VehicleVerdict

2015 Ford Focus Electric problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2015 Ford Focus Electric — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

20

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Focus Electric years?

Focus Electric NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted120 complaints2012: 53 complaints2013: 120 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 20 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 12 complaints
Focus Electric NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Focus Electric years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Ford Focus Electric problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System525%
Transmission420%
Engine315%
Fuel System315%
Steering315%
Speed Control210%

Does the 2015 Ford Focus Electric have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V592000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2018 · 49,197 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

Consequence

An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.

16V479000TransmissionJune 28, 2016 · 865 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles manufactured August 20, 2015, through April 13, 2016. The transmission's differential pinion gear shaft may overheat and fracture.

Consequence

A fractured pinion shaft could cause a loss of motive power and loss of the transmission park function, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S28.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGN ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE LOST DRIVE POWER. A WRENCH APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAID SERVICE. HAD I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN APPROACHING VEHICLE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AND THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I BROUGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 20, 2015

“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP BEFORE A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR JERKED FORWARD LIKE I WAS BEING REAR-ENDED. SEVERAL TIMES I WAS GOING OVER A MAN-HOLE COVER; THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING OVER THE RAIL TRACKS. IT SHOCKED ME AS I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 29, 2015

“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP BEFORE A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR JERKED FORWARD LIKE I WAS BEING REAR-ENDED. SEVERAL TIMES I WAS GOING OVER A MAN-HOLE COVER; THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING OVER THE RAIL TRACKS. IT SHOCKED ME AS I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 29, 2015

“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JUST GOTTEN OFF THE FREEWAY IN THE CITY OF CERRITOS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A WARNING CAME ON AND SAID STEERING LOSS STOP SAFELY AND THEN IT LOCKED UP AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME BUT WAS LUCKY. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD USING ALL MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 19, 2019

“DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN NORMAL CONDITIONS WITH OVER 30 MILES LEFT TO A CHARGE ON A SUBURBAN STREET GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, SUDDENLY A RED TRIANGLE WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH STATING STOP SAFELY NOW. 60 SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 16, 2019

2015 Ford Focus Electric — common questions

Is the 2015 Ford Focus Electric reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2015 Focus Electric problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), steering (3 complaints).

Does the 2015 Ford Focus Electric have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Ford Focus Electric. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Ford Focus Electric under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Focus Electric years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Focus Electric years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Focus Electric years belongs to 2016.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.