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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:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
37,884 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 15 of 51)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #733

Apr 222019

Focus

  • 95,265 miles

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

Since I drove the vehicle off the lot, transmission shudders, jerks, vibrates, rough up/downshifts, slips into neutral, wont shift into reverse, transmission fault warnings, transmission overheat warnings. The car does not reliably accelerate/decelerate under normal operating conditions. On multiple occasions had to push the car out of a parking spot by hand since reverse would not engage. Had to push off the road several times after violent shifts/shuddering and warning lights. Has happened numerous times since purchasing the vehicle. Initially dealership said over the phone the new technology hadn't adapted to my driving style yet and it would clear up. Eventually I took it in for repair after repair and have since taken the vehicle off the road. The last episode happened with my children in the car and it's no longer safe to Transport passengers in.

- Milford, PA, USA

problem #732

Jul 112019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 52,269 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 10 mph and/or making turns, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. Additionally, the air conditioner and radio turned on by themselves without warning. The vehicle was taken to arlington heights Ford (801 w dundee rd, arlington heights, il 60004, (888) 481-8607), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 52,269.

- Des Plaines, IL, USA

problem #731

Feb 012014

Focus

  • miles
Vehicles transmission bucking losing power slipping also stalling out this car is very unsafe I've had it to the dealership many times still no fix

- Hartville, OH, USA

problem #730

Jul 312015

Focus

  • miles

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

I bought this car in 2015 and ever since then the car intermittently will hesitate when doing thruway and city driving. When the Ford dealership has looked at this problem (that is who I use to service this car) on many occasions, they say it is just they way the transmission feels and it is not a safety problem. I am concerned because there are allegations that Ford knowingly sold the Focus with defective transmissions.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #729

Jul 172015

Focus

  • 18,048 miles
Transmission, shudders from a stop, Ford reprogrammed PCM and tcm and sent to hotline, 07/17/15 transmission, tac will rev up, but will not move forward, Ford replaced tcm per tsb: 15-0121. Rt 11/03/15 transmission, vehicle will rev up and hesitate, Ford replaced clutch asy, seal asy-oil, cyliner asy-clutch slave and clutch, 07/27/16 transmission, tac rev up and will not go forward, Ford replaced clutch asy, seal asy-oil, cylinder asy-clutch slave, both inner input seals and cluch, 04/06/17 transmission, tac revs up will no move forward and not shifting properly, Ford re4placed, clutch asy, seal asy-oil, cylinder asy-clutch slave, both inner seals and clutch 09/01/17 transmission, tac is reving up, jerkey srvs up when traveling at steady speeds of 30 mph, Ford replaced, cylinder asy-clutch slave, clutch asy, sealasy-oil, both inner input seals and clutch 01/17/18 transmission, vehicle hesitates and jerks upon acceleration, Ford replaced, actuator asy-clutch, tube asy-clutch, lever ast-clutch release, lever asy-clutch release, clutch asy, cylinder asy-clutch slave, seal asy-oil, clutch and input shaft seals 06/11/18 transmission, vehicle is bucking and jerking tac revs up will not move forward, Ford replaced, seal asy-oil, B cylinder asy-clutch slave, clutch asy, replaced clutch and reprogramed the tcm and PCM 02/01/19 07/22/19 we are ready to take it in again for transmission problems, this car has less than 51,000 mile on it, we bought it new and paid it off thinking that we would have this car for a long time, but it doesn't look like it, how much am I going to get for this car when I trade it in, not crap

- Northville, MI, USA

problem #728

Mar 142019

Focus

  • 61,807 miles
While driving at city speed in elkin, nc, the transmission fault light came on and the vehicle stopped. Here I am stranded in traffic. Not the safest position to be in. I shut the vehicle down and restarted it in the hopes that this might reboot the fault and solve the problem or at least let me get to a dealership. The transmission fault light was still active but I was able to move only in first gear. The transmission would not shift. I was able to get to the Ford dealership in elkin, nc where they were able to diagnose the problem. The transmission module of this wonderful dps6 transmission had failed. They had a transmission module in stock so a repair was made. I dread every time I have to get into this vehicle. I worry if I am going to get to my destination safely. I worry if I am going to get home safely. Ford is making every delay possible to slow down the legal process.

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #727

Aug 222018

Focus

  • 55,216 miles

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

Here we go with dps6 failure #5. shudder and transmission slip became more severe. So, we scheduled a diagnostic visit to the dealer, parkway Ford in winston salem, nc. The test revealed that the clutch needed replacing again. The service consultant told me the reason for the problem was there was a leak in my oil seal. Strange that my personal mechanic did not notice any leak in the oil seal at the previous oil change. This dealership had replaced the oil seal previously. I do not trust anything this dealership tells me. I do not trust Ford Motor Company. I do not trust this vehicle to be able to get me safely to and from the places I must go. This situation has become outrageous. I am reporting these incidents to you at the advice of my attorney in the hopes that the defects in this vehicle might be noticed during the proposed senate investigations.

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #726

Dec 212017

Focus

  • miles
During a routine oil change with my regular mechanic in dobson, nc, the mechanic noticed the transmission slipping. I began to notice the shudder during shifting had returned. So, I returned to the dealer, parkway Ford in winston salem, nc. On the way to the dealer, a representative called me and said the dealership was interested in buying back my car. I told her that I was represented by an attorney and that her call was very irregular and illegal. When I arrived at the dealership, the service consultant refused to even run a diagnostic on my car saying that he could not since I was represented by an attorney. I reminded him of the 100,000 mile extended warranty I had purchased with the vehicle. He called for the shop foreman to go for a ride with me. The shudder and the slip were noticed by the shop foreman. But, he said that both were normal and that was the way the vehicle saved fuel. When we returned to the dealership, I was presented with a copy of a Ford service bulletin that was no more than propaganda. My mechanic said emphatically that the shudder on shifting and slipping out of gear were not normal in any vehicle and could be dangerous, so, the fourth incident with the dps6 transmission goes unrepaired. I contacted my attorney in novi, mi and he documented the incident for filing with my case in the federal district court. This incident occurred three months after the last clutch replacement.

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #725

Sep 012017

Focus

  • 43,072 miles
Shuddering continues on shifting from gear to gear. Feeling of transmission slipping out of gear both at city and at highway speeds. Concerns for safety and being stranded continue. I will make note that I am a 68 year old senior citizen with multiple disabilities. I contacted the dealer, parkway Ford of winston salem, nc and scheduled an appointment to determine the problem. After they ran a diagnostic program, it was determined that the clutch needed to be replaced a third time. They never did address the problem of the transmission slipping out of gear. They said this was normal and the way the car was designed. I noted that coasting is not safe, it is also illegal. The clutch was replaced and adjustments made. At this time I was represented by stern law of novi, Michigan in a mass action suit against Ford Motor Company regarding this vehicle. We note that this clutch replacement was five months since the last replacement

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #724

Apr 172017

Focus

  • 35,044 miles
Shuddering resumed again during city and highway driving between gear shifts. This was the second problem of this type. It was a constant concern if I would get to my destination and back home safely without being stranded along the roadway. When I got back home, I called the dealer, parkway Ford in winston salem, nc to schedule consultation for them to determine the problem. I began doing some research on the Ford dps6 transmission and found there had been some problems. During the consult, it was determined that the clutch would have to be replaced for the second time. This is seven months after the first clutch replacement. The service consultant assured me that this was a new type of clutch and I would not be having any more of these problems. I am represented by stern law of novi, Michigan in a mass action suit against Ford Motor Company regarding this vehicle.

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #723

Sep 202016

Focus

  • 27,840 miles

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

I purchased this vehicle on August 12, 2016. I asked to see the carfax and it showed no previous problems whatsoever. The vehicle came with an extended warranty. I had no knowledge at this time there were any problems with this model or the dps6 transmission. When driving this vehicle to fayetteville, nc from my home in mt. Airy, nc, I noticed a distinct shudder when the transmission shifted from gear go gear. I was concerned if this vehicle was going to get me to my destination and back home safely without some type of breakdown on the highway. Fortunately, I was able to get home. I called the dealership, parkway Ford in winston salem, nc and scheduled an appointment to have the problem evaluated. Their diagnostic determined there was a problem with the clutch. The service consultant told me it was just a problem with the clutch needing adjustment which they would take care of. I later discovered that the clutch had been replaced. The service consultant assured me that this would solve the shuddering problem and there would be no future problems along these lines. As you will see from all of my submissions that this is just the first of many. I am represented by stern law of novi, Michigan in my mass action suit against Ford Motor Company

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #722

Jul 202019

Focus

  • miles
My car's dps6 transmission is jumpy, catches, and slips every single time I drive my car. The car violently shakes every time the transmission needs to shift up, and some times will slip when downshifting to a complete stop. This has been persisting since I bought the car right after its initial release and has been unable to be mitigated by repeated trips to mechanics and Ford dealerships. I have repeatedly stopped in the middle of intersections when accelerating because the transmission shifts into neutral and I must come to a stop before it will shift back into gear.

- North Easton, MA, USA

problem #721

Mar 092015

Focus

  • 32,717 miles
Concern about my safety due to the latest report: Ford knew Focus, fiesta models had flawed transmission, sold them anyway. My car is a used Ford Focus 2013. Two weeks after I bought it, I had problems with the transmission. Ford fix it, but now I wonder if it is safe for me to drive this car?

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #720

Feb 222019

Focus

  • 86,000 miles
Dps6 transmission shudder and slipping issue. Vehicle has been serviced under multiple owners and had the clutches replaced as well as the software re-flashed. Ford dealer stated they are aware of the issue told me they would get it fixed under the extended warranty offered by Ford. I was charged for a re-flash I was never called to authorized, that has not fixed the shuddering issue. I was almost in an accident when the card decided to not shift going through a stop light and the vehicle behind me almost rear ended me. I contacted Ford and the service manager stated "you need to drive it more aggressively". Ford opened a case to review the poor service and they have never contacted me again.

- Willis, TX, USA

problem #719

Jun 062018

Focus

  • 56,000 miles
I bought my Ford Focus hatchback SE starting at 24K miles. At around 50K I began having transmission troubles. The stuttering, while accelerating or coming to a stop, was (and still is) horrible. I have taken this vehicle in on two separate occasions to get the transmission 'fixed', to no avail. I'm still dealing with these problems 80K miles later. The first two winters that I had owned the vehicle my door locks would not engage, in dry, 40 degree temperatures. So I would have to drive and hold my door closed until the car heated up and the locks engaged. I tried wd-40 and sprays meant specifically to unfreeze locks. Neither worked. And the locks would occasionally disengage while driving my morning commute on the highway. No recall until two years later, after complaining countless times. But back to the transmission, I was driving home after a long day at work and ended up stuck in cincinnati, oh. A message popped up on my dash reading 'transmission fault' advising me to take my car to a dealer. Turning off the engine didn't help, and I couldn't drive over 20 miles per hour because the car wouldn't shift over 1st or 2nd gear. Luckily I'm an experienced driver and was able to Dodge multiple cars that almost slammed into me on the street, due to my sudden braking. When contacting Ford it took them 5 hours of going back and forth between dealers to finally send me a tow truck. I get the car back, same problems. Over and over. A mechanic at the dealership told me that they don't actually have a fix for the problem (which it's becoming ever more clear that they still don't, nor will they ever). Ford's compensation for this problem was a terrible deal. Offering a replacement transmission with the exact same trans that gave me problems I'm the first place. I'm glad to see the government is getting involved and hope to see resolve soon.

- Middletown, OH, USA

problem #718

Aug 162018

Focus

  • 63,000 miles
I have had 3 transmissions in this car in 6 years

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

problem #717

Aug 112015

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
My car does not always shift into gear properly when it first starts to go.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #716

Jul 162019

Focus

  • 125,000 miles
The dps6 dual clutch automatic transmission in this car occasionally exhibits symptoms such as slipping into neutral while driving at speed, sudden acceleration or 'grabbing' while decelerating and when at a stop, and vibration/shuddering when accelerating from a complete stop. These symptoms do not seem to occur with any discernible pattern, I.e it happens when the vehicle is cold or hot, whether driving slowly or faster. The car has approximately 125K miles on it and has already had the clutch pack replaced twice. After each clutch replacement the symptoms abated for a while, only to gradually return after perhaps 20K miles.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #715

Jul 012018

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
Transmission shutters and studders. Pulling out in traffic becomes dangerous. At times, stepping on the gas does not accelerate the car, but does rev the engine. This happened in traffic, and the vehicle would not go over 20mph. This is an ongoing event, and your date selection below does not allow for that.

- Ellijay, GA, USA

problem #714

Jun 102015

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
I own a 2013 Ford Focus hatchback that has transmission and clutch issues. It's been recalled once and replaced. But still has the same issue. When start to putting gas on the pedal the van stuffers and skips gears until it reaches 3rd gear. This is making it hard to drive and gain speed. It ultimately needs to be replaced again. But Ford won't replace again for another 2500$. it's a known issue that they know of but won't replace more than once. I also can't trade in my vehicle because it's worth 93% less than value. The car has other known recalls that needs to be fixed.

- Rockford, IL, USA

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