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
Engine and engine cooling, May 8, 2013, fire
WE WERE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON 290 AT 1ST AVE.OUR VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WE CALLED THE FORD 1-800 NUMBER AND REQUESTED TOW SERVICE AND THAT AN ILLINOIS TROOPER BE CALLED. WE ALSO CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE BRAND NEW CAR. THE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED WE TRY STARTING THE CAR AGAIN. SECONDS AFTER STARTING THE CAR AGAIN, A FLAME BURST OUT OF THE FRONT HOOD. WE EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER MORE FLAMES APPEARED , FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR BECOMING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 6, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. SUDDENLY AN ERROR MESSAGE POPPED UP "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC". THEN THE CAR WAS DISABLED. THE SPEED AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED. THE SPEED DID NOT RESPOND OR INCREASE AT ALL WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SAFETY. THEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THE ERROR MESSAGE "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" POPPED UP AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED FROM 0 TO 30 MPH, THEN IT RAN CONSTANTLY AT 30 MPH. THIS TIME, THE SPEED DID NOT RESPOND AT ALL WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, WITHOUT YOU BEING ABLE TO TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE 1ST TIME. THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE 2ND TIME. I EVEN TOOK A PICTURE OF THE ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD AND SHOWN IT TO THE SERVICE ADVISER. THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN RIGHT AFTER I DROVE OFF THE DEALERSHIP. THEN, I MANAGED TO DRIVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE STILL ON AND WITH THE ISSUE OCCURRING. SERVICE WAS ABLE TO COLLECT SOME KIND OF CODE FROM THAT ERROR MESSAGE, BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR, AND TOLD ME THEY WILL CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY. IT HAS BEEN 3 DAYS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE AT ALL. THIS MORNING, I TURNED ON MY CAR AND DROVE FOR 2 MINUTES AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN! AS FOR PROOF, I WAS ABLE TO RECORD A 30 SECOND VIDEO CLIP WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON A CONSTANT SPEED OF 30 MPH WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR RANDOMLY ANYTIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING! *TR
Engine, Apr 24, 2013
THE CAR SPUTTERS AND RATTLES WHEN LETTING THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHEN IT IS AT A STAND STILL. IT FEELS AS IF IT IS TRYING TO START IN 2ND GEAR. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING INCREASINGLY WORSE. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE CAR WOULDN'T GO PAST 15 MPH. I TURNED IT OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND THE SPEED PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED. IT STILL SPUTTERS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGH.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2013
AS I PULLED OUT INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A GAS STATION, I REALIZED MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 15-20 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND PROCEEDED TO THE STOP LIGHT, WHICH WAS ABOUT A 100 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD. AT THE RED LIGHT I PLACED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 3500-4000 RPM'S. I THEN TURNED ON THE WARNING FLASHERS, AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED AT 15-20 MPH UNTIL I COULD TURN INTO A SAFE AREA ABOUT 1 MILE DOWN. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. WHEN THE DEALER RAN MY VIN# THROUGH THEIR SYSTEM, IT SHOWED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THIS VERY PROBLEM. THEY THEN REPAIRED THE CAR AND IT NOW SEEMS TO BE RUNNING OK, ALTHOUGH I DON'T FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, ESPECIALLY IF I AM IN A SITUATION LIKE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. MYSELF AND MY WIFE WERE KNOWINGLY PUT INTO A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE RISK BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WHICH I FEEL COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD BEEN A LITTLE MORE PROACTIVE IN NOTIFYING THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS OCCURRING. *TR
Power train, Engine, Apr 9, 2013
VEHICLE HAS LEAKED ENGINE OIL SINCE NEW, WHICH WAS FIRST DISCOVERED AT 500MI. ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATED CLUTCH DISCS IN AUTOMATIC TRANMISSION, WHICH RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF REAR MAIN ENGINE SEAL, TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES, ETC. WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. ATTEMPTED REPAIR TOOK PLACE AT APPROX. 7500 MI. AT 7800 MI, ENGINE OIL IS STILL LEAKING OIL, COVERING THE BOTTOM ON THE ENGINE AND POOLING ON THE UNDER-ENGINE COVER. SUSPECT NEW CLUTCH DISCS ALSO CONTAMINATED, WHICH IS CAUSING JERKY TRANSMISSION ACTION IN DRIVE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 8, 2013
NOTED JERKY MOVEMENT OF CAR DURING TURNS AND IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCELERATION. WAS MINOR AT FIRST, BUT APPEARED TO INCREASE IN DURATION AND INTENSITY WITH ADDITIONAL MILEAGE. QUALITY OF SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS VERY POOR - SURGING AND LURCHING NOTICED. SLIGHT OIL LEAK DETECTED TOWARDS FRONT END OF ENGINE AT FIRST OIL CHANGE. UNDER ENGINE COVER ALSO COATED WITH ENGINE OIL RESIDUE. TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALER FOR ABOVE COMPLAINT, WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HAD LOST OIL DUE TO LEAK AND HAD CONTAMINATED ITS CLUTCHES (EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC, IT HAS 2 CLUTCH DISCS) WHICH CAUSED ERRATIC PERFORMANCE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR. INITIAL GUESS IS DEFECTIVE REAR MAIN SEAL IS AT FAULT. CONCERN OVER DAMAGE TO ENGINE DISMISSED BY SHOP SUPERVISOR. PERSONAL CONCERN WAS THAT VOLUME OF OIL SOAKING INTO UNDER ENGINE COVER COULD BE IGNITED BY ENGINE AND CAUSE FIRE. SAFETY CONCERN OVER DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IS THAT DECREASED PERFORMANCE WOULD LEAVE VEHICLE STRANDED. COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL WOULD RESULT IN CAR STOPPING, AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE ACCIDENT, DAMAGE, FIRE, ETC. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 25, 2013
VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WITH NO WARNING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART FOR 10-15 MINUTES, THE CAR DID RE-START, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP ON 2/22. AWAITING INFORMATION FROM DEALER. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 13, 2013
I OWN A 2013 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK TITANIUM MODEL. PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY 2013. CURRENTLY HAS 1100 MILES ON IT. CAR HAS A SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT FORD HAS DUBBED "POWERSHIFT". TRANSMISSION IS VERY JITTERY AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. IT IS ALSO HESITANT TO SHIFT GEARS AND PICK UP SPEED. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THE CAR JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. FROM A STANDING STOP THE CAR WILL START TO ROLL BACK WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE AND STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR