Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Ford Focus problems
Owners filed 1,034 complaints about the 2015 Ford Focus with NHTSA between Jun 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (563).
Complaints
1,034
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
32
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train563
- Engine176
- Fuel/propulsion system141
- Steering96
- Electrical system68
- Vehicle speed control44
- Fuel system, gasoline34
- Air bags18
- Structure16
- Wheels12
- Service brakes10
- Visibility/wiper9
- Latches/locks/linkages8
- Electronic stability control (esc)8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
26
50
58
95
225
104
66
107
102
104
62
35
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 58 |
| 2018 | 95 |
| 2019 | 225 |
| 2020 | 104 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2022 | 107 |
| 2023 | 102 |
| 2024 | 104 |
| 2025 | 62 |
| 2026 | 35 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
563 reports11 crashes2 related recalls
“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…”
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…”
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.”
Steering
96 reports2 crashes
“I’m writing about my 2015 Ford Focus (VIN: [XXX] ), which has under 38,500 miles. While heading to work, I suddenly lost power steering—no warning, just stiff steering out of nowhere. The repair cost me over $5,000 to replace the electric power steering rack, which only a Ford dealer could handle due to software restrictions. This follows a TCM replacement that Ford covered under recall. I contacted Ford for goodwill assistance, but they refused. At this mileage, these failures are unacceptable.”
Electrical system
68 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“I made an initial post on 06/18/2026 so please reference that as well as this. I have not been able to drive the car since it died on me on the 18th of June. The car has been looked at a few times (actually stalling a third time while idling but was able to turn back on.) It has also displayed symptoms associated with the Ford Recall #26S40 / NHTSA recall #26V369 but it is listed at NOT included in the recall as of 07/06/2026. MIL is pulling Code P0420 (catalytic system efficiency below threshold) while only having 40k miles. It is also putting out an inaccurate fuel level for miles driven. The fuel tank itself is misshapen (concave bottom of the fuel tank). Again, reiterating here that it stopped twice while driving within 2 days on major PA highways/interstates and stalled for a third time while in idle mode as described earlier in this post. This has all happened within 28 miles of the TCM being replaced.”
Vehicle speed control
44 reports4 crashes
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.