Home · 2015 Ford Focus RS · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,022)Crash / fire / injury (35)Transmission & drivetrain (559)Engine (173)Fuel system (171)Steering (96)Electrical system (68)Speed control (44)Airbags (17)Body & structure (16)Wheels (12)Visibility & wipers (11)

Newest first · 1,022 complaints · page 29 of 41

Jun 24, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED PER THIS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,598. *TR CONSUMER STATED ON MY OWN ACCORD ,I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED. LESS THAN 60 DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PLACE THE CAR ON THE COMPUTER AND IT CAME BACK THE PURGE VALVE, FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP- THE RECALLED ITEM(S). I RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WITH THE INFORMATION AND THE RECALL LETTER AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SAID THEY ALREADY FIXED IT, WHICH WAS NOT TRUE. THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE, NEVER REPLACED ANY PARTS. I RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH I PAID FOR BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FORD MECHANIC TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE SAME DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND IT WOULD COST $150 AND THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. FURTHERMORE, I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND HAVE SPOKEN WITH A KAMISHA AND THE CASE NUMBER IS #21947630- 1888 631-3788 X77721 AND HAVE YET TO BE GIVEN ANY REASONABLE SOLUTION TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11222150

Jun 21, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11221708

Jun 18, 2019Fuel system

ENGINE WAS STALLING WHEN I CAME TO STOPS, CHECK ENGLINE LIGHT CAME ON. CODE WAS FOR EVAP SYSTEM. IT WAS FOUND THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE WAS FAULTY, CAUSING THE ENGINE STALLING. KEEPING THE GAS TANK FILLED ABOVE HALF TANK ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM. WE REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AS WE CANNOT REPROGRAM THE PCM AND I CANT AFFORD TO LET MY CAR SIT AT FORD FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOK AT IT AND THEN THE EXORBITANT COST TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11220842

Jun 14, 2019Fuel system

I RECEIVED A NOTICE BACK IN DECEMBER 2018 ABOUT A RECALL ON A POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH MY CAR'S CPV POSSIBLE STICKING AND STALLING CAR. I FEEL FORD HAS EXCEED A REASONABLE TIME FRAME IN COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. MAKING SURE I HAVE A 1/2 TANK OF GAS IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 11220002

Jun 13, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR GRINDING. STEERING IS NOT AS RESPONSIVE BUT IT WORKS

NHTSA ODI 11219728

Jun 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING, SHOOK, AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. LARRY H. MILLER FORD MESA (460 E AUTO CENTER DR, MESA, AZ 85204, (480) 569-7713) STATED THAT THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON A COMPUTER AND IT CHECKED OUT WITH NO ISSUES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PRIOR TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WORSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11218891

Jun 6, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE "STEERING FAULT, SERVICE IMMEDIATELY" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FRANKLIN FORD (LOCATED AT 175 EAST CENTRAL STREET, FRANKLIN, MA 02038) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,276.

NHTSA ODI 11218299

Jun 4, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST GEAR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROB SIGHT FORD (13901 WASHINGTON ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64145, (816) 396-6100) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE DOUBLE CLUTCH SYSTEM AND DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,086.

NHTSA ODI 11217764

Jun 3, 2019Fuel system

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 18V735 HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED OF SECOND RECALL TO FIX RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE GAS GAUGE IS READING DIFFERENT TO THE VOLUME IN THE GAS TANK AND CHANGES DURING A GIVEN TRIP.WHEN IS THIS RECALL GOING TO BE FIXED??? HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11217663

Jun 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS DRIVING THE FORD FOCUS (2015) ABOUT 40 M/HR WHEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT WEIRD. SERVICE ENGINE CAME ON AND I READ THE CODE AS P090C. I HAD TO CONTROL THE CAR RIGHT AWAY AS IT STALLED. READ A LOT ABOUT THIS CODE ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS, AND THERE IS HIGH SAFETY CONCERNS AS WELL AS REOCCURRING ISSUES EVEN AFTER REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED.

NHTSA ODI 11217404

May 31, 2019Fuel system

ON YOUR VEHICLE, THE ENGINE MAY STALL DUE TO A STUCK CANISTER PURGE VALVE (CPV) WITHIN THE FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM. A STUCK CPV CAN LEAD TO EXCESSIVE VACUUM IN THE FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM, CAUSING THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK TO DEFORM, RESULTING IN AN INACCURATE OR ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE INDICATION, INACCURATE DISTANCE TO EMPTY (DTE), AND/OR OTHER DRIVABILITY CONCERNS. THE VEHICLE MAY ALSO EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL). SAFETY RISK: AN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING OR WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART, CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11217033

May 31, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED WHILE SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE JUMPED VIOLENTLY AND BEGAN TO FAIL AFTER 20,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY FORD VERMILLION (4215 LIBERTY AVE, VERMILION, OH 44089, (440) 967-6191) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TEST STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH, AND OIL CHANGE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE REPAIR FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES, BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS SERVICED THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. *JS *AS*JB

NHTSA ODI 11217170

May 30, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

I HAVE HAD A FAULTY TRANSMISSION SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR AND AS A SINGLE MOTHER, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING EVERY OTHER DAY. THIS TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUS. IT SHUTTERS AND JOLTS VERY HARD AND IS CREATING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR ME AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN I AM NOTICING THE PROBLEMS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WAS MY FAULT AND THAT THE JOLTING AND SHUTTERING IS NORMAL....WHICH IT IS NOT.

NHTSA ODI 11210798

May 30, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

I HAVE A 2015 FORD FOCUS SE AND I HAVE MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO HAS STARTED SLIPPING. IT SHOWS NO CODES BUT THE POWER IS DECREASED, IT HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN PULLING OUT AND IT STICKS WHEN SHIFTING. I WORK AT A TIRE AND AUTO GARAGE AND HAVE HAD IT LOOKED OVER.

NHTSA ODI 11210871

May 26, 2019

THE TRUNK SUSPENSIONS ARE NOT ADEQUATE AND HAVE ALLOWED THE TRUNK TO CLOSE ON THE OWNERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS NUMEROUS TIMES CAUSING ABRASIONS AND HEMATOMAS. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WERE NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES, HERE IN KINGMAN, AZ. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, NEW IN EUGENE, OREGON AND THIS PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. "NO CORRECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE." WHY?

NHTSA ODI 11210040

May 22, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN PUTTING MY 2015 FORD FOCUS IN REVERSE FROM PARK IT WENT FORWARD. I REPEATED THIS ACTION 3 TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY REVERSED! I COULD HAVE GONE DOWN INTO A RAVINE! TOOK THE FORD FOCUS TO RIVERTOWN FORD AND THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS BUT COULD NOT "DUPLICATE" THE COMPLAINT SO THEY COULD NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS FORWARD WHEN PUT IN MOTION AND SHAKES WHEN SLOWING DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11209200

May 20, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

UPON ACCELERATION MY CAR WILL SKIP AND JUMP. I AM TOLD BY A FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE CLUTCH HAS TO BE REPLACED AND STOP AT ANY POINT WHILE DRIVING. I'VE REACHED AND FOUND OUT THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.COSTING $1980.00 IN REPAIRS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE , IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.REPAIRS ON SAME TYPE OF CAR ARE BEING DONE WEEKLY 2 TO 3 AT A TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11208628

May 16, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

MY VEHICLE SHUTTERS AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN PUSHING ON ACCELERATOR, ESPECIALLY AFTER STOPPING AS AT A STOPLIGHT. FORD HAS REPLACED THE CLUTCH ONCE ALREADY FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS SURFACED AGAIN. NOW, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RPMS WILL ESCALATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ALSO THE TRANSITION FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER SEEMS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING OR MISSING, AT ANY SPEED. FORD DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE PRICE IS $1253.00.

NHTSA ODI 11208133

May 15, 2019Steering

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STREERING WHEEL. IT WOULD FLASH A MESSAGE SAYING STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION HAS TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD. IT'S COSTING ME 2,000.

NHTSA ODI 11207897

May 14, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DID FIND A FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE BUT REFUSED TO ASSIST FURTHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE CONSUMER STATED COMPUTER CONTROLS STEERING AND FORCED IT TO SHUT DOWN *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11207574

May 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN ACCELLAERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE TRANSMISSION JERKS

NHTSA ODI 11206932

May 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, FELL OUT OF GEAR, AND DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK UP TO THREE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERRING FORD (LOCATED AT 820 MEMORIAL BLVD, PICAYUNE, MS 39466, (601) 798-8682) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND CLUTCH ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ODI 11206315

May 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD FOCUS 2015 (75000 MILES). WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY INTO AN INTERSECTION, THERE IS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. WHEN IT COMES TO DECELERATION, MY VEHICLE CANNOT PROPERLY DOWNSHIFT, EVEN WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TOLD NO LIGHT ON DASH, NO TMC. THEY KEEP INSISTING IS THE CLUTCH THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THE TMC. DEALERSHIP IN RUTHERFORD

NHTSA ODI 11206366

May 6, 2019Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

I PREVIOUSLY MAILED SOME INFORMATION IN ABOUT THE POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION ERROR, THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERACTION WITH FORD IN 2017 ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THIS CONCERN: "360NOANS@FORD.COM TUES 8/1/2017 8:20 PM NAME[XXX] FIRSTNAME[XXX] LASTNAME[XXX] VIN[XXX] ZIP CODE63101 EMAIL[XXX] A FORD REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY. [XXX] SAYS: HELLO [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX]. HOW CAN I HELP YOU? [XXX] SAYS: GREAT DAY, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION MY VEHICLE HAS AND WAS WONDERING IF YOU ALL COULD FIND OUT FROM THE VIN? [XXX] SAYS: I'LL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU! PLEASE GIVE ME A MOMENT TO LOOK INTO THAT. [XXX] SAYS: THANKS SO MUCH FOR WAITING. UPON RESEARCH, YOUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 6 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION DPS6. I THIS INFORMATION HELPS. DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS [XXX]? [XXX] SAYS: YES, IS THIS MODEL A POWERSHIFT, OR SOME OTHER TYPE OR IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE IN POWERSHIFT WITH OTHER TRANSMISSION TYPES? [XXX] SAYS: LET ME CHECK FOR YOU. [XXX] SAYS: I AM STILL RESEARCHING. I'LL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY. [XXX] SAYS: COOL, NO RUSH ♥ [XXX] SAYS: I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE. IT APPEARS YOUR VEHICLE HAS A DUAL POWER SHIFT. [XXX] SAYS: THANK YOU... I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AT THE MOMENT.... CAN I REACH BACK OUT IF I DO? [XXX] SAYS: ABSOLUTELY! WE ARE AVAILABLE MON-FRI 8:30AM-10:30PM EST, SATURDAY 11:00AM-7:00PM EST. [XXX] SAYS: THANK YOU SO MUCH, HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEK [XXX] SAYS: YOU'RE WELCOME, ENJOY YOU WEEK AS WELL! ____________ THANK YOU FOR CHATTING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, PLEASE TAKE A SHORT SURVEY TO RATE MY SERVICE. CLICK ON THE SMALL "X" IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER TO LAUNCH THE SURVEY." VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED BY BOMMARITO FORD FOR FUEL PUMP.TRANSMISSION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *TT

NHTSA ODI 11205837

May 3, 2019Steering

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JUST GOTTEN OFF THE FREEWAY IN THE CITY OF CERRITOS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A WARNING CAME ON AND SAID STEERING LOSS STOP SAFELY AND THEN IT LOCKED UP AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME BUT WAS LUCKY. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD USING ALL MY STRENGTH BUT IT WAS TERRIFYING AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE REALLY BEEN INJURED OR WORSE. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT 2 AND 1/2 YEARS

NHTSA ODI 11205542

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Working with the data? Download all 1,022 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Ford Focus RS verdict →