2015 Ford Focus
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 3686 |
| 2001 | 1761 |
| 2002 | 939 |
| 2003 | 977 |
| 2004 | 387 |
| 2005 | 440 |
| 2006 | 204 |
| 2007 | 391 |
| 2008 | 250 |
| 2009 | 229 |
| 2010 | 287 |
| 2011 | 113 |
| 2012 | 3755 |
| 2013 | 2103 |
| 2014 | 2586 |
| 2015 | 1007 |
| 2016 | 1174 |
| 2017 | 882 |
| 2018 | 821 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
51% of complaints: power train — 514 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I HAVE BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE,OR ATTEMPTED TO BRING IT,INTO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SHUDDERING,STALLING,OVERHEAT FOR NO REASON WITH SYSTEM SHUT OFF,ETC .
NHTSA ODI report, 20180412
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180131
ON JULY 13,2017,I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC,I BARELY ACCELERATED AND MY CAR JERKED FORWARD INTO A LARGE 4X4 TRUCK. WHEN I FINANCED MY CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 2017,MY CAR WAS JERKING WHENEVER I ACCELERATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171204
17% of complaints: engine — 169 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Transmission had randomly started to jerk and then stopped accelerating. Left me stranded on the side of the road on a 5 hour trip and when I turned it off and back on it would move very little and I could hear grinding noise from the gears.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230905
14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 136 distinct reports on file.
FIRE9% of complaints: steering — 92 distinct reports on file.
CRASH6% of complaints: electrical system — 61 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160205
SAFETY TIMELINE
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,...
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.
Campaign 15V436000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 16V698000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 16V643000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V169000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V735000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failures
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.
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.
Campaign 20V331000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of Motive Power
Timing Belt Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 26V369000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.
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.
Campaign 26V011000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845.
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.
Campaign 26V376000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2015 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (514 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (169 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (136 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V369000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V011000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V376000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V436000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V698000 (latches/locks/linkages, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V169000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2015 Ford Focus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Ford Focus is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Focus?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Focus have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.