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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:
37,671 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 17 of 51)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #686

Jun 192019

Focus

  • 111,000 miles

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

1. the transmission jumped at intersection once. The transmission did not switch from park to drive once. The software was re-configured several times but it still not running smoothly at low speed. This issue happened since I bought the car in new. 2. the fuel tank indicator did not show correct fuel level. The engine light on. The car seems loosing power. Had to bring the car to the dealer to re-configure the software.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #685

May 172019

Focus

  • miles
Along with the myriad of Ford dps6 transmission problems, and repairs over the past 4 years, I alsoy had an event that could have caused a fatality directly related to the performance of the power train and engine. While attempting to make a light acceleration for a city green traffic signal for a left 90 degree turn the car unilaterally increased the speed and RPM's. the car was moving so fast I nearly hit a tree on the opposite side of the intersection at a high rate of speed. I had to repeatedly hit the gas peddle with my foot to stop the acceleration, while maintaining directional control of the vehicle. I am still waiting for Ford to contact me about the other fuel recall issue related to this vehicle so they can address this issue as well.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #684

Jul 112019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
The vehicle stutters, shakes, shudders, grinds, and jerks when accelerating from a stand still or accelerating out of a a lower turn. I had the clutch replaced a year ago but that only solved the problem for a few months. Now it's worse than ever and I drive it exactly how the Ford mechanic people described. Crossing 4 lane highways has become a risky endeavor now as I never know if the car will stall or lag or accelerate fast enough to get through. I voiced this safety concern with Ford more than once but they didn't care. The Ford shop has tried to convince me the issue was my own fault because of how I drive it but I've seen many other similar complaints online. They also blamed the problem on a leaky seal within the clutch and ensured the replacement would fix the issue but clearly it hasn't. the whole design is defective but Ford literally doesn't care. Personally, I never carry any passengers because I never know when I'll be stranded or get into an accident because of this transmission/clutch issue. I also get regular oil changes and other basic car maintenance to try to be as safe as possible but I feel it's a time bomb.

- Warsaw, IN, USA

problem #683

Apr 182019

Focus

  • 73,000 miles

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

When attempting to pull out into traffic from a stop, the car suddenly lost power. Pressing the accelerator was just causing the engine to rev. Then the car shifted into gear and suddenly lurched forward. It then dropped out of gear and lost power again. Car continued to shift randomly, drop out of gear, and suddenly shift into gear and accelerate creating a very dangerous situation. It would not shift correctly after that until I took it to a dealership and they updated the transmission control module software. Service advisor at the dealership said this was a common problem and would likely happen again.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #682

Jun 302019

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
I have a 2013 Ford Focus SE. I bought it used at 84K miles from a dealership in February of 2019. First time I got gas after buying the car it had trouble starting afterwards. Had that fixed and it doesn't stall but the miles to empty reads incorrectly now. Also started making a grinding sort of noise when I'm going up slight inclines. When I go from a stop light or stop sign it shudders during accelerating. I was getting onto the highway and had to stop on the entrance ramp due to road work and almost couldn't get enough power to get onto the interstate. Currently this website is saying all of my recalls have been repaired.

- Ripley, WV, USA

problem #681

Mar 052019

Focus

  • 98 miles
Studdering, shaking upon acceleration

- Louisville, TN, USA

problem #680

Jul 012018

Focus

  • 113,762 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle decelerated and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power when making turns or coming to a stop. The contact called dave sinclair Ford (7466 S lindbergh blvd, St. Louis, mo 63125, (314) 892-2600) and was informed that there was no remedy. A loaner vehicle was not provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to work out the issue with the dealer. The failure mileage was 113,762.

- St.Louis, MO, USA

problem #679

Jun 272019

Focus

  • 92,200 miles
Car would not start. Jump started battery. Dashboard reference transmission error. Press ok to clear the message. Shifted from park to reverse and the car would not move. Shifted to drive and car would not move. The vehicle has been to the dealership for the intermediate shifting problems. Ford refers to the shifting problem with transmission as a customer satisfaction program and not a recall. Referencing 14M02 as the control module being the culprit and 14M01 as the transmission clutch being the cousin of the culprit. There are several posting indicating a lack of addressing the faulty issue when driving. We do not believe Ford is taking an active role in identifying tractability of the components we understand there is a lawsuit for this particular problem.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #678

Jun 012016

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While the contact's girlfriend was driving 30 mph, the vehicle shuddered and the gear shifter became stuck in second gear. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bailey Ford of malone (11 state St, malone, NY 12953, (518) 483-5500) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 21866473. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- North Lawrence, NY, USA

problem #677

Jun 122019

Focus

  • 82,774 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph, the transmission began to shudder and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle lost power and hesitated. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not move forward. The vehicle was driven to Ford of san leandro (1111 marina blvd, san leandro, ca 94577) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission clutch and module. The dealer would not repair the vehicle because it was eight days past the warranty requirement. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 82,774.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #676

Jun 012019

Focus

  • 129,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle began to jerk, hesitate, and the transmission would not switch into second gear. The vehicle was taken to Ford autonation (2 auto center dr, tustin, ca) where it was diagnosed that the transmission lever assemblies, the engine cylinder, and the transmission clutch were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #675

Jun 102019

Focus

  • 131,000 miles
On Friday, May 30. 2019, around 5:00pm, I was driving to a family event. I had just stopped for gas about 15 minutes prior to the incident happening. As ibwas driving and I came to a stop. Just as the light turned green, signaling for me to go, and I released my foot from the brake and began to accelerate, my car stalled. I was in the middle of a very busy intersection. I immediately put on my hazard lights, put my car in neutral, and began pushing it out of the street. There was smoke coming from the hood that eventually dissipated. I made several attempts to restart my car and it never would. I called my roadside assistance provider and had my car towed home. I have been trying to figure out the issue when today I had a reader plugged into my car to test for any error codes. Surely, codes P0100, P2227 and P0456 all came up. As I researched these codes, I was brought to the NHTSA website and found thid recall that I was never notified of and there's no remedy for. I am without transportation.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #674

May 222019

Focus

  • 68,721 miles
The car jerks and shutters when taking off from a complete stop. This is worse when the A/C is on. When accelerating the car will jerk between shifting gears causing the car to move slower at take off which has almost caused multiple accidents.

- Germantown, KY, USA

problem #673

Jan 012013

Focus

  • 100 miles
While in motion on a highway or street, the vehicle hesitates and shutters as though the transmission isn't engaging correctly, which causes the vehicle to either accelerate too quickly or not accelerate at all sometimes and while stopped at a traffic light this vehicle will and does shutter and hesitate to go forward when the traffic light turns green to go, which in turn allows the vehicle behind it to assume my vehicle is in motion at the correct speed for them to follow when it is not. I have to be careful when pulling onto a highway that there is no other vehicles coming for quite a distance so I can pull onto the highway safely without my vehicle hesitating to go forward or shuttering, which is a huge safety hazard for myself and my passengers. This is a very dangerous situation to be put it, and it scares me to even drive the car. The car has only 40,000 miles on it and should never be doing this. I've had it to different repair shops to see what could be wrong and every one of them have told me to contact the dealership where I purchased it, and I've done that and they say "theres nothing they can do, to contact you". I would like to just trade it off, but, I would feel horrible if someone else got it and ended up in a serious/fatal car accident because of this issue. Please help me figure out what is going on and what to do about it. There has been other similar problems with other Ford Focus vehicles that have been recalled, but I've not received a recall on mine as of yet and I honestly believe that something needs to be done before someone gets seriously injured or dies due to this major malfunction.

- Breezewood, PA, USA

problem #672

Jun 012015

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While accelerating from a stop or attempting to switch lanes, the vehicle hesitated. The failure recurred and the vehicle shut down, but later restarted. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact called hall Ford elizabeth city at 877-475-0723 (located at 1310 N road St, elizabeth city, nc 27909) and was informed to bring the vehicle to their facility. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was called, but the representative was difficult to understand. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #671

Jan 012015

Focus

  • 45,000 miles
Takata recall

- Arkansas City, KS, USA

problem #670

Apr 242019

Focus

  • 44,000 miles
Transmission fails to engage, skips gears, accelerator does not move car initially but will rev high then engage. Multiple repair attempts have failed to correct the situation from replaced clutch plates to tcm replacements to reprograms of the module.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #669

May 072019

Focus

  • 57,000 miles
When accelerating the car makes a loud noise when trying to shift and hesitates when giving it gas. Car was purchased in Jan 2019 and had been doing this since we owned the car.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

problem #668

May 022019

Focus

  • 63,000 miles
Since ive purchased my Ford Focus back in 2013 I have taken the car back to Ford dealership on numerous occasions in relation to the faulty transmission and electrical issues. On my 5th attempt my transmission was replaced. This was around the end of 2017 to 2018. On May 2nd 2019 I was driving to work and as soon as I turned on the car the windsheild wipers started to go off and for some reason I could not turn them off. Once I arrived onto my work campus I turned the cornee to park my car... when all of a sudden my car flashed an error message on my dash stating the following, " transmission failure repair now". I calmly parked the car and within seconds of turning off the car I see smoke and then flames from the bottom of my engine hood. I quickly exited the car abd the flames got bigger and bigger. The fire department was called and the had to smash the back window due to the flames that had over taken the front of the car. Unfortunetly my car is not a total loss. I was at the end of my contract agreement with Ford and inly having to pay 6400 left on my loan. Ive called their customer service to complain and see what can be done and was told I would get a letter in 2 weeks by their legal council. This has caused me to delay my entry into nursing school since now I have to work to handle the car the new car I just had to buy. I need transportation for work and Ford took that from me. Ive now seeked out a lawyer to see what can be done. With all the times I asked for help and I ended up seeing my car go up in smoke. Im just so thankful I was able to get out iof the car in time. But believe me im still shaken and this has caused me to never buy Ford again.

- Thousand Palms, CA, USA

problem #667

Feb 202019

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
Having issues with the transmission shuttering and delays in response. We were crossing a busy highway not long ago and as we pulled onto the highway the car started vibrating and shuttering uncontrollably and would barely move. We almost got hit trying to get across. We have had this transmission fixed multiple times for the same issue. This car is not safe!

- Knoxville, TN, USA

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