2015 Ford Focus Electric Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Focus Electric, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical420.0%
- Powertrain (other)420.0%
- Driver assistance315.0%
- Engine315.0%
- Fuel system315.0%
- Steering315.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
When driving my car the first day I bought it, the wrench icon illuminated, telling me to check the manual. I figured I would do so after work, but as I tried to start the car to leave work, I received a "Stop Safely Now" message and could not start the car. It had at least 30% charge, being electric, so that had nothing to do with it not starting. I am glad this did not happen when I was driving, as I have seen other instances of earlier years of the Ford Focus electric with this same issue. In other cases, it came in while the owner was driving, causing all power to the accelerator to stop. It was recently serviced since I just bought it, so I know there shouldn't have been any outlying service to be done. I am calling a tow service in the morning to have it taken to a dealer, so hopefully they can figure out the issue. I just wanted to let others know that this item that has had a recall on earlier years still persists with the 2015 model.
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 DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND PROCEED HOME. THERE IS NEVER ANY PRIOR WARNING TO THIS HAPPENING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO ME WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH NO RESULTS. I DRIVE 40 MILES TO WORK ONE WAY ON VERY BUSY PHOENIX FREEWAYS AND AM PETRIFIED THIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE HOV LANE AND I END UP IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE AN ISSUE ON PREVIOUS YEARS MODEL RECALL NO 13V-523000. THE DEALERSHIP IS NO HELP AND TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NO INFORMATION REGARDING IT EVEN THOUGH I DID.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I POWERED ON THE CAR, SELECTED DRIVE OR REVERSE, AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. THE GREEN CAR WITH THE ARROWS INDICATING THAT THE CAR IS READY WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE HANDBRAKE WAS RELEASED. THE LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CORRECTLY SHOWED THE GEAR THAT THE LEVER WAS IN, AND WHEN IN REVERSE THE BACKUP CAMERA CAME ON AS USUAL. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INSTANCES OF THIS MALFUNCTION HAPPENING IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. WHICH PROMPTED ME TO TAKE IT INTO THE LOCAL FORD SERVICE SHOP. FORD ENGINEERING HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE SINCE OCTOBER OF 2015, AND HAS NO ESTIMATION OF A SCHEDULED FIX. THEY HAVE GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS TO TURN OFF AND ON THE CAR UNTIL IT IS ABLE TO DRIVE (USUALLY TAKES 3 OR 4 CYCLES). WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE IT ACTS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL (WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE) SO THE CAR WILL ROLL UNINTENTIONALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR IS MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL IT DOESN'T MOVE OR IT ROLLS UNINTENTIONALLY. ALSO THE RANDOMNESS OF THE MALFUNCTIONS DOES NOT GIVE ME PEACE IN MIND, AS IT IS MY PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION AND ONLY CAR I OWN.
THIS ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND HESITATES ON TAKE OFF . AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT TENDS TO CHOKE OR LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHANGING GEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE HAS TO TO USED TO MY HANDLING THE VEHICLE THAT WAS AFTER 1600 MILES. IT NEVER STRAIGHTENED OUT SO I TOOK IT BACK AT 6000 MILES AND THE SAVE SERVICE ATTENDENT TOLD ME AGAIN THAT IT WAS STILL GETTING USED TO ME. WELL I'M AT 7600 MILES AND IT SPUTTERS, TENDS TO CHOKE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND WHEN I GET TO A STOP IT DRIVES LIKE IT NEEDS A TUNE-UP. I WILL TAKE IT IN AGAIN TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN THERE WAS SUDDEN MAXIMAL ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
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 ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STOP AND THE WHEELS JUST SPUN FASTER. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE IN FRONT AND DIDN'T HIT ANY CAR IN FRONT OF MINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PARKED (STATIONARY) I COULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF EVEN THOUGH I PRESSED THE ON/OFF BUTTON. (THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN DOWN TO ZERO. I COULD RECHARGE IT 100% BUT IT WOULD NOT HOLD THE CHARGE.) I BROUGHT IT TO FORD SERVICE. THEY CHARGED IT UP AND SAID IT WAS WORKING FINE. I TOLD THEM TO LET IT SIT OVER NIGHT. THEY CHECKED IT THE NEXT DAY AND IT WAS DRAINED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE "BODY CONTROL MODULE" WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I INFORMED THEM THAT FORD ALREADY RECALLED THE 2015 FOCUS BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THEY SAID THAT MY FOCUS WAS NOT COVERED BY THAT RECALL. I TOLD THEM THAT A CAR THAT KEEPS RUNNING AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF IS DANGEROUS, THEREFORE SHOULD BE RECALLED. WHAT MAKES IT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IS THAT THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND YOU CAN'T EVEN TELL BECAUSE ELECTRIC CARS ARE SILENT. (THEIR REPAIR PAPERWORK IS DISINGENUOUS. IT SAYS THE CAR WOULD NOT START (WHEN DRAINED). I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER THEY INSTALLED A NEW MODULE, THEY GAVE ME THE OLD DEFECTIVE ONE WHICH I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION.
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 ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STOP AND THE WHEELS JUST SPUN FASTER. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE IN FRONT AND DIDN'T HIT ANY CAR IN FRONT OF MINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
When driving my car the first day I bought it, the wrench icon illuminated, telling me to check the manual. I figured I would do so after work, but as I tried to start the car to leave work, I received a "Stop Safely Now" message and could not start the car. It had at least 30% charge, being electric, so that had nothing to do with it not starting. I am glad this did not happen when I was driving, as I have seen other instances of earlier years of the Ford Focus electric with this same issue. In other cases, it came in while the owner was driving, causing all power to the accelerator to stop. It was recently serviced since I just bought it, so I know there shouldn't have been any outlying service to be done. I am calling a tow service in the morning to have it taken to a dealer, so hopefully they can figure out the issue. I just wanted to let others know that this item that has had a recall on earlier years still persists with the 2015 model.
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 DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND PROCEED HOME. THERE IS NEVER ANY PRIOR WARNING TO THIS HAPPENING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO ME WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH NO RESULTS. I DRIVE 40 MILES TO WORK ONE WAY ON VERY BUSY PHOENIX FREEWAYS AND AM PETRIFIED THIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE HOV LANE AND I END UP IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE AN ISSUE ON PREVIOUS YEARS MODEL RECALL NO 13V-523000. THE DEALERSHIP IS NO HELP AND TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NO INFORMATION REGARDING IT EVEN THOUGH I DID.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 STRENGTH BUT IT WAS TERRIFYING AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE REALLY BEEN INJURED OR WORSE. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT 2 AND 1/2 YEARS
RACK AND PINION EPAS FAILED--GRADUALLY AT FIRST, THEN COMPLETELY. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER FORD MODELS BUT NOT IN MINE--YET. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $2800. IT HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF 3-YR WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND I FILED A CLAIM WITH FORD. THEY REDUCED THE COST BY $2000, BUT I STILL HAVE AN $800 BILL TO PAY TODAY, AS THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE ALL COVERED UNDER A RECALL EXEMPTION. SHOP IS SERRAMONTE FORD, 999 SERRAMONTE BLVD, COLMA, CA 94014. REPAIN # 227 328.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .