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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:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,769 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 10 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #81

Mar 202017

Focus

  • 25,000 miles

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

Complete and unexpected loss of power steering (error message: Power steering fault). Extremely hard to turn wheel. Vehicle had to be towed for repair. Less than 30,000 miles.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #80

Mar 072017

Focus

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 60 mph, the power steering failed and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #79

Feb 212017

Focus

  • 92,991 miles
Driving down the road approaching a traffic signal when the steering wheel froze and would not move either left or right. Fortunately I was stopped for the signal. I had to think about what I was going to do about holding up traffic. Finally I turned the ignition off. I waited approx 10 to 15 seconds. I attempted to start the car and when I started I was able to move the steering wheel. I then proceeded directly to my mechanic very carefully. He told me what he thought the problem was the electronic steering mechanism. I then went directly to the Ford dealer, explained my problem and left the car. He contacted me later, said he had to order the part and would let me know when the car was ready to be picked up. The cost? wow. The name of the part was steering gear assembly, reprogram system with the computer. Since it was out of warranty, the total cost was $1,972.19.

- Palm City, FL, USA

problem #78

Feb 282017

Focus

  • 90,000 miles

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

Power steering will go out. Have to turn car off and on to correct the problem. This often happens while driving. The windshield wipers will turn on without the switch being turned on. They will still run even when the car is turned off and the key is out of the ignition. They will not turn on at other times, especially when needed.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #77

Feb 202017

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,300 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving low speeds, the steering wheel seized and the brake system warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted and operated correctly. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric steering motor burned out and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,300.

- Palm City, FL, USA

problem #76

Feb 182017

Focus

  • 68,794 miles
2013 Ford Focus power steering totally went out while pulling into a parking space. Car would still steer but took a tremendous physical effort. Dealer diagnosed with a faulty steering epas. Ford has recalled other models for this exact issue, but not the Focus.

- Hixson, TN, USA

problem #75

Feb 102017

Focus

  • 98,000 miles

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

Transmission began shifting incorrectly until finally losing all power leaving me stranded in the passing lane going uphill on a major highway. Problem still persisted after the Ford dealer reprogrammed the transmission. Replacement of transmission control module still has not fixed the issue and the dealer currently doesn't know what the problem is as they hold onto the car for further testing. I've also had the power steering fail on me twice.

- Breinigsville, PA, USA

problem #74

Jan 172017

Focus

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 75 mph, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of steering. The failure occurred without warning. After the failure occurred, the contact slammed on the brakes and the vehicle was able to be stopped. After the failure, the service power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure recurred when making turns. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical power steering control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also brought in for a transmission clutch failure every three to six months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was not included.

- Calremore, OK, USA

problem #73

Jan 022016

Focus 4-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
Newly purchased 2013 Ford Focus SE.1. initial incident at 23000 miles showing error code on dashboard display with subsequent vehicle stalling (car shutting off). Issue similar to alternator or battery failure. 2. now-persistent dashboard alarm light with message: Steering assist fault, service required. Ford district management informed-no assistance available for repair or buyback or recall. Repair estimate couple thousand dollars. Vehicle not drivable without repair. Electronic power steering locks during drive after start after car is in driving gear preventing turns and driveability. Please respond, thank you (new vehicle purchase) less than 40000 miles.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #72

Apr 252015

Focus 4-cyl

  • 61,000 miles
Car has been in 4 times for transmission problems.tcm and PCM replaced and reprogrammed.car was bought 4/25/15 and was in shop 4/27/15 and 3 consecutive mondays after with engine lights and jerking..as of 01/01/17 my steering assist went out with no warning in a snow storm.almost wrecked..very disapointed.all probs while driving and in motion.steering assist went out in mid right hand turn and for abt a week wld perodically be functional then harden up steering again.

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #71

Jan 172017

Focus

  • 54,358 miles

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

Steering assist code is coming on and off I lose steering while I'm driving at any speed hwy residential ect. Took to dealership they offered to fix for 2 grand but weren't sure if its 100 percent going to fix the steering. So I drive it home the vide has been coming on an off its very unsafe I live in the mountains and its not being considered a safety recall yet, the dealership was unable to duplicate the code so we're unable to diagnose the problem.

- Yosemite, CA, USA

problem #70

Dec 162016

Focus

  • 31,870 miles
The power steering stopped working while driving on a rural highway at 50 mph and the steering became very stiff and difficult to maneuver the car. When I tried to drive the car to the dealership the next day the steering completely locked up and needed to be towed. The odometer was only at 31,870, but out of warranty. The repair bill was $2500 and took 10 days to fix.

- Chesterland, OH, USA

problem #69

Nov 282016

Focus

  • 103,000 miles
While driving home on a very busy freeway in dallas the steering default warning came on. Shortly thereafter numerous other warnings displayed on the dashboard, my car immediately lost acceleration and the engine default light came on causing me to completely stall. I almost caused a major accident being rush hour. I was towed to the dealership where they said I needed a new battery. Over $400 later, 4 days later, I picked car up and 5 hours later it did it again. Returned car to dealership and this time they reported an evap code. This has nothing to do with the steering and I knew this. I contacted a friend who is a master technician who went into the dealership with me and subsequently I was not charged the diagnostic code again. He discussed this issue and they said the steering was fine and until it happens again there was nothing they could identify to fix!! (however, the repairs the dealer wanted me to agree with now-the evap code"- were just under $2,000 and didn't address the steering code warning in any way. Fuel tank, lines & purge valve" all in need of repair 6 hours after car was fixed via a brand new battery) I am at 103,000 miles. I drove the car that night fine, the next day and then again it repeated the steering warning and shut down while in motion on a major freeway that evening. Four times later since 11/29/16 I have had this steering warning/subsequent results of almost crashing. This is thee most unsafe vehicle being driven on american roads today. Ford should recall this, fix this steering issue once and for all. I will never, ever buy or drive a Ford car again.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #68

Dec 042016

Focus

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the power steering failed and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 128,000.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #67

Nov 252016

Focus

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel shook violently and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #66

Sep 262016

Focus

  • 36,500 miles
I'm another victim of the epas power steering gear assembly failing. It failed on September 26th, while under warranty, but unfortunately I didn't bring it into a dealership on September 30th. Two days after the warranty expiration. Despite the well-known occurrences of the epas / gear assembly failures, the warranty expiration date, etc., Ford still chose to refuse it under warranty care. Instead, Ford forced me to pay out of pocket with no assistance. The worse part is it nearly caused an accident because it chose to fail in traffic while under operation at low speeds.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #65

Oct 062016

Focus 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
While driving at a high rate of speed(55mph) on a highway, the "power steering assist failure" came up on the dash screen. I immediately noticed the steering was tight to turn. While turning to get off to the side of the road, the tightness got worse. It took a lot of strength to turn the wheel. I almost got in an accident. When the Ford dealership diagnosed the problem, they said the steering assist was shot and would cost around $1600 to replace and realign the wheels. They informed me the problem was not a recall issue although I see Ford has recalls on various other model power steering assist units. They need to add the Focus to the list.

- Hampshire, IL, USA

problem #64

Oct 092016

Focus

  • 49,000 miles
My 2013 Focus titanium electronic rack & pinion failed. It occurred without any prior warning on a busy interstate. Miracle without an accident. 49,000 miles. I have no warranty.. my research shows many with similar stories and no recall" this is a serious safety issue.quoted $1800 to repair. So that my car will simply steer" recalls happen for many reasons and to think it hasn't happened for a sudden loss of a vehicles steering in incomprehensible. To repeat, all withoout any warning. No dash light or message! I changed lanes at 60 mph and it would not respond so that I could make the needed correction to not continue in to oncoming traffic. Getting it safely to the shoulder was physically difficult and extremely dangerous.

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

problem #63

Oct 092016

Focus

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned, which made the steering wheel very difficult to turn. When the failure occurred, a warning message would display. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #62

Oct 022015

Focus

  • 75,235 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle shuttered while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop. The vehicle was previously serviced per a manufacturer's customer satisfaction campaign; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the shuttering on the clutch of the vehicle occurred intermittently. The contact also stated that the steering seized independently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,235.

- Mazomanie, WI, USA

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