Print this page

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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 22 of 51)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #586

Jan 012017

Focus

  • miles

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

My 2013 Ford Focus has a hesitation and jerking when accelerating from a stop. And has a low rumbling sound. When I start to pull out in front of cars, it hesitates and could result in an accident. Took it to crain Ford for service, and they say nothing is wrong. And this is bs!!!!!

- Huntington, IN, USA

problem #585

Aug 012014

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While stationary and driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning upon acceleration. In addition, the rear passenger door latch became unlatched and the door opened. Furthermore, the vehicle's transmission failed due to the inability to shift to second gear properly. Bertwolfe Ford in charleston, West Virginia was made aware of the series of failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #584

Nov 172017

Focus

  • miles
I purchased the certified pre-owned Ford in 2014 and in 2016 had to it in for service on a clutch asy- sensor turbi issue. After a few weeks the vehicle was returned. The aforementioned happened again and was taken in for the 2nd time for the clutch asy-sensor turbi issue. On 11/17/2017 it was diagnosed with the same issues for the 3rd time, this time I was told its out of warranty. I explained that the vehicle had this issues two prior times and the clutch system was defective. I was then told to take the matter up with corporate. I also located a class action lawsuit against Ford for the same issues am facing. Please help hold Ford responsible for installing defective clutch systems in their vehicles.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #583

Oct 222017

Focus

  • 69,000 miles

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

Car has already shut down while driving twice, a year and a half ago. I took it topatrick St. Ford, it shut down again in parking lot, had to push it into garage. They supposedly fixed a sensor recall. Did nothing to the unbelievable shaking and shuttering recall. 3 weeks ago when I left work, I noticed instrument panel was black, said no gas, 0 mph, and so forth. Blinkers wouldn't work on inside but the driver behind me could see me signaling from behind me. Pulled into convenient store, turned car off, went inside, came back and car wouldn't start at all. Had it towed to same berte wolfe Ford, they told me it was electrical wiring issues and it would be 380$, they called back next day and said 500$ more. I told him to stop and I would pay tho 380$ and have it looked at somewhere else but if I did and other place said it was Ford's accountability I would be back. Sales manager J.C. assured me he would reimburse me everything if that was the case. I took it to copleys in chas wv and jay russ hooked up his computer and said, looks like Ford owes you. They should of fixed the problem last time it was with them and he couldn't work on it because it was Ford parts and should been fixed free. I need my car fixed before someone gets injured. They have been aware of this and keep denying it. It's most complained car of that yr. Multiple fsa's and electrical recall along with shutter lawsuit. New cars on list include my year, 6 speed auto transmission and Michigan assembly plant. Just from me mentioning those things to J.C., he took my bill from 380$ to 240$. seemed fishy to me, that's why I wanted a second opinion and took it elsewhere and I found out pretty much what I expected. Car was 13000$ paid off and has been nothing but a shuttering possible deathtrap on wheels. I'm just fortunate it hasn't shutdown and lost steering going on a busy interstate.ref: Tsb16-0044

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #582

Nov 042017

Focus

  • 81,000 miles
My transmission has been having issues while driving for a long time and now has gone out. When I would drive it would skip in first gear.

- Rogersville, MO, USA

problem #581

Oct 012016

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
For over a year now my car has randomly stopped going into reverse, shuttering while trying to shift, hard shifting (or slamming into gear), lurching and or jumping forward (or backwards), slipping out of gear, failing to engage in a gear, and also has slipped out of gear while on the highway/ freeway and almost caused an accident. My car has 82,000 miles on it and is still under warranty but Ford refuses to say anything is wrong. They did replace a shift fork, but they claim that there is nothing wrong with my car. I get the transmission fault light and randomly a message about the transmission overheating will pop up and it tells me to pull over safely and wait 5 minutes. I am being charged (basically taxed) $500 a month to have a car that I cant trust to take me anywhere and I refuse to take my niece and nephew in it because it is so dangerous to operate when every time I get in it- it does these above things. I really wish that Ford would step up and do the right thing because mine is not an isolated incident. But this disabled combat veteran doesn't see Ford doing anything but counting all my money they keep taking.

- Highland, IN, USA

problem #580

Oct 282017

Focus

  • 67,000 miles

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

I noticed that my car was shuttering while up shifting at slow speeds in traffic during the last week. Now the transmission fault light is on and it has difficulty shifting into high gear. I read online that Ford extended it's warranty on this model for this specific problem but when I called the service center they told me that it is a specific warranty and they I might not qualify or be coverd and that he would have to look at the vehicle. The internet is full of 2013 Ford Focus's with this specific problem. I need to find out if this qualifies because I need this car for work and cannot afford $2000 to fix a faulty Ford transmission. I know that this letter may be premature but I'm worried about transportation to work and lack of money to fix this car which is financed.

- Whitman, MA, USA

problem #579

Oct 192017

Focus

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to hemborg Ford (1900 hamner ave, norco, ca 92860) where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact it would be up to the dealer to determine if it was a manufacturer issue. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #578

Oct 192017

Focus

  • 55,000 miles
When leaving the rest area I had severe shuttering and crunching sounds from the transmission. I lost the use of gear 2 and gear 6. I had to go 200 miles to get home with a transmission that would not go into the last gear. My engine was revving just to go 65mph. The next day on the way to the dealer I lost gear 2 on a left turn and barely avoided a collision.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #577

Feb 012017

Focus

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving unknown speeds, the transmission slipped and skipped without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (autonation Ford wolfchase, 7625 stage rd, memphis, tn 38133) where it was diagnosed that the digital sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. On September 30, 2017, while driving 25 mph, the transmission slipped gears and the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the median. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The occupant sustained cut and bruises to the arms, an ankle sprain, and back pain. Medical attention was received. The two air bags deployed on the driver's side. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #576

Oct 032017

Focus

  • 113,000 miles

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

Vehicle constantly had shuttering during acceleration. The vehicle then began to catch gears while shifting gears and wouldn't shift down. While coasting the vehicle would remain at the same RPM's and wouldn't shift down.

- Smithville, OH, USA

problem #575

Oct 192015

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. Ever since the vehicle was initially purchased, there was a safety concern with the clutch. The contact stated that the clutch assembly shuttered and affected the condition of the vehicle. Years later, the dealer (pat milliken Ford, 9600 telegraph rd, redford charter twp, mi 48239, (313) 731-6436) repaired the vehicle per an unknown recall. Months later, the failure recurred. In addition, after completing an unknown manufacturer recall concerning the door locks, the horn, key fob, and electronic locks failed to function. The contact was not experiencing the electrical failures prior to the dealer's repairs. The contact was concerned that the recall remedy caused multiple electrical failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #574

Apr 032017

Focus

  • 83,000 miles
This car excelarated on my wife jumped a curb and she ended up on a steep embankment in a pile of landscaping rocks.knocked a hole in oilpan and damaged airconditioner and compressor.it also jumps out of gear going down the highway.happened 2 times the vehicle wason the highway and jumped out of gear, you have to come to a compleete stop turn engine off restart and put it back in gear

- Plainview, AR, USA

problem #573

Aug 012013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 69,573 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a power shift dual clutch automatic transmission, which allowed the computer to shift the transmission. The contact noticed that the vehicle would hesitate and shutter whenever he attempted to accelerate to highway speeds. While driving approximately 62 mph, the vehicle suddenly failed to drive forward. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate forward. The contact had to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the coccia Ford Lincoln dealer (577 E main St. Lilkes-barre, pa 18702; 570-823-8888). The dealer stated that the clutch, tcm, and shields failing was a common issue with the vehicle; however, there was no repair just replacements of parts. The vehicle was repaired approximately five times, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact had not received a response. The approximate failure mileage was 69,573. Updated 10/2/2017

- Harveys Lake, PA, USA

problem #572

Sep 082017

Focus

  • 73,000 miles
I was driving home on the I- 5 san diego, ca and my car completely lost power. The check engine light started flashing. After I turned the car off for about five minutes, I drove it once again and it seemed to be normal and the check engine light was no longer flashing. Then, after a week it happened again, the car died on the highway.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #571

Mar 152017

Focus

  • 97,000 miles
My vehicle is having an issue with the clutch. It has been called as a clutch shudder issue by Ford. The vehicle does shake as accelerating from going through gears. I have contacted the dealership and Ford Motor Co. But they refuse to offer any resolution due to the vehicle going over 100,000 miles by 300 miles. The vehicle was bought used with approx 96,000 miles.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #570

May 022016

Focus

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after refueling the vehicle, and the transmission slipped. The vehicle was taken to chuck stevens Ford (1304 us-31, bay minnette, al 36507) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to jim cook Ford (located at 620 troy road, elba, Alabama) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Andalusia, AL, USA

problem #569

May 052017

Focus

  • miles
Car cannot accelerate or decelerate properly. The car has had three clutches and two transmission control modules, and still exhibits the same dangerous characteristics. It hesitates on take off, will accelerate in the wrong direction (go forward in reverse and vice versa). The rpms will randomly shoot up to 4 or 5K while driving, or you can loose speed without warning. I have had the power to the car fail while driving with no warning on a city street. It is especially bad on hills and at stop signs/lights. It shakes and shudders at low speeds. Has been to dealer almost a dozen times, all under "warranty" for a flawed transmission design.

- Andalusia, AL, USA

problem #568

Aug 012016

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
Clutch in transmission was replaced 3 times by Ford dealerships under the 36K mile warranty. Car still has the same shuttering and jerking transmission while accelerating problem it originally had.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #567

Aug 062017

Focus

  • 90,124 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard a clicking noise but the vehicle failed to start. The contact had the battery checked and found no issues. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the tcm needed to be replaced and stated that the vehicle needed to be taken to a Ford dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the ray price dealer in mt pocono, Ford (2971 pa-940, mt pocono, pa 18344 (570) 839-1111) where it was diagnosed that the pins and latch fractured and the tcm needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the failure, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 90,124.

- Deposit, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?