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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 25 of 51)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #533

Jun 012013

Focus

  • 7,000 miles

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

My 2013 Ford Focus has the same transmission and therefore the same issues that are covered by Ford's customer satisfaction program 14M01 but for some inexplicable reason my vehicle was omitted from the program. The technician at the dealer informed me that the issue was the same. The issue is an engineering problem with the transmission not a manufacturing issue. To exclude selected vehicles due to manufacturing dates or locations should not apply. The application of the issue should be associated with the transmission and vehicle year. The vehicle has been in the shop 4 times since I purchased it new 4 years ago. The symptoms are severe transmission slippage and violent shuddering while accelerating from a stop. Each repair has corrected the problem for a very short duration. Although this has not resulted in a crash yet, I am not certain that it is not a safety issue if the vehicles transmission was to fail to accelerate while turning across lanes of traffic.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #532

Feb 082017

Focus

  • 82,550 miles
Car feels like it slips into neutral while driving and engine revs. Jerks forward when going back into gear. Had it to dealer 2X in 2 weeks. They say they can't find anything wrong. Get the car back and does it again. Have contacted Ford and they tell me to contact service mgr at the dealer. Car feels dangerous to drive. Happens on the hwy and street driving. Is random. Bought the car brand new

- Coconut Creek, FL, USA

problem #531

Feb 072017

Focus

  • 62,600 miles
I have an extended warranty on my vehicle, 2013 Ford Focus. I have contacted various dealers in my local area, who have given me various excuses to not fix my transmission which is covered by the extended warranty. I contacted the Ford customer relationship department, and they are advising me that it is up to the dealership to fix or not fix the problem. They have absolutely refused to assist me in getting this fixed or getting a rental vehicle to allow for transportation during the time that my car is getting serviced. The transmission is becoming a safety issue. I have a young daughter and her safety is my primary concern. The transmission has started to shudder and stall while driving. I am concerned that this will be an accident waiting to happen without the help of getting this repaired in a timely manner. This has been an ongoing issue since August. I had a dealership in las vegas (team Ford) inform me in August and I was told that the issue was not necessary and didn't need to be repaired. I have received less than subpar service from Ford Motor Company and the dealerships in my area.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #530

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 #529

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 #528

May 212016

Focus

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was repaired; however, the diagnosis and repair were unknown. In addition, upon purchasing the vehicle, the tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. The technician stated that the indicator would eventually turn off; however, the contact mentioned that the indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown chip needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #527

Jan 162017

Focus

  • 63,300 miles

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

The Ford Focus hatchback that I purchased from auffenberg dealer group, 1708 new car drive, O'fallon, Illinois on December 13, 2016 constantly jerks when I accelerate. The car does not accelerate properly, as if it is not getting enough gas. (strangely, I did not sense this while test driving the vehicle. During the test drive on December 13, 2016, I did mention to the sales person that I heard a sound coming from the car that sparked my concern but was told he heard nothing. There's something wrong with the reaction of the wheels on the car when acceleration is slowed. My greatest concern is the car acts as if it will stop in traffic. This can prove dangerous to me and other motorists. No one mentioned or discussed with me on December 13, 2016 these problems although I've since seen a paper lacking my signature concerning the same. The car indicate a danger while in motion to me and other motorists.

- Venice, IL, USA

problem #526

Jan 202017

Focus

  • 87,000 miles
Upon pulling out onto highway car shifted into neutral and would not move nearly causing an accident. The car had been in service at Ford dealer for transmission problems twice before.

- Port Deposit, MD, USA

problem #525

Nov 102016

Focus

  • 105,651 miles
This vehicle has had major problems with the powershift transmission. Over the course of 107000 miles the vehicle has exhibited shudding, lurching and bad shift characteristic and frankly is extremely dangerous. It has had it's clutches cleaned at 37736 miles in Oct 2014, replaced at 38396 miles in December 2014, replaced again at 75874 in February 2016 and now in January 2017 at 107, xxx the clutches again need to be replaced. Ford is now longer willing to cover the cost even though the vehicle has consistently had issues. This is a major defect and clearly the parts being used are not up to the task. When the clutching start to fail, the car lurches, shudder on acceleration, shift abnormally and has a delayed acceleration which can lead to very dangerous situations. I was recently rear ended while making a left hand turn because the vehicle would not accelerate when I pushed on the pedal (although it doesn't excuse the driver behind me carelessness).

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #524

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 #523

Jan 172017

Focus

  • 68,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The vehicle was repaired per a recall for the transmission and the computer was reprogrammed. The vehicle received another recall repair regarding the transmission; however, the contact was unable to remember the recall repair. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift properly without depressing the accelerator pedal with immense force. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer did not indicate a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Jamestown, KY, USA

problem #522

Nov 042015

Focus 4-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
My car is involved in recall 14M01, the current mileage is 31100 mile the problem is a power lose and a sever vibration when the car is stopped in a red traffic light. This issue is getting worst every day and the car was fixed 4 times for two different Ford dealers in which the tcm was replaced, reprogrammed, changed the transmission oil, the gasket and clutch, in the past the shudder was just in low velocity and now the shudder and power of lost is at any velocity or gear change. I been involved two times in a sever risk of crash when I was driving in a highway @ around 40 miles suddenly the car in front stopped, I had to change my line to not crash, I check the side mirror, push the gas change my line and then the car do not response and the car behind of me had to push the brake and almost crash on the back of my car. My car is now again with a dealer to try to fix the issue but I can, T accept again a change of the tcm when it didn't work in the last three times. If we take in a continues time frame my car was more than 5 months in a Ford garage. The 2nd issue is an excessive consumption of gasoline and high emission of co my car is in Mexico city, it's tested every 6 months to check the gases emission it didn't pass the test 4 times in 7 months, the dealer tried to fix 4 times too w/O answer as the diagnostic of the car was wrong in booth issue cases (power loss-vibration and inefficient combustion) I request by phone get all the information to the dealer in regard of the test for the diagnostic and codes from the ids and they service manager told me they can't because is confidential" and I say I'm the owner and driver an I need to know what is happening because I'm in a risk of crash and they can't hide me this information I just check the tsb 15-0120 procedure in your web site to know what they will do and they refuse my request.

- Searcy, AR, USA

problem #521

Oct 082015

Focus

  • miles
Transmission causes car to studder when accelerating and going up hills. There was a recall in 2015 to remedy this, but did not fix the issue.

- Carnegie, PA, USA

problem #520

Dec 252016

Focus

  • 68,000 miles
While driving down the highway the vehicle transmission down shifted when it should have up shifted, rpms were in 4500-5000. Could not get to speed limit of 45 mph. Check engine light come on and we stopped to have it checked but store was not open. Put car in reverse and car would not move when given gas, only coasted back due to slope. Had to drive car in this condition another 8 miles on major highways before we reached our destination. Check engine light remained on.

- Carthage, MS, USA

problem #519

Jan 132017

Focus

  • 17,336 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the automatic gear shift clutch needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had been to the dealer for the same issues multiple times and was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 17,336.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #518

Dec 152016

Focus

  • 39,000 miles
Erratic and unpredictable behavior from transmission. Sometimes takes off quick and sometimes slow all with the same input. Shudders and searches for gears especially on hills and in turns resulting in loss of control. Most recently it had not been able to find a gear and not be able to make it uphill and had to back down a busy street to the bottom of the hill and get a running start to make it up. Ford has repeatedly attempted to repair the problem but have been unable to do so. The car is unpredictable and unsafe.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #517

Dec 262016

Focus

  • 62,000 miles
Car has stalled while driving now 5 times in 9 days. The first time driving from denver to casper, I wasn't too far from home the steering assist service needed warning came on, and about 5 miles later I received a transmission service required warning, immediately followed by an engine service now warning and I completely lost power. In trying to restart the vehicle, I had all my lights and everything (including warnings), but no crank. When a nice person asked to push me to the shoulder at least out of the turn lane while waiting for a tow truck. The car started right up. Towed the car still to a Ford dealership, where I was told nothing was found and they couldn't replicate the problem. 7 days later. And about 250 miles from home on the interstate. The same thing happened. The car started about an hour later after the tow truck driver arrived to help. Was able to drive the car home, and again the following day the fold dealership told me just communication codes on the computer and unsure what the issue is. Today, the car did the same thing 3 more times in the span of 2 hours. Once I was stopping in the right through lane at a stop light with my daughter in the car when it stalled out. Noticed this time even though I had the car in park the dash read it was in drive. Had the ECM on the transmission replaced already in September. Right now it is back a the dealership as I do not trust this car with me in it, let alone my 2 little girls.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #516

Dec 302016

Focus

  • miles
Transmission jerks.,hesitates, slips revs up, stalls out, module for transmission reprogrammed, replaced, clutches replaced, still same problem.they cannot repair, will sit parked in driveway.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #515

May 132015

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
I had already begun noticing the shuddering and lurches when I was notified of the recall. I immediately brought it to my local dealership in May 2015. During this first visit the service department replaced the clutches, clutch assembly, seal, and fluids as allowed by the recall. I brought the vehicle back to service in October 2015 at which time I was told this problem would never be fixed, but the car was 'repaired per recall 15B22B'. on the third visit, in December 2015, I was told by the service man that 'Ford created a bad transmission, but all they could do was re-flash the control module and the car would need to re-learn my driving habits'. according to the service invoice the vehicle was rechecked for the transmission shudder, passed test, and was reprogrammed. During the fourth visit in May 2016, I was told the car was operating as designed and that if I would read my owner's manual, I would know that. At that time I asked to speak with the service manager because of the way I was being treated. The service invoice states the 'transmission is passing transmission operational testing criteria'. I have now been told there is nothing more they can do. I have researched online and have come across this reasoning for the problem: 'transmission fluid is leaking someplace inside and getting on one or two of the clutches, the oily clutch is what's causing the vehicle to have the harsh shift'. I've also read that after nineteen technical service bulletins, a recent bulletin allows the dealership service department to open the transmission, find the area that leaks transmission fluid on the clutch, and fix it. Yet I'm still being told there is nothing more they can do.

- Indian Mound, TN, USA

problem #514

Dec 262014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 49,067 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While accelerating the vehicle from a stop or while in reverse, the vehicle shuttered without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred six times. The vehicle was service per a technical service bulletin for the transmission clutch failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,067. Updated 03/02/17

- St James, LA, USA

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