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:
7 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 2
Average Mileage:
43,231 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.
Transmission is overheating; light comes on while in stop and go traffic. The car shifts harshly, makes gurgling noises, hesitates and jerks. Roaring and clunking coming from engine when starting the vehicle and when vehicle is running.
2013 Ford Focus jerks while accelerating, was told recall was for extended warranty only via kindle Ford. Also the trunk no longer opens, but beeps when car is on saying the trunk is open. Was told this was a recall in 2017 that was fixed before we purchased the vehicle, but now it's up to us to pay for it.
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
Transmission stop working in middle of busy intersection during rush hour. I was turning left, car was stationary waiting for traffic to pass. Thankful I think it quit in neutral although dashboard was black & gear shift would not lock into any gear; could be pushed into corner business parking lot. It was fixed but never completely better nor did I feel completely safe. I had 2 clutch replacements, which were also fixed & paid by them. Ford dealer replace some recall on side doors, but never fixed the recall on fuel tank, never informed that they ever got part in as letter stated.
- Duluth, MN, USA
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I was driving down the road and my car battery light came on and I lost power to my gas and brake system... before this every time I put gas into it....it acts like going to stale
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road where it idled, but did not engage in any gear. The vehicle was towed to dave sinclair Ford (7466 S lindbergh blvd, St louis, mo 63125) where it was determined that the clutch failed and needed replacement. The contact also mentioned that the clutch had to be replaced twelve times since the vehicle was purchased in 2015. The mechanic also mentioned that there was an oil leak in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Dps6 transmission shudder and slipping issue. Vehicle has been serviced under multiple owners and had the clutches replaced as well as the software re-flashed. Ford dealer stated they are aware of the issue told me they would get it fixed under the extended warranty offered by Ford. I was charged for a re-flash I was never called to authorized, that has not fixed the shuddering issue. I was almost in an accident when the card decided to not shift going through a stop light and the vehicle behind me almost rear ended me. I contacted Ford and the service manager stated "you need to drive it more aggressively". Ford opened a case to review the poor service and they have never contacted me again.
Since I bought the car new in 2013, it has hesitated and shuddered badly, especially when beginning to move from a stop and when shifting from first to second gear. People who ride in the car always ask me what's wrong with it. I have taken it back to the Ford dealer repeatedly, but the service manager has always claimed he doesn't feel anything out of the ordinary. He says it's just the automatic transmission shifting gears. Once I got so exasperated I took it back and took the service manager for a ride in it myself. It shuddered and hesitated badly during the entire ride. He still claimed he couldn't feel anything unusual. Twice when I have been driving it, the car has shifted itself from drive into neutral and the vehicle has coasted to a stop, totally without power. When I took it back to the dealer after these occurrences, the service manager has said that it is simply impossible for a car to shift itself from drive into neutral. I have responded that it very clearly is possible for a car to shift itself from drive into neutral, because the car he sold me has done it twice now when I have been driving it. The last time we spoke, I pointed out to the service manager that his dealership sold me a car I can't drive on the freeway for fear of losing power doing 70 miles an hour with a large truck right behind me and being run over. I also pointed out that they sold me a car that I can't in good conscience allow my wife and kids to drive. I asked him to make it right. He replied that the car is perfectly safe and that it is completely up to me if I choose not to drive it in freeway traffic, at high speeds, or let my wife and kids drive it. Clearly, Ford and its dealers have no intention of 'doing the right thing' here. I trust that NHTSA finally will.
I purchased my brand new 2013 Ford Focus, from the dealer in may of 2013. I took it back a week later because it was "clunky" when accelerating. The Ford dealership told me "the car just needs to learn how you drive, we will reset the computer". since then I have had it "reset" 4 times and am on my 3rd clutch repair. Last week while braking my car decided to accelerate instead. This is the 4th time in a year, one resulting in a bumper on bumper accident with minimal damage. I dont feel safe driving my car, I commute two hours a day. Ford should be ashamed of themselves! if the I had been told back in 2013 when I purchased that there was an issue I would have traded that car the first week.
"takata recall" initially the car started shaking and making terrible noises. After parking it, the car would not go into reverse. It was towed to a "dealer" facility where they did some "repairs" on the transmission.....$600. The car was transferred to me and I have experienced a loss of forward power several times. After a short wait period it will start. I have been involved in an accident.....pulled onto the 4 lane one way highway and lost power....bam. The car also has the "shudder" issue while idling.. it feels like the engine will stall.
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.
Vehicle stalls erratically due to a fuel delivery issue. Leaves driver stranded with no means of starting the car. Ford is aware of the issue via NHTSA recall number: 18V735 but no solution has been implemented yet.
Along with the myriad of Ford dps6 transmission problems, and repairs over the past 4 years, I alsoy had an event that could have caused a fatality directly related to the performance of the power train and engine. While attempting to make a light acceleration for a city green traffic signal for a left 90 degree turn the car unilaterally increased the speed and RPM's. the car was moving so fast I nearly hit a tree on the opposite side of the intersection at a high rate of speed. I had to repeatedly hit the gas peddle with my foot to stop the acceleration, while maintaining directional control of the vehicle. I am still waiting for Ford to contact me about the other fuel recall issue related to this vehicle so they can address this issue as well.
I have a 2013 Ford Focus SE. I bought it used at 84K miles from a dealership in February of 2019. First time I got gas after buying the car it had trouble starting afterwards. Had that fixed and it doesn't stall but the miles to empty reads incorrectly now. Also started making a grinding sort of noise when I'm going up slight inclines. When I go from a stop light or stop sign it shudders during accelerating. I was getting onto the highway and had to stop on the entrance ramp due to road work and almost couldn't get enough power to get onto the interstate. Currently this website is saying all of my recalls have been repaired.
This Focus has gave me nothing but problems. I've had it for almost 4 years in January. And it's left me stranded numerous times multiple trips to the dealership lets not get started on how awful they are. I'm going to trade it in. Never will I buy another Ford !!
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Oakdale, CA, USA