Print this page

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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #161

Jan 112019

Focus

  • 127,853 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While attempting to make a right turn, the contact experienced difficulty turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Ford dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,853. The VIN was not provided.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #160

Dec 232018

Focus

  • 97,000 miles
I went to leave one day and my steering wheel was locked. It came unlocked itself. While we were driving home on the interstate at speeds of 70-75 mph the power assist light comes on and lost power steering. No steering whatsoever. Mechanic checked out and its the rack and pinion. No recalls but all these same models with the same faulty steering. 97000 miles. Rack and pinion was replaced.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #159

Jan 012019

Focus

  • 139,000 miles
The steering assist became in operable making it almost impossible to steer the car. It was parked at the time. But left my teenage daughter stranded

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #158

Dec 032018

Focus

  • 93,000 miles

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

Steering was catching while driving and I had to push hard to turn the wheel past certain points as it got caught at certain points. This happened while driving on the highway. That issue stopped but the wheel makes a grinding noise while turning the wheel at low speeds. I was told that the electrical rack and pinion steering needs to be replaced. The vehicle as about 93K miles on it.

- Ashland, MA, USA

problem #157

Jun 022017

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
Electric steering rack malfunctions, failing to come on, and displays 'steering fault' on the information display. Lately it fails to turn on every time I start the vehicle, only working after I turn the car off and on again. I have had this problem for over a year, but until recently it was infrequent. I am now concerned I will be stranded or that it will fail while driving, potentially causing serious injury.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #156

Dec 012018

Focus

  • 72,000 miles
Takata recall vehicle only has 72,000 miles N the electric power steering motor clanks can't replace motor have to replace whole rack system N at anytime while driving it can lock up N cause a accident

- Milton, PA, USA

problem #155

Nov 272018

Focus

  • 0 miles

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

Steering locked up while backing out of parking spot. Lucky was able to drive it forward back into spot. Steering fluid at appropriate level, more than just a fail in power steering. Twenty-four hours later car will start and even go into gear, but steering locked.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #154

Nov 142018

Focus

  • 74,000 miles
Steering is locked and will not turn. Message appeared that stated steering loss stop safely. Vehicle is not drivable, if I was driving when this happened I would have crashed. Vehicle only has 74000 miles on it.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #153

Nov 212018

Focus

  • 105,000 miles
Power steering assist failed for several minutes. Steering effort was extremely high during this period (far higher than old manual steering cars). Power assist recovered after stopping the car and re-starting.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #152

Jun 062018

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
My 2013 Ford Focus steering wheel has been locking up. I was driving 75 on a highway and my wheel locked up. I lost control of the car, spinning several times before landing in a ditch with my 7 year old in the backseat. We were not hurt thankfully, but it has caused some emotional trauma for my son who had to receive counseling. My car was checked by professionals through Ford collision cener. I had to get new tires and an alignment, about $1000 worth of damage. Since no one could find anything wrong with my steering I thought maybe it was a freak accident. My steering wheel has locked up several times when putting it in reverse. It then locked up completely while making a left hand turn that almost ended in another wreck. It is the steering motor and will cost me $1800 to fix. I have filed a claim with Ford and they refuse to take responsibility for this steering defect. Upon doing some research, the steering motor has been a problem with Ford's from 2010-2014, with documented casualties due to the steering locking up. This is a serious issue and should not be ignored any longer. Recall the steering motors now, take action. I can't even trade this car in for another because the price of the vehicle deteriorates with every recall, including the recall of their faulty transmission issues. Get these cars off the roads, they are a hazard!

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #151

Nov 052018

Focus

  • 85,900 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. When the vehicle was started, the power steering fault warning indicator illuminated and the steering ability seized. The contact turned the vehicle off and on, but the failure continued. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,900.

- Dracut, MA, USA

problem #150

Sep 132018

Focus

  • 77,767 miles
While driving to work on a city street my car just quit on me the dash indicated steering wheel default, I started the car up had no problems since four weeks ago he did the same thing my car had 77,767 miles at the time.

- Toleod, OH, USA

problem #149

Oct 242018

Focus

  • 63,000 miles
Rack and pinion parts give out at 60,000 miles resulting in power steering failure. Gave out while stationary.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #148

Oct 292018

Focus

  • 84,000 miles
Hill start assist light unavailable light and skid light came on. Car jolts in it's own direction all of a sudden. Clutch problem also. Car isn't driving properly or shifting in gears properly. Driving car on street. When turning car wants to go in it's own direction. Scary.

- Holland, OH, USA

problem #147

Oct 222018

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and failed to move. When the contact turned the vehicle off and on, the steering returned to normal. The power steering assist indicator displayed on the instrument panel. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Stony Point, NC, USA

problem #146

Sep 102018

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
Many people are aware of the transmission control module problem with the 2013 Ford Focus that has been recalled. However, I have had another problem with my Ford Focus that I researched and found that many more people are having the same or similar problem with their fuel tank collapsing and needing to replace most of the components in the entire fuel system. I had the purge valve replaced as an out of pocket expense as my extended warranty has expired, hoping this would fix the problem. I was informed by the mechanic that to fix my car completely, it would most likely need a new fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel line and of course the purge valve ( which I had replaced ). my car is only 5 years old and I do not know how or why I need to replace the entire fuel system. I have seen many posts describing the same situation on carcomplaints.com and know of someone locally who I know personally who has the exact same problem with their 2013 Ford Focus. When driving, my engine will shut off completely. From time to time, my oil light will come on as my engine stalls out and tries to 'die' and I can press the gas to 'revive' the engine and keep it from shutting off. This repair of the fuel system was estimated to cost $2,000 to repair and I just don't have it. I listed my car online for $5,400 as is and have no one interested in it at that price after I've invested nearly $20,000 in this car in the 4 years I've been making payments, maintenance and repairs on it. I've also had the power steering replaced on this vehicle when I had around 80,000 miles on it. The power steering failed while in motion and almost caused an accident. This particular vehicle is a dangerous one. Buyer beware.

- St. Peters, MO, USA

problem #145

Oct 162018

Focus

  • 81,972 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel stalled and the steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (jones Ford casa grande, 1932 N pinal ave, casa grande, AZ 85122) where it was diagnosed that the steering pump failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and contacted the dealer, but no further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 81,972.

- Casa Grande, AZ, USA

problem #144

Oct 162018

Focus

  • 81,972 miles
Car was parked for about an hour and when we went to leave we did not have any steering. Car was fine before we parked it.

- Casa Grande, AZ, USA

problem #143

Sep 252018

Focus

  • 113,750 miles
Power steering assist failure, the steering wheel is incredibly hard to turn when the vehicle is stationary.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #142

Sep 282018

Focus

  • 78,000 miles
About 5 months ago, upon starting my car after being left overnight received an error message of "steering assist fault" and the steering wheel was incredibly difficult to turn. I turned it off and restarted it and the error message was gone and the steering was normal again. This would happen again twice over the next 5 months but it always corrected itself once I restarted the car. Earlier this week the error came on again but wouldn't go away and my steering wheel was difficult to turn. With difficulty I was able to get it to the dealership where after several days I was told the entire steering rack needed to be replaced. This car is less than 5 years old and has just shy of 78,000 miles on it.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?