VehicleVerdict

2015 Ford Focus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2015 Ford Focus carries two red flags at once: 1,313 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Timing Belt Failure). It is one of the Focus years to avoid. Complainants reported 43 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 42% of all reports (554 of 1,313), far ahead of engine at 176. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,313

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

4

Investigations · 1 open

42

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

43

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Focus years?

See all Focus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Ford Focus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission55442%
Engine17613%
Fuel System16713%
Other1189%
Steering947%
Electrical System705%
Speed Control423%
Airbags171%
Body & Structure161%
Tires & Wheels121%
Visibility & Wipers101%
Brakes101%
Latches & Locks91%
Seat Belts60%
Suspension40%
Lighting30%
Driver Assistance30%
Seats20%

Does the 2015 Ford Focus have recalls?

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

26V376000TransmissionJune 9, 2026 · 5,252 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

Consequence

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

26V369000Fuel SystemJune 9, 2026 · 255,404 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.

Consequence

An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

26V011000Electrical SystemJanuary 15, 2026 · 116,672 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

20V331000Latches & LocksJune 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

18V735000Fuel SystemOctober 22, 2018 · 1,282,596 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.

Consequence

The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.

18V169000TransmissionMarch 12, 2018 · 5,361 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

Consequence

A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.

16V698000Latches & LocksSeptember 28, 2016 · 64,038 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Consequence

With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.

16V643000Latches & LocksSeptember 6, 2016 · 2,046,297 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

15V436000Electrical SystemJuly 8, 2015 · 374,781 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25020

Timing Belt Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 44 complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. These vehicles are equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission. Some consumers report a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. Based on a preliminary review of data currently available to ODI, this may be due to fragments of timing belt material that wear off and accumulate inside the oil pump. This debris can gradually clog the oil pump pick-up screen and result in sudden oil starvation of the engine and ultimately engine seizure. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS SLAMMING FULL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AND CAUSED ME TO HIT A STORE, THANK THE LORD I HAD FULL COVERAGE AND IT ONLY DID COSMETIC DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, I'VE ALSO HAD TIMES WHERE IT WILL SAY THE TRACTION CONTROL IS OUT OR IT HAS NO UPHILL START, MY MODEL DOESN'T HAVE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 7, 2019 · crash

AFTER STOPPING TO GET GAS ON I-80 AT A SERVICE AREA IN INDIANA WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND NOT RUNNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR IS A NEW VEHICLE, STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON IT. FORD DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY OFFERED NO PROOF, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 20, 2015 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND THE SMOKE AND FLAMES BECAME MORE RAMPANT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HAD THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 10, 2018 · fire

AFTER STOPPING TO GET GAS ON I-80 AT A SERVICE AREA IN INDIANA WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND NOT RUNNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR IS A NEW VEHICLE, STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON IT. FORD DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY OFFERED NO PROOF, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 20, 2015 · fire

MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS SLAMMING FULL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AND CAUSED ME TO HIT A STORE, THANK THE LORD I HAD FULL COVERAGE AND IT ONLY DID COSMETIC DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, I'VE ALSO HAD TIMES WHERE IT WILL SAY THE TRACTION CONTROL IS OUT OR IT HAS NO UPHILL START, MY MODEL DOESN'T HAVE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 7, 2019 · crash

2015 Ford Focus — common questions

Is the 2015 Ford Focus reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,313 complaints put the 2015 model at #7 of 20 Focus years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Focus years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Focus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (554 complaints), engine (176 complaints), fuel system (167 complaints).

Does the 2015 Ford Focus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Ford Focus. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Timing Belt Failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford Focus years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Focus years to avoid are 2000, 2012, 2014, 2013, 2001, 2016, 2015, 2017, 2018. The cleanest record among Focus years belongs to 1999.

How safe is the 2015 Ford Focus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Ford Focus earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

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