2015 Ford Focus Driver assistance Problems

The car would not shift into a gear, would not shift gear to propel itself in traffic causing a safety issue. A warning light would come on saying the transmission was getting overheated. Ford of Glenwood Springs Colorado refused to look at the car because of its age despite the recall on the clutch for the year, make and model of the car. A NAPA shop determined the clutches were out. NAPA quoted $4,253 to fix the problem. I called Ken Garff Ford in Fort Collins Colorado at 4809 S. College Avenue to get this fixed under the recall. They said my VIN number wasn't covered, and the cost would be $6,000. I called Ford 1-866-436-7332 spoke to Ron employee #2192738 and was told he would document the call but could not do anything. Ford is aware of the safety issue we simply want them to standby their product and fix the problem or reimbursing us for the repairs to avoid a further hardship to get to work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11688519

Incident

Sep 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a red light, the vehicle failed to move or respond as needed. The vehicle hesitated and the vehicle then worked as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The accelerator pedal was depressed but failed to accelerate. The RPM increased to high. The message that the engine was running hot was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a clutch replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 41,180.

NHTSA ID

11641904

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Mileage

41,180 mi

Transmission control module, transmission clutch

NHTSA ID

11628309

Incident

Nov 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard, but the vehicle was sluggish. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11554324

Incident

Oct 26, 2023

Mileage

78,000 mi

I just bought this car 2 months ago after saving for a whole year. I’ve been having problems week into the purchase due to the transmission. My car has been overheating with the transmission (almost every 4 miles), going on limp mode (when pressing the gas), jerking (while driving), not reversing and not starting right away. Im trying my hardest to get on my feet after a being in a domestic abuse relationship that affected my and my daughters life. I just want to get my baby back and fourth from school. So I BEG you to approve the transmission recall for Ford Focus. PLEASE!!!

NHTSA ID

11549037

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

Car will go into reverse but won’t move. Car will not go over 2500 RPM and won’t go over 11 MPH

NHTSA ID

11544967

Incident

Sep 16, 2023

Regrettably, the 2015 Ford Focus hatchback I purchased has been plagued by a series of critical issues. These include recurring starting problems, erratic gear behavior, such as hesitating to move in Drive and unexpectedly moving forward in Reverse, sudden and dangerous deceleration while on highways, and an incessantly illuminated tire pressure warning light. These issues have left me profoundly concerned about the overall safety and reliability of this car. Over the past four months of ownership, the last two have been marred by stress and anxiety. A harrowing incident almost transpired when the car inexplicably slowed down to a mere 15 miles per hour on a highway, placing me at great risk, with a truck narrowly avoiding a collision. What's particularly distressing is that these problems aren't unique to my vehicle alone. Numerous other owners of 2013, 2014, and 2015 Ford Focus models are grappling with similar issues, suggesting the existence of potential systemic flaws within these vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11544405

Incident

Sep 13, 2023

2015 Ford Focus, 67,000 miles would jerk , shudder & shut off completely , it would not accelerate or reverse half of the time. Stops in the middle of no wear.. the engine light would come on for a few days then go off and come up again.. the music stopped working& the RPM’s would go pass the 6,7 or 8 at only 10-15 miles & jerk while goin forward .. a safety problem would pop up “ transmission overheating stop safety “ my air would blow hot some days and it would smell like something burning.. confirmed by dealership it’s the clutch .. no warnings for these problems besides jerking / not accelerating at a reasonable speed and safety problem stating to “ stop safely transmission overheating “ &a burning smell & 2 safety recalls for the clutch & TCM with extended warranty. Warranty would not cover for the clutch problem they stated.

NHTSA ID

11534454

Incident

Apr 26, 2023

Transmisión slip when taking off. Dealer replaced clutch and replaced / repaired components. After 7,000 mile, problem occurs again. This time, taking 2 weeks to get an appointment.

NHTSA ID

11525176

Incident

Jun 2, 2023

Vehicle will loose power and ac as if the gears are slipping causing a sudden reduced speed. The transmission warnings will also light up stating transmission overheating.

NHTSA ID

11486076

Incident

Sep 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration with the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,778.

NHTSA ID

11474939

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

Mileage

77,778 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle started to decelerate without warning. After stopping and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle regained normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure recurred while attempting to accelerate from a stop light. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission shift lever failed causing the clutch to fail. The contact was informed that the shift lever and clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11464331

Incident

May 2, 2022

Mileage

101,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while reversing out of her driveway, the “Contact Dealership” appeared on the rearview camera of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rearview camera module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ID

11434074

Incident

Jul 25, 2021

Mileage

77,000 mi

There have been several instances, while driving highway speed limits and when braking, the car accelerates for a few seconds before the vehicle brakes and slows down. This can be very dangerous especially if traffic stops unexpectedly. I have a couple close calls. There weren't any warning lamps given and I have not taken it in to dealership to examine. I have not inquired with dealership mechanic if this was an occurrence they have encountered.

NHTSA ID

11417399

Incident

May 17, 2021

THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT IT IS A COMPUTER PROBLEM. THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM IS A MASTER RESET. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FIXED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

11403817

Incident

Jul 3, 2017

Mileage

50,000 mi

HELLO, MY NAME IS [XXX]. I AM EMAILING YOU BECAUSE I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM/CONCERN. MY CAR HAD A RECALL ON SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. SO IN APRIL OF 2019 I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP AT CARMEN FORD IN NEWCASTLE, DE WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM. WHEN I TOOK IT THERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR THE RECALL HAD CAME ON AND IT WAS JERKING. THEY CLAIM THEY FIXED IT. WELL IN THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER 2019 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE SAME CODE AND WAS JERKING AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO CARMEN FORD. THEY HAD MY CAR THREE WEEKS AND THEY SAID ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS RESET TWO THINGS THAT WEREN'T MATCHING UP. THE SAME DAY I PICKED IT UP I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS STILL JERKING. THEY HAD MY CAR TWO IN A HALF MORE WEEKS THAN CALLED ME AND SAID THAT 4 TECHS DROVE MY CAR AND THEY HAD NO PROBLEM AND IT WASN'T JERKING. SO I WENT UP THERE AGAIN ON JANUARY 13,2020 AND DID A RIDE TEST WITH BILL WHO AT THIS TIME HAD NOTICED THE JERKING MY CAR WAS DOING THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. WE TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO CARMEN FORD WHERE HE SAID HE WILL LET THE TECHS NO IT'S JERKING NOW. TWO DAYS LATER HE CALLED ME AND SAID THE TECH DID A SHUTTER TEST AND IT'S NORMAL. HE SAID THAT SOMETIMES FORD CARS DO THE JERKING AND THAT IT IS NORMAL. I EXPLAINED TO THEM IT HAS ONLY DONE IT THESE TWO TIMES THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THIS RECALL THING. HE SAID THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO DO AND MY CAR WAS READY FOR PICK UP. I PICKED UP MY CAR ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 15,2020. WHEN I PICKED IT UP IT WAS MAKING A LOUDER NOISE THAN HAD BEEN, STILL JERKING VERY BAD AND NOW WILL NOT REVERSE. I CALLED THE SERVICE SHOP AT CARMEN FORD SATURDAY MORNING JANUARY 16,2020@ 10:30AM AND THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN THAN I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH IN THAT CAR AND I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX ANYTHING BUT KEEP TELLING ME IT'S FINE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11389325

Incident

Dec 8, 2020

Mileage

116,300 mi

CONTINUOUS REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND STILL HAVING ISSUES. THERE IS NO CONFIRMATION A FIX HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED, THUS LEAVING ONE TO BELIEVE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE BEING REPLACED BY MORE DEFECTIVE PARTS. CLUTCH SLIPS, WILL SPORADICALLY JERK UPON ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP OR QUICKLY NEEDING TO BRAKE. FAILURE TO INCREASE SPEED UPON ACCELERATING. SHUDDERS WITH (NON-SUDDEN) BRAKING. DATE NOTED ON BOTTOM IS APPROXIMATE GUESS ON WHEN ISSUE WAS FIRST REPORTED AND TOLD "THIS IS NORMAL" BY FORD (PRIOR TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE).

NHTSA ID

11365776

Incident

May 16, 2016

Mileage

10,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK-UP CAMERA FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMAGE FROM THE BACK-UP CAMERA WAS NOT CLEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500.

NHTSA ID

11362159

Incident

Mar 2, 2020

Mileage

65,500 mi

MY CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 2016 I TOOK IT IN AND THEY DID NOTHING TOLD ME SOMETIMES IT WILL SHIFT LIKE THAT (BOUGHT CAR IN TEXAS) FOR ALMOST 4YRS IT WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND FINALLY A RECALL WAS MADE ON THE CLUTCH I TOOK IT IN AND THEY PUT THE PART IN AND IT CONTINUES TO STUTTER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, CHANGING LANES, OR TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE IN THE BEGINNING OF PROCESS AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CLUTCH THE PART FOR THE CLUTCH WAS PUT IN AND IT GOT WORSE! NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. TOOK BACK TO MERTZ FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S FINE NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN

NHTSA ID

11354496

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

I GOT THE CLUTCH FIXED UNDER WARRANTY A FEW WEEKS AGO NOW THE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH KEEPS HAPPENING IT HAPPENED BEFORE I KEEP TAKING IT IN TOO GET FIXED AND THE PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING WORSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS NOW. IT'S A BIG PROBLEM TOO HAVE FOR A NEW CAR ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD. IT STALLED OUT ON ME THE ENGINE LOSES POWER IT TURNED OFF ON ME I'M THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHICH IS DANGEROUS. IT DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY WHAT SO EVER AND I SUPPOSEDLY GOT THE PROBLEM FIXED. IT'S BECOMING A REAL BOTHER TOO DRIVE. I MAINTAIN THE CAR PERFECT TOO HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS. I BARELY MADE IT HOME IN A FEW OCCASIONS WITH THE STALLING AND THE UGLY SHIFTING. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND A REAL HASSLE TOO DRIVE, WHICH I KEEP REPAIRING ONLY TOO GET WORSE. I SUSPECT THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN WORKED ONLY TOO GET WORSE

NHTSA ID

11353815

Incident

Sep 8, 2020

WHILE DRIVING HOME (FIVE HOUR ROAD TRIP) NOISES STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. FELT LIKE IT WAS IS BINDING AND GRINDING. THIS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME, LATER ON CITY STREETS, WHEN TURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO SAVANNAH TIRE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. THE DX WAS RACK AND PINION. THEY COULD NOT REPAIR MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND THE FIRST OF JULY. MY STEERING NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON A FIVE YEAR CAR IS A PROBLEM, THIS MADE MY CAR UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. AT ANY TIME MY STEERING GEAR COULD HAVE WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT HURTING MYSELF OR OTHERS. I COULD HAVE DIED. FORD HAS HAD STEERING ISSUES IN THE PAST ON MY CAR. THE CAR HAS HAD THREE RECALLS. ONE FORD RECALLED ON THERE OWN (STEERING ISSUES). I HAD TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED ON MY OWN PAYING THE AMOUNT OF $2,457.70 PLEASE FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS RECALL THIS, SO THAT FORD CAN TAKE RESPONSIBLY FOR THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID

11342034

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

62,219 mi

I HAD MY FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES SO FAR. AS OF TODAY, THE CAR IS STILL STALLING AND JERKING. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE MAINTENANCE TODAY. BUT, I WAS TURNED DOWN BY TODD ( SERVICE REP) AND BOB (SERVICE MANAGER) BECAUSE THE LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS WAS NOT AMOUNTED TO 250. THEREFORE, THEY RECOMMEND THAT I SHOULD CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR AS IS AND RISK MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY LIFE IS WORTH MORE THAN $3000.

NHTSA ID

11331685

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

Mileage

64,000 mi

CLUTCH WENT OUT AND WRECKED

NHTSA ID

11322533

Incident

Dec 24, 2015

Mileage

4,000 mi

SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME, EVEN AFTER THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REBUILT? THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ONLY FROM ANY STOP, WHICH CAN BE AT A STOPLIGHT, STOP SIGN OR PARKING AREA. I CAN AND WILL GIVE TODAY'S MILEAGE BUT THAT IS INSUFFICIENT SINCE THIS HAS BEEN A PERPETUAL PROBLEM. AFTER THE LOCAL DEALER REBUILT? THE TRANSMISSION IT IS LESS BUT THE CAR HAS JUMPED THE CURB AT A FAST FOOD WHEN I WANTED TO SLIGHTLY MOVE THE CAR FORWARD, ALMOST HIT THE BUILDING.

NHTSA ID

11318299

Incident

Mar 16, 2020

Mileage

42,581 mi

THE RADIO AND CD IS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ID

11316375

Incident

Dec 15, 2019