2015 Ford Focus
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 561 of 1,028 complaints (55%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (17) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 2,655 in 2014 to 1,028 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,400 | 1,950–2,400 | 1,850–2,400 | 1,850–3,500 | 1,850–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–32 | 26–32 | 26–34 | 22–34 | 22–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–28 / 31–39 | 23–28 / 31–39 | 23–30 / 31–41 | 19–30 / 25–41 | 19–30 / 25–40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 278–340 | 278–340 | 260–340 | 260–410 | 264–412 | |
| Complaints filed | 2,179 | 2,655 | 1,028 | 1,185 | 903 | |
| Recalls issued | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 50 | 69 | 32 | 27 | 18 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 12 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 29 | 47 | 29 | 24 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Focus have?
11 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2015 Ford Focus?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 561 of 1,028 NHTSA complaints (55%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Ford Focus get?
EPA rates it 26–34 MPG combined across 9 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Ford Focus?
EPA estimates $1,850–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 3 | 1.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg | 38 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 274 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg | 38 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 286 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 298 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 304 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 340 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Compact Cars | 27 mpg | 39 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 285 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 298 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 304 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 6-spd | 3 | 1.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 30 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 260 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Compact Cars | 110 MPGe | 99 MPGe | 105 MPGe | $700 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 181 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 561 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 172 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 68 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Brakes | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 96 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 14 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 47 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 25 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 121 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (11)
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION · Campaign 26V376000 · Jun 9, 2026
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. 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 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER · Campaign 26V369000 · Jun 9, 2026
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER · Campaign 26V011000 · Jan 15, 2026
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 20V331000 · Jun 9, 2020
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER · Campaign 18V735000 · Oct 23, 2018
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL · Campaign 18V592000 · Sep 11, 2018
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.
Consequence: An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION · Campaign 18V169000 · Mar 14, 2018
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK · Campaign 16V698000 · Sep 28, 2016
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 16V643000 · Sep 6, 2016
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 16V479000 · Jun 28, 2016
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles manufactured August 20, 2015, through April 13, 2016. The transmission's differential pinion gear shaft may overheat and fracture.
Consequence: A fractured pinion shaft could cause a loss of motive power and loss of the transmission park function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S28.
Show 1 earlier campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 15V436000 · Jul 8, 2015
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.