Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2015 Ford FocusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 1,034 owner complaints for the 2015 Ford Focus. Most complaints involve power train (563) and engine (176). The EPA rates it 26–105 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–105mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
1,034
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V369000

Power train: manual transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V376000

Equipment: engine block heater

Remedy pending

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.

EquipmentReported Jan 15, 2026NHTSA 26V011000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,034 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train563
  2. Engine176
  3. Fuel/propulsion system141
  4. Steering96
  5. Electrical system68
  6. Vehicle speed control44
  7. Fuel system, gasoline34
  8. Air bags18
  9. Structure16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Focus model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20003,738
20011,790
20021,014
20031,017
2004387
2005441
2006205
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123,803
20132,181
20142,584
20151,034
20161,194
2017906
2018837
Crashes reported
32
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

563 reports11 crashes
“Back in July 2026 there was a rerecall for the 2018 recall that was not done correctly and my vehicle was not recalled for this when in fact that my vehicle should have it shows n I have proof that the recall number for that recall is the same recall they did on my vehicle but yet logged in under fuel tank defective but the recall number from 2018 match the new recall numbers issued in July for the recall that was performed in 2018 but yet I keep being told my Vin is not in the recently issued when it is decently is and should be cuz the recall number match and that is exactly what the issue is with my vehicle i have called since Feb 2026 about this issue and ever since the rerecall was issued but never showing my vehicle and it should be n I have proof that it match the recall numbers but logged in as different the. It should. Also my info is been correct since I got in feb2025 n yet only recall that was ever mailed was for a back up cam and that issued April 2026 n went to pervious owner which is my father address not mine like should I have proof of several recall that has been put out by either yall or manufacturer that never repaired or was never told it…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11767878

Engine

176 reports2 crashes2 fires
“I am NOT filing in regards to the clutch fracture recall on previous page . I AM filing a complaint regarding the 1.0 L Ecoboost engine "wet timing belt " system which is currently under NHTSA Engineering Analysis . My vehicle has 147,000 miles and still has the original wet timing belt . Ford`s original maintenance schedule states this belt is a standard wear item that lasts 150,000 miles . However , independent and federal data shows these belts degrade prematurely , shedding rubber teeth that clog the oil pump pickup tube screen .This creates a severe safety hazard , including sudden engine seizure and an immediate loss of power braking assist while driving . Because this is a systemic design flaw creating an unreasonable safety risk , Ford should expand safety recall 23S64 / 23V905 to cover 2015 manual transmission models . This engine is EXACTLY the same engine as the ones covered in the 2016-2018 recall with the same " wet belt " design . Ford has already insinuated to many owners that the belt degradation is due to wrong oil types used in these engines . The owner`s manual clearly states to use a Ford oil specification ( WSS-M2C945-B ) which I have used…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026EngineODI 11767938

Fuel/propulsion system

141 reports1 fire
“My Car purge valve canister is bad and i reported the situation to a ford dealership near me for over 2 weeks now and nothing has been done.They claim they are expecting parts but nothing yet up until now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11770494
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
Electric motor · 1.0L 3-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (AM6) · Automatic (S6) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Regular Gasoline
EV range
76 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Focus Electric
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
11099105$700—
Focus SFE FWD
Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
304134$1,900260
Focus FWD
Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
293832$2,000274
Focus FWD
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273831$2,050286
Focus FWD FFV
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273931$2,050285
Focus FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263730$2,150298
Focus FWD FFV
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263730$2,150298
Focus FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,200304
Focus FWD FFV
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,200304
Focus FWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,450340
  • Focus Electric
    Auto (A1)
    110 city · 99 hwy · $700/yr
    105
    mpg comb.
  • Focus SFE FWD
    Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo
    30 city · 41 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Man 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Turbo
    29 city · 38 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 38 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD FFV
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 39 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 37 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD FFV
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 37 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD FFV
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Focus FWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Focus 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Focus 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.6%
Overall
— / 5
Ford Focus Bev 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 9551Vehicle 9550Vehicle 9552
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Focus questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Focus have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Ford Focus problems?

Owners filed 1,034 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (563), engine (176), fuel/propulsion system (141). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Ford Focus get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Ford Focus at 26–105 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Ford Focus?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Ford Focus 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026