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:
7 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 2
Average Mileage:
44,693 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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled without warning. The contact had been waiting for weeks for the vehicle to be repaired and was not provided a loaner vehicle. The vehicle was taken to simmons-rockwell (7329 old hammondsport rd, bath, NY 14810, (607) 776-8100), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that the part was not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the traction control, "service engine now", and "hill assist is not supported" warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred twice within fifteen minutes. Larry H. miller Ford (11595 6th avenue, lakewood, Colorado 80215, (720) 643-1545), phil long Ford of denver (7887 West tufts avenue, denver, Colorado 80123, (855) 981-0291), and O'meara Ford (400 West 104th avenue, northglenn, Colorado 80234, (303) 254-5000) were made aware of the failure along with several other unknown Ford dealers in Colorado and stated that the vehicle would not be assessed and/or diagnosed until November 26, 2018. In addition, the dealers stated that they were "backlogged" with vehicles and would be unable to perform the necessary repairs. The vehicle was recalled per NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 55,364. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Hill start assist light unavailable light and skid light came on. Car jolts in it's own direction all of a sudden. Clutch problem also. Car isn't driving properly or shifting in gears properly. Driving car on street. When turning car wants to go in it's own direction. Scary.
Car shudders at varying severities--sometimes more mild than others, mostly severe otherwise during accelration, and various moments while driving, and during the entire process of turning. I have brought my vehicle to george wall Ford Lincoln in shrewsbury NJ twice for this specific issue. First time they updated a module and it helped for about a week. Then the problem returned. Second time they had it even longer, and upon pick up I was told that the car was acting 'within spec', and doing 'what it is designed to do, ' so no fix was made. Car continues to shudder severely. Transmission is technically manual, despite being an automatic, and the computer does the shifting. That is what I was told. However, if that is the case, then this car drives manual terribly. I contacted Ford customer support chat and was told I do not qualify for buyback because of car's age/mileage. Care is under 50K miles, and I bought the car certified preowned November 2017, just under a year ago. I was not informed of any recalls, or the transmission's behavior upon looking, buying, and paying for the car in full all in one evening. I have just sent a lenghtly letter to Ford customer relationships this week. Awaiting response. May file lemon law if situation is not handled properly. I have been told my car's issue is not safety related so it is not dire, however during inclement weather, or when going through turns, or simply starting my car gently at lights has become an issue, and I have nearly been rear ended many times. Eventually I will not be so lucky as to escape yet another near-accident. Soon, I can only imagine, I will most likely have a car come crashing into my rear end because of failed and shuddering accelration due to the shoddy transmission clutch shudder.
- Atl Highlands, NJ, USA
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The car shutters when accelerating (notably after making a turn). The car was taken to prime Ford in auburn, MA on August 17th, 2018 following a recall notice for this car, where the vehicle owner was told there was nothing wrong with the car and no fix to the car was made.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus equipped with Goodyear viva 3 tires, size: 215/55R16 (na). The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 30 mph and the change engine oil warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that a warning message illuminated, indicating that the vehicle would shut off in five minutes due to overheating. Furthermore, while driving between 50 to 70 mph, the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to herb chambers Ford of westborough (310 turnpike rd, westborough, MA 01581, (508) 366-8311) where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be reset and replaced and that the tires were bald. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle failure mileage was 97,000. The tire failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle shuttered while accelerating. Additionally, when the key was removed from the ignition, the vehicle continued to run and failed to shut off. In addition, the gear shifter failed to move out of gear. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (titus-will Ford, 3606 S sprague ave, Tacoma, wa 98409, 888-600-9734), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: [xxx]. no further assistance was provided. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 28,558. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was idling at a red light, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road until it started slowing down and stopped operating. The vehicle was turned off and was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called pundmann Ford (2727 w clay St, St charles, mo 63301, (636) 946-6611) and the vehicle was awaiting diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
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.
On Thursday August 2, 2018 around 8:30. The wires in the dash board caught on fire. The card began to fill with smoke. I could smell the burning and I wasn't sure of what was happening. I could hear a spark sound and I could tell that the wires where burning. This was an extremely dangerous situation, the entire car might have caught on fire, if my boyfriend didn't come and contain the fire.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator flashed and remained illuminated as the failure progressed. The vehicle jerked and decelerated to a low rate of speed each time the indicator flashed. The dealer (landers Ford, 2082 w poplar ave, collierville, tn 38017, (901) 854-3600) provided a software update to the computer; however, the failure recurred. The contact planned on taking the vehicle to a second dealer (jack schmitt Ford, 1820 vandalia St, collinsville, il 62234, (618) 477-8126) for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure numerous times, but offered no assistance. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
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
At highway speed when it is warm outside with no warning from the vehicle power will be reduced to the point that speed can not be maintaned.I have to drive well under the speed limit with my hazard lights on until I can find a safe place to park and restart the car.once restarted I can continue on a normal speed.
After filling up the tank with gas, the vehicle stutters and feels like it's jumping when I am at a stop light and start to go. The gas gauge goes up while I am driving and the vehicle runs out of gas randomly. I was parked at my house and it wouldn't crank when I ran out of gas the 1st time (about three weeks ago) and the 2nd time (6/6/2018), I was on the interstate and the vehicle died due to no gas, yet the gauge was not on empty. Fortunately I was able to get off the side of the road and call roadside assistance. The vehicle is now at at Ford service repair shop and I am waiting to hear from them but the service repairman said this is a common problem, that he had the same vehicle in the week before with this same issue. Last Friday, I had a customer service representative with a Ford dealership tell me this is a common problem that occurs in this vehicle. Obviously running out of gas randomly is very dangerous. There needs to be a recall on this immediately to save lives. Ford needs to take responsibility for this manufacturing defect.
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.
Auto stop working and sudenly shift off un highways with unknown rasons or cause. This is exprience at lease 2 or 3 times daily. Several warning lights comes on. Then you need to stop and restart. This is dangerous when it happens in highways.
I bought this car brand new in 2013. On 5/16/2018 I was driving down the road during rush hour in the left lane of traffic when all of a sudden the I get a notification that says "engine fault service now". then the engine cuts off in the middle of a busy road. The person behind me almost smashed into me but swerved at the last second and cut a car off in the lane next to me. I tried to turn the car off and then on, but it wouldn't start. It was sooo dangerous to be stuck on the road not able to do anything. I had to call the police to set up flares behind me. I have been reading blogs and I am not the only person this has happened to.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Millerton, PA, USA