loss" notification and I could no longer move my vehicle. There are quite a few noted complaints about Ford's power steering assist failing with the Focus and many other models.
I started to notice a rubbing sound when I would turn the steering wheel. I also noticed when I turned the wheel to the right, there was a slight hesitating resistance. A week later, I was going down the highway about 70 mph, when a warning message popped up -??power steering fault-??. At that moment, the steering completely lost power and it was difficult to steer. Going at that speed on a busy highway was very dangerous. Without any power steering, in heavy traffic, I had to manually steer my way from the speed lane to the right outer lane to take the exit. I had to cancel mission, turn around and go back home, hoping to get back safely. I was put at risk and so were other folks on the road, that day. I haven't taken my car for repair yet.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel locked up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with electric power steering module failure. The electric power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
The steering assist on on our 2015 Ford Focus failed at 35,000 miles as I was backing out of the driveway. The steering fault was indicated on the dashboard and the car became very difficult to steer. Had I been driving on the street or expressway this very well could have resulted in a serious or even fatal accident. I checked with the dealer to see if a Ford safety recall had been issued. There was no safety recall on this year Focus. 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. My wife and I 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 were Ford employees in Dearborn their entire adult life. We have always been a Ford family. I will never buy another Ford.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering box started making a grinding sound. The vehicle became difficult to steer. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer and it was diagnosed with the steering box needing to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 72,254.
- power steering system, steering assembly - the power steering stopped working suddenly - yes, both a Ford dealer and an independent mechanic saw the failure code on the computer - steering fault light flashes on the dashboard at the same time as the issue happens
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph accelerating from a stop light, the steering fault message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled into a nearby parking lot. The contact watched a video of how to repair or address the issue and noticed that there was no fracture in the fuse. The contact replaced the fuse and the vehicle displayed the steering loss drive safely message. The contact stated that was extremely difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic and replaced the fuse however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 91,082. The consumer stated the dealership informed him the bolts holding the steering wheel on broke and friends paid $2,600 to have the vehicle fixed.
I was sold a 2015 Ford Focus SE sedan from a Ford dealership. I didn't know about the on going lawsuit. Tell the year after when the transmission started to act up. Now as of 11/14/20 the steering assit which is electric stop working in mid drive. And it hard to steer the car. After checking the web about this I found out there was a massive recall on the Focus's for the steering assit. The dealer service guy is telling me there was no recall. I found on line tonight that the statue of limitations states that the recall stays open for eight years. It's only been 5 yrs. Since the call was built. The service guys want $2,200 the replace the steering assit. I don't get that much on disability. Please please help me.
After driving home from visiting extended family, my steering wheel became increasingly sticky, causing it to be slightly jerky whilst attempting to maintain a straight path. My vehicle was still in motion when I initially discovered the difficulty. No indication lights came on. As the weeks passed by, it would go in and out of being sticky and then back to normal steering while driving. One night on my return trip home from work, turning the steering wheel became increasingly difficult. An information light came on explaining that something was wrong with steering and to have it serviced as soon as possible. This appeared while the car was in motion. When my grandfather went to go check it out and drive it around the neighbourhood to see what was wrong, the steering wheel completely locked up and a warning notification appeared saying the power steering was lost, service immediately. The car was parked at home, thankfully. But I had to have my car towed from my home and am currently working on financing a $2900 repair to replace my entire steering rack/gear.
Steering seized up at 70K miles. Elec. Rack & pinion needs replacing $2800! this should not happen at 70K miles - extremely dangerous and expensive to fix on a 5 yr old car. Transmission stutters - was recalled, "fixed" and still hesitates occasionally. Never take an intersection for granted because car might stutter - extremely dangerous sometimes. Gas tank recalled - fixed.
Received error message and then steering wheel locked up. Can't get it unlocked had car towed to dealership and they said steering system failed and it's not on recall or covered under warranty. They want $2000 to fix it.
My 19 year old daughter was driving her 2015 Ford Focus home from college and her power steering shut off. The wheel became very hard to drive and error came on that said 'power steering assist fault'. I have read that many other people have had the same issue. This is a serious safety issue. We live in Florida and she was on 95 going 70.
Was driving ~75 mph, got off highway to get gas (no signs of any steering problems). Turned car back on warning came on, turned car back off and on again, warning still there. Move car to parking spot from pump, no power steering. Heard there was a recall for power steering for some Ford focuses but not for my VIN.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Prichard, AL, USA