2015 Ford Focus Engine Problems
Owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2015 Ford Focus, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 65,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “purge valve” (7% of reports).
- 173engine complaints
- 65,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 36%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Purge valve: mentioned in 12 of 173 complaints (7%)
- Transmission control: mentioned in 9 of 173 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 93 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 173 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury.
Ford Focus engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Focus | 232 | 28% | 52,500 |
| 2017 Focus | 229 | 25% | 63,000 |
| 2016 Focus | 234 | 20% | 53,000 |
| 2015 Focus | 173 | 17% | 65,000 |
| 2014 Focus | 442 | 17% | 51,000 |
| 2013 Focus | 344 | 16% | 49,529 |
| 2012 Focus | 475 | 13% | 62,000 |
| 2011 Focus | 3 | 3% | 58,000 |
| 2010 Focus | 42 | 15% | 49,335 |
| 2009 Focus | 16 | 7% | 54,000 |
| 2008 Focus | 14 | 6% | 83,000 |
| 2007 Focus | 6 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2006 Focus | 2 | 1% | 50,651 |
| 2005 Focus | 11 | 2% | 81,500 |
| 2004 Focus | 13 | 3% | 145,275 |
| 2003 Focus | 18 | 2% | 111,500 |
| 2002 Focus | 16 | 2% | 127,500 |
| 2001 Focus | 32 | 2% | 122,000 |
| 2000 Focus | 16 | 0% | 137,481 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Problem: 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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
My 2015 Ford Focus SE with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine and 6-speed manual transmission is experiencing a loss of engine lubrication/oil flow. The camshafts are not receiving adequate oil, there appears to be insufficient oil flow/pressure reaching the cylinder head. I am concerned that continued…
The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of motive power due to an internal engine failure while stopped at an idle in active traffic. The engine stalled completely and would not restart, creating an immediate safety hazard as the vehicle was stranded in the roadway. This failure is…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2015 Ford Focuss have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 173 owner complaints about engine for the 2015 Ford Focus (17% of the 1,022 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Ford Focus engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 65,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2015 Ford Focus?
The most frequent phrase is “purge valve”, in 12 of 173 complaints, followed by “transmission control” (9).
Other 2015 Ford Focus problems
See all 2015 Ford Focus problems or engine problems across all Focus years.