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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 8 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #121

May 052018

Focus

  • 86,000 miles

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

During a right turn, lost power steering. Dash warning citing electronic power steering assist failure. Almost struck car at cross street waiting at light. This is a known problem with recall on previous model years and other models of the same year. Per Ford dealer, requires replacement at $1952 cost because not covered under recall.

- Seffner, FL, USA

problem #120

Apr 172018

Focus

  • 41,000 miles
Steering power assist fault message will come up and steering will become very hard. Happened while backing from my driveway and turning steering wheel fully to the right or to the left. Diagnosis is calling for a replacement of the steering rack with about $2500 fee. Upon request, Ford decided to not provide any financial help.

- Shaker Heights, OH, USA

problem #119

Mar 082018

Focus

  • 107,000 miles
Electric power steering recall. The electric power steering just randomly went out on my Focus. Drove to the bus stop and it was working fine. Got in it to go to work and the steeri G wheel wouldn't budge. Took it to the dealership and the entire electric powering has to be replaced. $1600!!! there was no warning or anything. I have done research and read that people are driving down the highway and their electric power steering just locks up while they are going down the road. This Ford Focus is a safety hazard and I regret buying it.

- Waycross, GA, USA

problem #118

Mar 312018

Focus

  • 103,000 miles

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

Electronic steering system went out, Ford recalled other models, like Fusion for the same problem, but not the Focus. This is a safety issue because once system fails, car is undriveable, and can crash if it fails while driver is on the road. It happened to me while I was pulling out from my driveway. Went to dealership and was told about recall for another models, due to the same problem, but since Focus didn't get recalled I had to shed 1700$ for repairs.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #117

Apr 022018

Focus

  • 63,000 miles
When I started my car the steering wheel was hard to turn. I got a warning on the dash that said steering assist fault. This is crazy! the car only has 63000 miles on it. Please have Ford include these Focus cars in the safety recall also. This failure while driving could kill people.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #116

Mar 252018

Focus

  • 37,000 miles
My Ford Focus St 2013 suddenly failed and showed the message "steering assist fault service required". steering wheel got very heavy and not possible to drive the car to the dealer. There were not previous warnings, a noise or feeling of it was not working correctly, it just happened from night to morning when parked in my garage. I M located in Mexico but this info may help and I M willing to help.

- Auburn Hills, MI, USA

problem #115

Mar 092018

Focus

  • miles

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

I've had the clutch and transmission control module replaced twice. The car still doesn't drive properly. My car locks, auxiliary, ac nobs need tweaking to work. The brake lights constantly go out. When I'm on an incline the brake alert comes on. And now there is a power steering issue. The steering wheel is completely locked up and I'm unable to drive the vehicle.

- San Marcos, TX, USA

problem #114

Mar 082018

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
Takata recall- I'm having a problem with my steering. One afternoon I started to car and noticed that my steering wheel was stuck. After a while I turned the car off and let it sit then started it again and the problem was gone. The next day I attempted to drive the car and couldn't because the steering wheel was hard to turn. The Ford dealership is telling me to pay an excessive amount of money for the issue. I just want to know what do I need to do from here.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #113

Oct 312017

Focus

  • 86,587 miles
Car started shifting funny so I took it to the Ford dealer they said something electronic on the transmission needed changed so they did something did not charge me for anything but it's still shifts differently they said it had to get used to the way I was driving one month later my steering unit went out I took it to the Ford dealer they put it on the machine the the person I talk to on the phone said it needed a whole new steering column and it was $2,100 and at that time they would readjust the module on the steering for free I said no I did not have $2,100 so I had to pay the $99 to have it put on the machine and when I got the paperwork it said nothing about a steering column it only said I declined module programming and that cost was $125 had I paid the 125 I would not have paid that had to pay the 99 dollars but there is nothing on here about a steering column I do know this is difficult for me to prove what he said to me but there is nothing on this paper saying anything about a steering column I do feel that this was a gimmick on this model because they have had so many problems my transmission is still shifting funny

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #112

Feb 102018

Focus

  • 89,000 miles
Driving down the road at 35 when a steering failure warning popped up on the screen we drove a short distance to a gas station by then the power steering was completely gone. We did leave the gas station just trying to limp it home not far out of the gas station the steering completely locks up. Had it towed to the closest Ford dealer. $1900 to have the steering module replaced. I had just had the car in a month ago because the transmission failed. That was on recall so no cost. I'll tell ya I feel punched in the stomach and cant believe Ford does not take responsibility for all their faulty parts. Launching a complaint with Ford. New richmond, wi bought used in 10/17 Ford Focus 2013 86000miles

- New Richmond, WI, USA

problem #111

Feb 072018

Focus

  • 60,000 miles

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

Steering quit completely. Very very difficult to steer while driving 35 mph. Almost hit a telephone pole.

- Trafford, PA, USA

problem #110

Dec 272017

Focus

  • 51,000 miles
(1) google Ford transmission settlement. Incredibly dangerous problem with design. That's the biggest problem and although I took it in to the dealer and they "fixed" it I have no faith. (2) I had to have it towed to a dealer this morning for electronic power assist failure. Lost steering while driving. Googled that and found out about the massive problems with this issue. Contacted Ford and they said VIN doesn't show it as a recall. I'm absolutely disgusted with the level of deceit by Ford.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #109

Dec 012016

Focus

  • 39,000 miles
My power steering assist module was failing intermittently through October/November 2016. Finally in December 2016 it decided to fail completely. Luckily I wasn't on the road, it failed after parking the car and has been undrivable ever since. I can start it, roll it forwards and back in a straight line, but the steering is locked and won't budge. I have a little over 39000 miles on it and is just out of warranty because of that.

- Mattituck, NY, USA

problem #108

Dec 062017

Focus

  • 69,800 miles
While pulling out of my garage I received a "steering assist fault" notification on my dashboard. I had to miss another day of work for this issue. I say another because I have had my vehicle in the shop over 20 times for others issues on top of this. I purchased my Focus in 2013 brand new and 4 years later my steering gear needs to be replaced? since I'm at 70,000 miles I'm well past any coverage and they want me to shell out 1600 dollars to replace it. I've had nothing but issues with this car since driving off the lot (transmission, clutch, seal leaks) and this is just another notch on my Ford vehicle owner belt!! not happy at all with this purchase and will never purchase a Ford vehicle again!

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #107

Dec 132017

Focus

  • 78,951 miles
Received a "steering assistance fault" warning light on the dash display after starting the vehicle which resulted in not being able to turn the steering wheel without extreme effort.. after turning off the car, it reset and began functioning. Approximately a week later it happened once more after starting the car, and once again it reset and was drivable. This is a very serious condition and possibly deadly if not corrected. I did research and found that there are many, many instances of the same issue with other Ford products such as Fusion, Explorer, Lincoln and many others that did have a recall. Why has the Focus not been recalled with the same issue. This should be investigated and expedited to make the Ford Motor Company responsible for any repairs at their cost and a recall should be issued to save lives.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #106

Nov 092017

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel seized. The contact turned the ignition off and back on, and was able to drive. The dealer (crown Ford, 555 cypress ave, redding, ca 96001) diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Anderson, CA, USA

problem #105

Dec 012017

Focus

  • 86,000 miles
While driving vehicle steering wheel locked and 'assisted steering failure' notice came up on dashboard

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #104

Nov 052017

Focus

  • 16,112 miles
My son was driving our 2013 Ford Focus on a city street and the power steering went out. Thank goodness he or no one else was not injured and was able to maneuver the car home. Turns out the power steering module went out. This seems to be an occurring problem in prior year models and had recalls on them. However, the 2013 model did not have a recall and we had to shell out over $1700 for repairs out of our own pocket.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #103

Nov 152017

Focus

  • 169,000 miles
Upon backing out of my driveway, I attempted to turn my steering wheel to direct my vehicle in the direction of traffic. The steering wheel would not easily turn, and a grinding noise could be heard inside and outside of the vehicle. As I pulled forward the steering would stick, resisting changes in direction, then breaking loose on overcorrecting.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

problem #102

Nov 082017

Focus

  • 52,749 miles
Power steering assist failed and service is required warning light came on during start up. Turning wheel was very difficult. Vehicle currently has 52,749 miles

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

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