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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:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,630 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #210

Jan 152020

Focus

  • 100,886 miles

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

2013 Focus hatch with manual transmission. Bought the vehicle with 69K miles, currently has just over 100K. Great vehicle, very happy with it for the most part. Haven't had any issues since purchase. Ford recall number 16C13 for the reprogramming of the body control module to require 2 presses of the trunk release to open the hatch on manual transmission vehicles has been reported as completed on my vehicle in January of 2017. However my vehicle still only requires one press of the button to open the hatch. Something that I have done inadvertently several times while driving when attempting to turn on the fog lamps. I contacted the dealer that reportedly completed the recall (sioux falls Ford Lincoln, sioux falls, South Dakota), and Ford. Both of whom told me the recall has been completed and there's nothing they can do about it without bringing the vehicle in and paying for a service. I replaced the battery in the vehicle shortly after buying it. Not sure if the body control module lost the programming, or if the recall was never completed. At any rate it doesn't affect the overall performance of the vehicle, have not experienced any issues with the hatch coming open while driving, only unlatching. I have not looked any further into the issue than this, just wanted to put my experience out there.

- Freeman, SD, USA

problem #209

Oct 222018

Focus

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to coggin Ford jacksonville located at 9650 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225, phone number: 904-747-8996, to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, contact was unaware as to what was repaired. The vehicle was subjected to NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #208

Aug 142018

Focus

  • miles
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 #207

Oct 202019

Focus

  • 90,000 miles

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

With no cause or warning, the instrument panel notified me that "hill assist is unavailable". also, when stationary, there appears to be no power steering when attempting to turn left. This problem stops when rolling forward or reverse. After moving, the problem does not reoccur (stop signs, stop lights, etc). It does, however, occur again when the ignition is turned off, then back on. Both of these problems began at the same time.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #206

Aug 122019

Focus

  • 108,990 miles
All dash lights such as traction control is off steering assist turns off etc all appear on the dash and the car usually stalls and various messages pop up such as engine fault service now and transmission fault service now this has been an on and off problem and it will come and go which means my car is at risk at stalling at any moment while driving and went to numerous repair shops and even went to a Ford dealer to fix a recall and still the problems remains there my vehicle stopped in a the middle of the road numerous times leaving me stranded I even lost my job because of my car and after doing some research my guess is that is has to be either the wiring harness or the BCM or possibly both because everytime the vehicle losses power and turns back on I usually hook up a scan tool and see the codes and the code that always pops up or it declared as permanent is "loss communication with tcm/PCM" I forgot the number the code is associated with but that was the description of the code

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #205

Oct 102019

Focus

  • 141,000 miles
My battery unexpectedly died. Upon further diagnostics my battery is charge and is fine. Car code reader indicates tcm power level low. My vehicle was stationary in a parking lot where I recieved a jump.

- Morehead, KY, USA

problem #204

Sep 262019

Focus

  • 90,000 miles

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

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 #203

Sep 192019

Focus

  • 101,000 miles
The car, started jerking really hard. It was not shifting well, then not at all, it slung me into traffic even with my brakes pressed. The car began to just idle almost as if in neutral then it said warning transmission hot

- Jacksboro, TN, USA

problem #202

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 #201

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 #200

Aug 012019

Focus

  • 64,000 miles

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

Vehicle transmission stuttering while driving. Ac is out. Multiple electric issues

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #199

Nov 212014

Focus

  • 47,065 miles
Vehicle hesitates, shakes, and shudders while moving forward and stopping. It feels as though the car is driving over rumble strips. Stalled completely in an intersection.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #198

Feb 032013

Focus

  • miles
Car would not start would not go forward or go in reverse had in Ford dealership 16 times still had issues also car rusted in least then a year had it in dealership 4 times still having issues with transmission and rusting. Transmission sitting or moving city or highway or turning dealership was Suburban Ford on 59 road in waterford, Michigan

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #197

Jul 292019

Focus

  • 117,402 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. Also, when the fuel tank was filled, the fuel gauge did not display the correct amount of fuel and the mileage was incorrect. The contact also stated that the shape of the fuel tank appeared unusual. Furthermore, the contact stated that the vehicle did not immediately start when it was cranked. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was taken to reynolds Ford of okc (833-821-8065, located at 7320 nw expy, Oklahoma city, ok 73132) where the software system was updated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and confirmed that the recall repair was to update the software system. The failure mileage was 117,402.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #196

Nov 122018

Focus

  • 115,000 miles
Hello I'm writing this complaint regarding two things. My transmission & my radio. First my transmission has been took to a Ford dealership locate in Michigan to have an diagnostic ran on it and it was noted by the dealership that my car has two field actions on it which both have to do with the faulty transmission which happens to hesitate to take off and also jerks when I accelerate. This has been going on since this vehicle has been in my grandmothers possession. Now it has gotten worse to the point where it now drags and there is some slipping when it shifts. The second complaint I have is that my radio recently began to start to static and pop. And now for two weeks my radio have not been able to turn on, the only thing that displays is the time clock, date & temperature. I haven't gotten any audio from the vehicle. I've replaced the fuses for the radio and it still isn't playing any audio. And I currently do not have time or money to put into this vehicle any more.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #195

Jul 112019

Focus 4-cyl

  • 52,269 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 10 mph and/or making turns, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. Additionally, the air conditioner and radio turned on by themselves without warning. The vehicle was taken to arlington heights Ford (801 w dundee rd, arlington heights, il 60004, (888) 481-8607), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 52,269.

- Des Plaines, IL, USA

problem #194

Jun 192018

Focus

  • 53,054 miles
While driving at highway speed, my vehicle stopped completely. There was no power whatsoever. I was able to coast on to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle would not start. I called for vehicle assistance. After waiting several hours, the driver was not able to jump start the vehicle. It was towed to my regular mechanic. He was unable to determine the problem. One of his mechanics said that Ford had a warranty on the main computer. So I contacted the dealer, parkway Ford in winston salem, nc. Ford roadside assistance picked up the vehicle and took it to parkway. It was determined that the main computer had failed and drained my battery completely. The computer was replaced. This was not a comfortable or safe situation to be stranded on the shoulder of a major highway for several hours on a very hot day.

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

problem #193

Jun 102015

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
I own a 2013 Ford Focus hatchback that has transmission and clutch issues. It's been recalled once and replaced. But still has the same issue. When start to putting gas on the pedal the van stuffers and skips gears until it reaches 3rd gear. This is making it hard to drive and gain speed. It ultimately needs to be replaced again. But Ford won't replace again for another 2500$. it's a known issue that they know of but won't replace more than once. I also can't trade in my vehicle because it's worth 93% less than value. The car has other known recalls that needs to be fixed.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #192

Apr 012017

Focus

  • 20,391 miles
Brakes are erratic, often feels as if car may not brake in time then shudders on acceleration, slips, jerks, hesitates, suffers delayed accelerstion, delays in downshifting. Stalled just after turning at an intersection, engine simply did not switch on. Electrical circuit drained battery. Inaccurate fuel gauge indication / distance to empty, high fuel consumption.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #191

Mar 152019

Focus

  • 12,000 miles
Vehicle has repeatedly had transmission issues coming in a variety of forms. At times I will be unable to accelerate, with my pedal to the floor, while the car seems to 'coast' and with no explanation. Other times I have had the vehicle's alert lights come on with a warning the transmission has overheated and to pull over 'immediately.' This is difficult to do when on a 55 mph zone or on the highway; the inability to accelerate has led to multiple incidences pulling into traffic or attempting to merge where vehicles have had to swerve or stop because I am in their way. In daily driving, there is a constant shudder that makes me believe the vehicle will fail at any moment. This vehicle was the daily driver of my wife and we were forced to lease another vehicle because she did not feel safe. It has been in for a multitude of repairs and requires more. However, no dealership is able to schedule an appointment or provide a loaner, even though it is supposed to be a covered repair. I exceeded my warranty to have it entirely covered simply because no dealer could schedule me. The problems began in 2013 and have persisted since, to this date. The most recent safety-related matter occurred on a winding two lane road a month ago where there was nowhere to pull over safely and the car threatened to shut down due to the transmission overheating

- Waterford, MI, USA

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