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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.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$380
Average Mileage:
38,700 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. reset the computer (2 reports)
  3. "sticky" purge valve" new cable (1 reports)
  4. replacing the fuel seal (1 reports)
2013 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #6

Oct 012018

Focus SE 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,084 miles

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

The car is a lemon. The car won't start or turn over. The transmission is not working properly. Before all this the dam radio system completely stopped working.

- Levester L., Los Angeles, US

problem #5

Oct 012015

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

Transmission went out. Dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. Had car towed to Fritz Ford. The put in a new transmission control mount. Said it was ready. Turned in rental. Tried to pick it up. When I got there, "check engine" light was still on. (And they couldn't catch that?) Got the manager. He took the car to the bay and they hooked it up to the computer. He said the light went OFF. He brought the car back. Got in the car and the light was STILL on. Had to go back to the rental place. Got the same rental car back. (Heck, it had only been about an hour.) The dealer called today and said the car had a "sticky purge valve" and that they needed to order the cable. Now I won't get my car back for 4 more days. Had my Honda for 13 years with NO ISSUES. Get this car, and have all of these problems within a year. Pain in the ass.

- jezebelle9355, RIVERSIDE, US

problem #4

Oct 052015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,500 miles

My car is still grinding. I told them my check engine light is on and it is a transmission problem because my gas mileage is down and my noise is back. He tells me that the mileage has nothing to do with it and he will do ANOTHER software upload. I reminded him I just had it, he said there is another one. He calls me back to tell me gas has been leaking and they need to replace the fuel and seal. It will help with the mileage and the hesitation. He said I could talk to sales and extend my warranty. REALLY!! This is crap. I should not have problems with a new car. It is only 4000 miles out of warranty and I believe many of this was while I was in warranty but not fixed.

- dntstaley, Brandon, FL, US

problem #3

Jan 062015

Focus ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

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

I had just exited off the expressway, when the car started to hesitate late at night. The engine light came on and I was able to drive it home with the engine hesitation. I had it towed the following morning.

- Thelma H., Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #2

Sep 272013

Focus LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

We rented a 2013 Ford Focus on our recent trip to CA. We were going to an LA Dodger game, and if you have ever been to one, you will know the line to get into the stadium can be extremely long and there is quite a hill. We were in bumper to bumper traffic for close to an hour trying to get into the stadium. We were constantly stopping and starting. About half way up the hill the check transmission light came on advising us to stop the car and let the trans cool for several minutes. This light came on several times and as we were in traffic we could not pull the car over. The car was hesitating and making extreme noise. When we finally got to the entrance to the stadium, we asked the guard if there was someplace we could pull over so the transmission could cool off. He told us that this happens to Fords ALL THE TIME!!. It was quite an ordeal and as a result I will never buy a Ford. I hope this email may help someone elese who may be considering purchasing a Ford. Years ago, before the bail out they used to say Ford was an acronymn for Found on Road Dead, or Fix or Repair Daily. I guess it is still true.

- dwebernj, Freehold, NJ, US

problem #1

Mar 072013

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,428 miles

First I want to say I love this car!!! It is very,very fun to drive and the gas mileage is awesome. My engine light came on one Thursday on my way home and the owners manuel said to get to the dealer so I took it in. Since the shop was closed a salesman came out with a hand held diagonistic machine. He said it was reading as a transmission problem and that I need to bring it back on Sat. They called me Friday and said they were booked Saturday and to bring in Monday. He said the worst thing that could happen was I will need to call a tow truck if it goes out. That was my first sign of trouble. I must say I was not impressed with this salesman. He asked me who sold me this car and told me that salesman is not there anymore. Like that had anything to do with my warrenty. They did not want to supply me with another car and they were questioning whether or not this was covered under warrenty. I had only made 2 payments on this car. Needless to say after my husband called up there they agreed to get me a rental car. It took 1.5 days to get it back. I was told all they had to do was reset the computer. I pick it up tonight and I hope it is ok. If not - I will be back on this site.

- Judy A., Drummonds, TN, US

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