The Used Car Index

2015 Ford Focus problems

NHTSA lists 1,020 complaints for the 2015 Ford Focus, 31 of them mention a crash and 4 mention a fire. 18 complaints mention an injury, with 28 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD FOCUS.

At a glance

Complaints
1,020
With crash
31
With fire
4
With injury (complaints)
18
Injuries
28
Deaths
0
Recalls
9
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
2,147,323
Investigations
5
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
131

Complaints per 100k sold: 503.758. Units sold: 202,478; sales year: 2015; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN55954.8%
ENGINE17317.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13713.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12011.8%
STEERING939.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM646.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL424.1%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE333.2%
AIR BAGS181.8%
STRUCTURE161.6%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26
POWER TRAINCLUTCH ASSEMBLY15
STRUCTUREBODY13
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESDOORS4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESTORAGE3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLACCELERATOR PEDAL2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONSENSING SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMBODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT PANEL1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure42942.1%0.81
loss of control35534.8%0.80
electrical electronic10510.3%0.78
noise or comfort282.7%0.69
fire or overheating252.5%0.78
unclear252.5%0.82
restraint or airbag191.9%0.94
fluid or fuel leak141.4%0.76
visibility or lighting111.1%0.91
structural or corrosion90.9%0.68
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate71069.6%0.81
low25124.6%0.67
high494.8%0.85
none80.8%0.70
critical20.2%0.54

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 1,020 tagged complaints of 1,020 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

9 recalls.

26V376000

Date: 2026-06-09. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 2 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

26V369000

Date: 2026-06-09. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

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 were mailed July 29, 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

26V011000

Date: 2026-01-15. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

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. (excerpt)

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V331000

Date: 2020-06-08. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

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 la (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. Ow (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V735000

Date: 2018-10-22. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 th (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V169000

Date: 2018-03-12. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

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 (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V698000

Date: 2016-09-28. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE.

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 S (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V643000

Date: 2016-09-06. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V436000

Date: 2015-07-08. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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, t (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

5 investigations; 1 open.

EA26004

Opened: 2026-07-31. Closed: Not listed.

Timing Belt Failure

On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, MY 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport and MY 2016-2018 Focus vehicles with a

Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE25020

Opened: 2025-12-18. Closed: 2026-07-31.

Timing Belt Failure

On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, MY 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport and MY 2016-2018 Focus vehicles with a

Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

RQ23006

Opened: 2023-09-15. Closed: 2024-12-20.

Loss of Motive Power

On September 15, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 98 consumer complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles. The RQ focused on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recall 18V-735 and 19V-515. In October 2018, Ford issued Recall 18V-735, which updated Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software in M

Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

RQ19005

Opened: 2019-12-19. Closed: 2022-02-07.

Door Latch Failures

In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall whi

Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE.

Linked campaign numbers: 20V177000, 20V331000.

PE16001

Opened: 2016-01-16. Closed: 2016-10-29.

Door Latch Failure

In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in mo

Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

Linked campaign numbers: 16V643000.

Manufacturer communications

131 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44
POWER TRAIN36
EQUIPMENT34
ENGINE13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
STRUCTURE5
SEATS4

11036546

Date: 2026-08-25. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt Interval Change

11031792

Date: 2026-04-29. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Harvest Program 25H05 a Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program

11030282

Date: 2026-03-25. Type: Other. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION, LANE DEPARTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Advance Notice a Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation

11030920

Date: 2026-03-04. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

Certain 2015 - 2018 Model Year Focus Vehicles with 1.0L Engine Canister Purge Valve (CPV) Replacement (if required) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming Submitting Owner Letter

11029052

Date: 2026-02-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the

11027016

Date: 2025-12-03. Type: Emissions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN.

Certain 2015 - 2018 Model Year Focus Vehicles with 1.0L Engine Canister Purge Valve (CPV) Replacement (if required) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming

11026013

Date: 2025-11-19. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.

11025611

Date: 2025-11-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.

Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of th

11012235

Date: 2024-12-04. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Certain 2012 a 2018 Model Year Focus Vehicle Line One-Time Canister Purge Valve Replacement

11008948

Date: 2024-10-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
FOCUS1,020

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ford models

Other Ford models, 2015

Sources

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