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Used 2015 Ford Focus Hatchback Consumer Reviews

2.8 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Traded a 2014 for a 2015

SJ, 08/30/2015
2015 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
50 of 51 people found this review helpful

This is our third Focus. First was a 2005 which was very economical to drive. Bought a 2014 SE automatic last year and liked it but there were a couple of options I wished I'd gotten with it. A couple of things I didn't like about the '14 were no 12V plug on the dash and no lock buttons on the doors. Traded it in for the 2015 SE this year and glad I did. Everything I didn't like on the 2014 was corrected on the 2015, 12V plug on the dash, lock buttons on the doors, etc. I had no problems with the shifting on the 2014. Not as smooth as a full size car but it it shifted fine for the 12,000 miles I had on it. You have to realize even though it's an automatic you feel it shift like a standard. If you don't like power shifting get a Fusion. The 2015 does seem to shift smoother than the 2014 and has the manual shift paddles which I tried and they work but for me the Focus shift points are fine in automatic so I wont use the paddles much if ever. I got the 2.0L engine for the power with larger wheels and get a steady 34 mpg around town. Longer trips on the highway I get a little better (mid to high 30s) but don't hold back on the speed. This car handles great. I drove others in this class Toyota/Honda/VW and this one is the most fun to drive. Electronics work fine and blue tooth and USB work as they should. Sync voice commands are still a challenge if you don't speak clearly. I like having both the analog and digital gauges on the 2015 (the 2014 only had an analog spedo). The heat/AC controls are great on the 2015 as there is a individual on/off button for everything including each vent/defrost. No more trying to figure out which position on a dial to use to heat your feet and the windshield at the same time. All in all the 2015 hatch is fun to drive, handles and looks great, and has enough room for our two large dogs in the back.

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

BUYER BEWARE

Kai, 05/14/2017
updated 06/01/2023
2015 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful

New Update: 6/1/23- Car still to date remains in a federal litigation mass action lawsuit with thousands of other consumers with the same issues. Ford refuses to resolve or lemon the car out. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! This car has a major transmission issue. A Ford tech told me to no longer drive the car because it was not safe and the issue could not be repaired. There are multiple class action lawsuits against Ford for faulty transmissions. One of them recently settling. I had purchased a 2015 model in Dec 2015 and at 35,000 miles it was on it's 3 rd clutch replacement. First clutch was replaced at 7,200 miles. Second one about 7,000 miles after that. Ford refuses to lemon the car out, they wouldn’t even trade it in with the issues. The extended warranty coverage that was sold to me is invalid and the insurer will not honor the coverage because of the bulletins and known issues. Ford states the law doesn't apply to them. Ford Corporate does nothing to rectify the issue. Horrible experience, would never purchase another Ford again.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Ford Screwus

jssr, 03/26/2016
2015 Ford Focus Titanium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
20 of 22 people found this review helpful

Do yourself a huge favor and do not buy this car with the "automatic" transmission. It is the worst car I have EVER owned ( and I have owned more than I would care to admit) in terms of the transmission and reliability. Ford is well aware of the defective transmission and its electronic controls and still is somehow able to foist this piece of trash on the American public! The dealer is now replacing the clutch on this POS and Ford has told them that they can expect the part in 12 weeks. Nice! The transmission issues started around the 11000 mile mark and haven't been fixed yet. The car now has 14000 miles on it.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Home run caught at the warning track!!!

vmaro44@gmail.com, 10/02/2016
2015 Ford Focus Titanium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
48 of 55 people found this review helpful

This car is a huge disappointment. I have owned 9 different NEW Ford vehicles and I am 43 years old. I have had problems with only 1 until now. the previous one Ford stepped up to the plate and fixed. This one they will not. The transmission issues on my wife's 2015 Ford Focus is an abomination. Even my kids who are preoccupied with their phones in the car notice how bad it is! It will shudder, vibrate and shake the whole car when accelerating from a stop and from first to second gear. It feels like it is going to fall out of the car. I have had it in for service 3 times and the first time they reprogrammed the PCM (powertrain control module). It actually got worse. The second time they said it was normal because it was a manual transmission that is shifted automatically. What? I am fairly certain that when we purchased the vehicle it was marketed as a 6-speed AUTOMATIC!!! False advertising! Ford also states that the transmission technology is to better fuel efficiency. I also do not remember signing any papers stating that ride quality and safety will be compromised for fuel efficiency. I will be pursuing the lemon law if it is not remedied soon.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Worst Car I have Driven

Cole123448, 06/15/2016
2015 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful

I have had two Hondas and one Smart Fortwo in my life. This focus is awful compared to the rest. The smart car seemed like a real downgrade from my Hondas but it shines like a gem compared to this piece of garbage. The main thing that I cannot get over is the transmission. Ford, what in god's name possessed you to release a vehicle that drives like this? Every single time you press the accelerator from a red light or stop sign the transmission kicks, jerks, and vibrates through most of first gear. It feels like the transmission is going to slip right out of gear each time and it scares me. I never know when the transmission might go. For being a "dual clutch" its awful. The Germans have been using these transmissions for a long while now and they run beautifully. Why Ford still cannot get it right baffles me. Next is the driving position. I am 6'3" so my seat is all the way back. I cant look out the window without half of my view being obstructed by the B pillar. And no the back of my seat is not tilted way back. A great looking car with great potential killed by sloppy American engineering.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Love my Focus

Dave C, 09/25/2018
updated 09/28/2020
2015 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I researched the Focus extensively before getting involved with one. I drove a couple, a 2017 and a 2015. I ended up getting the '15 for the $3,000 price difference and slightly higher miles. I saw the teeth gnashing over the transmission and had to see what all the discourse was about. I liked the size, safety ,mpg quotes and aggressive styling. The Auto Critics loved it. The thing to remember is that it's not a traditional hydraulic automatic that US consumers crave. It has some quirks and traits that a manual would have. Mine shifts smoothly, but sometimes will shudder slightly for the first couple of years under heavy acceleration. Sometimes it will flutter slightly at a hard deceleration when transitioning to 1st. Almost making you want to throw a clutch in. On the shift selector, there is a button to engage if you'll be starting on a hill to prevent rolling back which is common in manuals. This is the first time I've seen it on an "automatic". Handling is crisp and braking is good. The cabin is quite quiet for a compact Hatchback. The cargo area with seats up and folded down is generous. The Ford Sync system is awesome and easy to use. It hooks up with my phone effortlessly. The 2 liter four has some peace and vinegar in Atlanta traffic. Mine is black on black with a tremendous metal flake sparkle in the finish. I'm glad I took this one. UPDATE: Ford recalled the FOCUS in this generation for its transmission issues. My local Ford dealer kept the car for 3 days and installed a clutch update. They gave me a Fusion free of charge for a loaner. Exactly one year later, the car shifts with no shudder or vibration. The performance and mpg are the same...I'm getting 31-33 combined. Still love it. It's a shame the issues with this trans killed the Focus. It's been a great little car that's fun to drive with it's handling.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

So far so good...

M M, 12/28/2015
2015 Ford Focus Titanium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Purchased a 2015 Focus Hatchback Titanium with 5-speed manual transmission. I've driven the car for about 2,000 miles so far and am surprised by the handling and gas mileage. I've been getting around 35 mpg on the highway which is more than the 2013 Dodge Dart Aero Turbo I traded in. After having so many problems with Dodge and the Auto DDCT I decided to cut my losses and get the Focus. The interior is great and really comfortable during my 100 mile a day commute. Ford has really changed the Focus since the last one I had driven which I believe was a 2001. The interior is somewhat comparable to the feel of my BMW 325i except way cheaper price wise. I guess some people have mentioned some issues with the automatic transmission but the 5-speed manual has been very smooth and haven't noticed any issues. Haven't tried E85 fuel yet since the price of regular gas isn't much of a difference at the moment and has better MPG. I almost went with a Focus ST but thought I would prefer the luxury feel while commuting 500 miles a week.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Worst Transmission Ever

Bryan, 07/25/2016
updated 07/30/2018
2015 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
16 of 20 people found this review helpful

Honestly, there is one reason i would never buy this car again. The transmission is horrible. We have had it in three times, and had the clutch (its an automatic), replaced once. Today i am taking it in for a 4th time. All they say is "we'll test it and if its score is X we'll look into it further. If they don't fix this, i'm going to just sell it and buy a Subaru. The other thing that is horrible is the Microsoft Sync software. My wife even has a Windows phone and its horrible to sync. It's too bad, this could have been a great car, but the transmission is just THAT BAD.

Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

painful regret

will t., 11/07/2017
2015 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

after owning this car for a short time, the transmission does not shift and shutters on acceleration. After the third visit to the dealer in less than one year, the transmission is still not repaired and ford refuses to replace the transmission. we wont be buying ford cars anymore.

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1 out of 5 stars

Don't do it.

LYNDSEY, 05/22/2017
2015 Ford Focus Titanium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I was raised in a Ford family, with both of my parents driving Fords for the last 3 decades. I purchased my first Ford Focus in 2012 and was forced to trade it after needing 3 clutch replacements in only 20k miles of driving. After reassurance from Ford Motor Company of a new redesigned transmission and clutch in the 2015 models with no known issues after considerable testing, I traded my first Focus for my second. To my outrage, not only was I sold a car with a known faulty clutch but I just received my SECOND clutch replacement.. this time in only 13k miles of driving. In a request to Ford to buy my car back, I was told my terrible experience with my first Focus would not be included in the current request for buyback. Next, I was told by a regional manager reviewing my case, that the clutches continued to fail because I did not "drive my car aggressively enough" despite Ford acknowledging thousands being affected by their faulty clutches and current class action lawsuit against Ford. Finally, in solidarity for denying my request for buyback, I was offered 6-free oil changes (valued ~$180), a slap in face for the nearly $50,000 I have paid Ford over the last 5 years for two Ford Focuses. If you are thinking of buying a Ford, don't. My family will no longer be a Ford family.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
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