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2015 Ford Focus

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Ford Focus
Pictured: 2018 Ford Focus ST-Line X 1.0. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Hatchback Se/Titanium, 4dr Sedan S/Se/Titanium, Electric 4d Hatchback, St 4dr Hatchback
Engines
1.0L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
160 hp
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
EV, Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
34 combined · 30 city / 41 hwy
EV range
76 mi · 3.6 h on 240 V
Length
171.7–178.3 in
Curb weight
2,926–3,673 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
11 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 29% better than the average 2015 compact car (26.3 MPG).
  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints1,034 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 71 for similar models — most often about the power train.
  • 11 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Ford Focus is a compact car offered with 3 engines (1.0L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 172 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,926 lb (4dr Hatchback Se/Titanium).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (30 city / 41 highway), 29% better than the 2015 compact car average of 26.3 MPG, for an estimated $700 a year in fuel.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 76 miles and takes about 3.6 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 11 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1034 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2015

  • Engine added: 1.0L 3-cyl turbo
  • Best combined MPG up from 32 to 34

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Focus →

Trims, performance & features

Engine160 hp2.0L 4-cyl

Trims

SESTitanium

Built in: Wayne, Michigan

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 Focus configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Hatchback Se/Titanium171.7 in72 in57.9 in104.3 in60.6 / 60.6 in2,926 lb60/40
4dr Sedan S/Se/Titanium178.3 in72 in57.9 in104.3 in61 / 59.8 in2,954 lb60/40
Electric 4d Hatchback172.4 in71.7 in58.3 in104.3 in60.6 / 59.4 in3,673 lb49/51
St 4dr Hatchback172 in73.2 in58.3 in104.3 in60.2 / 60.6 in3,252 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Focus Electric EV107 kW AC PMSMAutomatic (A1)Front-Wheel Drive76 mi · 32 kWh/100mi–$700–
Focus SFE FWD1.0L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive30 / 41 / 34+29%$1,950260
Focus FWD1.0L 3-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 38 / 32+22%$2,100274
Focus FWD2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (AM6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 38 / 31+18%$2,150286
Focus FWD FFV FFV2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (AM6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 39 / 31+18%$2,150285
Focus FWD2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+14%$2,250298
Focus FWD FFV FFV2.0L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+14%$2,250298
Focus FWD2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 29+10%$2,300304
Focus FWD FFV FFV2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 29+10%$2,300304
Focus FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26-1%$2,600340
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.3 MPG2015 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Ford Focus.

Similar 2015 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Ford Focus (this car)34 MPGNot rated11
2015 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated1
2015 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated2
2015 Mazda 333 MPGNot rated0
2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI35 MPGNot rated12
2015 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport31 MPGNot rated0
2015 Hyundai Elantra31 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (11)

Power Train › Manual Transmission · Jun 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. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister · Jun 9, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · 257,868 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
Risk
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater · Jan 15, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · 116,672 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. 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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Jun 8, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · 2,147,323 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister · Oct 22, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · 1,282,596 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Equipment › Electrical · Sep 10, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V592000 · 49,197 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.
Risk
An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.
Power Train › Manual Transmission · Mar 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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock · Sep 28, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V698000 · 64,038 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Sep 6, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V643000 · 2,046,297 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix
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.
Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit · Jun 28, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V479000 · 865 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ford Focus Electric vehicles manufactured August 20, 2015, through April 13, 2016. The transmission's differential pinion gear shaft may overheat and fracture.
Risk
A fractured pinion shaft could cause a loss of motive power and loss of the transmission park function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission differential assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S28.
Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 8, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V436000 · 374,781 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Ford Focus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1,034Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
32Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
29Injuries reported
43,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train523
Engine176
Fuel/Propulsion System141
Unknown Or Other120
Steering95
Electrical System65
Vehicle Speed Control42
Fuel System, Gasoline30
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 424/12: 925/01: 425/02: 825/03: 225/04: 625/05: 925/06: 325/07: 1125/08: 625/09: 325/10: 225/11: 325/12: 526/01: 126/02: 326/03: 326/04: 126/05: 126/06: 826/07: 826/08: 426/09: 426/10: 224/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 11

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Ford Focus buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 11 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 523 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 176 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 141 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 43,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 76 miles.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Ford Focus. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Focus years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2018 Focus34171.7 in★★★★★7837
2017 Focus34171.7 in★★★★★10907
2016 Focus34171.7 inNot rated111,194
2014 Focus32171.7 inNot rated142,496
2013 Focus32171.7 inNot rated141,759
2012 Focus32171.7 inNot rated103,147
2011 Focus29175.2 inNot rated073
2010 Focus28175.2 inNot rated0139
2009 Focus28175.2 inNot rated085
2008 Focus28175.2 inNot rated0104
2007 Focus27168.9 inNot rated0105
2006 Focus26168.9 inNot rated049

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →