2015 Ford Focus

The DPS6 PowerShift dual-clutch transmission is the most complained-about component on 2012-2018 Focus models. Owners report severe shuddering, jerking, hesitation from a stop, loss of power, and unexpected rollback on hills. Ford faced a massive class-action lawsuit over this defect, and NHTSA received tens of thousands of complaints.

Ford extended the clutch warranty to 7 years/100,000 miles and issued multiple TSBs including 18-2512 for clutch replacement and TCM reprogramming. The fix involves replacing the clutch assembly and/or input shaft seals. In severe cases, a complete transmission replacement is necessary. Check eligibility for reimbursement under the Vargas v. Ford settlement.

The door latch pawl spring tab can break, preventing the door from latching securely. An unlatched door can open while driving, creating an extreme safety hazard. This recall affected millions of Ford vehicles including the 2012-2016 Focus and is one of the largest recalls in Ford history.

Ford issued recalls 15S27 and 16S36 to replace all four door latches with an updated design. Contact your dealer to verify your VIN. If a door will not latch or the door-ajar light stays on, do not drive the vehicle. The repair is free of charge.

The plastic thermostat housing on the 2.0L GDI engine is prone to cracking and leaking coolant. Owners notice a sweet smell, steam from under the hood, or coolant puddles under the car. If left unaddressed, the engine can overheat and suffer head gasket failure.

Replace the thermostat housing assembly. Many owners and shops recommend replacing the plastic housing with an aftermarket aluminum unit to prevent repeat failures. Inspect the radiator hoses and water pump while the system is drained.

The MyFord Touch and SYNC infotainment system is prone to frequent freezing, slow response times, screen blackouts, and complete touchscreen unresponsiveness. The system may reboot itself while driving, causing loss of navigation and backup camera functionality.

Perform a master reset and update to the latest SYNC firmware via USB download from Ford's website. If the screen remains unresponsive, the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) may need replacement. Ford released several software patches to improve stability.

The canister purge valve on the 2.0L engine can stick open, allowing fuel vapors to flood the intake manifold. This causes rough idle, hard starting (especially when refueling), stalling, and a check engine light with code P0456 or P0496. The issue is extremely common on 2012-2018 Focus models.

Replace the canister purge valve (also called the EVAP purge solenoid). The part is inexpensive and located on top of the engine near the intake manifold. Clear the check engine codes after replacement. This is a common DIY repair.

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.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in April 2026. 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.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.

The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.

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.

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.

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.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.