2015 Ford Focus Safety Report

The 2015 Ford Focus presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its real-world reliability and potential for critical component failures raise significant concerns. With 1004 total complaints, including 31 crashes and 29 injuries, there's a clear pattern of issues impacting vehicle control and operation. The most prominent complaint area is the 'POWER TRAIN' with 423 complaints, indicating widespread problems with the transmission, particularly the automatic DPS6 unit. This is further supported by numerous complaints detailing transmission slipping, stalling, overheating, and complete failure, often at relatively low mileages. Recall history for the 2015 Focus is substantial, with 7 recalls addressing various safety-critical components. These include issues with door latches (multiple recalls), a malfunctioning canister purge valve that could lead to engine stall, an engine block heater that could cause a fire, and potential transmission fluid leaks increasing fire risk. These recalls directly correlate with some of the reported complaints, such as engine stalls and door latch failures, suggesting that even with recall campaigns, some underlying issues or their consequences persist or were not fully mitigated for all owners. The high volume of power train complaints, coupled with recalls related to engine stalls and transmission issues, points to significant reliability concerns that could compromise safety. While the vehicle performs well in controlled crash tests, the frequent reports of unexpected power loss, steering failure, and transmission malfunctions indicate a vehicle that may not consistently operate safely in everyday driving conditions. The 'STEERING' component also has a notable 76 complaints, with some owners reporting sudden loss of power steering, which is a critical safety defect.

Our recommendation: Given the high volume of critical power train and steering complaints, despite strong crash ratings, exercise extreme caution. Thoroughly inspect the transmission and steering system, and ensure all 7 recalls have been completed before considering purchase.