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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.

1.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
130,633 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2015 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #3

Feb 122021

Focus

  • 138,000 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 attempting to shift the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was able to shift into drive however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact then stated that while shifted into drive, the vehicle performed as if the transmission had shifted into neutral, making it difficult to make left and right turns. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed, and the dealer needed to take the transmission apart to determine the exact cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Extended Warranty had expired. There was no further assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #2

Nov 022021

Focus

  • 100,900 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the "Brake fluid level low" warning message was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission control module failure. The mechanic informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the dealer informed the contact that it would be 2-€"3 days before the vehicle could be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the contact's residence. The contact also contacted another dealer, Dick Smith Ford (9505 E State Route 350, Raytown, MO 64133). The dealer informed the contact that the transmission control module was on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,900.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #1

May 312017

Focus

  • 153,000 miles
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.

- Carriere, MS, USA

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