2013 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 2,112 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 49 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 28 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, evaporative emissions, canisterJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJun 8, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Campaign 20V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJul 5, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
Campaign 19V515000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 22, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Campaign 18V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hatchback/liftgate, lockSep 28, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
Campaign 16V698000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchSep 6, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Campaign 16V643000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringDec 2, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.
Campaign 15V813000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringAug 11, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.
Campaign 14V495000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingAug 1, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.
Campaign 13V335000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkagesMar 7, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.
The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 13V085000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentOct 2, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not by Ford. Certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame.
Without proper contact of the rooftop rack clip to the door frame, there is insufficient clamping pressure and friction. The system may slide off the vehicle when loaded with accessories, possibly becoming a road hazard to other vehicles or causing injury to pedestrians.
Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focus. The safety recall began on October 15, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the vehicle rack system are affected. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not Ford. Owners may contact Yakima at 1-888-925-4621.
Campaign 12E035000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
358 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 8, 2013
FOR A FEW MONTHS PRIOR I HAD NOTICED A SHUTTERING STUTTERING TYPE FEELING WHEN COASTING OR AT AT STOP, ALMOST LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING TO STALL. ON 9/13 I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC GOING UP A HILL INTO A DODGER GAME WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN A WARNING POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN INFORMING ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD OVERHEATED AND I NEEDED TO PULL OVER, STOP THE CAR AND WAIT FOR 8 MINUTES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO PULL OVER THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE, THEN IT STARTED DOING LARGE LURCHES FORWARD. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC AND MOVE THE CAR TO SAFETY WITHOUT FURTHER ENDANGERING MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, AND THE OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. THE SMELL WAS SO BAD I ACTUALLY GOT OUT OF THE CAR AT ONE POINT THINKING IT MIGHT EXPLODE. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AS I TRIED TO GET TO SAFETY. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THE NEXT MORNING AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK. I GOT IT BACK AND COULD TELL THERE WAS STILL SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE THE SHAKING WAS NOW SO BAD I WOULD GET MOTION SICK ANYTIME THE CAR WAS AT A STOP. 5 DAYS AFTER PICKING IT UP I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. AGAIN, THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK. AFTER PICKING IT UP, THREE DAYS LATER I WAS AGAIN PULLING INTO DODGER STADIUM AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. TRANSMISSION OVER HEATED, LURCHING AS I TRY TO PULL OVER TO SAFETY AND A TERRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. THE CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN, BUT I FEEL THAT MY SAFETY IS THREATENED AND I DO NOT WANT THIS CAR BACK. IN 23 DAYS, THE CAR HAS HAD TO GO INTO THE SHOP 3 TIMES, FOR A TOTAL OF 15 DAYS SO FAR. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 7, 2013
WHEN DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS, I OFTEN FEEL MY 2013 FORD FOCUS STALL OR JERK. OFTEN TIMES THERE ARE GLITCHES IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF LOCKS AND ALSO IN THE RADIO. THE DOOR WILL STAY LOCKED AFTER HITTING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE INSIDE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON, UNLESS I TURN OFF AND RE-TURN ON THE CAR. AS FOR THE STALLING, IT OFTEN STALLS WHEN GOING ANYWHERE FROM 30-65 MPH. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 3, 2013
THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. TOOK TO DEALER WITH PROBLEM ABOUT 1,000 MILES. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT HAS A PROBLEM AND SAID THEY NEEDED TO KEEP IT OVERNIGHT. THEN I FIND OUT ALL THEY DID IS RESET THE COMPUTER. THAT DID NOT WORK AND NOW AT 7,000 MILES THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. ENGINE HESITATES AND SLIPS WHEN STARTING ACCELERATE AND IS WORSE AROUND 30 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTTERS, RATTLES AND JUMPS LIKE I AM RIDING ON A HORSE. HOW CAN FORD SELL A CAR THAT HAS A MAJOR FLAW LIKE THIS? I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO DO SOMETHING? I JUST WASTED MY MONEY. I EXPECT TO GET A GOOD CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS BUT I GET A NEW PIECE OF TRASH. HOW CAN I GET THE CAR FIXED OR MY MONEY BACK? *TR
Engine, Sep 25, 2013
WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR FROM FIRST TO SECOND, A VERY LOUD BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD. CHECKED ONLINE FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM ON JUNE 10, 2013. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF MY PROBLEM AND THE TSB. WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WOULD ORDER PARTS. HAD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO DRIVE THE CAR AND LEAVE IT AN ENTIRE DAY. WENT BACK JULY 18, 2013. DEALER HAD A TECH DRIVE THE CAR, AND YES, THERE WAS A PROBLEM. PARTS ORDERED. AFTER WAITING WEEKS, WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER ON PARTS. AFTER HITTING 3000 MILES, STARTED TO HAVE SEVERE STEERING ISSUES. WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND OR THIRD UNDER ACCELERATION, THE WOULD ALMOST MAKE A RIGHT TURN. AND THEN WHEN ACCELERATING IN SECOND AND THIRD, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE SO BAD I HAD TO HANG ON FOR DEAR LIFE. BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY MADE A CALL TO FORD ENGINEERING WHO SAID THAT NEW MOUNTS WOULD FIX THE STEERING ISSUES. IN AUGUST, I STARTED CALLING HEATHER AT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. EXPLAINED ABOUT THE BACKORDER AND MY STEERING ISSUES. TOLD HER I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. SHE SAID SHE WOULD TRY TO EXPEDITE THE PARTS. AFTER WEEKS OF NO RESULTS, TALKED TO HER ABOUT ME BUYING AFTERMARKET MOUNTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. SHE SAID FORD WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE ANYTHING BUT FORD PARTS. I SAID THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE IF FORD WOULD COME UP WITH THE PARTS. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT PARTS MIGHT BE HERE IN OCTOBER. WORD ON THE WEB IS THAT DELIVERY WILL MOST LIKELY BE NOVEMBER OR NEXT YEAR. FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND BOUGHT MY OWN MOUNTS AT A COST OF $369. MY SAFETY IS WORTH THAT MUCH. I WILL TRY TO GET MY MONEY BACK FROM FORD, WAITED 9000 MILES FOR THEM TO FIX IT. *JS
Engine, Sep 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND JERKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND TO A MECHANIC, WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 22, 2013
THIS APPLIES TO A FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC, NOT A GASOLINE MODEL. WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN "STOP SAFELY NOW" INDICATOR APPEARED. VEHICLE SLOWED AND CAME TO STOP WITHIN A FEW SECONDS WHILE STILL IN TRAFFIC LANES. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND SWITCHED THE SYSTEM OFF, THEN ON AGAIN. IT STARTED NORMALLY AND DROVE NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WHILE I WENT HOME. THERE IS NO APPARENT VALID REASON FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP ITSELF. UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CHECKING REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED REPEATED OCCURANCES OF THIS PROBLEM. WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS MODERATE (70 TO 75 DEGREES F). THIS IS A NEW CAR (TWO WEEKS OLD, APPROXIMATELY 1350 MILES) WHILE I DON'T SUGGEST THAT THE FOLLOWING ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, I LIST THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE UNUSUAL FOR ME AND THIS MAY BE HELPFUL TO REVIEWERS LOOKING FOR COMMON CIRCUMSTANCES: 1. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN GIVEN A LEVEL 1 (120 VOLT) CHARGE EARLIER IN THE DAY, BRINGING THE STATE OF CHARGE FROM APPROXIMATELY 60% TO 70%. THIS IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE I USUALLY USE LEVEL 2 (240 VOLT) CHARGING. 2, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SWITCHED "ON" WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BUT WITHOUT DRIVING ANYWHERE. THE PROBLEM OCCURED SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES. 3, NO OTHER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES WERE NOTED. CAR DROVE NORMALLY BEFORE AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 21, 2013
CAR:2013 FORD FOCUS EV. NOTICED "STOP SAFELY NOW" LIGHT ON AT STOP LIGHT JUST AFTER EXITING FREEWAY OFF WINCHESTER RD IN TEMECULA, CA. WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO GET ONTO WINCHETER ROAD TRAVELING WEST GOING DOWN HILL AND NERVOUSLY COASTED DOWN HILL NOTICING THE STEERING BECOMING DIFFICULT. THANKFULLY THE LEFT TURN LIGHT WAS GREEN SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST THRU THE INTERSECTION AND GET ON JEFFERSON ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE FIRST AVAILABLE PARKING LOT OFF OF JEFFERSON ROAD - POLLO LOCO PARKING LOT AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. CALL HUSBAND TO COME GET ME. HE TURNED VEHICLE ON WITHOUT INCIDENT AND DROVE IT HOME WITH OUT ISSUE. WORKING WITH DEALER FOR NEXT STEPS. CALL FRITTS FORD AS I TALKED TO DANIEL IN SERVICE AND HE REPORTED THAT ANOTHER FOCUS EV OWNER JUST REPORTED TEH SAME ISSUE AND WAS ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY, 21.SEPT. THIS PROBLEM IS PERHAPS MUCH BIGGER THAN WE THINK?! FYI: DEALERSHIP = FRITTS FORD, RIVERSIDE, CA CAR PURCHASED ON SUNDAY, 15.SEPT.2013. OWED THE CAR FOR 6 DAYS.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 20, 2013
THIS IS FOR THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD GOING APPROX 50 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER AND HAD NO ACCELERATION A MESSAGE CAME ON THE DISPLAY THAT SAID STOP SAFELY NOW IN RED WITH A EXCLAMATION POINT INSIDE A TRIANGLE AT THAT POINT I WAS A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AS THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN AS I WAS TRYING TO MERGE TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP AND I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE AND TRIED TO RESTART AND IT WOULD NOT, I TRIED A SECOND TIME AND IT FINALLY CAME UP READY TO GO. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE TO THE SERVICE DEPT IN THE MORNING. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 20, 2013
TRAVELING AT APPROX. 35 M.P.H. ON COUNTY ROAD, PULL OVER SAFELY LIGHT CAME ON, UNABLE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY DUE TO TRAFFIC, TRAVELED A SHORT DISTANCE IN ATTEMPT TO FIND A SHOULDER TO PULL ONTO, CAR DIED IN A CURVE. NO POWER AT ALL. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 19, 2013
THIS IS REGARDING FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC VEHICLE 2013 MODEL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. WHILE DRIVING IT SUDDENLY BEEPS AND DISPLAYS MESSAGE "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND CAR JUST STALLS AND STOPS RUNNING. QUITE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT I GOT BACK THE VEHICLE, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT IS AGAIN IN THE SERVICE CENTER OF FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS OR WHAT IS THE FIX. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ASAP AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 16, 2013
I WAS COMING BACK FROM SCHOOL TO MY HOUSE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ASKING ME TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I DID THAT, THE CAR STALLED. I FREAKED OUT, AND CALLED MY DAD. HE SAID NOT TO WORRY AS IT HAD HAPPENED TO HIM IN HIS FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC TOO. HE ASKED ME TO WAIT FOR TWO MINUTES AND THEN RESTART THE ENGINE. I DID THAT, THE CAR WAS FINE THEN. PLEASE TALK TO MY DAD IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. HIS CONTACT INFORMATION IS LISTED BELOW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 16, 2013
I LEASE TWO FORD FOCUSES; ONE FOR ME AND ONE FOR MY DAUGHTER (UNDER MY WIFE'S OWNERSHIP). THE CAR HAS STALLED ON ME TWICE AND ONCE ON MY DAUGHTER. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT SPEED OF 35 MILES PER HOUR IN JUNE 2013 AND THE SECOND TIME AT LESS THAN 2 MILES HOUR IN AUGUST 2013. THE FIRST TIME, IT ASKED ME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND STALLED. I PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE CAR, LOOKED AT THE WHEELS THINKING THAT IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED DUE TO LOW AIR, HOWEVER, NOTHING. I SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED AFTER TWO MINUTES, IT STARTED JUST FINE. THAT IS UNTIL THE SECOND TIME WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED AT THE CORNER OF 11TH AND J STREET IN SACRAMENTO, CA. I GOT OUT OF THE CITY GARAGE MADE A RIGHT TURN ON 11TH TO MAKE A LEFT ON J STREET. AT THE LIGHT, IT JUST SHUT DOWN WITH THE WARNING WITHOUT ABILITY TO PULL OVER. I HAD TO WAIVE THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TO GO AROUND. I COULD NOT DO MUCH. SAME THING, AFTER TWO MINUTES, THE CAR RESTARTED. AT BOTH TIMES, THE CAR WAS FULLY CHARGED. SIMILARLY, THIS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER, WHO FREAKED OUT AND SHE CALLED ME. I TOLD HER IT MAY BE GLITCH AS IT HAD HAPPENED TO ME THE FIRST TIME AROUND. SHE PULLED OVER, PARKED, WAITED FOR TWO MINUTES, RESTARTED AND SO FAR HER CAR IS FINE. WHOM SHOULD I REPORT THIS TO? THE FIRST TIME, IT GAVE ME TIME TO PULL OVER, HOWEVER, THE SECOND TIME, IT JUST SHUT DOWN. I THOUGHT FORD KNEW ABOUT IT THUS DID NOT REPORT. PLEASE HELP ME REPORT THIS. I LOVE THE CAR AS THERE IS NO MORE GAS STATION TRIPS, HOWEVER, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 9, 2013
TRIED TO TELL DEALERSHIP ABOUT STUTTERING OF CAR WHEN IT IS SHIFTING, RESPONSE WAS NOT ENOUGH MILES ON IT, NOTHING WAS CHECKED OUT. ALSO CALLED DEALERSHIP AGAIN ABOUT THE STUTTERING, HAD THE FEELING THEY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY. OIL CHANGE AT 5000 MILES, WAS ASKED ABOUT HOW I LIKED THE NEW STANDARD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WAS NOT IMPRESSED, WAS TAKEN OUT ON THE ROAD, HAD A LOUD SCREECH IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, WAS TOLD SOMETIMES A SOMETHING GETS LOOSE AND AIR GETS UNDER IT AND IT SCREECHES**.2ND OIL CHANGE, HAD ENOUGH OF THE RUN AROUND, MADE SOME NOISE AND GOT THE CAR CHECKED OUT ON A COMPUTER, LOW AND BEHOLD, THEY FOUND A BAD CLUTCH, THEY ARE REPLACING IT AT NO COST TO ME, PROBLEM IS I DON'T WANT THIS CAR ANYMORE, I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, & I FEEL IT IS A " LARGE RED LEMON "& I WANT IT REPLACED WITH A GOOD DEPENDABLE NEW CAR, I DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE. THANK YOU, WOULD LIKE TO THINK THIS WOULD HELP MY CAUSE. *TR
Engine, Sep 5, 2013
I HAVE A FORD FOCUS EV 2013. TWICE THE CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND THE MESSAGE APPEARS ASKING YOU TO PULL OVER AND STOP. THIS IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. FURTHER, THE SYNC SOFTWARE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE GPS SHOWS WRONG LOCATION, INCLUDING THAT THE CAR IS AT THE MICHIGAN ASSEMBLY PLANT, CLOCK SHOWS WRONG TIME, PHONE DOES NOT CONNECT OR WILL NOT DISCONNECT AND THE REAR CAMERA PICTURE SHOWS WHILE DRIVING FORWARD. *JB
Power train, Engine, Sep 4, 2013
VEHICLE GRINDS GEARS FREQUENTLY. FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VEHICLE WILL SHAKE, LOOSE POWER AND ALMOST STALL BEFORE ENGINE REGAINS POWER AND SHIFTS TO GO FORWARD. TAKEN TO FORD 4 TIMES. THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL AND JUST NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN. AT ONE VISIT, THEY GAVE ME A 2 PAGE HANDOUT ON HOW DUAL CLUTCH ENGINE WORKS, AS IF THAT JUSTIFIES THE PERFORMANCE. THEY FINALLY REPLACED CLUTCH WHICH HELPED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE ORIGINAL PROBLEMS RETURNED. NOW, ON A GOOD DAY, THE CAR JUST GRINDS IN 3RD GEAR. MEANWHILE, FORD DOES NOTHING, SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *JB
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 28, 2013
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR NEW 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC HOME FROM SCHOOL AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE STARTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT BEFORE SHE COULD GET SAFELY TO THE CURB, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS 'STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT CARS BREAK DOWN BUT COMPLETELY DISABLING THE CAR IN THIS WAY COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS CRASH. *TT
Engine, Aug 28, 2013
I WENT AND TRADED IN MY MUSTANG FOR SOMETHING WITH BETTER GAS MILEAGE WHICH ENDED UP BEING A 2013 FORD FOCUS (MANUAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE FIRST ONE I GOT WAS IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR GRINDING NOISES WHEN IT TRIED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY BARELY HAD IT A DAY AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE SECOND THROUGH THE REST OF THE TIMES I HAD IT OUT THERE THEY JUST REBOOTED THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT IS FINE AND WILL BE FINE. NOT EVEN TWO DAYS LATER I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD GET THE CAR TO MOVE. I BARELY MADE 3 PAYMENTS ON THAT CAR. I KEPT TELLING THEM THIS WAS A LEMON AND THEY WOULDN'T TAKE IT BACK. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LADY I TALKED TO SAID "WELL MY SONS FOCUS HASN'T BEEN GIVING HIM ANY TROUBLE. THAT MADE ME REALLY PISSY. I TOLD THE LADY I DIDN'T CARE ABOUT HER SONS CAR YOU SHOULD FIX MINE. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANOTHER FOCUS THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE "MANUAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION" AND THEY DID SO I GOT THAT ONE INSTEAD OF THE PIECE OF CRAP I HAD. NOW I HAVE NOT EVEN MADE A SINGLE PAYMENT ON THIS NEW CAR AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THIS IS NORMAL. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FOCUS OR FORD AGAIN. I DON'T CARE WHAT KIND OF FORD IT IS. *TT
Power train, Engine, Jul 17, 2013
"STOP SAFELY NOW" INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. AT A STOP LIGHT APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER IN FRONT OF INTERSECTION. THIS IS AN ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLE. I PLACED TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO POWER CYCLE CAR WITH NO SUCCESS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES. ONCE I OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR, THE CAR WAS THEN ABLE TO POWER BACK ON. THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING DID NOT REAPPEAR. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 26, 2013
TRAVELING ON A ROAD. STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. WHEN THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE CAR SHOWED AN ERROR OF "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND REFUSED TO MOVE. THE CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED AROUND THE CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE VEHICLES TRIED TO PASS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2013
DRIVING ON FREEWAY, STOP SAFELY NOW TRIANGLE SHOWS UP....CAR COMPLETELY POWERS DOWN. PULL TO SIDE, HAVE TO WAIT 45 MINUTES TO DRIVE AGAIN. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 11, 2013
WHILE AGGRESSIVELY SHIFTING FROM 1-2 AND EVEN SOMETIMES 2-3 THERE IS A HARD THUMPING BANG THAT OCCURS WHEN SHIFTING OVER 3K...MULTIPLE FORD OWNERS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATE THAT THE PROBLEM DEPENDS ON THE BUILD DATE OF THE VEHICLE...SUPPOSEDLY STATING ITS THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT. UPON READING INTO THE PROBLEM FORD ISN'T SURE IF THE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT A RECALL OR NOT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Jun 10, 2013
MY PERFORMANCE CONCERN STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. I HAD REPORTED WHAT I PERCEIVED AS A PERFORMANCE ISSUE TO THE DEALER BUT OPTED TO GIVE A NEW CAR TIME TO "BREAK IN". 4 WEEKS INTO MY OWNER EXPERIENCE, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HELD AND DROVE THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND HAD DETERMINED THAT A TRANSMISSION COMPONENT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING. I NOW HAVE OVER 10K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS SINCE TOLD ME THAT THE ROUGH IDLE IN PARK OR IN GEAR WITH BRAKE APPLIED IS THE RESULT OF THE "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY USED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE HESITATION EXPERIENCED DURING 0 TO >0 ACCELERATION (GRADUAL OR HARD) IS ALSO THE RESULT OF THE "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY COUPLED WITH ELECTRONIC CLUTCH TECHNOLOGY USED IN PLACE OF A TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS COMBINATION HAS YIELDED NUMEROUS "ALMOST STALLED" CONDITIONS DURING NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS INCLUDING ACCELERATION DURING THE COMPLETION OF A LEFT TURN CROSSING ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC. I RAISE THIS CONCERN AS I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION OF F150 VEHICLES WITH "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE FORD FOCUS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY GOAL IS TO RAISE AWARENESS TO A SIMILAR CONDITION FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER UTILIZING THE SAME TECHNOLOGY. I ALSO HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE ([XXX]) THAT IS LEASED AND HAS THE SAME PERFORMANCE ISSUE DESCRIBED ABOVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 29, 2013
I PURCHASED THE 2013 FORD FOCUS BRAND NEW ON 2-09-13. CAR BARELY HAS 1800 MILES ON IT. WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN A SCHOOL ZONE TO 15MPH, I NOTICED THE CAR SEEMED TO LOSE POWER, AND FEEL SHAKY. ONCE PAST THE SCHOOL ZONE I ACCELERATED TO 20MPH AND CAR SHIFTED ROUGHLY INTO GEAR WITH A BUMPING NOISE. I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER RESTARTING CAR INITIALLY SEEMED FINE. EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN IN SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT. THIS TIME HOWEVER THE ORANGE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE AN OUTLINE OF THE ENGINE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL. I STOPPED THE CAR AGAIN. WHEN RESTARTING THE LIGHT WENT OUT BUT REAPPEARED ON THE 2 MILE DRIVE HOME FROM THE STORE. CAR ALSO SEEMED TO LOSE POWER AND NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I NEEDED IT TO. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP 1ST THING AND WAS TOLD IT'S MOST LIKELY A SENSOR ISSUE AND VERY MINOR BUT I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND TOOK THE CAR IN. THE DEALERSHIP RAN COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS AND SERVICE MGR. CAME IN AND TOLD ME 2 ERROR CODES SHOWED UP OF TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION/ AND POSSIBLE FAILURE! A BRAND NEW CAR!!! THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ON BOARD COMPUTER, ETC.. BUT DEALERSHIP CAN'T REPAIR MY CAR AT THIS TIME BECAUSE A SPECIALIST THEY DON'T HAVE ON STAFF NEEDS TO BE CALLED IN. SO I HAVE AN UN SAFE, UNRELIABLE NEW CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. 15 CALLS TO DEALERSHIP AND TO FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS NUMBER AND I CAN'T EVEN GET AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE CAR LOOKED AT FURTHER TO DETERMINE HOW DEFECTIVE IT IS!!! WHAT A LEMON! NO MATTER HOW THIS IS RESOLVED, WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH FORD AGAIN. THEY SEEM UNCONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES THIS DEFECT IS CAUSING AND THEY HAVE THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 18, 2013
VEHICLE HAS HAD OIL LEAKING INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT SINCE PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2012. AT 3000 MILES, REAR ENGINE SEAL REPLACED - LEAKS CONTINUED. REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL REPLACED AGAIN AT 8000 MILES - ENGINE COMPARTMENT LEAKS CONTINUED. AFTER TWO MORE VISITS TO DEALER AND TWO ADDITIONAL TRIP TO DIFFERENT DEALERS, THIRD SERVICE DEPT. CLAIMS THAT TRANSMISSION IS SOURCE OF LEAK, NOT ENGINE. IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 11,250 MILES WITH INSUFFICIENT TRANSMISSION LUBRICANT - GREAT CAUSE FOR CONCERN. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 13, 2013
VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. (2) FORD DEALERSHIPS HAVE ATTEMPTED REPAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES TO STOP ENGINE OIL LEAK(S), ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. WAS UNDER VEHICLE ON 5/12/13 AND NOTICED THERE IS STILL ENGINE OIL LEAKING FROM AREA AROUND ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. DEFECT ALLOWING ENGINE TO RUN WITHOUT OPTIMAL AMOUNT OF OIL, LEAKING OIL CREATES FUEL FOR POTENTIAL FIRE, USED ENGINE OIL IS KNOWN CARCINOGEN, WHICH IS BEING DEPOSITED WITHIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALLOWED ACCESS TO PASSENGER CABIN. *TR