CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2015 Ford Focus & its "Powershift" transmission has a defect trend where the car shudders when accelerating, especially when starting uphill.
Most owners have reported their Ford Focus remains driveable while the vehicle is still at low mileage, but the shuddering is annoying & unpleasant & may reduce the resale value of the vehicle.
However, owners of higher-mileage vehicles from earlier 3rd generation Focus model years report transmission failure & a host of other major & expensive transmission-related problems. Potential buyers beware.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,793 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking, stalling, and shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 24,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking, stalling, and shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 24,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered when the transmission was shifted from 2nd to 3rd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in Customer Satisfaction Program: [XXX] (Transmission Clutch Shudder - Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension -?" Power Train); however, the dealer denied performing the repair due to the vehicle having a Salvage Title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speed and attempting to accelerate, the RMP would rise, but the vehicle would not move. The check engine warning light illuminated with the following messages: Transmission friction element B performance/stuck in off position - control module of transmission (TCM); Apply time range/ performance of transmission friction element B- control module of transmission (TCM); and Control module communication Buss 'A' off instrument control panel module. The contact stated, when the engine failed there was a message that stated transmission fault, service now. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a diagnostic was performed. The dealer stated that the clutch was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
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The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly jerked and hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The message "Transmission Overheated" was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the TCM and actuators A and B. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 43,000.
My check engine light came on and I took it to oreily to read the codes. It stated O2 sensor. Had it replaced immediately. Light went off for 2 weeks. I've notice my car having a lack of power but I thought it was due to the cold negative temperatures. Last few days the light came back on and I tried driving in D gear and my car would not move. It went in reverse. Transmission fluid was LOW. Had it filled and the next day it was back low. At this point I already had an appointment to get the TCM replaced (experienced all symptoms including lack of power, no start, engine light on). since there is a warranty extension and I was finally able to get in after waiting a few months. I called when I received the letter back in September of 2023 and was told by multiple dealers that they were booked and I would get a call back after giving them my name and number. Dropped my car off today at the dealer and as I pulled in my car stopped moving and I got an emergency message stating to stop the car and that the transmission was over heating. Wait 5 minutes until it cools. Keys were given to the workers and I get a call stating that I need a new clutch and that's the code they got back from the transmission. They also stated that warranty won't cover since I'm over the mileage and date. Had I received an initial letter about the warranty I could have had this situation resolved and a vehicle to drive. Im now stuck with the cost and just found out that I can't get it covered. My family's safety was put at risk because I was not made aware of this problem since I never received a letter and I assumed my car was reacting to its environment. My car has always had a lack of power when taking off from breaking or not driving in D when I first press the gas. I've received a letter about the transmission before and it's shuddering, lack of power and other symptoms, and assumed it was just that. Nothing to do with the clutch.
My check engine light came on and I took it to oreily to read the codes. It stated O2 sensor. Had it replaced immediately. Light went off for 2 weeks. I've notice my car having a lack of power but I thought it was due to the cold negative temperatures. Last few days the light came back on and I tried driving in D gear and my car would not move. It went in reverse. Transmission fluid was LOW. Had it filled and the next day it was back low. At this point I already had an appointment to get the TCM replaced (experienced all symptoms including lack of power, no start, engine light on). since there is a warranty extension and I was finally able to get in after waiting a few months. I called when I received the letter back in September of 2023 and was told by multiple dealers that they were booked and I would get a call back after giving them my name and number. Dropped my car off today at the dealer and as I pulled in my car stopped moving and I got an emergency message stating to stop the car and that the transmission was over heating. Wait 5 minutes until it cools. Keys were given to the workers and I get a call stating that I need a new clutch and that's the code they got back from the transmission. They also stated that warranty won't cover since I'm over the mileage and date. Had I received an initial letter about the warranty I could have had this situation resolved and a vehicle to drive. Im now stuck with the cost and just found out that I can't get it covered. My family's safety was put at risk because I was not made aware of this problem since I never received a letter and I assumed my car was reacting to its environment. My car has always had a lack of power when taking off from breaking or not driving in D when I first press the gas. I've received a letter about the transmission before and it's shuddering, lack of power and other symptoms, and assumed it was just that. Nothing to do with the clutch.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. An unknown warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle failed to respond while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and the transmission clutch was replaced, and unknown repairs were performed. Additionally, the contact stated that while on vacation on an island, the vehicle was started, but the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer, Larson Ford (1150 Ocean Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701), where the same assessment was made and the TCM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact's father owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shifted out of gear into neutral. The contact's father pulled over and waited before restarting the vehicle. There was an unknown warning message displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle intermittently did not start as needed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the PCM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the vehicle failure was associated with Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Vehicle equipped with DPS6 Automatic Transmission) however, the manufacturer declined to cover the cost of the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly shuddered. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure but performed a reprogramming of the transmission control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Drove home from work and stopped at Walmart on the way home. Pulled into a parking spot against a curb and when I came out to start my car and reverse out of the spot, it would not move. I got the car pushed out of the parking spot, and when driving out of the parking lot could not go past 1st gear. It has now been sitting at my apartment complex for two days. Couple years ago the transmission was replaced due to manufacturer recall. At the time, I had stopped in the middle of the road and could not go past 1st gear driving all the way home like this. I addressed the recall, and now I would like to believe the same thing is happening again. I have not gone to any mechanic or dealership yet for analysis however will attempt as soon as possible.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power, shuddered, and failed to properly accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission actuators and clutch were faulty needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 103,500.
Transmission has been jerking and shifts hard into gears. A messaged popped up as well that the transmission was running on hot. Transmission control module was recently replaced by a ford dealership but problem still persist.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was accelerating, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a scheduled recall repair and the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed transmission clutch and failed motor mounts. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch and the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
2015 Ford Focus - Car has less than 50k miles has 3 transmission codes showing: P07A5, P090C, and P07A5pd. Car will not go into reverse. Car has not been looked at by a technician yet. However, with less than 50K miles the fact that I am having transmission issues is unacceptable. Ford really needs to recall for these issues. After researching these codes that are showing, seems like there are thousands of people complaining about the same thing on different sites.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed transmission clutch assembly. The transmission clutch assembly needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
My car has shuddered and stalled significantly since I purchased it brand new from Serramonte Ford on September 6, 2015. The car will lose acceleration quickly when I am on the highway and driving on hills. I have had the clutch replaced by Serramonte Ford three times over the last 7 years and I have been informed that it needs to be replaced again. I have only once, on 10/27/2023 had a warning displayed on my dashboard immediately after a shuttering and stalling incident. I was driving up a hill when the car began jerking and shuttering. I pulled the vehicle perpendicular to the hillside and received the message, "transmission fault, service now". The car would not go into reverse to allow me to back up and safely park the vehicle. I immediately had the car towed to Serramonte Ford, per the service waring, and have been told that the clutch needs to be repaired again. This car is a ticking time bomb, I have been fortunate not to have had this stalling and shuttering cause a serious accident where myself or others could be seriously or fatally harmed.
6 speed automatic transmission shudder's, shakes, downshifts and lurks vehicle. This is an automatic transmission with a manual clutch, part of Ford's "Powershift" transmission program. This vehicle is unsafe to drive as it causes driver hesitation, unpredictable behavior at stop lights causing the vehicle to lurch forward and unresponsive to driver input due to shuddering shaking and downshifting. The vehicle has been brought in twice to ford to have the clutch replaced at roughly 35,000 and 65,000 miles. Documents to prove, the clutch goes out every 35,000 miles even though it is automatically controlled. The vehicle is at roughly 100,000 miles and the same issue is happening again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orland Park, IL, USA