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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:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,610 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #67

Oct 162013

Focus

  • 10,000 miles

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

The vehicle stutters, jerks, and stalls in low gears. When we press the gas from a stationary position the car fails to move forward on many occasions. If it does move forward then the gears make a grinding sound. It poses a risk to us when we have to move across oncoming traffic, especially on left hand turns at stoplights when we have a yield sign. The car has stalled out on a few occasions leaving us vulnerable to cars traveling at high velocities towards us. This is an unsafe car and we plan to hold Ford accountable for human and property damage should it occur due to this defect.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #66

Feb 012016

Focus

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. Whenever the acclerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked and made a ticking noise before accelerating. The vehicle was previously included in a recall that caused a similar failure. The vehicle received the recall repair; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

- Morven, NC, USA

problem #65

Sep 222016

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate and crashed into a pole. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

- Highspire, PA, USA

problem #64

Jan 112016

Focus

  • 27,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. Upon refueling the vehicle, when making a stop or a turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The dealer was notified of the failure several times and were unable to find a signal or dtc to replicate and diagnose the failure. The contact was to check with the manufacturer to determine if they could provide a repair solution to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #63

Jul 272016

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
When accelerating from first to second gear the car will shudder like it wants to stall. It seems to happen the most when there is any kind of extra weight in the car, when accelerating from a stop, and when going uphill. It will be fine for a while then all of a sudden it will do this every time I try to accelerate. The car only has 52,000 miles on it and definitely shouldn't have this kind of a problem

- Pawcatuck, CT, USA

problem #62

Dec 222014

Focus

  • miles
Trouble shifting between 1st and 2nd gears, when turning a corner won't stay in gear, feels rough and studders between 1st and 2nd gears. Have been told by a Ford technician to drive the car "like I was an 18 year old" or told transmission is working as should be.

- Magna, UT, USA

problem #61

Dec 062015

Focus

  • 39,400 miles

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

Car makes noise. Car sluggish when I give gasoline. Went to dealer about 5 times before dealer decided I had transmission problem. Dealer told me would only repair transmission. Waited for part. Went back to dealer to say car almost stalled. Was applying brakes at the time on highway. Out of concern for condition car was in, had car on cruise control to limit sudden application of gas or brake. Was on road for about 20 minutes on highway. I worried car would stall and cause accident. Dealer later said machine review of my car says it was drivable. Advised dealer if it almost stalls, it may stall. Dealer said: I will have to wait for part. It has been over 2 months, part not at dealer. Latest is that Ford corporation advised me part was sent 8 days ago. Dealer does not have part. Last 3 days dealer does not call back after I left messages to tell me status of part. Car is unsafe to drive, need to drive long distance, but I do not want to risk it. Waited for part since 12/6/2015. Dangerous highway incident was 1/1/2016

- Ridge, NY, USA

problem #60

Jan 092016

Focus

  • 47,500 miles
May 0F 2015 on a highway car lost power even though I did not take my foot off accelerator then it bucked back and forth as I made my way to breakdown lane took it to Ford service and no incident was reported in computer. Car had given me the message "engine fault service now!". this has since happened in Sept., October 2 times, December and now January 2016. Ford has refused any action or compensation. Dangerous situation as car slows right down and could cause bad accident. I have 2 little children. Dealership states now that its the transmission control module. I have researched Ford Focus and it appears there a hundreds if not thousands or problems with this vehicle and it should be recalled.

- Concord, VT, USA

problem #59

Dec 242015

Focus

  • 65,000 miles
Lost power after stopping at a stop sign. Could not start the car again after shutting it off. After several attempts and some waiting, it restarted, got around the corner and died again. After having it towed to Ford and being told nothing was wrong with it, drove 2 hours away and on the return trip the next day, lost power on an on ramp. Again, could not start the car after shutting it off. Eventually got started and barely made my way to the next (mostly unused) exit.

- Chino Valley, AZ, USA

problem #58

Jul 132015

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The contact also mentioned that the gear failed to reverse the vehicle intermittently. The contact also stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The failures was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Los Angelos, CA, USA

problem #57

Nov 212015

Focus

  • 42,000 miles

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

Car violently stutters and shakes on acceleration from a stop or at low speeds. No acceleration when going up a hill. Car was serviced, but the problem wasn't fixed. Parts are on back order. While driving the car died and a light saying there was a transmission failure came on. The entire tcm was replaced after towing into the dealer. Shaking only got worse. Now the rpms will jump at highway speeds even in cruise control. Parts still on back order. Ford says that this is "normal" for this car and there is no real fix. The only fix is to constantly have it serviced but even that doesn't fix the problem.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #56

Sep 182015

Focus

  • 35,400 miles
The vehicle has stalled multiple times. It has happens when the clutch is depressed. The rpms drop down below 500 and sometimes the engine stalls. Sometimes the engine will just waiver at low rpms and regain idle.the car has also stalled at high speed on the freeway, with traffic backed up, I depressed the clutch, and the engine stalled.

- Royal Oak , MI, USA

problem #55

Jan 072014

Focus

  • miles
When accelerating the car from a stop, the car will shudder often significantly making it difficult to move the vehicle. This happens every time. Have contacted Ford and had the ECU updated. This has not helped. Ford says they will replace the clutch as it is leaking fluid (on back order for months) but they have not stated that it will fix the problem

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #54

Aug 052014

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving at low speeds uphill or on an incline, the transmission hesitated as if the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was included in a manufacturer's recall related to the failure; however, the recall part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Matewan , WV, USA

problem #53

Sep 032015

Focus 4-cyl

  • 52,725 miles
I just purchased a 2013 Ford Focus three days ago. Today as I was driving, I noticed that when I come to complete stop while driving, the transmission feels like it jerks and the acceleration feels slow. After doing research I seen thousands of buyers of the same vehicle complaining about the same problems I am. I really need some help as to what direction to go in. I am a single mother of a 7 year old daughter and I used all my money to purchase a reliable car and now I am dealing with these issues. The car is fairly new so it should be safe to say that it should not be having defective transmission problems, this is very dangerous. Unfortunately Ford isn't pressing the issue towards helping buyers with these issues. Please help and press a serious issue with recalling this vehicle. I represent many people who are upset after buying this vehicle. Thank you.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #52

Aug 042015

Focus

  • 84,000 miles
This is the second time this issue has occurred. Last October was the first. The engine light came on and the car RPM gauge raced but there was no acceleration. The car jerks hard. First time mechanic (don chalmers capitol Ford) told me that these issues were normal, that all of these cars have shuttering issues, which to me was a frightening statement. They addressed A14M01 transmission clutch shudder and input shaft seal warrant (fsa). The total bill was $1,377.88. This time, I was told I would be responsible for any work and diagnostics. I stated that I experienced the same exact shuttering, shifting issues and noises as the first time and was told it could be anything. I am scared to drive this car.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #51

Feb 012014

Focus

  • 1,000 miles
The vehicle has been very sluggish since day one of the lease. The transmission does not seem to engage accordingly. Upon acceleration the vehicle hesitates and/or sputters, lurching forward and then hesitating again. I have had the vehicle in for service by an authorized Ford dealer a few months ago but the problems still remain. I plan on taking the vehicle in again since it continues to display the same issues it has since the day we began our lease.

- Dexter, MI, USA

problem #50

Oct 312014

Focus

  • 19,900 miles
Car's transmission shutters and jolts. Hesitates to accelerate. Dangerous when merging onto highway or making a turn. Sent it to Ford to fix as per their fsa on the transmission seal. Both dealerships said there was nothing wrong with it, but it still hesitates, shutters, shakes and jolts. This is a safety concern. It needs to be brought up to Ford.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #49

Jul 262013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
Purchased car in September of 2012. Car began shaking, sputtering and delaying acceleration after about 6 months. Contacted Ford, they told me that it was because the car had to "get used to its driver". continued sputtering, shaking at lower speeds when accelerating. Began feeling increasingly unsafe and contacted Ford again. They did service work in September of 2013 and said there was a leak in the clutches and it was "repaired". my car still shook and sputtered during every single drive but it became increasingly worse over 2015. I brought in for servicing in the end of April 2015. Ford said "all set" and after I pressed for more answers they said it was due to the computer not recognizing the gear specs. One week later and the car is still shaking, sputtering and jolting in lower gears. It actually jolted in reverse several times this week. Called Ford, they will be looking at it again next week (May 2015). I notice this every single time I drive my car and have yet to have a smooth drive without some sort of jolting, seizing, etc. I am used to it but I am very, very frustrated and sometimes nervous that it has stalled out even though this is an "automatic".

- Somerville , MA, USA

problem #48

Apr 152014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
As I was driving down the road, I suddenly experienced a loss of power. Was driving about 45 mph but then suddenly the check engine light started flashing and I could not drive faster than about 20 mph despite what gear I was in or how much I pressed on the accelerator. After I turned the car off for a couple of hours, I drove it once again and it seemed to be acting normal and the check engine light was no longer flashing.

- Hixson, TN, USA

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