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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.

2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,135 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 8 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Jan 152015

Focus

  • miles

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

I was trying to trade in my car and when I came outside to start it up it wouldn't do anything and the car was towed to the nearest dealership. In addition, I have always experienced idoling and jerking when taking off which seems like transmission problems because I have had experience with that issue. Currently still have the same issues jerking and idoling when taking off. When my car experienced the electric problem was in 2015 and it had about 30 to 40,000 miles on it but the jerking and idoling have always occurred and I checked the recall before and they told me there wasn't a recall.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #45

Aug 202016

Focus

  • 44,500 miles
Rear door latch and locking system fails to latch or lock doors. Safety issue and cannot be driven due to doors not latching shut rear doors flying open.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #44

Aug 202016

Focus

  • 28,752 miles
Moon-roof exploded outward from fully closed position, traveling on I-5 N, 4:42pm sat 8/20/16 at dupont wa. Glass exploded outward and glass debris was witnessed exiting out and away from the roof through the rear view mirror. There were no vehicles in front that could have caused any road debris to cause an impact or chip or ding.

- Covington, WA, USA

problem #43

Jul 292016

Focus

  • 52,000 miles

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

Since the first week of purchase the car has had trans failure. It has been in and out of the shop at least 4-5 times for repairs with no avail.. the transmission shudders, makes loud grinding noises, stalls, loses power then violently jerks when accelerating. Because of this many times I have narrowly missed hitting other cars causing an accident. I drive everyday with fear and anxiety, this car is downright dangerous. To top things off, suddenly, my rear drivers side door will not stay shut, . it appears that the latch is broken even though I rarely if at all open or close this door. There are so many issues with this car. Ford should be ashamed for this atrocity they brought upon their customers.

- Coachella, CA, USA

problem #42

Jul 292016

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
Driver's side door latch, cannot shut door, had to hold it driving to the dealership. Huge liability exposure. I understand there have been numerous safety recalls, but was told by service this vehicle not one of them? excuse me, this is absolutely a safety issue. I have had several vehicles over the years, and never had this problem. Vehicle was bought certified used, we purchased best warranty, but this and a few other items not cover. I am appalled that something I consider a safety issue would not be covered. I work in the insurance industry as an adjuster. They want to charge us $482...

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #41

Jul 282016

Focus

  • 10,000 miles
The transmisson studers, grind, lags, and is unsafe. The car has done the sence ive had it and its been to the shop and was told to drive it and it will get better with time and guess what it gets worst. Heading to the dealer to let them look at the Ford Focus again Wednesday. I already know what im going to be told about the transmission but I cant help but thing how can Ford get away with selling a automobile to the public that has all of the issues that are unsafe and can get people that are or where Ford lovers hurt or even worst killed. Ford should atleast do a buy back for a poor product like some of there competitors have.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #40

Jul 272016

Focus

  • 40,000 miles

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

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 #39

Jul 242016

Focus

  • 66,000 miles
Driver side door latch broke and door opened up while driving. I was forced to drive the vehicle while holding my door shut and clutch shifting in order to get it to the dealership. The first dealership was unable to service it until August 25th 2016 (red mccombs Ford West). So, I was forced to drive it 16 miles on the freeway to northside Ford in san antonio. Because it has exceeded the 36K mile warranty, the repair bill is quoted at just under $700 because the "door latch mechanism failed" and needs to be replaced. I'm blessed this did not happen while turning right or had it been the rear passenger door with a child. I've read many reports about failed door latches with Ford and not sure why this isn't being recalled and why Ford isn't willing to put the safety of their customers first. Not to mention $700 to replace a faulty door latch which put me at risk for a major injury. I hope no one is seriously injured until a recall is finally honored. I feel like a grave injustice has occurred with Ford's unwillingness to put myself and others' safety first. The vehicle is currently at the shop waiting on parts and them to be installed. I will have a statement once I retrieve my car.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #38

Jun 212016

Focus

  • 83,000 miles
2013 Ford Focus left rear passenger door opened suddenly during drive. Will not stay shut and is in open unlocked position. May be related to child safety lock mechanism, as a child is often in backseat. Currently tied shut so not to open. Similar cars are under current recall for similar issue. Also, dealership denied fixing problem issue, per Ford.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #37

Jul 012016

Focus

  • 55,300 miles
I returned home from work and parked in my driveway. I exited the vehicle and attempted to close the drivers door. It would not stay shut, I examined the door to look for an obstruction and found none. The door latch would not engage to keep the door shut. I tied a rope between the two front door handles so I could drive the vehicle to the dealership to check on getting it repaired under my extended warranty. The service writer told me that he's seen plenty of these instances of the door latch breaking and not staying closed and that it is not covered under the extended warranty. I was told it would cost around $500 to fix. I asked if they have upgraded or redesigned the part because of all of the issues he said people are having with the door latches and he told me that the part number has not changed so it is probably the same.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #36

Jun 082016

Focus

  • 57,000 miles

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

After 57,000 miles the clutch pedal assembly failed on my 2013 Ford Focus St. The actuator rod is plastic and it just snapped off. The factory replacement part has a metal actuator rod, so the company must know that the original part was defective. I could picture this causing a crash when the clutch doesn't operate properly. Ford says that there is no recall on it at this time. Seems like a pretty serious design flaw to me. With labor and parts it cost over $300 to repair. I have the defective part available for inspection.

- Salem, UT, USA

problem #35

Jul 052016

Focus

  • 48,000 miles
I was taking a turn in my Ford Focus about 35 mph in a residential area and the door flew open. I pulled over to make sure there was nothing in the door to prevent it form staying closed, I found nothing. I started to drive again and had to drive holding my passenger door closed. I brought it immediately to my local Ford dealership and was charged repair for the door latch through my extended warranty.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #34

Jun 142016

Focus

  • miles
I purchased this car septmeber of 2015 with 39,000 miles, just about two weeks ago this car has been acting crazy and it's dangerous. When I seemed to turn it on and put it in reverse it does not want to go just stay stuck. So then I turn it off to restart everything and it does not want to turn on. Or sometimes it'll go reverse but then I shift it to drive and it stays stuck on drive. Or sometimes as I'm driving in the highway the gears start to slow down on me. This is such a horrible experience and I know it's a recall on my car so I have an appointment July 6th to get it checked I hope they can get it fixed.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

problem #33

Jun 242016

Focus

  • 73,900 miles
While driving and making a left turn the drivers door opened. My son tried to re-shut the door and it would not secure.

- Castaic, CA, USA

problem #32

Jun 272016

Focus

  • 52,460 miles
Drivers side rear door suddenly opened while driving and now will not latch. Grand daughters car set flew out of car - luckily she was not in it. Apparently the is a common problem and so far no recall Ford has other models which use teh same part number that have a recall if those exact parts are covered why not these?

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #31

Jun 252016

Focus

  • 51,000 miles
Front driver side door opened while driving on residential street. "door ajar" error message displayed on instrument panel. Door would not latch shut after trying to close it.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #30

Mar 052014

Focus

  • 29,800 miles
Transmission/clutch problem. Consistently grinds, lunges forward, sputters when taking off, turning & slowing down. It feels like the car is going to stall out. Worst when it is hot outside. Have been back to the dealer 3 times for the same problem! I have read the numerous complaints about this vehicle and it seems that I am not the only one that this problem is happening to. It all started 6 months after I bought the vehicle 4/2013.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #29

Feb 102016

Focus

  • 41,342 miles
Drivers side door latch did not latch when I got in the car. I took my vehicle to santan Ford in gilbert AZ. They charged me $618.37 to repair the car. I don't understand why this is not on a recall as other Ford vehicles are being recalled. The car has 42K miles.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #28

Jun 022016

Focus

  • 48,259 miles
On 6/2/16 I was driving down a city street in my 2013 Ford Focus and the drivers door flew open. After being inspected it was obvious that the door latch had broken. I feel that this is a huge issue and is very dangerous. I have heard from multiple others that this has happened to them as well

- Fort Mohave, AZ, USA

problem #27

May 212016

Focus

  • 68,000 miles
Drivers door latch just stopped working. The door will not stay closed and Ford said they do not have a recall at this time. It is an estimated $700 for the repairs which I feel is outrageous since the car is only 3 years old. Obviously there are multiple owners with the same issue.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

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