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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.

7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$220
Average Mileage:
47,100 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (12 reports)
  2. repair the wiring (2 reports)
  3. replace battery (1 reports)
  4. replace battery relay (1 reports)
  5. replace pats ring (1 reports)
2013 Ford Focus electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #17

Feb 102019

Focus SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,900 miles

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

Turning key wouldn't start the car, though there was nothing wrong with the battery. The dashboard said "No key found".

- Ryan D., Chicago, US

problem #16

Jul 152018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,600 miles

I purchased this Focus SE 2013 from a used car lot in the middle of May 2018. For starters on first night car dies all power shut down. Didn't think it was gas cuz it said 48mi til empty. Wrong. Anyways a guy stopped and took my boyfriend to gas station, got gas, brought it to car, then car wouldn't start, had to get jump start.

The check engine light came on next morning. I told the guy at car lot, he says "It's normal for the light to be on cuz it doesn't have a gas cap". He said it was As Is no warranty no return. Car started overheating, every mile I had to stop and add water, car dies in intersection. I get out to put water and there is a small fire at front. I already had water in my hand put out flames. I was pushed into a parking lot for safety. I had car towed and hasn't started since.

So moving forward from May16 to July 15 2018. I have managed to use all 5 roadside services that are for a year. I've had to have gas brought to me when it said 119 mi til empty, jump started, towed. And here it sits in parking lot at my apartment and won't start. I bought a brand new battery, relays, overflow radiator cap. The only thing the computer states when key is in, is cars transmission is not in park. That's funny cuz you can't put it in any other gear, even with key in on position.

I pay my insurance full coverage andthey can't do squat to help me unless I take it to a repair shop. Yeah fine and dandy, I would if the stupid thing would start. I don't have any more roadside, now I lost my job too, cuz Regional Transit couldn't get me there or back home if I had to work late shift.

I'm at a loss what do I do now? Need a job to pay for car, need a car to get to job, without one it's hard to achieve the other realistically.

- Tracy G., Carmichael, CA, US

problem #15

Jan 212018

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

My battery keeps dying 2 - 3 days later, I got a new battery still the problem persist . Checked the alternator all good.

- Nick S., Euless, TX, US

problem #14

Jun 022017

Focus 2.Ol I4 Gdi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

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

It is Friday, get up, use auto start to get car going for work. Car runs great, work till lunch and go out and start car, runs great. Work till 3pm and go out to start car, get in push on brake, lights, radio and all dash lights up....... no start.... no crank...... no click.... just lights, music and DING, DING ,DING..... I just had recalls addressed not even a month ago, due to car jumping after a stop when I accelerated on the gas. I bought this car NEW..... special ordered out of MICHIGAN, every year since something has gone wrong at this time in the summer.... she has to go to the FORD DEALERS AND SPEND A COUPLE OF WEEKS THERE!!!!!!! I need my car, I make payments every month, it seems she is getting repaired more than I get to enjoy this ride. I am sad and feel ripped off embarrassed to tell my friends.... yeah, my ride has SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT AGAIN !!!!! I especially feel sad when Dad says ......FORD Fix or repair DAILY! FIX MY FORD!!!

- kathalina_mkm, Torrington, US

problem #13

Apr 262017

Focus SE Hatchback 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

My 2013 Ford Focus Hatchback was purchased used with no warranty. It had just under 50,000 miles when I bought it. I've made precisely two payments on it and suddenly it starts acting up. One day after work, ten minutes after I drove home just fine, it wouldn't start. My driveway is a steep incline, so once I got it started, I turned it around to face the street, so the front of the car was facing downhill. (I had a friend have that issue and said that helped) So, I replaced the battery for peace of mind, because the old battery had corrosion all over it.

ANYWAY, when my car is parked at home on the incline facing the street, it starts up just fine. When the car is in a perfectly level parking lot, it doesn't start. The electrical stuff comes on and I can see my gauges go to their usual positions, even the radio comes on, but the engine doesn't turn over. It makes no sound. Not even a click to attempt to start. Sometimes after several minutes, it will start up, but today at lunch, it wouldn't start at all. Same issue. Electrical came on just fine. No start. Complete silence under the hood.

Anyone with any insight or advice, please let me know. I am desperate.

- Candace J., El Paso, TX, US

problem #12

Oct 032016

Focus Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

DRIVING TO Taco Bell I had a nice lunch. However when I went to start my 2013 Focus Titanium all I heard was a clicking noise. Replaced the battery$130.00. Engine light remained on and the relay had to be replaced $120.00. Don't feel comfortable driving this lemon (paint is Burgundy but considering a yellow clear coat)! How can such a great company produce a major lemon?

- Albert/Judy R., Pittsburg, CA, US

problem #11

Feb 012017

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

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

This car 2013 Ford Focus SE will only start when it wants to. The radio and lights come on, The battery is good and fully charged, but the engine won't turn over. Then again sometimes it will. No sound just silent when you observe at the engine level. It is unreliable and could not replicate the problem in front of mechanic. So in spite of spending money and continue to get struck up somewhere and sometimes.

Worst of All Problems! Why they make these kind of low quality cars spoiling everyone's time and creating stress?

- dishum08, Irvine, US

problem #10

Feb 012016

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,230 miles

I'm having a myriad of electrical problems. Car sometimes won't start, information screen flickers on and off and last night while driving the lights went out for just a second!!! I took vehicle in for check up and the Ford dealership which I purchased it from could not find any computer or electronic error problems. I am not imagining this - but they say they can't find anything. I'm taking it back again this week to have them check again. Oh, one other thing, the other day I was getting out of the car, everything was turned off and when I opened the door the "radio turned on"!!! I closed the door and then opened it again and it turned off (which is normally what happens). At this point I am very nervous about this vehicle. It's 2 months of the the 36 month warranty, but only as 27,000 miles on it!!!! I don't believe in extended warranties....but I may be in trouble on this one. A car with such low mileage should not have these kind of electronic/computer problems. I didn't get a warm-fuzzy feeling from the dealer that they know what is happening at this time. But these are not "imagined" problems. They are for real.

- sdshoosier, Salem, VA, US

problem #9

Feb 162016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,894 miles

Purchased 2013 Focus back in Aug 2014 with only 48,000 miles. First 2 weeks I had vehicle it felt like it was stuttering/stalling..Did my own research...apparently newer Focuses 2012 to 2014 had transmission issues and were in for Recall by Ford.. I took it to the local dealership and my vehicle had never gone in for the Recall.. Took a week to tear apart transmission and get my car back.. It ran fine up until a few months ago....felt like the gears were slipping...This morning tried to start my car..wouldn't turn over.. Did a jump start still did not start. Even tried a trickle..charger.. STILL didn't start..

Ford still does not take responsibility for making a dangerous, unreliable vehicle.. I've read several complaints on the cars and the many issues they have.. Now I'm encountering those exact same issues.

- alieegator , San Jose, CA, US

problem #8

Jan 292016

Focus SE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,300 miles

Car occasionally would pause before starting. Friday it was a pronounced pause before starting. Drove to work and when trying to leave for lunch it would not turn on at all. My dad came out to look at it and there was power to the car as lights, radio, and console lights were working. He did mention that there was no power to the fuse box though.

Talked to dealership mechanic who said I would need to bring in. Then car turned on... I was able to leave work and after stopping at a couple stores and having to deal with the same issue car came on after some time, I drove to my home and it wouldn't turn on again.

Next available appt with my dealership service center was Tuesday :( Just got off the phone with service repair who stated it was the PATS (PassActiveTheftSystem) receiver that controls the security. Got it installed and said it turned off again and now there may be a wire that need fixed :( c'mon man! Still thinks will have to me by tonight...it is now 4:22pm.

- grizzr, Windsor, CO, US

problem #7

Sep 182015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

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

My two year old car will only start when it wants to. The radio and lights come one, so I don't think it's the battery, but the engine won't turn over. Then again sometimes it will. My boyfriend got stuck at the park in it, we called a tow truck and by the time it was on the way the car started and he was able to get home.

- j.grant, Baltimore, MD, US

problem #6

Oct 012015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,226 miles

There were 2 wires to my intake manifold that broke. The service manager at the dealership said they were "fatigued" and that is why they broke. I have owned the car 3 years. What the F? I bought it off their showroom. This apparently according to the dealer not covered under my powertrain warranty though I do have emails out to Ford about this. So then I get stuck paying for that and the rental car for 3 extra days because the service manager felt the need to call a cell phone number that I had when I purchased the car instead of the contact number that was left with service. Really.......thanks again assholes

- Heather L., Franklin, PA, US

problem #5

Sep 012015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,500 miles

My won't start and I've seen similar problems from different people. My car battery is fully charged, my radio works, my lights come on, everything, except my car won't turn over when I fully turn the key. I've noticed my car also won't recognize when I move out of park, unless I really mess with it for a good 15 minutes or so. Then, finally it will recognize that I'm changing gears, and it will start. I just got it back from the mechanic, but he was unable to replicate the issue, but when I tried at home it wouldn't start.

- James W., la Mirada, CA, US

problem #4

Jan 212015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,495 miles

The car has had a new clutch and now won't start. When I turn the ignition nothing happens apart from the lights and radio turning on. The car is less than two years old and I bought new so I would have at least a few years of trouble free driving but it looks like that will not be the case. I had a 2010 Focus which had no problems at all, which is why I stuck with it this time.

- Karen C., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #3

May 222014

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,196 miles

The car has several times just not started and wouldn't jump start either. Lights, radio and everything works engine just does nothing. Had towed in to a ford dealership and the next morning it started right up and they couldn't duplicate the problem. Very annoying and couldn't go to work cause it wouldn't start. They said it stored no codes and after 2 days of having the car had me come get it and said nothing wrong to wait till it happens again.

- Alexis M., Cumming, GA, US

problem #2

Sep 252013

Focus ST 2.0L Turbo

  • Manual transmission
  • 9,200 miles

Car ran great up until 5000 miles. 252 horsepower in a small car. After 5000 miles noticed a sharp drop in power, about 15% to 20%. Brought back to dealer twice. They drove the car and see no power loss. They have another exact car in new car inventory, but wont drive it for a comparison.

- Edward C., Monee, IL, US

problem #1

May 102013

Focus SC 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,800 miles

car won’t start. takes 5-6 tries to get it started. I drive 2400 miles a month, up and down the mountain from Camp Verde to Phoenix. My concern is to be stranded on the Highway in 110 deg heat in the middle of summer. Or be stranded at night in an area that my phone doesn’t work. Dealer knows this car hasn’t been fixed, but that wires have been moved enough that the problem is not showing itself. I don’t want to find myself on the side of the road. Not good!

- windes, Camp Verde, AZ, US

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