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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:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,136 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #233

Nov 162020

Focus

  • 134,000 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 while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission while driving. The contact also stated that on several occasions while driving, the vehicle ran out of fuel due to a fuel gauge failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 19V515000 (fuel system, gasoline) in November 2020 at tuttle-click's capistrano Ford (33301 camino capistrano, san juan capistrano, ca 92675) however, the failure occurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the clutch and the shifting unit needing to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #232

Feb 212021

Focus

  • 140,000 miles
Car stalls while driving on highway. Within my 10 miles to work and back the transmission disengages about 6 times and need to hit the button on side of shift knob. Radio shorted out makes a horrible sound even when not turned on or car not started. Had to remove fuses

- Kempton, PA, USA

problem #231

Jan 162021

Focus

  • 140,000 miles
Transmission seems to be slipping as if the gears are not catching during certain times of shifting. Engine seems to lose compression. Mechanic after mechanic seems to have a hard time diagnosing and repairing issues.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #230

Dec 172020

Focus

  • 0 miles

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

Car is less than 6 years old, steering completely fails in very cold weather despite a fully electric epas steering system (no power steering fluid). In addition to the radiator and fuel pump needing replacement within the full lifespan of this car, it is very unsafe and not road worthy.

- Westbury, NY, USA

problem #229

Dec 042020

Focus

  • 114,000 miles
The transmission control actual failed while I was driving on the interstate. It was as if the car went into neutral and would not go back into gear. When I pressed the accelerator pedal, it would only rev the rpms high and fall back down, no reaction by the transmission whatsoever. I was almost hit by several cars while trying to move over, with the transmission not responding to my gas pedal. There is an active recall/extended warranty on the tcm transmission control module for my vehicle. The check engine light came on, and I scanned the code with a professional obd2 reader. The code was for tcm. Capital Ford at charlotte called me and told me it was the "shift actuator", (a $60 part), not the tcm, and it was not covered under the recall. They wanted $2800 to replace the part, a $60 part. I called Ford, and they gave me a case number to "try" to get it repaired under warranty, but the service director at capital Ford told me he cannot do anything unless Ford tells him to do so, and thus far they have not approved anything to be repaired under warranty. They still have my car in the shop. This is a death trap waiting to happen. I am glad it was me driving and not my wife.

- Mount Holly, NC, USA

problem #228

Oct 302020

Focus

  • 102,000 miles
My power steering wont work at all. I just barely got the car and had it for 3 weeks and this happened. I was literally driving when this happened and now Ford wants to charge me $2200 that I cannot afford right now.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #227

Nov 152020

Focus

  • 86,511 miles

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

Wiring harness in trunk all wires are either broken or exposed ca't access my trunk have to put down back seat and go to trunk to open

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #226

Nov 032018

Focus

  • 134,000 miles
I purchased this car in August of 2017 in bastrop, Texas at benny boyd used car sales. It broke 20 days later, where it went to bastrop Ford, unknown as to what recall they repaired but it returned to the shop about less than 2 months later with another recall issue, I have had the same issues several times, I now have the same issues again and have since November of 2018 I would like to return to my home state and or be able to get a new car but because this car has consumed and nearly diminished almost every part of my livelyhood and self worth, finances, debt, etc. I am unable to even operate as a normal human. I need this issue addressed because the car dealerships refuse to address the federal recalls and or buyback till 2023.. this car loses gear, has clutch and trans issues described the same as everyone else's in all forums and complaint site across the web. Backwards in drive stalls at lights loses gear while driving makes robot sounds etc. I have ruined my life by purchasing this vehicle and would like to go back to being productive. I have a mirage of health issues so this is not easy considering I should be in control of my everyday life because I orchard a vehicle to drive not sit and watch it parked while paying 400 a month in it. I am at a loss for words and solutions. I am in fire need of someone who understands from all aspects. Thank you.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #225

Aug 012020

Focus

  • 35,000 miles
Driver side window repaired ones and brocke again. 2 times transmission problems and had the cluch replaced. And driver side door rubber seal keeps falling off

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #224

Aug 262020

Focus

  • 120,000 miles
I was driving down a city street and an engine light appeared and instantly power steering stopped while I was in motion. I had to slowly drive the car back to the house which was 10 mins away and park it which obviously was not easy considering the circumstances. Ford stated that there were no recalls on electrical or power steering for this model but I have seen that some other models have had electrical issues and its concerning. Luckily, I was the only person in the car and my children were not present. I am also thankful I was not on the interstate when this occurred as this could have been a potentially dangerous situation. This occurred yesterday, 8/26/2020 in indianapolis, in.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #223

Jul 242020

Focus

  • 25 miles

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

My car is constantly having electrical issues the radio will cut off in the middle of playing it won't turn back on my car literally hass to be turned off for a certain amount of time before the radio will come back on at all and then it disconnects and makes a loud popping sound like somethings going to catch on fire in the car won't even be on nor will the key be in the ignition I feel that it is very unsafe due to the fact that that kind of annoys is a big distraction and could cause an accident. Also while driving my car has hesitated a number of times while at a stoplight or in the rain or while I'm trying to make a turn or when I'm taking off it doesn't matter it's like it doesn't get enough gas or it has problems switching with the rpms and this is a constant problem this is not just one or two times this is since I have owned this vehicle and it's a little bit ridiculous considering this car has a five star rating definitely not a five star rating car considering how many times I've been stuck out in the middle of traffic and almost gotten into car accidents because of this cari would really like for this to be investigated quickly this is a liability to anyone who owns this year make and model of car

- Culpeper, VA, USA

problem #222

Jan 022019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
My radio in my car does not work but before that it started popping and crackling really loud with the ignition on or off moving down the road or stopped. Whenever it wanted to it did it. It was so loud it would scared me to the point I would jump and almost go off the road. But now it just doesn't work. I've looked into it and a lot of people report this problem but nothings been done about it and I feel somebody safety is in jeopardy.

- Mount Pleasant, PA, USA

problem #221

May 292020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 68,531 miles
Power to dashboard went off, no exterior lights including head lights, tail lights, brake lights, flashers, speedometer, directional S. the only thing that worked was the ac. Car was stationary. This is the second time this occurred. If this had happened while driving, it could have created a hazardous situation for me and other motorists.

- Jefferson, GA, USA

problem #220

May 052020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
Car jerks during acceleration, cpu was updated at Ford dealership but jerking is persistent, transmission overheating signal appeared, check engine signal appeared, car reverse gear faulty. All happened while car was in motion in a busy street. After car showed the transmission overheating signal it shut down and I was close to getting hit by another car from the rear end as it shut down simultaneously. Called towing service right after because car would no longer drive when on gear.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #219

Apr 202020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
When the car is in park or I"M driving on the road. The radio will abruptly go out, with a loud noise. Then it?S silent, and abruptly you hear popping and loud static noises. It is a road hazard, because this loud static noise comes and goes; and when it happens it makes you jump. It take you Focus off the road, because you?re trying to turn the radio down or off, but it"S already off and nothing working. So you wait for it to stop. I did take my car into a dealership and had it inspected, they said it was the whole front component (radio/ ac) cost about $650. There"S no way of just disconnecting just the radio, because it"S also wired with some dash lights and the ac. There are also many other people struggling with this problem.

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #218

Apr 032020

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
While driving down the expressway at 70mph my vehicle loss power entirely and stalled. I was nearly hit by the vehicle behind me and forced to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine light came on at the same time and indicated a camshaft position sensor, crankshaft position sensor, and ignition errors. I've owned this vehicle from the day it arrived at the dealership. The problem at fault has been previously identified by Ford in a tsb for the engine wiring harness chaffing on the intake manifold. Owners are not notified through mail on tsb's and this vehicle has been serviced by the dealer since the tsb was issued. I believe this should be a recall condition due to the accident potential this problem creates.

- Ira, MI, USA

problem #217

Feb 152020

Focus

  • 43,000 miles
The vehicle displays "stop safely now" and all electrical systems shut off immediately. Not able to start the car nor charge the main hv battery. Ford service at certified Ford dealer reprogrammed some of the modules but that did not fix the problem.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

problem #216

Sep 012018

Focus 4-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
I was driving away from my boyfriends house heading to the interstate 95. As I was driving I noticed white smoke coming out of the dashboard, I the car around and headed back to my boyfriends house, I put the car in park and jumped out, my boyfriend came outside and he was able to put the fire out.

- Opa Locka, FL, USA

problem #215

Mar 292020

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had to get the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact had to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to the capitol city Ford located at (8623 E Washington St, indianapolis, in 46219, (317) 898-0700). The contact was informed that a wiring harness shifted and damaged other wires within the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Fortville, IN, USA

problem #214

Mar 182020

Focus

  • 9,200 miles
Ok so for one, the screen (I think it's called the cluster) in between my odometer and my speedometer has officially gone all the way out. One day last week it started to have lines going through it and then all of the images went away but I could still see a back light, it just wasn't telling me any information. It stayed like that for two or three days and then it started flashing like a strobe light. It did that for a couple of days and then it went all the way out for like a day and then it started flashing again but it's out now. Well now the screen is connected to the radio is starting to do the same thing and I don't have to be driving down the road for it to do it. Sometimes when I crank my car it's already doing it but sometimes when I am driving my car it'll switch to whatever it wants to do next. I hope that makes sense, that's just the best I know how to explain it. Why is this happening"? has this happened to anyone else? I get migraines and I can't be driving with a strobe light happening like right in front of my face, ya know" like, that's a migraine trigger. This isn't cool.. in the picture that I submitted it's a radio screen in the first phase of what happened to my other screen above the steering wheel and the date selected is the date in which other screen started this whole process of whatever it did.

- Etta, MS, USA

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