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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 1 of 10)

problem #186

Jun 132024

Focus

  • 163,009 miles

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

[XXX], around 11am, I was driving and the driver door was wide opened. I tried to shut it but no way. I managed to find a parking where I parked. I called AAA but they couldn't do anything. While trying to find out what was going on, we came to cross the recall. I called FORD CS. She advised to tow Focus to the nearest dealership. Also, I asked that FORD assist me with a rental but she said that the dealership has to run their diagnosis and confirm it's a recall first even after I gave her the detail of what happened. I could be in a messy accident. All I asked is a car that can keep me going to my workplaces. I work day and night, week days and weekends. Focus was towed. On Monday, June 10th, we kept contact with the dealership. Michelle was our contact. She confirmed the recall and said the car doors would be fixed by Tuesday. I asked for a rental or loaner, she refused. I went back to chat with FORD CS agent. Nothing was resolved. So mad. On Thursday, [XXX], I left my day job going home. The gas yellow sign was showing on the board and I was on my way to get gas. I could still see 7 miles left before completion. I was driving in the middle lane on the highway [XXX] ). The engine stalled without warning and Focus won't restart. Another panicking situation for me in less than a week. I called AAA & they said Focus needed to be towed to the shop. Wow! At this very moment, Focus is at the repair shop. Yesterday, Friday, June 14th, the agent told me that they replaced the battery and that they found some safety issues like oil change ( this was done recently and due only in Nov. 24),.... At this point, I told them I'll pay for the battery and get Focus on Monday, Now, I was reading about the 3 recalls and came across the fuel system, gasoline: storage. I kind of realized that this might be the case on Thursday. Pls, take care of my Focus without endangering my life. I will be expecting your reply about steps to take. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #185

Apr 182024

Focus

  • miles
Dual transmission going out

- Vineyard , UT, USA

problem #184

Mar 262024

Focus

  • miles
Duel clutch transmission is bad, has trouble shifting and accelerating with a small leak.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #183

Oct 022023

Focus

  • miles

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

I bought the car in November, 2021. I had it immediately start to shudder, noticed that for example when I tried to accelerate especially in the midst of turning in the middle of a busy road at an intersection I would stall and lose the ability to move the car, then the hazard lights would never turn on, then lost power to the components of the car which used to function normally. I-??m a single mom caring for a child who has multiple disabilities and needs much assistance in which we are still being tested and on waiting lists for, and the last year our car was overheating always, despite the amount of work and repairs that we have paid for and other organizations helped us with, which is more than the cost of the actual cars worth and before any of these faulty parts or builds were common knowledge and available, I was never aware of this. I had the car in to multiple mechanics and we were told they couldn-??t find the problem. We-??ve repaired up to 5 grand or more and have been having to drive with the heat on for the last year full blast and windows down. We-??ve had heat sickness and thrown up or ended up having severe headaches and dehydration. We then had the loss of power worsen, til 2 months ago. It was dead one morning and after jumping it, I couldn-??t get it in reverse, so pushed it out and then it wouldn-??t go over 10-15 mph nor would the hazard lights work. I got it to Ogden Ford, who said it-??s the dual clutch part. I had it replaced and came up with the near grand. We have lost our entire life due to this, no help with outside assistance, almost homeless. Now we get a call saying the clutch part was replaced but the whole transmission has to be replaced and need to get 4 grand. Had told them no way I can. They had a salesmen call me to pitch a new car instead. I called Ford Motor company and asked customer relations to get help. They won-??t even fix the existing recalls and we are losing our life. We need help. Please we have tried all we can.

- Roy, UT, USA

problem #182

Jan 202023

Focus

  • miles
We bought a used car, as is, and had no problem. Approx 6 wks later it had trouble going into park and were told (by our technician) there was a recall on a computer. Made an appt. with the dealer and on the day it was to go in husband went to get gas the transmission failed so we had AAA tow it to them. They then told us the entire transmission failed and there was no warranty. We learned there was a nationwide problem with the computers. We never, nor did the dealer we purchased it from ever receive a notice from Ford that there was a recall on the outer computer. If they had done that the transmission could have been saved. I contacted Ford and was told to go back to the dealer they were doing nothing, The car sits in our driveway. This is not the only year Ford had a problem with Ford Focus transmissions. They should do something. We were quoted $9000, for a new transmission. Being on social security and a small pension we can't afford it and a used transmission is not feasible because of the major problems with the trans.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #181

Jun 032023

Focus

  • miles
I was driving and all of a sudden a loud bang was heard which made me shocked and frightened. I realized after I pulled over that my moonroof had shattered completely. Knowing nothing had fallen on it or was thrown. I called Ford about the issue and they refuse to do anything about it. I also made an insurance claim which has been not addressed.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #180

Apr 212023

Focus

  • miles

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

Clutch Assembly

- Brownsburg, IN, USA

problem #179

Apr 122023

Focus

  • miles
Faulty door latch/ car not registering door is closed Dealer did not recognize this as part of the recall for cars of the same year and model because of the difference in vin

- Gambrills, MD, USA

problem #178

Mar 272023

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
On Monday March 27th 2023 at about 7:00 pm I was leaving the parking garage where I work in Rosslyn, VA: I started the car as usual and notice that I couldn't put the car in Reverse using the clutch (it's an automatic Ford Focus 2013): Luckily, the parking garage was empty on the level where I was parked, and I pushed the car back and forth to be able to keep the car in "Drive" mode so that I could drive the car out of the garage. I did that and I started to drive to go home. I started to notice that I couldn't accelerate the car and at about 20 min into driving I started to get a signal on the dash board that said: -??TRANS OVERHEATING-??, and I was getting the signal to stop the car to cool off before driving it again. I had to do this several time (at least 6 times) while I was driving home to MD. The car was NOT SAFE to drive I barely made it home and the next morning on Tuesday March 28th I drove the car to the Ford Dealer "Academy Ford" in Laurel MD, having the same issue and emergency signal on the dash board. This is the SECOND TIME that this issue has presented itself: in 2019 the Car had the same problem, and at the time, because the car was under extended warranty, Ford replaced the part at no cost. I took the car at the same Ford Dealer in 2019. (see paper attached) This time the Dealer said that I would have to pay for the COST OF THE REPAIR, which I provided with the QUOTE from the Dealer in attachment. I was advised to contact directly "Ford Costumer Service" to see if they would provide Financial Assistance and Reimbursement for the Car Rental that I had to get because I didn't have a car and I work in VA every day (the cost is provided in attachment). Ford Costumer Service opened a case but denied ANY FINANCIAL HELP and Assistance for the Car and for the Rental because THERE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ANY RECALLS of this nature ON THE FORD FOCUS 2013. I need to open a CASE & A RECALL for this PROBLEM for the FORD FOCUS 2013. Thank you.

- College Park , MD, USA

problem #177

Jan 202023

Focus

  • miles
Transmission, there is a recall on the computer mounted outside the trans, we were never told there was a recall on it. Started making a loud noise and had trouble going onto reverse. Made appt. to take to dealer and day before went to fuel up and trans. went. AA A towed it to dealer and were told clutches in trans were computer controlled and were bad. Given estimate of $8000. to replace. Check complaints on this model and from 2011 and on there is a major transmission problem It should have a recall on the entire trans. My husband is 83 and fortunately he was stopped when this happened. Had he been driving it would have been bad.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #176

Jan 062023

Focus

  • miles

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

At approx 01-05-2023 while driving at a speed of 30 to 35 mph Transmission quit with no notice. Dealer says it needs a total rebuild with a cost of approx $3500 to $3900 The dealer or Ford refuses to make things right with me. Ford told me to make payment arrangements with the dealer and suck it up. I still have a loan on car for approx $7100. Car is currently disabled and is parked for good.

- Kingston, TN, USA

problem #175

Oct 242022

Focus

  • miles
The vehicle sputters and shakes when pulling out. I try not to pull out if someone is coming because I am not sure if the car will stale out or not. The vehicle shuts off sometimes. It has been overheating a lot lately.

- Huntingdon, PA, USA

problem #174

Jun 072022

Focus

  • miles
Lost power while driving on highway. Ford dealership identified problem with TCM. Car has not been repaired at this time. Waiting for back ordered TCM.

- Bigelow , AR, USA

problem #173

Jun 062022

Focus

  • miles
My Transmission Control Module went out on my 2013 Ford Focus SE and is supposed to be covered by the Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage provided by Ford but the part has not been delivered and Ford has not fixed the issue and is causing more damage to my vehicle and it-??s capability to safely transport me anywhere.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #172

Sep 012021

Focus

  • miles
June 2021 I purchased a car from a Ford dealership in North Carolina. when buying the seller had assured me that the vehicle was in good condition and had not informed me that there was a recall concerning the transmission. However, I had clearly explained to this seller that I had to make a long trip (2000 miles). Not even a month later, the vehicle started having problems reversing. When I arrived in Austin I had to take it to a mechanic who informed me of the recall. When I typed the VIN on the internet I even found another recall related to a door safety issue. I took it to another ford dealership for repairs which cost almost $3000. February 2022 another problem appeared and it seems that I still have to make repairs. the capital ford lillington dealer does not answer my calls or emails.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #171

May 112022

Focus

  • miles
Sometimes the engine will not start. I have to continue attempting start until I hear a noise on the motor then it starts. Then if it goes in gear it will drop out of gear while driving. Most of the time I have to shut the vehicle off and restart multiple times to get it working again. I may be on the side of the road for 45 minutes or an hour waiting for it to reboot and start working again. Thus I don-??t allow my fiancé to drive it by herself and this is not good.

- Eddy, TX, USA

problem #170

Apr 062015

Focus

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as a stick shift despite being an automatic vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the dual clutch assembly; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the same part was replaced a total of 10 times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #169

Mar 302022

Focus

  • miles
There's an extended warranty on the TCMS on the fiestas and focuses from Ford from like 2011 to 16. I took advantage of them to replace the TCM but due to the TCM I guess malfunctioning the clutch itself has went out and now that's like dollars so the transmission control module in the clutch I feel should be covered under the customer satisfaction.

- Cleveland , TN, USA

problem #168

Mar 032022

Focus

  • miles
Car won't go in gear when you come to stop, or in middle of driving on beltway and you can't get over. I almost caused several accidents, cause got stuck in middle of rd for 20 minutes. lucky I had cones.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #167

Oct 282021

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be repaired under an unknown transmission recall, and he was informed that it would be two months before the vehicle could be repaired. However, the contact stated that 4 months later, the vehicle was still at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Whitney Point, NY, USA

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