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.
Car Mileage is 67K. Noticed the car is shuddering and little jerk upon moving the car, upon calling the ford customer service, was being told there is a recall for transmission control module, went to a service center and was been told it needs a full transmission replacement and there was no control module affected. I have noticed in the forums that it is common problem across all Ford Focus and causes shuddering. This has caused me a concern given the mileage is less than 68K and the transmission has gone bad incurring huge budget for repairs. There are no warning lamps or any other symptoms.
While accelerating from a stop or low speed the engine revs and does not shift gears. Impossible to increase speed above about 30 mph. After taking my foot off the gas pedal and trying, again it sometimes works fine for awhile. Intermittent, but dangerous, since I never know when pressing the gas pedal will make the car move forward or just rev the engine with no effect.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and at various speeds, the vehicle started to shudder and vibrate. The contact stated that she pulled off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle which seemed to reset the transmission. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer several times and the vehicle was diagnosed, and the clutch assembly was replaced twice, and the transmission control module was first reprogrammed and then replaced. The vehicle been repaired; however, the transmission failure persisted. The vehicle was not recently repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle would shudder while shifting gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission module had caused the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000. The consumer stated repairs for the vehicle would cost $3,000 and requesting either reimbursement or included in the recall.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the transmission failed to shift as designed. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was shifted into gear, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance but was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
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I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus in the spring of 2020. I have taken my car to the dealership three times (it's about to be a fourth time) for the same Transmission Control Module issue. They keep replacing the part because it is recalled, and each time the new module stops working after roughly 5,000 miles. Today is the fourth time it has malfunctioned. The car shudders and jumps when I downshift at stoplights, and it will not shift to fourth gear to drive at acceptable speeds on the highway to my job. The car never shifts well, but this is dangerous.
Like me and countless others, the transmission shutters at low speed causing a safety issue, apparently people have been having this issue even out the door when their cars had 100 miles on them, I just got mine and it has this issue, I'm gonna go see how much it is to get fixed but I'd like it if I didnt have to pay since so many others are also having this issue
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while at a stop light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dual clutch was replaced; however, the failure continued and the dual clutch was replaced several times. The manufacturer was contacted and but offered no assistance. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.
There is a shudder in the transmission when accelerating, upshifting and occasionally downshifting as well. It has not posed any safety risk yet. My car has not (to my knowledge) been inspected by a dealership, service center, insurance representative, etc. but there have been previous recalls for this issue. Since buying it last autumn there has been a small, almost unnoticeable shudder, but it has quickly gotten worse.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the RPM revved up and the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure would stop after driving for an extended period. However, the failure had been reoccurring while driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the used car dealer where an unknown software was reprogrammed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the used car dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,042.
The 2013 Ford focus has a manufacturer defect that the ford has been aware of. The vehicle has slowed down to 15 mph while I driving the expressway making it very unsafe. When I took it back to the dedealership I was told that I could not drive the car but no rental car would be provided to me. It has been over a month with no rental car and being unable to drive my vehicle, and Ford has not to accountability for the inconvenience that this has caused.
I was driving 65mph on CA highway 880 in the left carpool lane. Suddenly my transmission slipped and my car ended up in neutral. I was forced to park in whatever space there was between the concrete barrier and the carpool lane. After the car stopped, the transmission would not re-engage for another 3 minutes or so. After that it re-engaged and I was able to drive back home. My understanding this is one of the issues that can be expected with a Ford DPS6 transmission. COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I had two young children in the car.
Ford extended the warranty for the Transmission Control Module to 150,000 miles. Mine has failed at 160,000 miles but there is possibility for extension through Ford, they stated that this mileage is set by NHTSA. I don't mind repair cost, but to add insult the part is not available for 2 months as stated by the service department at the dealership. With current market situation, the mileage should be extended. This failure makes the car unsafe to drive, Ford should extend the warranty mileage further, especially in the current market of vehicle availability. Also, Ford needs to work with a supplier to improve lead times.
My daughter has a 2013 Ford Focus SE and has had numerous issues with her transmission which of recent has presented some serious safety concerns. She had driven her car to work and when attempting to leave after work was unable to get her car to move. She put the car in drive and reved the engine then in reverse the same, would not move. We had the car towed to Sarchione Ford of Alliance and was diagnosed as the Transmission Actuator A. My understanding of the Actuator is it engaged the transmission into gear. I recently read an article in a Ford Forum relating to the April 2020 Class Action Suit and I quote a blogger stated that this defect can abruptly cause car to jump into gear which could cause a safety issue. Another blogger stated that he had a similar issue while on an expressway traveling fast and ended up on the shoulder until eventually getting the car to move again. My daughter's Ford Focus 2013 has had 2 recalls issued relating to the transmission. Program #14M01 Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission input seal Warranty extension which is no longer valid. Program #14M02 Transmission Control Module which has been extended to 150,000 mile or until February of next year. Both of the said recalls we're mandated due to the numerous safety concerns relating to failure or uprupt operation due to design defect and no fought of the vehicle operation. So I pose a very simple question, why has not Actuator A and B of the Ford Focus been issued recalls when failure of said parts presents safety concerns? There should be a warranty extension mandate to repair at no cost to vehicle owner. All of these said parts work together when operational to perform safe driving practices on the contrary the motorists are left at risk regarding highway safety. I have written a letter to CEO Jim Farley to reevaluate his Customer Satisfaction Program and recall procedure. The NHTSA needs to review the said safety concerns. I have filed with Ford Motor PAS-37493284.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH on the highway, the vehicle was bouncing. The contact was able to pull over safely to the side of the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM would increase however, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a diagnostic trouble code presented an evap leak. There was no additional information available. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.
The transmission on our 2013 has now failed. We brought it to Ford-??s attention back During the Covid shut down before The Focus reached the 100,000 mile expiration. Ford said there-??s nothing they can do about it. We gingerly drove the car to make the transmission last as long as possible and it lasted quite a while. However now the transmission has failed it and after taking the vehicle to a certified mechanic they found the DTC Code showed P0805:00-68, The description was clutch position sensor A circuit, and the status was continuous memory DTCs, another code PC805 had a similar description and a status of -??freeze frame module2-??. Certified mechanic check this out and reported this information to me told me to go to a transmission specialist. The transmission specialist said it would cost at least $500, but if it turned out that the central module was at fault there aren-??t any parts to be had. Ford is not making any of them anymore. They said I could pay the $500 and then your car will sit because there-??s no parts to fix the central module. I would like the car repaired but I have another question. Why isn-??t the NHTSA Making Ford fix this issue. Ford new their transmissions were faulty and sold the automobiles anyway. Where is the NHTSA on this issue" Well I be able to get the Ford focus fixed"
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was able to shift gears and drive the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
This message is a complaint about my local car dealership and the car manufacturer of my vehicle. I will try to follow the general guidelines as much as possible. First off, I have a 2013 Ford Focus with numerous recalls. I recently dropped the vehicle off at my local car dealership the have those recalls worked on...and ONLY those recalls. The recalls include: - faulty transmission control module (TCM) - canister purge valve (CPV) being stuck open causing the plastic fuel tank to deform, causing incorrect gas tank readings - door latches not being secure - software update of the vehicle's computer...to also correct false computer readings. Symptoms I have with the vehicle are as follows: - difficulty with ignition, as I have to turn the key multiple times to start the vehicle; also happens when putting in gas - constant jerking of the vehicle while driving, especially when starting from a stop - stalling of the vehicle, especially when driving uphill - engine light always on - incorrect gas reading; fuel gauge goes up and down. When I dropped my vehicle off at the dealership, I was assured that if the problems were any of the recalls, they would be free of charge. Fast-forward a couple of weeks later and I'm being told that I now owe over $1,000 in labor fees! On top of that I am being told that I owe a $180 diagnostic fee. I was told of two things that were replaced on the vehicle: the canister purge valve (which I already stated IS one of the recalls) and some random sensor, which they had no right to replace without my permission. I am being told neither of these things are covered since the car dealership and manufacturer suddenly don't consider these recalls. The excuse I have been given is the "codes" of the vehicle don't give the same information. I am in utter disbelief of everything I am being told. The recall letters clearly state repairs that are part of a recall are free of charge. Absolutely ridiculous.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Arlington, VA, USA