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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.

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,820
Average Mileage:
74,950 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace power steering (11 reports)
  2. dealership: buy a new one for $1,500.00 (8 reports)
  3. not sure (8 reports)
  4. replace rack & pinion (3 reports)
  5. repair for $1450 (2 reports)
  6. replace power assist module (2 reports)
2013 Ford Focus steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Sep 222019

Focus ES 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,015 miles

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

Started my car this morning and the steering assist warning came on and I could not move my steering wheel. I turned off my car and restarted it and the warning went away and I was able to drive with no problems. I will be contacting Ford where I bought the vehicle from. I do have an extended warranty, but not sure if it will be covered.

- Carrie P., Moses Lake, US

problem #34

Jan 212020

Focus FSE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

I bought this Ford Focus 2013 at the local dealership almost 2 years ago. It was a one owner vehicle. It had 28,000 miles on it. I thought it would be a perfect car for my son. He was going into a job where he needed to be able to travel. It gets good gas mileage. Before a year was over, the clutch went out on the vehicle. The car was out of warranty. We found out from research that the 2013 Ford Focus has lots of issues. The recall covers the clutch and transmission for 10 years till 100,000 miles. We are lucky our car has low miles.

We decided this car with its issues has too many issues for my son to drive, so I drive it. Yesterday I was on my way to work, when the "Power Steering Alert" came on the car. I was fortunate to be in our area and got to the service repair person we use. Phone call today was that the rack and pinion need to be replaced. $1376.00. I was told that is not a normal repair for a vehicle with our mileage (61,123).

We had searched the internet and figured out that this is a problem that is common for this vehicle and year. We hope that a recall will be made and they will reimburse us for this cost. My husband states we should trade in this vehicle. I don't believe we would get a good trade in because if we had did our due diligence, we would not have bought this vehicle. I not sure what the dealership would have charged us. Our service repair person stated that he had to buy the part from Ford. I know he is cheaper that the dealership.

- Debbie H., Ardmore, US

problem #33

Feb 202020

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,243 miles

On my last day of work for the week, I tried to go home and the steering abruptly went out and an alert came that the electric power assist system was no longer working. No kidding! The steering handled like a lead brick and I had to leave my car at work and Uber it home. I called my local dealership (let me complain about them as well) and performed research over the weekend to my issue. Finally got a person who said that I had to pay to get the issue fixed, even though there is proof that it's been a previous issue. Complained to FORD directly and they said the same.

MY co-worker who is a car nut, said, "Let's trying unhooking the battery and then rebooting the system." Lo and behold, it seems to have worked.

However, I would like it to be fixed BY Ford because there has been a previous recall on it, just because it's not a 'current issue' for them doesn't make it NOT a current issue for me. This car has had so many recalls that it's ridiculous, but I've almost paid it off and I'm not budging.

- Kris F., Renton, US

problem #32

Oct 012020

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 180,000 miles

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

Ford SHOULD have a recall on this issue. It is a known issue and many failures from various years/makes/models.

- Daniel E., Peebles, OH, US

problem #31

Jan 102020

Focus SEL 2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,662 miles

Ford Focus, as touted, was supposed to be a very good fuel saver, which it is. Only, everything is bad with this car.

14 transmission flashes, 3 clutch replacements, electronic ignition, and finally the issue that has made made up my mind of the next manufacturer that I will purchase from...definitely not ford. The eps died. Steering just went dead. Cost to fix 2700 cdn. These people are lost. I tried to drive it for 2 weeks praying I wouldn’t kill myself. This morning lost steering completely. Pulled over and pulled out the fuse for the eps. Now, I have controllable standard steering which is better then having the electronics interfere with the obstacles of driving with a half ass steering solution. They are lucky I didn’t get hurt. No one wants to admit there are steering problems until it goes out. Only once in 7 years I had this car did I not visit the dealership for 3 months. The rest of the time I was in there for something. Fuel consumption over reliability does not make sense. So frustrated and no one wants to take responsibility. Saving grace is the class action suite for transmission. I have been driving Ford’s for over 30 years but this model has been a nightmare. So much so that I will never buy another ford for the rest of my life. Thank God. Shame on you Ford.

- Marco M., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #30

Jul 212019

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,990 miles

This car has been one thing after another. I swear I just wanted a nice little gas saver for my family. We have had nothing but problems! Bought the extended warranty up to 100,000 miles and thank God I did because I have had my clutch replaced at least 4 times and the computer relearned 6. Now I am having an issue with steering? WTH, Had my car idling for about 5-10 minutes with the ac on in hot Arizona weather, got back in and the battery light was on. Thought that was strange since I replaced my battery 18 months ago. When I went to pull away, the steering was out, just gone, that's it, So I put it in park and turned the car off and started it again and it was fine. Did it again today almost same situation, accept it did it while I was driving!!! I was able to pull the car over, turn it off and then on again, problem fixed. My family and I are driving 12 hours in 4 days in that car as we are moving and I am getting very concerned that it is unsafe!!!

- Amber H., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #29

Apr 282019

Focus SE V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,900 miles

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

This is the first Ford I have ever purchased thought I would be smart and buy a fairly new economical car for commuting to & from work and less than 4 weeks 800 miles and it already has a clutch issue and now the entire steering rack has to be replaced, and no recall has been issued for this huge problem even after all I have just read on it today.....huge, huge mistake on both Fords and my part = selling immediately after I foot the bill of well over 2 grand for this s#!× 🤬

- pabrego54, Brillion, US

problem #28

Feb 072019

Focus ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

I was driving on the interstate when my 2013 Ford Focus became difficult to steer. A few minutes later, the warning light came on.. indicating a Power Steering fault. I could barely get the car home. Once I did, I had to have the car towed to the garage. It has a new transmission thanks to an earlier recall. Now the Power steering failed at just over 58K miles. If I hadn't been on a rural interstate, I could have crashed. Despite the $1900 repair bill, I feel lucky to have survived this.

I have also filed a complaint with the NHTSB.

- John W., Washington, DC, US

problem #27

Feb 052018

Focus SE 2.0L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Power steering started to fail. Got by with it for a month or so, until I realized I would be stuck somewhere until I fixed it.

- Eric K., Hendersonville, TN, US

problem #26

Jan 162019

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,800 miles

Purchased a used 2013 a few years ago and everything was great. I drive it maybe 5000 miles a year, live too close to everything. It has roughly 48K miles on it now. A little over two weeks ago I drive it to work, everything is working just fine and dandy on the way there. Afterwards, on my way home, the steering starts having a grinding noise like sand grinding between two rocks.

Had it at the dealership last week (to fix the transmission recall issue, which happened to "coincidentally" start two days after, and they told me about the grinding, which I already knew about and said it would be roughly $3,500 to fix. I declined, because really who has that much just laying around? This morning I started my car and can't even turn the wheel at all. Its not in its locked position, just wont turn AT ALL.

This is a known issue with the 2013 Focus because its the same system as all the other EPAS that Ford uses in the vehicles that have been recalled. I'd just like a recall to be issued for this faulty steering system that Ford should've never changed to in the first place. There's been so many issues with it, why not change back to a hydraulic system? Now I have to replace my entire rack and pinion on my car instead of just a pump.

- Jeff T., Mc Kinney, TX, US

problem #25

Nov 142018

Focus 4DR 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

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

Well maintained by higher mileage Focus SE developed "sudden" issue with power steering. With no prior problems, while parked, a "steering assist fault - service required" warning came up on display. Vehicle will not start.

- Michael G., Mableton, US

problem #24

Jul 202017

Focus SE 4 Cylinder 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I was driving on my lunch break when the problem first occurred. The power steering failed and I had to turn into a parking lot without any power steering, which is very difficult in this particular car. The dealership quoted me $1,500 to fix the problem, luckily, it was covered under the extended warranty. The steering system is all electrical in this car so there's no way to fix a bad steering pump ( there's no power steering fluid in this car, because the steering system is electrical ) so if your power steering goes out, you'll most likely have to fork over $1,500 or so if it's not covered under warranty.

- John S., St Peters, MO, US

problem #23

Sep 082018

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

Total Garbage! 3 temporary failures in last 2 months. Would correct itself by turning car off and restarting. Total Failure.

- tcno, Pingree Grove, IL, US

problem #22

Apr 302018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

Electronic Steering Assist has failed twice in less than a year on our Focus. This could cause a major accident if it happened while driving. We were lucky and, both times, it happened right as we parked at a gas station. The Ford dealership here told us it will cost us $2000 to fix the whole steering rack. I called Ford customer service to complain (twice in one year is not normal). They basically told me there is nothing that they can do but acknowledged this could be a serious danger if it happened on the road.

I have filed an official complaint with NHTSA. If enough people file complaints, Ford will have to recall these vehicles (or reimburse customers) and take responsibility for the malfunctioning steering system. NHTSA's phone number is 888-327-4236. It only takes a minute. We should not have to pay thousands of dollars for something that is obviously a manufacturing defect, given how many people have already listed complaints on here...

- johann.lg9, State College, US

problem #21

Aug 102018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

MY PERSONAL VEHICLE THAT SUCKS RIGHT NOW: Ford Focus 2013 lemon

Two weeks ago I left work, got to my car and 'faulty steering' dummy light came on. Car steering would not turn steering wheel at all. Got my 2013 towed to the dealer ($90). After waiting a few days, I was informed by the dealer that the steering rack had gone out and it would costs about $2700 to fix. Since I am 1/2 way through my car note with Ally that was not good news. I don't have the $2700 to fix my car or 1/2 of that amount to find a trusty mechanic. Tomorrow, I will have my little car towed to my house.

So...after this diagnosis, I started researching this problem. I find ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING recall, and 6 other recalls on the car I'm still paying on. I also found RECALL: Doors May Unexpectedly Open, RECALL: Engine Wiring Splices May Cause Stall, RECALL: Side Lights Inoperable/FMVSS 108, RECALL: Driver Side Child Lock May Not Function. All in all there are 7 recalls that might pertain to my Ford Focus. So, now I have to ask myself: Is this a safe car with me carrying my two granddaughters around town? They are 4 and 10 so I'm thinking seriously on this one. Is the Ford Focus safe? I'm really leaning towards NO.

As I read accounts and blogs of other Ford owners whose cars were going along at 65 and all of a sudden the steering went out - how tragic and scary is that?

I don't think I will ever drive this car again. So...my question is 'When can I tow this car to Ford'? I do not trust the car at all now. It has become a death trap; not a safe mode of transportation at all even if all of these 7 recalls do not relate to me.

So now Ford, I ask you, what can you do to help me in this situation?

Hoping it's good news as I attempt to find a ride to work tomorrow - a lovely position to be in.

I NEED HELP FORD!

Robbie McMeans 4709 Yellowleaf Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76133 817-602-9003

- Robbie M., Fort Worth, US

problem #20

Jul 022018

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,381 miles

Vehicle experiences power assist steering failure while driving, reversing or when parked. No recall yet but there should be.

- Chris L., Creemore, ON, Canada

problem #19

Jul 242018

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,206 miles

Ford already recalled a lot of cars for the same problem. I think their power steering system has serious problems. They should at least fix other cars with the same problem which is not on the recall. Never buy Ford car again!

- Bei W., Saint Louis, US

problem #18

Mar 142018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The steering completely failed. Luckily the car was in the drive way at the time. Had it towed to local Ford dealership. Took them three days to look at it and then told me it would cost $2200 to replace power assist module. This is after the same car was in for multiple recalls on transmission. This is a 2013 with 60k miles. Worst vehicle I have ever owned.

- fordmn, Farmington, US

problem #17

Apr 142016

Focus

  • CVT transmission
  • 75,127 miles

F#ck Ford.....they charged a diagnostic fee and thought the car had a power steering pump that needed fluid. Then they refused to subtract the diagnostic fee of $100 off the amount of the repair.

- Christian D., Logan, US

problem #16

Jan 022018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

I wish I had done some research before buying this 2013 Focus in 2015. I had the transmission fail 2 months ago but was covered under lawsuit Ford settled but then the power steering failed while my daughter was driving and barely managed to get to the shoulder. I had it towed to the dealership and I am picking up in the morning after replacing the Electronic Power Assist module ($1700). I contacted Ford and basically told "Not our Problem" although there are numerous complaints with NHTSA. Will never do business with Ford again.

- Luther B., Orange Park, US

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