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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:
41,136 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 4 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #193

Jun 102015

Focus

  • 80,000 miles

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

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

problem #190

Jul 092014

Focus

  • 54,000 miles

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

My transmission is great progressively worse. The judder, slipping out of gear, deceleration when I need to accelerate, and the random buckling of car is getting too horrible to ignore anymore. My dealership told me that there has been no issues with the transmission and that I was wrong. I am reading way too many of the same stories with the same car. This is getting dangerous and I am stuck with this car. When I accelerate from a stopped position, I feel as if I am riding a bucking Bronco (shuddering). The jolting and shuddering is enough to loosen my kidneys. This has always occurred on my car. But it is getting worse. But according to Ford, this is 'normal' and 'this transmission is suppose to feel like a manual.' I have driven manual transmission cars and they do not behave this way. They have made it seem like cars are suppose to drive this way now.

- West Hempstead, NY, USA

problem #189

Jun 172019

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
We had transmission clutches replaced through recall. This did not fix problem. While driving, car will start flashing transmission error, hill assist error, breaking error, etc.. then the car will stall. We have taken it to dealer 3 times now. This has happened on busy city streets and highway.

- Guymon, OK, USA

problem #188

Jul 012019

Focus

  • 170,000 miles
Transmission system on dash doesn't recognize car is in park or any changes in gear. It refuses to start (or even crank).

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #187

Dec 312013

Focus

  • 30,000 miles

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

Passenger side tail light is out (brake light bulb fault warning light is on). After several bulb changes, the brake light either does not come on or it burns out very quickly. An on-line search revealed that this is a common problem and Ford has done nothing about this safety concern. I do not know when this problem first started because it may have been a long time before someone else noticed it and alerted me. The problem is present as soon as the key is turned on.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #186

May 202019

Focus

  • 134,000 miles
One day while filling car up.. I noticed a few drops of gas on the ground afterwards. Today I wanted to add $8 to my gas tank. The moment I started pumping the gas started coming out. I tried a few times to continue but I kept coming out.

- Brookhaven, MS, USA

problem #185

May 022019

Focus

  • 63,000 miles
Since ive purchased my Ford Focus back in 2013 I have taken the car back to Ford dealership on numerous occasions in relation to the faulty transmission and electrical issues. On my 5th attempt my transmission was replaced. This was around the end of 2017 to 2018. On May 2nd 2019 I was driving to work and as soon as I turned on the car the windsheild wipers started to go off and for some reason I could not turn them off. Once I arrived onto my work campus I turned the cornee to park my car... when all of a sudden my car flashed an error message on my dash stating the following, " transmission failure repair now". I calmly parked the car and within seconds of turning off the car I see smoke and then flames from the bottom of my engine hood. I quickly exited the car abd the flames got bigger and bigger. The fire department was called and the had to smash the back window due to the flames that had over taken the front of the car. Unfortunetly my car is not a total loss. I was at the end of my contract agreement with Ford and inly having to pay 6400 left on my loan. Ive called their customer service to complain and see what can be done and was told I would get a letter in 2 weeks by their legal council. This has caused me to delay my entry into nursing school since now I have to work to handle the car the new car I just had to buy. I need transportation for work and Ford took that from me. Ive now seeked out a lawyer to see what can be done. With all the times I asked for help and I ended up seeing my car go up in smoke. Im just so thankful I was able to get out iof the car in time. But believe me im still shaken and this has caused me to never buy Ford again.

- Thousand Palms, CA, USA

problem #184

Apr 282019

Focus

  • 163,498 miles
Radio will cut out and then sound like wires are sizzling and wont play.the vehicle is in motion.and even when its turned of the sizzling sound is still there.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #183

Apr 152019

Focus

  • 120,000 miles

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

My stereo has decided to terrorize me with loud popping, crackling, and white noise. In the beginning my stereo would make a loud pop and then not emit any sound. The display would work, and I could change the stations, inputs, and volume, but no noise would come out of the speakers. I would simply turn the car off and back on and the problem would be resolved. Since, this gremlin has transformed into a creature off a "predator" movie. Now when I start my car, the music may play for a couple seconds and then the loud popping takes over. Whether the volume is on "1" or "10" the noise is just as loud and startling. I would simply turn off the power to the stereo, but this did not seem to alleviate anything. Although not as consistent, the noise seems to intermittently come even if the car is turned off and the key not in the ignition. As stated, this noise is very loud and startling. It startled me enough that I accidentally jerked the wheel out of reflex while driving down the highway yesterday. Music is a luxury, but having the crap scared out of you by your own car while driving is a giant safety issue!!

- Burnsville, MN, USA

problem #182

Apr 032019

Focus

  • miles
The transmission has been slipping badly but warranty is only 100K miles and car has 105K so Ford dealer says I have to pay repairs. This is a know issue. Dashboard display is damage and shows no information - millage - and can not pass emission testing since can not determine millage. Dealer want $800. Vehicle just shut-off in middle of driving - very scary - disconnect and connect battery and worked but scary and dangerous. All these three issues -transmission, display & shutting off- should be a recall because car can not be use.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #181

Mar 192019

Focus

  • miles
Less than 24 hrs ago I started Focus and the dashboard that tells me how much fuel, and how fast I'm going didn't work pulled over turned it off and back on and is still not working. Went to change fuses and that didn't fix the issue. Talked to local repair shop who has seen the issue and says it control module and that the piece is connected to security system and that something would have to be rebuilt. Called Ford home office 800 number and was no help.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #180

Mar 132019

Focus

  • 87,000 miles
Ford dealer in melbourne, Florida refuses to perform recall work. Took the car in--it failed inspection. The manager refused to order parts or work on the vehicle and told me the mechanic was on vacation. I went back again to have the other recall items worked on, the manager said it was still a "no go, " and I'd have to wait two months to get my unsafe car looked at...

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #179

Mar 162018

Focus

  • 65,000 miles
Transmission has never worked correctly, brought into Ford to have recall of part of transmission repaired. Never shifted correctly into next gear, sometimes jerked and sputtered and makes grinding noise and was told that it was because engine was 4 cylinder. Early in 2018, electrical system shut down. Dash lights of defrost, door lock no longer worked. Trunk stopped opening, radio stopped working and all that was heard was loud static sporadically with or without radio being on, and dome lights no longer worked either. Brought into Ford dealer and was told car needed new clutch (due to transmission never working correctly) and was no longer covered under warranty. Was told the electrical system failures were due to battery, which was replaced outside of dealer with no fix to problems at all. Was told need to replace radio which was no longer any good, car less than 5 years old at this time and that the trunk latch needed to be replaced. Was told none of the issues on the car were covered under warranty. Also received information in 2016 for class action law suit regarding my vehicle due to transmission issues.

- Maplewood, MN, USA

problem #178

Mar 062019

Focus

  • 40,000 miles
Instrument panel went out, unable to tell how fast your going or if lights are on, or blinkers. Unable to determine mileage of vehicle

- Universal City, TX, USA

problem #177

Feb 262019

Focus

  • miles
2013 Ford Focus SE. The dealership will not perform the recall.--my vehicle is subject to multiple items, according to the VIN report. I don't know what to do...

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #176

Dec 312018

Focus

  • 35,000 miles
Car is driven in moderate raining conditions in va. Suddenly while maneuvering in a walmart parking lot a fault 'engine faul service car now' showed up on the dashboard screen. Didn't feel anything different at first and continued driving back home. About 2 miles later in the middle of route 28 the car lost acceleration and completely stalled in the middle of the highway. Was able to maneuver it on the shoulder before car completely stopped. Restarted engine but same error showed up and car only moved a meter before stalling again. Had it towed to Ford chantilly va. Dealer called a few days later and stated it's a 800usd repair on a electrical harness issue. It is the same electrical harness recall that Ford released but only for the Ford Focus St models and not SE. This is the 2nd time this year that I've brought the car back to the dealer for major performance issues. The first one is covered by the transmission PCM recall. For a 2013 model that is barely being used (car has only 35K mileage) this is unaccepatable. Btw car also has an issue on the driver side power window (doesn't go down) but I have not requested them to fix them yet.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #175

Dec 282018

Focus

  • miles
Well have had nothing but problems with this car, but here is the latest. I was driving and the car started making noises and then it sputted like going to die out, and get really rough driving. I parked the car got to work, and when leaving it would not start. Battery is new, so not that. After about 4 tries it started up, this was wed. Then Friday, and on way home the engine light came on, as well as had issue starting. I just received this letter today, how odd and confirmed that there is a problem and not my imagination. I have grandchildren that I pick up from school and day care, and will not subject them to this unsafe car. Also, last week the gas gauge just went to 50 and it binged to let me know, I drove to the gas station nearby, and I rolled in.. now see that gauge is also or could be wrong..I am bringing it in and hoping you put me in a rental until this is fixed!~

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #174

Dec 012018

Focus

  • miles
The vehicle sound system, radio, is making a loud popping noise, even when the radio is off and the radio is not working. My mother, owner of the vehicle is 79. This loud popping noise, is startling, which causes her to panic, which in my opinion is a safety factor. I've read on the internet that this is happening to many Ford models including hers. The Ford dealer states it is $105 just for them to trouble shoot. I've read also on the internet that dealers fix one component of the sound system, which works for a little while, then the issue returns, only to replace another component and on and on. My 79 year old mother does not have that kind of money, and will be sucked dry, if this happens to her. So our delima is to not do anything because of money, and take the chance on her having an accident cause of the startleing effect, which turns into panic, and possible an accident. We feel this is a safety issue. And would appreciate a resolution. Once again the popping noise comes from the radio system, the radio does not work and the sound happens when the radio is on or off. This issue has been going on for almost a month.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

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