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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.

7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$180
Average Mileage:
50,800 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace seal (3 reports)
2013 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #9

Feb 222019

Focus SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,273 miles

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

Likely caused by the repeated transmission repairs, but Ford wouldn't cover the costs.

- Will E., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #8

Oct 112017

Focus SE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

The rear main seal leaked after it was replaced in October 2017 when dealership replaced clutch plates.After discussing with the dealership, they replaced faulty main rear seal again in Feb 2018. It is starting to leak again. Obviously, Ford has a poor design of both their transmission and main rear seal for the Focus. Ford should be required to fix for free both transmission and main rear seal as long as the problem exists.

- tiredofpoorquality, Aurora, US

problem #7

Nov 012017

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

OK so Ford, it's bad enough you got me with the lousy transmission/clutch assembly, but right after the repair was made, the main rear seal is leaking. Your dealer says $1,147 to repair. 2013 Ford Focus with 97K miles on it? I don't think so.

In fact, I wonder if your mechanic caused the leak while he was repairing the transmission/clutch assembly.

I have had it with your brand name, will never own another Ford again after the way you jerked around consumers with the clutch/transmission you continued to install in your autos for almost five years after you knew there were consumer issues. I'm glad the attorney general is yanking you around with claims.

Unfortunately, that letter I got stating you'd give me a great trade-in value if I bought another Ford .... well, that really made me laugh.

I am going to CarMax who will purchase this piece of crapola you passed off on me and will send it to auction. Car Max knows your this car is crap but will still give me a decent trade-in value and I won't be stuck purchasing another one of your crap vehicles.

Never again, Ford. Never again.

- Luann S., Hanover, US

problem #6

Jun 272017

Focus ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,500 miles

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

rear seal starting to leak into the transmission, that's how they explained it this time...

clutch also needed to be replaced again.

- Marsha C., Bettendorf, IA, US

problem #5

Nov 012016

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Took car in for a routine oil change at around 34,000 miles and my mechanic told me there was an oil leak caused by the failure of the rear main seal (keeps the oil inside the engine). If I remember correctly, they said this shouldn't happen before ~130,000 miles on most cars.

A huge pain because:

a) the covering underneath the car prevents such a problem from being noticed right away b) a large amount of oil is lost without necessarily triggering your oil change warning c) having the transmission, etc bathed in oil for an unknown amount of time will lead to larger issues in the future d) now the engine has been running for x amount of time without the proper lubrication e) the now out-of-pocket repair will not be cheap (the transmission must be taken out, etc)

A bit ridiculous on a 3 year old car with low miles!

(The repair Ford did under warranty failed 4-5 months later, conveniently now that the car has hit 35k miles and is out of warranty)

I didn't like American cars before, and this experience has turned me off completely. I worked very hard to pay this car off from age 18-20, and was expecting it to at least get me through school. Would get another Toyota/Lexus!

- Nataly A., Palm Harbor, US

problem #4

Apr 152017

Focus

  • Manual transmission
  • 42,000 miles

A second rear main seal failure after a Ford dealership performed a repair under warranty 5 months ago. Car is now out of said warranty, and while I suppose it could be fixed for free, after the shoddy work the first time around I will take it to my trusted mechanic.

Once again, disturbing lack of quality overall. Between this recurring problem, the jerky transmission, squeaking seats and parts, accessories hanging limp, etc, they should be ashamed to tout American-made. (Car is now 4 years old, 50k miles)

- Nataly A., Palm Harbor, US

problem #3

Feb 152013

Focus Focus S 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,496 miles

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

click to see larger images

leaking rear main seal

I bought my car Ford Focus back then in 2013 until now as i'm writing this email. In the course of 3 years, the car has been in the workshop for more than a year. The previous issue was with the gearbox and now with the latest addition of engine problems. History of the Ford Focus:

Nov 2014 - Met an accident. Repaired and get back the car on 12 April 2015. End of April 2015, due to lack of inspection and quality control, the car engine bay (bottom) was found leaking to the extend of exhaustion of motor oil. Due to emergency,sent to nearby workshop to fill in the engine oil. Right after, the car was sent to Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) Petaling Jaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for inspection and repair. On Nov 2015, the car was sent again to SDAC due to multiple engine issues and gearbox problem. As of today 5 Jan 2016, after 2 months at the service centre, there is no solution and advice for anyone at service centre. ( For the record, i have been renting a temporary car for myself to commute to work and back. This is a great trouble for myself as i have my family who rely very much on the car)

To add on to this, i have visited SDAC service centre numerous time, promise after promise and at there is no ending to this issue.

Last but not least, i hope this complaint can reach the right party (Especially Ford Malaysia) and this can be resolved immediately. Otherwise, the last resort will be to seek legal advise.

- andy lim, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

problem #2

May 092013

Focus ST 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,800 miles

I have a 2013 Ford Focus...The dip stick showed 1qt low at around 7,000 miles! REALLY!!! I took it to the local Ford dealer and they told me "honey your car needs an oil change that is why it is leaking oil" I am a female but I am not STUPID! My husband and I investigated it ourselves...found lots of oil near the rear main seal. Finally I found another dealer willing to listen to me and check it out. Finally the service department agreed with us and is today fixing my problem. I advise everyone who owns a Focus to watch the oil level!

Also I took my Focus to the automatic car wash and the trunk leaks really bad. The floor of the truck was wet half way up to the back seat! urgh!!!!

- Heidi N., Wheatfield, IN, US

problem #1

Feb 072014

Focus SE 2.0L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

Next oil change, same car with new clutches, leaking rear main seal again. Waiting for loaner. Just completed replacing seals on wife's Focus. Document and lemon law your Focus. Make Ford pay for the poor design and even poorer excuse on the service. They can't fix the problem, only doctor it until warranty runs out.

- Tim B., Powder Springs, GA, US

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