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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
37,884 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ford Focus drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 21 of 51)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #613

Aug 042017

Focus

  • 64,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While accelerating from the idle position, the vehicle hesitated and lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to Suburban Ford of sterling heights (40333 van dyke ave., sterling heights, mi 48313, 586-434-0943) where it was diagnosed that the clutch and seal needed to be replaced, and the vehicle needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 64,000.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #612

Jul 052018

Focus 16-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
1fadp3N29D[xxx] fors Focus 2013 hatchback titanium has problems with the tcm transmission modulator. This car has been babied and has in my opinion a factory defect with the transmission. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #611

Jul 152018

Focus 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
Ford Motor Company / brighton Ford, refusing to cover vehicle repair even though car falls within all parameters and exhibits not only one, but both conditions covered under two separate programs at Ford, (14mo1 ? transmission clutch shutter) and (14mo2 transmission engagement or loss of power) with all symptoms present. Early in June, my 2013 Ford Focus (VIN- [xxx]) began experiencing a periodic shutter while driving. Issue progressively got worse. Some driving times no issues noticeable, other driving times shutter apparent. As time went by, the problem progressed into a grinding noise while it was shifting into different gears. In late June I attempted to make an appointment at my local dealership (brighton Ford) to have the transmission looked at, scheduled first available appointment at brighton Ford Monday, July 16th. While on the freeway driving home from work Sunday July 15th the car began to lose power while trying to shift gears. After a short period, the transmission fault service now light appeared, and car stayed in what seemed to be a sluggish mode. I was able to drive it under that condition directly to the dealership to leave it at the overnight drop location to be looked at during my scheduled appointment the following morning. Did receive a call from service advisor [xxx] Monday 7/16 advising that without actually tearing the transmission apart to determine the cause, being unable to drive the vehicle to replicate the shutter and no apparent leaks or contamination this issue would not be covered under warranty. This particular model year vehicle with the dps6 automatic transmission has two know transmission issues: Customer satisfaction program 14mo1 - transmission clutch shutter / transmission input shaft seal warranty extension. Customer satisfaction program 14mo2, transmission control module extended warranty coverage. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Whitmore Lake, MI, USA

problem #610

May 232016

Focus

  • 47,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed to come to a complete stop. The contact mentioned that the clutch was replaced four times in the past two years as well as the transmission computer. The vehicle was serviced at sunnyside motor co. Inc. (944 main St, holden, MA 01520, (508) 829-4333). The dealer stated that the clutch was on an extended warranty; however, there were limits on whether it would be replaced based on rpms. The contact stated that a diagnostic appointment was scheduled with the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- Webster, MA, USA

problem #609

Jul 072018

Focus

  • 71,461 miles
The first problem was with the transmission, Ford extended the warranty to cover whatever the part was out to 150K miles. The second problem was the radio/sync system quit working. And as of today July 7 a steering assist fault warning is coming up on the dash. I did some research and the problem does not appear to be an isolated incident. The steering assist fault warning comes on when you start the vehicle, we have not seen it happen while in motion.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #608

Jul 072018

Focus

  • 163,850 miles
Feels like the transmission slips. Going uphill on a highway a speed of approx. 35 mpg, (normal speed for area I was in), had a hesitation felt like I was losing acceleration. Once uphill, pulled into a driveway and put in reverse to turn around, car would not go reverse, would go forward, into park and neutral, but not reverse. Shut off all accessories (A/C, radio etc.) put in park and turned car off. Waited 5 minutes and turned car back on and reverse worked. I have felt a slip as such only on a couple of occasions and car corrected itself, but this time it did not, until I shut the car off all the way.

- Ozark, MO, USA

problem #607

Jun 302018

Focus

  • 80,000 miles

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

Transmission shudder then driving on highway low oil light came on randomly happened before took to shop and said the rear main seal went out which caused oil to leak into transmission and making the clutch slip

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #606

Jun 022018

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
Starting February 2018 the car was jerking and it had turned off on me while on the highway 3 times. I have changed oxygen sensors and purge valve (I have receipts) and it had initially helped. As of June 2, 2018, it is jerking and turning off again and throwing check engine code P0805 and P080A. The system from car notified me that the transmission was hot and needed to be turned off. From June 2, 2018 I have not driven the car.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #605

Jun 082018

Focus

  • miles
I understand that there is a powershift recall on all 2013 Ford Focus cars with automatic transmission. My car falls under that recall and I want this taken care of. I plan on retaining an attorney so I can get something done about the fact that I am driving and paying on a defective car. I was driving down a steep hill and a warning about my transmission running hot came on, I had just called my mechanic to check why my engine light had come on, and had to get the car towed to the shop. He checked and told me that it was due to the powershift recall, and that Ford plant should make the necessary repairs, they will also claim that in court if necessary.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #604

May 292018

Focus

  • 65,000 miles
Car is back in the shop again for shudder bad at take off turning into traffic. Ford is telling me shudder and jerking is within normal and acceptable range. I don't know how this shudder is acceptable. I've had the clutches replaced several times and the car is suppose to have the update clutches but here we are again with issues. The car clunked and jerked out of gear going 65 down the interstate at one point and wouldn't do anything luckily no one was behind me and I was able to come to a stop off the road and get a tow. This car has had way too many transmission issues and makes me scared to drive yet I'm still making payments on this car because I can't get out of loan do to the resale value dropping due to this transmission. This car does not feel safe and under no circumstances should the shudder, jerking, and delayed reactions be considered normal and safe.

- Selma, NC, USA

problem #603

Nov 302017

Focus

  • 32,000 miles

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

The car is stalling when accelerating which seems to be a common complaint from this year Focus owners. I took the vehicle to a transmission shop but they too were unable to diagnose. Some of the reading is showing there is an electrical connection issue which is causing this.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #602

Feb 152018

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
While taking off from stop lights in the car shifts from first gear into second gear I get a bunny hop vibration out of the front end of my car service at the Ford dealer tells me that there is nothing wrong with my vehicle but yet my vehicle keeps doing this I want to know if there might be a recall on the transmission of this vehicle it states that there is not but I believe that there is a problem with Ford's transmissions on several different vehicles

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #601

Feb 012018

Focus

  • 83,000 miles
When the car starts moving from a stop, the transmission is slipping causing a loss in momentum. This happens in the first two gears.

- Alexander City, AL, USA

problem #600

Mar 062018

Focus

  • 115,600 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral and the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a local dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 115,600.

- Prairie Grove, AR, USA

problem #599

Oct 312017

Focus

  • 86,587 miles
Car started shifting funny so I took it to the Ford dealer they said something electronic on the transmission needed changed so they did something did not charge me for anything but it's still shifts differently they said it had to get used to the way I was driving one month later my steering unit went out I took it to the Ford dealer they put it on the machine the the person I talk to on the phone said it needed a whole new steering column and it was $2,100 and at that time they would readjust the module on the steering for free I said no I did not have $2,100 so I had to pay the $99 to have it put on the machine and when I got the paperwork it said nothing about a steering column it only said I declined module programming and that cost was $125 had I paid the 125 I would not have paid that had to pay the 99 dollars but there is nothing on here about a steering column I do know this is difficult for me to prove what he said to me but there is nothing on this paper saying anything about a steering column I do feel that this was a gimmick on this model because they have had so many problems my transmission is still shifting funny

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #598

Aug 242014

Focus

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to respond without warning. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and shook. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (coconut point Ford, 22400 S tamiami trl, estero, fl 33928) where it was diagnosed that the transmission, clutch, and control module needed to be repaired. Additionally, a software reflash was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact back to the local dealer. The contact was informed of the buy back program. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

- Estero, FL, USA

problem #597

Oct 202015

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. On several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally and the passenger side motor mount was replaced several months ago, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to butch ostalet Ford Lincoln (9274 us 49, gulfport, ms 39503, (228) 863-5525) where it was diagnosed that the clutch was slipping. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the warranty period had expired and no additional assistance would be provided. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

problem #596

Jan 102018

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
Right now, Ford is rebuilding the hybrid transition for my 2013 Ford Focus for at least the 4th or 5th time. There have been so many problems with this model, so many complete shut downs (sometimes as I am getting on the highway) and so many service appointments that it's astonishing there are no official recalls on the books. I would absolutely never consider buying another Ford until they make this situation right.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #595

Jan 112018

Focus

  • 44,210 miles
Transmission failure. Car was stopped in a parking lot and hill assist light came on, warning on info center screen saying hill assist unavailable. When trying to move forward car reved like it was in neutral, info center showing "D". moved shift lever to park, no change on info screen, reverse and drive no change. Shut off car and car would not start like it was in gear. Placed lever in park and removed foot from brake and car started rolling. Moved car to parking spot with lever in park and info screen showing drive. Only parking brake kept car from moving.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #594

May 012015

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
Upon take off my car has shuddering, jerking, and failure of the transmission to engage at times. My car has been to my local Ford dealership and nothing has been done. My transmission fault light is now own, and the shuddering, jerking, and slow transmission engagement is worse. My transmission needs to be replaced!

- Benton, MO, USA

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