Ford Focus 2013 problems

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The Ford Focus is a compact car (C-segment in Europe) manufactured by Ford Motor Company since 1999. It was created under Alexander Trotman's Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compact vehicle worldwide. The original Focus was primarily designed by Ford of Europe's German and British teams. Production of the fourth generation Focus began in 2018 in Germany and China.

Naming

The decision to name the new car the "Ford Focus" was made in early 1998, as Ford's senior management had been planning to keep the "Escort" nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. A last-minute problem arose in July 1998 when a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publisher Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the cars in the German market since the name was already taken by one of its magazines (Focus). This eleventh-hour dispute was resolved, however, and the car was launched with the name Focus.

First generation (C170; 1998)

Ford of Europe introduced the Focus in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for the Ford Escort. The Focus Mk 1 was awarded the 1999 European Car of the Year award. The project manager for the Ford Focus at Dunton was Rose Mary Farenden.

Ford of North America began marketing the Focus in September 1999 for the 2000 model year, with some changes from the European version. The car was launched as a three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door wagon; a five-door hatchback debuted in 2001.

In 2002, Ford launched its highest performance version of the Focus, called the Focus RS. It came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged Duratec RS engine, a Quaife ATB limited-slip differential, an AP Racing clutch, and a revolutionary design front suspension strut system called "Revo-knuckle"- as marketed by Ford, Sachs Racing dampers Brembo brakes, 18” O.Z Racing alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres and a host of other performance changes, combined with a much more aggressive appearance, and was available only in Ford's Imperial blue. Tickford Engineering won the engineering contract for the research, development and to oversee production of the Mk 1 Focus RS. Tickford made substantial modifications to the base unit, with up to 70% of the base components either updated, re-engineered or completely redesigned. Despite the development being carried out in the United Kingdom, Ford produced the Focus RS in the Saarlouis plant in Germany between 2002 and 2003 making a limited run of 4501 cars only. This original Focus RS was only available in Europe; just under half (2147) of these were sold in the UK.

For decades, in the U.S., small cars like the Focus were seen as a tool to draw in younger buyers looking for a cheap basic transportation and to increase auto makers' fleet average fuel economies to meet U.S. federal standards. Ford was said not to be concerned about losing money on the Focus so the company could sell gas guzzlers for big profits. However, recent sales of new Focuses have been able to maintain lower or overall discounting incentive rates than many competing vehicles in its class. Many industry insiders view cars like the Focus as 'compliance cars' because of their role in helping to bring up the corporate fleet average fuel economy to meet current fuel-economy standards.

Ford Focus 2013

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Common Ford Focus 2013 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 2013 Ford Focus, several common problems have been reported:

  • Power Steering Failure:
    Another prevalent issue with the 2013 Ford Focus is power steering failure. Owners have experienced the power steering assist randomly stopping, requiring increased force to steer the vehicle. Replacing the power steering unit can cost approximately $1,800, posing a safety risk and a costly repair for many drivers.
  • Fuel System Problems:
    The fuel system in the 2013 Ford Focus has been a source of complaints, leading to stalling while driving and difficulty restarting. This issue is often caused by a stuck canister purge valve, resulting in fuel circulation problems. The negative pressure in the fuel tank can cause deformation and potential cracking, leading to engine stalling due to lack of fuel delivery. The average cost to fix this problem is around $549-$610, but there have been factory recalls addressing this issue.
  • Doors Opening Unexpectedly:
    Some owners have reported doors unexpectedly opening while driving, which poses a serious safety hazard. This problem was addressed through recalls by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), highlighting the importance of ensuring the proper functioning of door latches to prevent such incidents.
  • Other Common Issues:
    Apart from the major problems mentioned above, owners have also reported issues like electrical system glitches, engine stalls, and various recalls covering dangerous problems like engine stalling and shaky transmissions. These issues have contributed to the overall poor reliability ratings and high cost of ownership associated with the 2013 Ford Focus, making it a challenging vehicle to recommend.

These common problems with the 2013 Ford Focus highlight the importance of thorough inspections and awareness of potential issues when considering the purchase or ownership of this particular model.

Ford Focus 2013 engine

Is the 2013 Ford Focus a good used car?

As such, the 2013 Ford Focus stands as one of the best small cars you can buy. All the boxes are checked here, as the Focus offers eye-catching styling, sedan or hatchback body styles, a comfortable and well-trimmed cabin, refined performance, high fuel economy and a wealth of available convenience features.

Is there a transmission recall on 2013 Ford Focus?

Ford's number for this recall is 16C13. Summary: 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.

What is a common problem with a Ford Focus?

The most common Ford Focus problems include fluctuating engine revolutions per minute (RPM), pre-ignition at low speeds, and engine stalling.

How long does a 2013 Ford Focus transmission last?

2013 Ford Focus Hatchback is a fun little car to drive and I enjoyed driving it. However it has a dual-clutch automatic transmission which is very problematic. My cars transmission gave out at 77K miles which is average life for the automatic transmission.

What is the most common problem on the 2013 Ford Focus?

Meredith, Unfortunately, chronic transmission problems, seem to be the norm for the 2013 Focus. Given the cost of repairs and the current market value of the 2013 Ford Focus, I recommend you sell or trade the car.

Is the 2013 Ford Focus a good used car?

As such, the 2013 Ford Focus stands as one of the best small cars you can buy. All the boxes are checked here, as the Focus offers eye-catching styling, sedan or hatchback body styles, a comfortable and well-trimmed cabin, refined performance, high fuel economy and a wealth of available convenience features.

What is the common problem of Ford Focus?

The most common Ford Focus problems include fluctuating engine revolutions per minute (RPM), pre-ignition at low speeds, and engine stalling. Many issues can also develop in the exhaust, fuel system, transmission, steering, and ignition key.

How long does a 2013 Ford Focus engine last?

The Ford Focus is a reliable vehicle that can, with proper maintenance, last up to 200,000 miles. They offer competitive fuel efficiency with an average of 30 MPG for city driving and 40 MPG for highway driving.

Ford Focus 2013 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Focus problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Power train problems
  • Engine problems
  • Steering problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Fuel/propulsion system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Ford Focus 2013 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints Ford Focus 2013

The NHTSA has received 2055 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ford Focus 2013. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ford Focus 2013 vehicles.

2024-10-23

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-23
  • VIN: 1FADP3L90DL
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove rough. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling rough. In addition, the fuel gauge was moving erratically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with canister purge valve failure. The contact was informed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); because the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
2024-10-18

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
  • VIN: 1FADP3L95DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: P0236 , p0238, p007d, p0456, charged air sensor A fault, boost sensor range/performance fault, and other faults , crank car engine service now pops up everytime, clear codes pops rite back up, car stumbles ,misfires , no boost, no throttle shuts off . Only had this car a week . Performed wire splice and anything I saw that I could do to fix this . No help making payments on a car I can't drive is very frustrating. Replaced sensors. These faults pop up within 2 seconds of clearing codes and starting vehicle everytime.
2024-10-11

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-01-15
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a 5-10 seconds hesitation before the vehicle accelerated as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving from a complete stop. The contact stated that the transmission clutch was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000. The VIN was not available.
2024-10-02

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
  • VIN: 1FADP3L96DL
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with fuel tank and fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,819.
2024-09-16

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-09-16
  • VIN: 1FADP3F21DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked and lost motive power and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed clutch and actuator. The contact was informed that the clutch and the actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
2024-09-13

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-11
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle had no motive power. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission solenoids. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission had previously been replaced in June of 2023 at 114,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 147,000. The VIN was not available.
2024-09-11

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-22
  • VIN: 1FADP3J27DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving and attempting to stop, the vehicle hesitated and shifted out of gear independently. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
2024-09-10

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-07
  • VIN: 1FADP3F23DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping and shifted hard. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed transmission clutches. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
2024-09-09

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-20
  • VIN: 1FADP3F2XDL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The Transmission Control Module (TCM) failed while driving. The car's engine began revving at high RPM while not accelerating and forcing the vehicle to slow down, creating a dangerous driving environment as I tried to get the car to a repair facility. An error message appeared stating that there was a transmission error and to get the vehicle serviced. This is the 5th time that the TCM has been replaced in this car. This car is 11 years old with approximately 60,000 miles. This is the first time it failed while driving. Typically, other symptoms prompt me to take it in. This time, I had no warning other than the message at the time of failure while I was driving in heavy traffic on a highway (speed limit was 55 mph). I somehow got the vehicle to a Ford dealership which diagnosed the problem as a failed TCM.
2024-09-07

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
  • VIN: 1FADP3K29DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Not shifting into gear properly, slipping out of gear into what seems like neutral, downshifting. Also electrical problems, radio not functioning, speakers popping and static sounds even with vehicle completely off.
2024-09-04

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
  • VIN: 1FADP3F21DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the clutch vibrated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with clutch failure. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the loss of acceleration had not been duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the clutch was previously replaced in 2020. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
2024-08-09

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-16
  • VIN: 1FADP3F28DL
  • Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Electrical Power Steering. While driving the steering suddenly locked up. There was no prior indication. Upon having a Master Mechanic check the vehicle, it was stated that it is a common problem seen by mechanics and after researching online searches, the Ford Focus vehicles from 2010-2014 have experienced the same issue. This is an absolute hazard. The cost to repair will be close to $4, 000. I am requesting that an immediate recall she be mandated by Ford. This was a close call for me on a main Freeway.
2024-08-02

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2013-08-02
  • VIN: 1FADP3F27DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing transmission failures. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift as intended and was downshifting unexpectedly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where the TCM software and firmware were updated; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while his son was driving 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted unexpectedly to second gear, nearly causing a crash. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's son was able to pull to the side of the road momentarily. The contact's son then continued driving at slower speeds. The contact stated that upon using an OBD reader to scan the vehicle, diagnostic tests codes related to the transmission clutch actuator and to other unknown parts were retrieved. A second dealer, Johnson Sewell Ford (3301 N U.S. Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654, (830)693-5577) was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
2024-08-02

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-04-15
  • VIN: 1FADP3K25DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated and shuddered. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch and clutch assembly. The vehicle was not repaired, but the contact stated that the clutch had already been replaced twice within the past 2 years. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
2024-07-23

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-07-23
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message "Transmission Overheating" was displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission clutch forks had become stuck, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
2024-07-22

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-22
  • VIN: 1FADP3F29DL
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: This is the second failure of the door latch we’ve had. 1st time was drivers door. Today was passenger door. Ford dealers refuse to fix it. Carthage ford sold me the parts and I paid my mechanical c to fix the drivers door. $200 for the door latches $200 to install. Now I have to do the passenger door. I was under the impression this should be free as it’s a recall I’ve contacted ford corporate and didn’t get anywhere with them either. They were supposed to get something set up with a local dealer but never heard back from them. This is a huge safety issue. Please help me either getting reimbursed for the earlier repairs and parts and maybe getting the others fixed or at least pay the bill if I have to get them done
2024-07-17

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-16
  • VIN: 1FADP3F26DL
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: Power steering assist pump stopped intermittently, than stop completely
2024-07-10

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-10
  • VIN: 1FADP3F29DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the contact noticed a failure when he attempted to switch gears. The contact stated that his shift gear remained in neutral with the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the clutch gear which the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to reach out to NHSTA for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 176,294.
2024-06-29

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-05-02
  • VIN: 1FADP3K21DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: For some reason the recall doesn't show up on the last page, but my TCM went out. The car failed to sshift at a stop sign. I brought the car to a Ford dealer, who confirmed the part was covered by recall. That was 2 years ago. It's bene sitting in their parking lot ever since. I've emailed them twice. The first time, they seemed to try just reentering the cars ticket, based on emails I was getting. I got several emails saying service has been scheduled. The second time they told me the repair was complete. I drove to Ford where they told me they were stil waiting on th part. That's when I emailed this site, which directed me here. I don't know what a "reasonable amount of time" is, but I feel two years of waiting is excessive.
2024-06-29

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-29
  • VIN: 1FADP3F23DL
  • Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: UNKNOWN
2024-06-21

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-12-21
  • VIN: 1FADP3F27DL
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle shuddered and then stalled. The contact stated that the failure also recurred while reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure could be related to the TCM. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
2024-06-20

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-08-30
  • VIN: 1FADP3F2XDL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding and started jerking and shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several dealers where the clutch assembly was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
2024-06-15

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-13
  • VIN: 1FADP3F22DL
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: [XXX], around 11am, I was driving and the driver door was wide opened. I tried to shut it but no way. I managed to find a parking where I parked. I called AAA but they couldn't do anything. While trying to find out what was going on, we came to cross the recall. I called FORD CS. She advised to tow Focus to the nearest dealership. Also, I asked that FORD assist me with a rental but she said that the dealership has to run their diagnosis and confirm it's a recall first even after I gave her the detail of what happened. I could be in a messy accident. All I asked is a car that can keep me going to my workplaces. I work day and night, week days and weekends. Focus was towed. On Monday, June 10th, we kept contact with the dealership. Michelle was our contact. She confirmed the recall and said the car doors would be fixed by Tuesday. I asked for a rental or loaner, she refused. I went back to chat with FORD CS agent. Nothing was resolved. So mad. On Thursday, [XXX], I left my day job going home. The gas yellow sign was showing on the board and I was on my way to get gas. I could still see 7 miles left before completion. I was driving in the middle lane on the highway [XXX] ). The engine stalled without warning and Focus won't restart. Another panicking situation for me in less than a week. I called AAA & they said Focus needed to be towed to the shop. Wow! At this very moment, Focus is at the repair shop. Yesterday, Friday, June 14th, the agent told me that they replaced the battery and that they found some safety issues like oil change ( this was done recently and due only in Nov. 24), .... At this point, I told them I'll pay for the battery and get Focus on Monday, Now, I was reading about the 3 recalls and came across the fuel system, gasoline: storage. I kind of realized that this might be the case on Thursday. Pls, take care of my Focus without endangering my life. I will be expecting your reply about steps to take. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-06-07

POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-02-13
  • VIN: 1FADP3F26DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: I have had multiple instance of losing power with my car, I completed Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 and the known issue was not solved. I then went to a mechanic to have a diagnostic test performed due to the check engine light being on and they concluded that the issue was the Canister Purge Valve as well as possibly the Charcoal Canister due to the CPV malfunctioning. Other than losing power within my car the other associated problems, as confirmed by mechanic, are rough idling, difficulty starting, decreased fuel economy, and increased emissions.
2024-06-07

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-31
  • VIN: 1FADP3F26DL
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 70 MPH, the engine began revving intermittently. The contact stated that his daughter observed the “Service Transmission” message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stated that while parked at the residence, he attempted to shift into reverse(R), the engine began revving intermittently, but the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the actuator and clutch pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was partially repaired. The failure mileage was 126,023.

Ford Focus 2013 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 10 recalls for different components of the Ford Focus 2013.

2020-06-08
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
  • Remedy: 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.
2019-07-05
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
  • Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
  • Consequence: The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: 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 July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
2018-10-22
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
  • Remedy: 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.
2016-09-28
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
  • Summary: 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."
  • Consequence: 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.
  • Remedy: 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.
2016-09-06
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
  • Remedy: 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.
2015-12-02
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
  • Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
  • Consequence: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.
2014-08-11
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
  • Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
  • Consequence: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.
2013-08-01
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
  • Consequence: Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.
2013-03-07
  • Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.
  • Consequence: The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
  • Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
2012-10-02
  • Manufacturer: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not by Ford. Certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame.
  • Consequence: Without proper contact of the rooftop rack clip to the door frame, there is insufficient clamping pressure and friction. The system may slide off the vehicle when loaded with accessories, possibly becoming a road hazard to other vehicles or causing injury to pedestrians.
  • Remedy: Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focus. The safety recall began on October 15, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the vehicle rack system are affected. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not Ford. Owners may contact Yakima at 1-888-925-4621.

Negative Ford Focus 2013 car reviews

  1. Emmitt Schmitt 2024-10-20

    I bought a Ford because I had driven a Ford rental and found it to be an extremely comfortable drive. My previous car used to wear me out during frequent trips of over 100 miles, but the Focus front seats are very comfortable, as is the steering wheel. Although I initially experienced some shuddering with the dual-clutch tranny, I got used to it and now appreciate the comfortable ride, the Bluetooth technology, and being able to listen to my iPod while driving. The car has been very reliable and gets decent gas mileage (approx. 31 highway/26 city). However, I do wish the interior storage was better designed as there is hardly any space. The glove box is particularly poorly designed with no sides, making it almost useless. Despite this, I still enjoy driving my Ford Focus and appreciate its reliability. I am unsure what I will get for it in trade or resale, but I hope it will be a fair price.

  2. Julian Casper 2024-10-13

    I recently had some trouble with my car's transmission and had to take it back to the dealership multiple times for repairs. Unfortunately, I was told that the part needed for the repair is on backorder and it may take some time to arrive. Despite my frustration, I have been in contact with other dealerships and colleagues who are experiencing similar issues. I attempted to negotiate with the dealership and even reached out to Ford, but was disappointed with the offer I received. I have since moved on from this experience and am now driving a 2018 Honda Civic, which I am very happy with. I hope that others do not have to go through the same ordeal that I did. Thank you for listening to my story.

  3. Manuela Spinka 2024-10-07

    This car is well-built and has a very nice appearance. It's easy to clean and the controls are logically placed and easy to use. I was pleasantly surprised by how roomy it is and how nice it handles, with adequate power. It's definitely a fun car to drive. By using the cruise control as much as possible, I was able to get well over 40 mpg. However, the driver's seat is a deal breaker for anyone shorter than 5'6There are definitely some great things about this car, but unfortunately, the few not-so-great things outweigh them. I was really happy to get rid of this car, even though I still had 43 payments left.

  4. Devyn Konopelski 2024-09-21

    My 2013 Ford Focus has been in the shop multiple times for the transmission shuddering, which is not normal, regardless of what Ford claims. A car should not sound or feel like this during normal driving. Currently, it is in the shop for a broken steering column, which broke 1970 miles after the 36000 warranty, and Ford refused to pay for it or acknowledge that it is a faulty steering mechanism. Additionally, there is another recall for the door latch which opens while driving. However, I am confident that these issues can be resolved. Although I have had some difficulties with this car, I am still satisfied with my purchase. I have owned it for 3 years and it has been more work, hassle and headache than my mother's Subaru of the same year, and my 2003 Suzuki, which was not the greatest car, but it was only in the shop once! Now the Suzuki is looking so much better, I should have never turned it in for this terrible Ford Focus!!!

  5. Alvis Bauch 2024-07-27

    I would recommend avoiding this car. I made the mistake of purchasing a 2013 Ford Focus without doing any research and it turned out to be a big mistake. Shortly after buying it, I noticed a loud grinding noise every time I accelerated. I contacted the dealership and was told that it was normal for an automatic and manual transmission. However, the problem only got worse over time. I took it back to the dealership and was told that the clutch was probably going bad. They reset the computer and told me to try it for 1,000 miles, but unfortunately, the problem persisted. I had to replace the clutch three times, as well as the water pump and two fuel pumps (which were not covered under warranty). Needless to say, this car was nothing but problems. I recently traded it in for a 2016 Hyundai and I am much happier now. I no longer have to worry about my car breaking down on me every single day!

Positive Ford Focus 2013 car reviews

  1. Monty Price 2024-10-11

    This car is a great value for the price. I was able to get mine for a steal and it drives like a European sedan. It puts a smile on my face the way it effortlessly goes around turns. Although the engine is not yet broken in and the computer needs to be calibrated, I have been able to exceed 40mpg going 65 and hit 35 going 75. Additionally, this car requires almost no maintenance! I am glad I didn't purchase an extended warranty. The platinum plugs, ceramic brake pads, synthetic tranny lube, and top consumer reports rated Cooper tires make this car built to last (I hope!). If you are considering purchasing this car, I highly recommend going with Car and Driver's advice and buying a manual SE model with the upgrade package. This will allow you to avoid My Ford Touch and the dullness of an automatic transmission.

  2. Jordyn Runolfsson 2024-06-08

    Hi there! Let me tell you about my previous car, a 2006 Audi A3 manual. Despite some electrical issues, interior hardware problems, and expensive oil changes, I really loved that car. I was looking for a compact car with a hatchback, so I test drove a 2013 Honda Civic SI and a 2012 Ford Focus hatch SEL. The Honda was nice, but the interior was a bit plain. The Focus, on the other hand, had so many great features like MFT and Sync! I've only had my 2013 automatic Titanium with the moonroof and 18-inch tire/handling package for a few days, so this is just an initial review. The car feels really stable and not too stiff, although the 17-inch tires do ride a bit smoother. The MFT works pretty well and is mostly bug-free. And the Sync is just awesome! I just need to learn the standard commands. Thanks for listening!

  3. Dorian Hansen 2024-05-24

    Hey there! I've been driving a FORD Focus Electric for 3 years now and I must say, it's been a great experience. Despite the extreme heat here in Phoenix, the FFE's Tesla-like liquid cooled battery pack has held up really well. I've been monitoring it closely with my SCAN GAUGE from Linear Logic in the OBD2 port and I haven't lost even 1% capacity. The only downside is that it doesn't have a DC Fast Charge port, so on long trips, I have to rely on a J-1772 at 240 volts which takes 2 to 3 hours to charge instead of just 20 minutes. Another thing is that the air conditioner uses more energy compared to the efficient heat pump found in the KIA SOUL EV or LEAF. It's a shame that FORD doesn't stock or sell the Focus EV anymore. I'd love to try out the new CCS Fast Charge port and see if they've added more range. Unfortunately, I've never seen one in stock in the entire state of Arizona.

  4. Marcel Wintheiser 2024-01-16

    This is a great second car. Driving it made me realize that all cars will be electric sooner than you think.

  5. Jamar Schaefer 2024-01-03

    I test drove the 2013 Leaf a few times and found that I didn't quite enjoy the drive dynamics or the power of the smaller electric motor. However, the Focus has a bigger electric motor with 143HP compared to Nissan's 105HP, yet it still has the same range as the Nissan (76 vs 75 miles). The drive dynamic and cornering are both solid and remind me of the 3 series. As my other car is a 535 xdrive, this is mostly for commuting and taking advantage of the free charging at work, which is available at lots of locations in the Bay area, CA. Both the interior build and cabin noise are of much better quality than the Nissan Leaf, but either one would be a great choice for a lease deal. I'm even getting the 240v installed at home for just $1000 from a slingshot company at a flat rate.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about Ford Focus 2013 problems:

2013 Focus common problems? : r/FordFocus
2013 Focus common problems? : r/FordFocus
https://www.reddit.com/r/FordFocus/comments/tkktsk/2013_focus_common_problems/

Mar 23, 2022 ... Motor mounts, door seals, and electrical problems related to the atrocious grounds Ford blessed these cars with. Occassionally you'll get a CEL ...

2013 Ford Focus' Problems Include 10 Mostly-serious Recalls ...
2013 Ford Focus' Problems Include 10 Mostly-serious Recalls ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/2013-ford-focus-problems-include-10-recalls-costly-transmission-problems-and-severe-steering-failure

Feb 9, 2022 ... They cover problems with engine wiring slices and a stuck canister purge valve that may result in an engine stall without the ability to restart ...

2013 Ford Focus Problems That Are Too Common! - Flagship One ...
2013 Ford Focus Problems That Are Too Common! - Flagship One ...
https://www.fs1inc.com/blog/2013-ford-focus-problems-that-are-too-common/

Mar 29, 2022 ... The Ford dealer transmission which is in the 2013 model has experienced a lot of problems and complaints over the years. People have complained ...

2013 Ford Focus Reliability - Consumer Reports
2013 Ford Focus Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ford/focus/2013/reliability/

Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Transmission Minor · Transmission Major · Brakes · Climate System · In-car Electronics · Drive System · Electrical Accessories.

2013 Ford Focus Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2013 Ford Focus Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/ford/focus/2013/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2013 Ford Focus? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

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