2015 Ford Focus Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 559 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 559 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2015 Ford Focus, 55% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “transmission clutch” (11% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Transmission clutch: mentioned in 61 of 559 complaints (11%)
  • Control module: mentioned in 39 of 559 complaints (7%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2015 Ford Focus at $2,650, and half of them between $1,650 and $3,400.

Based on 22 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2018–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 388 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles37 · 10%
10k–25k miles43 · 11%
25k–50k miles78 · 20%
50k–75k miles83 · 21%
75k–100k miles92 · 24%
100k–150k miles42 · 11%
150k+ miles13 · 3%

How serious are the reports?

Of 559 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 3 an injury.

Ford Focus power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2014, with 1,576 complaints
2000: 22520002252001: 90902002: 582002582003: 48482004: 202004202005: 47472006: 142006142007: 43432008: 232008232009: 39392010: 452010452011: 20202012: 1,44620121,4462013: 1,1021,1022014: 1,57620141,5762015: 5595592016: 67420166742017: 4554552018: 3192018319

n = 6,803 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2018 Focus31938%56,000
2017 Focus45551%50,000
2016 Focus67457%64,000
2015 Focus55955%60,000
2014 Focus1,57661%40,500
2013 Focus1,10252%39,000
2012 Focus1,44638%55,000
2011 Focus2018%61,000
2010 Focus4516%63,000
2009 Focus3917%57,641
2008 Focus239%77,000
2007 Focus4311%53,250
2006 Focus147%58,127
2005 Focus4711%53,500
2004 Focus205%34,190
2003 Focus485%19,000
2002 Focus586%40,350
2001 Focus905%41,500
2000 Focus2256%38,610

When owners reported it

Peak: 2019, with 113 complaints
2015: 102015102016: 322016322017: 322017322018: 482018482019: 11320191132020: 392020392021: 322021322022: 602022602023: 692023692024: 722024722025: 362025362026: 16202616

n = 559 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (2)

Power train:manual transmissionJun 9, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V376000 · 5,252 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

Power train:manual transmissionMar 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V169000 · 5,361 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Received Sep 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767878

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the TCM was faulty and needed…

Received Sep 11, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763635

The transmission was repaired at 48k and I am now at 76k having severe issues with jerking, shuddering, and so forth. The car has undergone excellent maintenance for the CARFAX proves this. I bought this car with the very last of my inheritance money thinking I was getting a reliable product and…

Received Aug 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11756062
Ford Focus
2018 Ford Focus ST-Line X 1.0 Taken in Warwick. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2015 Ford Focuss have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 559 owner complaints about power train for the 2015 Ford Focus (55% 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 power train?

Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 60,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2015 Ford Focus?

Owners report a typical cost of $2,650 (half paid between $1,650 and $3,400), from 22 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2015 Ford Focus?

The most frequent phrase is “transmission clutch”, in 61 of 559 complaints, followed by “control module” (39).

Other 2015 Ford Focus problems

See all 2015 Ford Focus problems or power train problems across all Focus years.