What 1,022 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Focus RS

We have brought the vehicle in twice to the dealership, once at 30k miles and another at 64k miles for a clutch replacement in the automatic transmission due to shuddering. It is now at 88k miles and the clutch is shuddering again. Ford reuses to fix the problem even though this is the third instance of this issue occuring. This shuddering makes merging unsafe as the vehicle hesitates and the car jerks back and forth. It extreme cases, it causes motion sickness to the passengers. Shuddering takes place up to third gear which does not help the driver concentrate and negotiate traffic if the car is shaking or jerking back and forth. There is a constant fear that the vehicle will just fail in the middle of traffic and we will be stranded. No illuminated lamps on the dash board to indicate a potential code. As stated before this vehicle has been brought to Ford twice already and the part they replaced keeps failing at roughly every 30k miles. We have tried to work with Ford to have them fix the problem but instead of replacing the faulty part they now want to charge us $2500 dollars. Why does the transmission seem to fail at every 30k miles? The dealership does not return our calls: we have called roughly 10 times and left messages. When calling Ford directly they state we have to bring it to the dealership, the same dealership which does not return our calls. Having a component in the transmission that makes it unsafe to drive is unacceptable. What makes it even more unacceptable is the fact that Ford has replaced this part 2 times already and it is failing again just 30k miles later, but now it somehow is not covered under the part warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11443505

I have read multiple reports on ford focus from 2012 and newer having the same issue as me. I was driving one day and the car started to rev, shake and drastically slowed down then the check engine light came on as I was almost rear ended. I took an obd reader and got code P07A5 came back to transmission friction element B stuck on. I Have found I’m not the only one with this issue I feel ford should be responsible to fix this problem before someone gets hurt or killed from the car just at random not wanting to go and shake violently. My car only has 89,000 miles for a 2015 it shouldn’t be having this kind of problem already.

NHTSA ODI 11441179

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the "Brake fluid level low" warning message was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission control module failure. The mechanic informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the dealer informed the contact that it would be 2–3 days before the vehicle could be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the contact's residence. The contact also contacted another dealer, Dick Smith Ford (9505 E State Route 350, Raytown, MO 64133). The dealer informed the contact that the transmission control module was on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,900.

NHTSA ODI 11439914

Loss of power to transmission, extended warranty not honored on repair

NHTSA ODI 11439343

A message keeps coming up on my car saying that the Transmission is over heating and my car is will stall out and stop driving

NHTSA ODI 11438840

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled temporarily. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving uphill and while driving at slower speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle would also hesitate to respond when accelerating from a complete stop. The contact stated he received an unknown recall notification from the manufacturer for transmission control module failure however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. Parts distribution disconnect

NHTSA ODI 11438899

Transmission stopped working after overheating of engine. Clutch stopped working as well.

NHTSA ODI 11436517

While driving to work, my transmission started to slip. On the freeway, if I pressed the gas pedal, my car would NOT go faster. Instead, my engine would rev to almost redline and my car would continue to coast, but loose momentum. Once the transmission downshifted to a lower gear, then the transmission would begin to work. Once I got into the City, I almost rear ended someone when the transmission surged. I was pushing the gas through an intersection, and suddenly my car lurched forward, the tires squealed, etc. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid slamming into the car in front of me.

NHTSA ODI 11432924

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while accelerating from a traffic light, the clutch failed to operate as designed. The contact was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated she heard an abnormal noise. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the clutch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431199

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated the vehicle failed to accelerate over 25 MPH. The vehicle was jerking while shifting gears. The vehicle overheated and shut down however, the vehicle was restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The transmission warning message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions and diagnosed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 72,664.

NHTSA ODI 11429550

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered without warning. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V169000 (Power train). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall was serviced, and the clutch was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred a year later. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the clutch needing to be replaced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the warranty being expired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425943

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminating from the time the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where no issue was found. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to reverse when the gear shifter was shifted into reverse. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

NHTSA ODI 11422947

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the check engine warning light was illuminated and the RPM started to rise. The contact also stated it the vehicle was rough when shifting gears. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact called a local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11421971

Car shifts bad then makes noise and light comes on for engine so park car shut it off wait a few mins and crank again but it won't go still

NHTSA ODI 11421456

Code error P07A3 Transmission FORK A, car is jerking and gears 3 and 4 are getting stuck!

NHTSA ODI 11420792

on multiple occasions, the transmission will shudder. this shudder occurs between 1st and 2nd and/or 2nd and 3rd gears. a few times, while driving in the snow, after some tire spinning or sliding, the transmission either slipped from a high gear or froze while driving on the highway at highway speeds. i have been told by Ford and the dealer that the clutch system has already been replaced under the recall and i would now need to pay for repair. along with the clutch recall, there was also a recall on the software component, and i don't believe that has been replaced. there are no warning lamps or messages with this malfunction

NHTSA ODI 11420652

Upon entering Interstate highway 66, my car started jerking and the RPM gage was fluctuating and loosing power. A tractor trailer swerved and blew the horn. My car shut off on me in the right lane. I was able to restart and drive toward the shoulder and a warning light states “Transmission Overheating Stop Safely”. I took it to my certified mechanic and it read code P0460. When he lift the car, the gas tank is sunk in. Back in summer 2019 there was a recall on the “purge valve” and we notified them in 2020 that the car stared jerking and acting like it wanted to shut off. Again the code #P0460 same part and they said the warranty on the valve expired they can not reopen the recall. Now my gas tank is caved in and the car is stalling out on the highway getting worse. Ford Motor company keeps brushing us off and not concerned about the safety of their vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11419926

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered however, the vehicle never lost motive power. The contact also stated that water was leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 18V169000 (Power Train) prior to the failure. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The dealer updated the engine module to keep up with the rpm's however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418751

While driving in traffic, car started lurching, speed slowing down check engine light came on doing about 20 miles, barely made it to my home. Went from about 30 miles speed to barely 20. No warning, just started lurching and shuddering. Was on recall for clutch work was done on Sept 19, 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11417901

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PERSON WHO WAS STRUCK WAS THE ONLY INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE FACILITY WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V169000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11416325

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO UPSHIFT AS NEEDED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE CASTRUCCI FORD (1020 OH-28, MILFORD, OH 45150, (513)275-1048) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11414954

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND IT REFUSED TO GO IN REVERSE OR IN DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11413832

MY 2015 FORD FOCUS STARTED SHUDDERING IN ITS SHIFTING ABOUT A A YEAR AFTER I GOT THE CAR USED IN 2018, IT'S ALOT WORSE NOW. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE AND WAS REFUSED...THEY DID A RESET OF SOME SORT BEFORE THEY TEST DROVE IT AND IT DIDNT SEEM TO SHUDDER LIKE IT DOES WITH ME, THE FORD EMPLOYEE EXPLAINED TO ME MY CAR DIDNT QUITE MEET THE MARK TO WHERE THEY CAN OFFER ME THE REPAIR. AFTER THIS I THOUGHT ALRIGHT HE RESET SOMETHING AND NOW MY CAR IS A LITTLE BETTER...COUPLE HUNDRED MILES LATER IT'S BACK REAL BAD FROM START TILL 3RD GEAR EVERY GEAR SHUDDERING AND STUDDERING JUMPING SHAKING VIOLENTLY, I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM, SAMETHING...IF I DO THIS AGAIN I'LL GET IT IN WRITING THAT FORD STATES MY VEHICLE IS FINE AND GO AHEAD AND GET A LAWSUIT GOING.

NHTSA ODI 11406077

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 ODI 11403817

ON 2/15/2021 WHILE IN MOTION AND UNDER ACCELERATION EVENTS ON THE HIGHWAY OR THE CITY STREETS, THE THROTTLE WILL BECOME COMPLETE UNRESPONSIVE AND ENGINE WILL HAVE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. DEALER CONFIRMED CONCERN AND STATED THAT THE MECHANICAL ACTUATORS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CONTROL THE CLUTCH AND CLUTCH NEED TO BE REPLACED. FORD ALREADY HAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER THE CLUTCH ACTUATORS IS NOT PART OF THE EXTENDED COVERED THAT FORD OFFERED.

NHTSA ODI 11402674