Used 2015 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews
Used Focus for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Traded a 2014 for a 2015
SJ, Liverpool, NY, 08/30/2015
Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
53 of 54 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
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
BUYER BEWARE
Kai, Lake Worth, FL, 05/14/2017
updated 06/02/2025
Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
New Update: 6/1/25- Car still to date remains in a federal litigation mass action lawsuit with thousands of other consumers with the same issues. It us to my understanding that the matter will be going to mediation in August nearly a decade later. Ford has continued to refuse 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
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2015 Ford Focus for sale near you
Showing 3 of 136 listings
- SE SedanMSRP: $7,995293 mi away
- SE 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,73520 mi away
- SE SedanMSRP: $8,995267 mi away
See all 136 listings
Worst Car I have Driven
Cole123448, 06/15/2016
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
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love my Focus
Dave C, Dallas, GA, 09/25/2018
updated 09/28/2020
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
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Worst Transmission Ever
Bryan, Chicago, IL, 07/25/2016
updated 07/30/2018
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
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value