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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 23 of 51)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #573

Aug 012013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 69,573 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

problem #566

Jul 142016

Focus

  • 58,125 miles
The powershift transmission is junk. This car has left my daughter on the side of the road several times. There is a class action lawsuit against Ford for this problem. Unfortunately it protects the first owner more than the used car owner. The care will not go into gear at all or only in first. The check engine light comes on for overheating. Since we have had the car it has been in the shop 3 times and we have had the clutch replaced and the previous owner had the same thing happen, which we didn't know until we bought the car and it started having problems.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #565

Jul 112017

Focus

  • 87,000 miles
This car has been in the shop for 6 times and we are currently waiting on parts to fix it for the 7th time for the trans shuddering problem. It always happens when you are trying to take off form a stop. Ford has redesigned these parts atleast 4 time, even has reprogramed or flashed the computer. They have even replaced the control module in this car. They extended the warranty but when you are waiting for the part to arrive, which is 6 to 8 weeks, the miles go up. So that warranty is just giving Ford a golden parachute, so most of these cars we be over the miles and then it will be our problem. There needs to be a national recall on these cars or Ford should have to give us our money back and they can keep these cars!!

- Kenton, OH, USA

problem #564

Jul 132017

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
This vehicle exhibits transmission problems while stationary and in motion. The car has had transmission service at four Ford service centers for seven visits. While moving, the car has lost power, failed or missed shifts, shut down the vehicle at highway speeds and shown various dash warnings concerning transmission issues such as overheating. While stationary, the car sometimes does not start, will not go into park or displays warnings that the transmission is not ready. Incidents have happened at all speeds and from a stopped position. There have been hundreds of incidence since purchasing the car. The last event was 7/13/17 and the car would not move at all.

- Bunnlevel, NC, USA

problem #563

Jul 082015

Focus

  • 32,000 miles

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

The transmission would not go into gear while I was in dangerous traffic. The transmission stopped functioning with no warning whatsoever. It scares me to know this could happen at any time, during any driving condition. Yet it is what I own. I thought the car had an automatic transmission when I purchased it. I was wrong it is an automated manual. This occurred around 32K mileage. The dealer fixed it, but would refused a repair receipt when requested. I was lucky I was on a city street when the incident occurred. Had I known, I would never have purchased with my labor.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #562

Jun 202017

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
Transmission/dual clutch has been replaced. Going in for a second assessment. Car shutters severely during acceleration and has a delay. This is a safety issue, as the car does not accelerate as intended when changing lanes, merging onto interstate, etc. This problem occurs while the vehicle goes from a stationary position to in motion.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #561

Nov 112016

Focus

  • miles
Vehicle hesitates to go after coming to a stop. It jerks shudders and doesn't feel like it has enough power to move the vehicle after it stops.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #560

Jul 102017

Focus

  • 66,558 miles
At 19,459 miles, car hesitates and sputters while pulling out from a stopped position. Dealer attempted a fix: (faulty clutches) at 38,712 miles, same problem...same attempt at a fix. (faulty clutches) at 57,662, same problem...dealer replaced "clutches". on July 9,2017 at 66,558, car stopped on the street while being driven, would not go in to gear at all. The problem escalated from difficulty pulling out into traffic to car stopping in traffic. I have invoices for "repairs" to clutches. Vehicle towed to dealer. Faulty clutches ?

- Dauphin, PA, USA

problem #559

Jul 162014

Focus

  • 17,000 miles
My 2013 Ford Focus has a bad transmission shudder that happens mostly when starting out from a dead stop and the transmission is shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. At times it shudders and shakes so bad when starting out the vehicle will actually delay and stop moving momentarily while the transmission is shaking and shuddering. It is very dangerous when this happens while crossing a hwy or trying to go through a busy intersection and the vehicle stops moving and just sits there and shakes for a second or two. The last time this happened it scared my wife so bad she now refuses to drive the vehicle anymore and doesnt really care to ride in it anymore even when I'm driving. Had it to the dealer about 5 or 6 times for this problem and they replaced the clutches in the transmission once and re flashed the computer a number of times and while that did help for a short time after these repairs it always starts shuddering again. Ford says this is normal for the transmission to shudder and shake so if its normal why doesnt it do it all the time and why did the new clutches completely take care of the shudder for about 6 months?? I would like to meet the engineer that designed this transmission and have him tell me this is normal to my face after taking him for a ride in this vehicle.

- Neenah, WI, USA

problem #558

Jul 042017

Focus

  • 94,000 miles
I was driving home going about 65 mpg in a straight line on the highway and the car lost propulsion, started decelerating. I pulled of to the side of the road as fast as possible and the car wouldn't change gears, and stalled (like what happens when you don't depress the clutch). This is the second time this happened, the first time they reprogrammed the tcm claiming that was the cause. This time they are claiming the fuel pump is the cause, though I am skeptical.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #557

Jun 122017

Focus

  • miles
I bought my car in December of 2014, certified preowned. After having the car for not even a full month, I received a call that I had a clutch that came in to their service department. I had not ordered one, nor did I know the car needed one at time of purchase. Since then I have been through 3 clutches and the fourth was just ordered Monday June 12, 2017. Every 15,000 miles the car begins to shudder and experience shifting hesitation. This is extremely unnerving, especially when it only does it when taking off from a stop or when accelerating after slowing down foe say a red light that just turned green. It doesn't make me feel safe, I've had multiple instances where this has caused near collisions when pulling out into traffic because the car essentially stalls out and I stop moving. Ford has not issued a recall for this and this is my third year experiencing these problems. I don't want to pay for something that is the manufacturers responsibility. I got a recall for something trivial, door latched, but not thw huge safety problem that is my clutch failing. The dealer also stated on a 07/16/16 invoice that this is a recall item, but I'm still paying for it. I have all prior invoices of all clutch work done

- Walpole, NH, USA

problem #556

May 312017

Focus

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle did not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal several times in order for the vehicle to move. The contact stated that the vehicle had four transmissions and three clutches replaced by moon Ford (5304 university boulevard in moon, Pennsylvania), but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #555

Jun 132017

Focus

  • 53,000 miles
Experienced clutch shuddering issue. Have had the tcm reflashed at least twice and have had the dual clutch replaced twice in less than 10K miles.

- Wethersfield, NN, USA

problem #554

Jun 012017

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to edd rogers valley Ford (located at 111 auto ln, sparga, tn 38583, (931) 738-2311) where it was diagnosed with a faulty transmission control module that needed replacement. The contact stated that the module was replaced at no cost to her. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Spart, TN, USA

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