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: power train
1,102 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Sep 13, 2019
VEHICLE JERKS AND SHUDDERS ON ACCELERATION FROM STOPS. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES AND LACKS POWER AT TIMES. IT ALSO OVERHEARS AND LEAKS COOLANT.
Power train, Sep 13, 2019
I RECENTLY RECEIVED ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE AN ALL THEY WOULD DO IS DIAGNOSE, BUT NOT FIX COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME. I AM HAVING A CHALLENGING TIME DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY YET THEY TOLD ME IT'S OPERATING AS DESIGNED.
Power train, Sep 11, 2019
STILL HAVE LACK OF POWER WITH INTERMITTENT SHUDDERING. HAVE TROUBLE TAKING OFF FROM A STANDSTILL AND ON FREEWAY.
Power train, Sep 11, 2019
AT THIS POINT I REFUSE TO DRIVE MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY. THE SHUDDERING AND JERKING ONLY GET WORSE WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP.
Power train, Sep 9, 2019
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS UPON ACCELERATION, SPUTTERS INTO GEARS AND DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY. IT ALSO SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING AT ABOUT 20MPH
Power train, Sep 9, 2019
THE VEHICLE IS SHORT SHIFTING AND MISSING GEARS WHEN AT A STOPLIGHT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS HOT, THERE ARE MORE ISSUES. THERE IS A LOT OF JERKING AND TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN TAKING OFF; FEELS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO.
Power train, Sep 9, 2019
MY FOCUS IS STILL JITTERING AND SHUTTERING AT TAKE OFF. IT LACKS POWER AND DOESN'T ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD.
Power train, Engine, Sep 9, 2019
THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND MAKES NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN ACCELERATING AT AROUND 15MPH, THE VEHICLE BOGS DOWN AND LACKS POWER. ENGINE OIL LEAKS ALSO.
Power train, Sep 9, 2019
SHUTTERING, RATTLING AND CLUNKING WHEN ENGAGING THE GEARS. VEHICLE WILL JERK WHEN ACCELERATING LIKE IT WILL STALL OUT. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL JUST NOT START.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Sep 6, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS, SHUDDERS EXCESSIVELY AND LACKS POWER GOING UPHILL.
Power train, Sep 6, 2019
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, JERKS AND MAKES RATTLES ESPECIALLY ON ACCELERATION
Power train, Sep 5, 2019
NEEDS ANOTHER CLUTCH REPLACEMENT AND TCM STILL SHUDDERING.
Power train, Sep 2, 2019
PRIOR TO INCIDENT, VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDER ON TAKE-OFFS. INCIDENT INVOLVED VEHICLE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF A LARGE METRO AREA WHEN ALL POWER TO WHEELS WAS LOST. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. ENGINE WOULD REV WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, BUT CAR ACTED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. CAR COASTED TO A STOP. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL UNTIL AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) HAD FAILED AND A NEW TCM WAS INSTALLED AND CAR NOW WORKS MOST OF THE TIME, BUT INTERMITTENT SHUDDER ON TAKE OFF STILL OCCURS, THOUGH LESS FREQUENTLY THAN BEFORE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Aug 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WRAY FORD (2851 BENTON RD, BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111, (318) 686-7300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM SOFTWARE CRASHED AND NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED PER THE RECALL DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS 23983015. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Power train, Aug 28, 2019
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE IN USE. TRANSMISSION WILL LAG, HARD SHIFT, VEHICLE WILL GET "STUCK" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND SHUDDER GOING AROUND SLOW TURNS OR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IN TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATION LAG AS WELL AS SHE SHUDDERING ARE DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLES BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND AS WELL WHEN SHUDDERING. FORD INSISTS THAT ALL VEHICLE PARTS ARE OPERATING CORRECTLY. IF THAT IS THE CASE, FORD HAS DESIGNED AN INCREDIBLY UNSAFE VEHICLE.
Power train, Aug 27, 2019
TRANSMISSION MAKES A METAL TYPE NOISE CONSISTENTLY AND SURGES WHEN WARM. THERE IS A RANDOM CLICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.
Power train, Aug 22, 2019
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS IN EXCESS ON TAKE- OFF, WHEN COMING OFF A STOP AND JUMPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN DRIVING.
Power train, Aug 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SHUDDERED WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED A FEW TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO CRANE FORD (4601 COLONEL GLEN PLAZA DRIVE, LITTLE ROCK, AK 72210) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN PART WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Power train, Aug 19, 2019
JUST PICKED UP YESTERDAY AFTER 4TH TRANSMISSION VISIT. CAR WAS HARD SHIFTING IN LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND LUNGE. WON'T DRIVE DISTANCE OR ON FREEWAY ONLY GOOD FOR LOCAL SMALL ROUTES.
Power train, Aug 18, 2019
BOLT SHEARED OFF IN THE TRANSMISSION WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT & BE UNABLE TO GO INTO ANY GEAR, GATES FOR THE GEARS SEEMED TO BE GONE AS SHIFTER KNOB COULD MOVE FREELY AROUND. IT DID RE-START ONCE, JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, THEN IMMEDIATELY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. GOT THE BOLT REPLACED WITH A FORD BOLT, IT SHEARED OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING DOWNTOWN WITHIN 4 DAYS, HAD IT REPLACED AND BOLTED THROUGH A 2ND TIME, AND IT SHEARED OFF YET AGAIN WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, 2 OF THE THREE TIMES THIS HAPPENED CAR WAS ABOVE 30MPH, ONE TIME I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 15MPH. CAR IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONAL & FORD HAS STATED THUS FAR, THEIR SUGGESTION IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A TEMPORARY FIX, AS EVERYONE ELSE WHO I KNOW/HAVE LOOKED UP THAT'S HAD THIS DONE ONLY GETS THE VEHICLE WORKING FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPS WORKING AGAIN WHEN THE BOLT SHEARS OFF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR THE 2012-2016 FORD FOCUS, THOUGH I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S JUST MANUAL OR BOTH MANUAL & AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
Power train, Aug 16, 2019
DAILY DRIVER AFTER MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS STILL SHUDDERING EVERY TIME, JERKY TRANSMISSION HESITATES WITH LACK OF POWER.
Power train, Aug 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF PARK, THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND FAILED TO FUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUNTINGTON BEACH FORD (18255 BEACH BLVD, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648, 714-842-6611) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DUAL CLUTCH SYSTEM INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE ACTUATORS, BOTH CLUTCHES, THE ENGAGEMENT BEARING, AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A WARRANTY EXTENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,906.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 15, 2019
VEHICLE HESITATES, SHAKES, AND SHUDDERS WHILE MOVING FORWARD AND STOPPING. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE CAR IS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. STALLED COMPLETELY IN AN INTERSECTION.
Power train, Aug 15, 2019
HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AND GRINDING SOUND; TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACK; CLUTCH HAS EXCESSIVE SHUDDERING AT LOW SPEED. VEHICLE WILL NOT START
Power train, Aug 15, 2019
CAR STILL SHUDDERING INTERMITTENTLY, IN ALL SCENARIOS.