Print this page

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.

2015 Ford Focus drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2015 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 4 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #360

Jun 022023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

TransmisiĆ³n slip when taking off. Dealer replaced clutch and replaced / repaired components. After 7,000 mile, problem occurs again. This time, taking 2 weeks to get an appointment.

- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA

problem #359

May 312023

Focus

  • miles
Car began losing power particularly at low speeds. AAA inspected vehicle and determined that clutch and transmission would need to be replaced (~$10K repair). This is the second time the transmission and clutch have been replaced. The car has a total of 50,000 miles on it (ie, it is still, mechanically, very, very young ) Manufacturer seems to have known about the issue.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #358

Apr 192023

Focus

  • 58,828 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle felt like the transmission was slipping before the vehicle lost motive power. The contacted stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of a power train recall and was advised to take the vehicle to a Ford dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 58,828

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #357

Nov 272022

Focus

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered significantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TCM and the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the TCM would be replaced under Ford Campaign Number:14M02, however, he would be charged a repair fee for the transmission clutch replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not cover the transmission clutch replacement as the warranty for the transmission clutch had expired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Wanatah, IN, USA

problem #356

Apr 032013

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and shaking and the contact felt that there was delay on the transmission shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the clutch was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the clutch needed to be replaced and the TCM module needed to be updated. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V169000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Oxford, MI, USA

problem #355

Apr 012023

Focus

  • 98,551 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated and shuddered before responding as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure and happened at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission clutches needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N08 Transmission Clutch Shudder (Power Train); however, the vehicle was no longer covered under the Warranty Extension. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,551.

- Napoleon, OH, USA

problem #354

Mar 222023

Focus

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle a clicking noise was present inside the gear box and the vehicle would not properly shift into reverse. Also, while operating the vehicle, the check engine and transmission warning lights remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate above 40 MPH. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Helotes, TX, USA

problem #353

Mar 162023

Focus

  • miles
We purchased this 2015 Ford Focus SE in July 2020 and took it to Pocaro Ford in Racine, WI to have the transmission checked out and flushed. The car had 70K on it and the transmission was jerking and laggy. They said it was fine and did not need to be fixed. Fast forward two and half years and 20K more and now the transmission clutches need to be replaced with 90K on the transmission. The extended warranty because of the class action suit went for 100K or 7 years. The cars warranty ran out in August 2022 even though we asked to have it repaired in 2020 and were told that it was not an issue and was normal. When we were in parameters for the warranty service, they told us it did not need it even though the transmission jerked and lagged causing issues. Now that we have to pay for it, they say it is a problem. I called FORD customers service and they say there is nothing they can do. FORD is ripping people off and creating a dangerous situation. The car belongs to my 21 year old daughter and I had no idea it was as bad as it was until I moved it a few weeks ago and told her that she should have told me it was that bad. She just thought it was how the car was supposed to drive. FORD won't help with the issue and just states we now have to pay between $2500 and $3000 to get it fixed. The car is available upon inspection and we have the paperwork showing we had the transmission serviced in 2020 becuase we thought it was jerky and a problem.

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #352

Feb 132023

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Rayle, GA, USA

problem #351

Feb 142023

Focus

  • miles
My issue is part of the Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 19N08. The Transmission Control Module is defective and I have been waiting for over a year for a replacement part. The part has been on backorder for several years. I have been warned not to drive more than an hour away from my home. Daily, when I or my handicapped wife start driving from a standing stop the transmission judders and shakes the car when going from 10 to 20 MPH. No one can tell me when the part will be available. I am worried about getting into a serious accident if the part suffers further deterioration. I want to take a road trip to visit our grandchildren who live several to many hours away and am prevented from doing so because of the transmission issue.

- Celebration, FL, USA

problem #350

Jan 302023

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I found the ac compressor clutch hub plate in my driveway detached from my vehicle somehow...

- Mukilteo , WA, USA

problem #349

Jan 122023

Focus

  • 84,373 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the gear shift actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module and transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to have the repairs completed with a local dealer and that there were two customer satisfaction programs that the vehicle was subjected to. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where the contact was made aware that the Ford Campaign Number: 19N08 (Transmission Clutch) had expired. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was 84,373.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #348

Jan 042023

Focus

  • 47,700 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure occurred while accelerating from low speed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 19N08 because the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 47,700.

- Arkadelphia, AR, USA

problem #347

Nov 082022

Focus

  • miles
I literally had this car for about a week heard a puppy sound on the left side now my rpm's rev up car seems to be running extremely rough it shakes and jerks sometimes. I know there are a lot of recalls on the 2015 for transmission power train/engine Just wondering why my car is not one of them

- Twin Falls, ID, USA

problem #346

Dec 252022

Focus

  • miles
Help! Previous recall on my 2015 ford focus transmission. Repaired in 2019. The car is having the same problems again with: not shifting, it wont accelerate, car is shuddering when trying to shift. Faulty transmission is alerted on car info system.

- Yulee, FL, USA

problem #345

Sep 012022

Focus

  • 57,000 miles
The contact's mother owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shook and hesitated upon the depression of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed with an automatic clutch failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- Festus, MO, USA

problem #344

Nov 082022

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the "Transmission Not in Park" message was displayed, and the vehicle started to stall. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart, and the "System Fault" message was displayed. The contact stated that after waiting an hour, she was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle would only restart after waiting for several hours. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- South Hill, VA, USA

problem #343

Nov 032022

Focus

  • miles
This is a automatic transmission car. Accelerating from a stop, the car shakes/shudders when the transmission is going through first gear and again in second gear. The shaking/shuddering stops when the car reaches third gear and beyond.

- Clarendon Hills, IL, USA

problem #342

Nov 142022

Focus

  • miles
When I was driving on the highway I received a notification that my transmission was overheating. The car dropped to 40 mph and I had to put on my 4-ways. I managed to get off the next exit where the transmission died.

- Carbondale, PA, USA

problem #341

Oct 062022

Focus

  • miles
The vehicle has continuous issues with the TCM. Error lights were presented on the dash. Shortly after the error light presented - the reverse stopped. This is the 3rd time the TCM has been worked on in 2.5 years. Currently, the vehicle is at the dealership waiting on a national back ordered part.

- Elyria, OH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?