Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: Ford changed a lot of things for its 3rd generation, just none of them were a good idea.

The transmission tends to hesitate and jerk when accelerating. The new electronically-driven power steering can fail suddenly and without warning. Even Ford's SYNC can be a headache. Actually, scratch that last one — it's always been a headache.

8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
35,400 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace clutch (5 reports)
2013 Ford Focus clutch problems

clutch problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #11

Oct 172013

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

IT JERKS A LOT WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF FROM LIGHT AND IT STALLS. SCARED IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF ON ME WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS. CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED BUT ALL THE COMPLAINTS WERE MADE BEFORE WARRANTY RAN OUT.

- Joanna G., Arcadia, US

problem #10

Jan 012014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I will never buy another Ford product again. This clutch assembly/transmission was showing signs of problem with the 2012 models and Ford continued to use it through it's 2016 models. Unacceptable.

The clutch assembly has been replaced, after a lengthy wait for parts, three times the parts were considered recalled. Finally a new assembly was put in. Still having issues. Not as bad but still should be replaced once again.

I am fairly sure all companies try this same BS on it's customers but it doesn't excuse Ford. They promise me a great trade in IF I purchase another one of their cars. I don't think so. They had the opportunity to get it right and did not. And shame on them for putting their dealerships in the middle and have to deal with consumers.

And now, I have a rear main seal leak. $1,150 to repair. I don't think so. The clutch/transmission repair is probably connected to this repair anyway.

The car now has 97K miles on it. It's a hunk of junk. I will not put another cent into it. I will be taking the car to Car Max shortly and taking whatever they will give me for it. I did that several years ago with an old mini van that our family beat up. They said it would end up in auction. What did I care, I just wanted rid of it.

Never again, Ford. Never again.

- Luann S., Hanover, US

problem #9

Jan 102014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

I have made complaint after complaint to the service dept. It started out with that this was the way the car was made to save fuel. I told them I would rather pay more for fuel than have my life on the line. The car jerks and shakes and hesitates when you try to pull up. I was told to try and pull out slow. You cant always pull out slow. I was told they could work on the clutch but they needed the car for 3 days and they didn't give out loaners. I work so I need my car. Last month I finally got a service guy tell me to call him the following week and he would make arrangements for me to leave it for a day and he would get me a loaner. Multiple calls to this guy goes unanswered and finally I get him and he says they are too swamped with work to get me in. Haven't heard from them again.

- Bonnie W., Apollo, US

problem #8

Sep 092016

Focus ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

As a previous loyal Ford customer, I am beyond disappointed in the problems I've had with this car. At 50,000 miles, I had to had this car's WHOLE transmission replaced. Of course, this was covered under the warranty at the time. Recently, at 79,000, I had to bring it in yet again for the transmission to be redone. Now, at 80,000 the fuel tank and fuel line is needing to be replaced, which of course is not under warranty. The Ford dealership just informed me that it would be around 3k to have this fixed. My 2013 Ford Focus is BARELY worth that. Of course, am going to try to get it repaired somewhere else. What happened to Ford making reputable, long lasting cars? I understand that the Ford Focus is not the nicest car Ford makes, but when I bought it with only 13,000 miles, I thought it would last me past 80,000. Anyone around the Denver area have a good repair shop to go to that would help me? I'm not giving anymore money to Ford.

-Disappointed and broke 2013 Ford Focus owner.

- Jordan S., Denver, CO, US

problem #7

Oct 102016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,775 miles

Ok, so I bought by 2013 Ford Focus SE Hatchback used with 36K on it and it was only a year old in 2014 (prior to the transmission issues hitting the press, which was within 6 months of purchase). Within 6 months the driver's door power window motor went out. I hoped it wasn't a bad omen, but as it turns out, it was. Then, in July 2015 the TCM went berserk and I had it replaced. In October 2015, I got a software notice update for the transmission. I drove a manual for years, so I could put up with the shuddering when taking off from a light. I try to be gentle with it so as to not exacerbate the issues. So in October 2016, I got another software update notice on the TCM. I took it into my local Ford dealer and they did the software update which was only a half day of inconvenience. Then that night I was driving the car and the check engine light came on. I did a vehicle health report through the Bluetooth and it was saying the engine was misfiring, and that there was a big emissions issue. The funny thing was that the motor ran smoothly and I didn't notice anything in loss of power or anything spewing from the tailpipe. I took the car in the following morning, and they told me the PCM (Power Control Module-main computer brain in the car) was fried and had to be replaced as they couldn't get the system flashing and clearing to stick. So the car was in the shop for a week with that. When I got it back, my service advisor told me I would need to bring it back for new clutches, as the ones in it wouldn't pass. Now that I have read through many other customer complaints about this, I am even more disheartened as the repairs appear to be an exercise in futility. I loved the styling, comfort, ride, design and handling of my car. The hatchback makes it much more versatile than a sedan. The problem now is the resale value has plummeted through the floor, and I am at least 50% upside down on this car now. The extended warranty expires in 20k miles and I can't afford to trade it in. Maybe Ford ought to offer to install manual transmissions in these cars or assist with the upside down costs if owners want out. My confidence in this car is now seriously compromised, and I am reluctant to take it on a trip. I think my 1969 Oldsmobile has a better chance of getting through a trip without a break down than the behavior this car is now exhibiting.

- Paul P., Little Rock, AR, US

problem #6

Jul 232016

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,100 miles

This afternoon, while pulling away from a curb, my car once again went into a very unexpected and unsafe downshift while I was feathering the throttle hoping for slow acceleration. It then kicked back into gear and then repeated once, then studdered and finally smoothed out as I pulled back to the curb as safely as I could given the circumstances.

- Ryan P., San Marcos, CA, US

problem #5

Oct 012014

Focus SE 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle before this was a Volvo S80 and I loved that car so much! However, I decided to upgrade my car to something more practical and overall just something new.

Never, ever buy a Ford, especially this Focus. I cannot tell you how many dealerships I've appeared in both in Wisconsin and in Arizona. When trying to accelerate at a complete stop, the car will actually just start shaking. My friend driving behind me could even notice and thought I was doing it on purpose! No.

But some days the cars drives like it has never had an issue, but primarily everyday there is at least one noticeable shutter.

- Chad L., Mukwonago, WI, US

problem #4

Jan 052015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

We bought this POS lemon in Nov 2014. Salesman said that the "clutch" was just replaced but no mention of why or of the shudder hesitation stalling and grinding under my feet that are associated with the TCM (FSA Title: TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SHUDDER / TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT SEAL WARRANTY EXTENSION

Field Service Action Number: 14M01 and FSA Title: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE Field Service Action Number: 14M02). Which are listed as recalls on the FMC website. Car was awesome for like 2 minutes..first time into dealer was Jan 2015 and this past Feb was the 6th time in. Was told 3 times before that I needed new clutches because they are getting used and worn in a way they were never meant to due to the crappy design of the manual auto, which by the way I think they were all on crack when they came up with that design and then brain dead when they decided to sell the cars even though they knew it sucked. SHAME ON YOU FORD!! We have many classic fords from a 32 Ford PU to a 63.5 galaxy. This is so far from what should be acceptable. At least my dealership and Micky in svc dept have been honest with from the first visit that there was never plan b or going to be a perm fix and she has even advised me to try WA State lemon law or going back in to showroom and talking to them about trading in for newer vehicle because at this juncture Ford has stated that they are no longer making cars with that kind of transmission. And something about Customer loyalty program. I feel like driving my car right thru the pretty windows of the multi million dollar building and claiming it shuddered stalled and then lurched forward rapidly and that hey not my fault..its supposed to do that right thats normal. What a joke. Going this weekend to delership since my clutches are still 2 months out because even though I needed them last year I didnt get them they gave them to someone elses car. If they dont make it right I will be joining the class action law suit and filing for a lemom law admin hearing. FORD IS GOING TO MAKE IT RIGHT. IM NOT RUINING MY CREDIT OR LOSING MONEY BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW THEY WERE FULL AWARE OF. DOYOU SEE THIS MR FORD BIG WIG..GET RID OF THE CRACK SMOKERS MAKE IT RIGHT WITH YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS ITS CALLED CUSTOMER F'ING SERVICE. Like everyone else i dont think I want another ford.

Update from Apr 26, 2016: Our car was given "new and upgraded clutches" today and we will be picking it up tomorrow. My service tech stated that it going to need about 500 miles to seed in the new clutches but that these new clutches SHOULD permenantly fix the problem. I will update with how it drives home tomorrow.

- Tami S., Tacoma, WA, US

problem #3

Feb 032016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,500 miles

I bought a 2013 ford focus from Norris ford about 3 weeks ago. Before I bought the car I did some checking and was aware there had been a recall on the clutch in the transmission. I was told that that problem had been rectified on this model and that it had been replaced. The first week I noticed two things. The first was the car has a hard take-off, it shudders and shakes. The second was both of the air vents; driver and passenger side were broke. I took it back to Ford service and they informed me the hard take off was due to a recall of the clutch in the transmission. They placed both parts on order (the vents and the clutch). I waited a few days and called about the parts. I was told the clutch was still on back order. I called the gentleman who sold me the car and inquired why I was told the clutch was already replaced when it wasn’t. I was told simply that I could always take it to another Ford dealership. I asked why I would want to do that. I received no reply. My complaint is two parts. Why it was never crossed referenced and repaired ahead of time before selling. And why knowing it is a problem does it take 6-8 weeks to fix? I wonder how many others are in the same fix.

- Don E., Dundalk, US

problem #2

May 012015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A NEW CLUTCH THAT HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR 3 MONTHS AND MY CAR RUNS TERRIBLE.

- Cindy S., delavan, WI, US

problem #1

Dec 132014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,500 miles

This car was bought brand new in April of 2013 and I bought new because I wanted trouble free driving but already I have had to have a new clutch.

- Karen C., Pittsburgh, PA, US

Not what you are looking for?