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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:
7 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 2
Average Mileage:
43,231 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 4 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #266

Aug 142018

Focus

  • miles

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

My car shudders when I try to drive and get up to speed or pulls sometime I have to push the gas pedal all the way to the car floor to go when I try to pull out a friend if mines received a recall letter about her car doing this her car is a a year or so older than mines but I haven't received anything but my car be doing the exact thing that's was being explained in the letter my car has being doing this since the last recall and I had to put it in the shop in August of 2018

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #265

Nov 152019

Focus

  • 49,557 miles
Car began to stall and completely shut down. While in drive, with my foot on brake at a red light a error code flashed on dash " transmission not in park" and then it shut off. Car stalled 4 more times in a matter of a hour, twice while in park and car was just running. Last time at a red light in drive. Took 30-40 seconds to restart car, very unsafe.

- Mansfield, MA, USA

problem #264

Nov 062019

Focus

  • 103,000 miles
The car has had several recalls and transmission problems since the day I got it. It has clutch issues that leaves me stalled stuck in gear in the middle of rush hour traffic. It has left me stuck in my garage and not being able to go in reverse for days at a time.

- Buckeye, AZ, USA

problem #263

Jul 182019

Focus

  • miles

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

My car was on recall about the transmission and the gas they only fix the gas leak but they say they don't have the part for the transmission

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #262

Aug 222017

Focus

  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. When the gear was shifted into drive, the vehicle moved in reverse. In addition, the contact stated that sometimes the vehicle would stall and fail to start. The vehicle was taken to norris Ford (901 merritt blvd, baltimore, md 21222, (410) 285-0200) where it was diagnosed that the gear clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times for the failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #261

Sep 202019

Focus

  • 61,000 miles
The vehicle had a recall done 8 months ago and recently the same problems of the recall such as the gas tank issue and the transmission issues are still a problem N went to Ford N told what happened and they didn't do anything about it but just 2 weeks ago before I took it to Ford on a Friday night I was driving N my car shut off as I was on a busy road cars passing me by my car just shut off and I pushed the car to the side stressed because I didn't have money for a tow truck and I didn't know what was wrong until someone said try putting gas in it and I told them my tank was half and gas monitor said I had 140 miles to go before it's empty but when the gas was put in the car it turned on and the gas monitor showed 0 then it went up to 260 and the other issue is the transmission when I'm driving the car starts to jerk and stalls and when I come to a stop my RPM just goes up as if I'm stepping on the acceleration but when I let go of the brake the RPM drops N the goes sound less as if it's going to turn off then it jerks N drives this is a serious issue a couple of times I almost got hit from the back and while driving this car has turned off or jerks and makes weird noises and I only have 61K mileage on it something has to be wrong

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #260

Sep 062019

Focus

  • miles

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

Starting to drive car hesitates and vibrates.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

problem #259

Sep 262019

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
Car stalled on 99 highway without any warning losing all power and unable to restart. Towed to dealership and was informed tank was now deformed due to the vapor system lock of the cpv safety recall notice 18S32 technicians have sent pictures that they are in possession of and said they could not give us copies of but allowed us to see and showed us the technicians recommendations for tank to also be replaced along with the cpv. Ford customer service centers have not returned phone calls after being informed of our concerns and state specs due not met there requirement so therefor are refusing to pay for tank to be replaced. Although the specialist states different.

- Riverbank, CA, USA

problem #258

Oct 012019

Focus

  • 101,222 miles
The car, is now, beginning to not start, . which I suppose that doesn't matter since the transmission is still completely out, I wish Ford would fix it, or go ahead and allow me to collect on the settlement

- Jacksboro, TN, USA

problem #257

Aug 262019

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and slowed down while driving various speeds. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had a defective camshaft sensor. The mechanic stated that the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 15V813000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was excluded from the recall. The contact spoke with planet Ford (20403 I-45, spring, tx 77388, (281) 719-3700) and was informed that they were unaware of any recalls associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #256

Oct 032014

Focus

  • 24,810 miles

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

The check engine light came on. The transmission shudders and hesitates under acceleration.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #255

Dec 212016

Focus

  • 66,509 miles
Vehicle jerks and shudders on acceleration from stops. Vehicle also hesitates and lacks power at times. It also overhears and leaks coolant.

- Riveside, CA, USA

problem #254

Sep 092019

Focus

  • miles
The car is overheated after 5 minutes of ignition, the engine stopped when the car was running and then the check engine light came

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #253

Mar 012019

Focus

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was stationary in traffic, the engine turned off without warning. When the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Georgetown, GA, USA

problem #252

Feb 162015

Focus

  • 19,164 miles
The vehicle shudders and makes noise when shifting gears. When accelerating at around 15mph, the vehicle bogs down and lacks power. Engine oil leaks also.

- San Dimas, CA, USA

problem #251

Oct 192016

Focus

  • 45,207 miles
Check engine light is constantly on and the engine leaks oil. The transmission does not change gears, shudders excessively and lacks power going uphill.

- Lynwood, CA, USA

problem #250

Jul 012019

Focus

  • miles
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Focus. When the contact's son started the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact's son drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle had a defective canister purge valve (cpv). Later that day, the vehicle stalled and a fuel odor was detected. The following day, while the contact's son was driving 68 mph, it was believed that the engine stalled and the steering seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed head on into a tree. The contact's son died instantly and the passenger was ejected from the vehicle through the windshield. Another motorist observed the crash and called 911. The passenger was airlifted to the hospital and received medical attention for their unknown injuries. The contact's son was pronounced dead on the scene. The air bags deployed upon impact. A police report was filed. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Mount Enterprise, TX, USA

problem #249

Aug 242019

Focus

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The recall repair was performed by maxwell Ford (5000 S ih 35 frontage rd, austin, tx 78745, (512) 443-5000). After the repair, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact called the dealer back and was informed to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the failure may be due to the catalytic converter, which failed prior to the recall repair. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair, the dealer stated that the catalytic converter was not related to the recall. The failure mileage was 122,000.

- Lockhart, TX, USA

problem #248

Aug 122019

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
While turning a corner my car vibrates and shakes and hear as if metal is hitting underneath. When pushing on gas to go, the car will jerk. Doesn't want to rev like it needs to. Will shake aggressively when braking. Have to let off gas then push back down on it to make it stop shaking. Also vibrates when in park intensely

- Dayton, TN, USA

problem #247

Nov 152018

Focus

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. On several occasions, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to grand prairie Ford (located at 701 E palace pkwy, grand prairie, tx 75050, (972) 975-9621) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

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