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, Vehicle speed control, Dec 18, 2014
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR A VERY SHORT TIME AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INTERACTIONS WHERE THE SHIFTING (AND GRINDING) WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO MAKE A HALTING/SHUDDER AFTER ACCELERATING. AT THIS TIME IT FELT AS IF I WERE GOING TO GET HIT BY ANOTHER CAR DUE TO HOW ABRUPT THE WHOLE THING WAS. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD A LOT. THEY DON'T SEEM TO CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUES I HAVE PROPOSED WHICH IS WHY I AM HERE. I LIVE IN ALASKA BUT PURCHASED THE CAR FROM ASTRO FORD IN MISSISSIPPI. I AM MILITARY AND NOW HAVE TO DRIVE THIS THING BACK HOME. THANKS FOR LISTENING TO MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 17, 2014
WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND AT IDLE SUCH AS AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE SHAKES AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE CAR HESITATES AND DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE AND FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. ONCE SPEED IS UP TO ABOUT 10-15MPH ACCELERATION IS FINE WITH NO VIBRATION OR SHAKES. THIS ISSUE CAN BE VERY SERIOUS WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. SOMETHING IS WRONG AND IS UNSAFE. *TR
Power train, Dec 14, 2014
AS MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE MENTIONED, MY FORD FOCUS HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I DO THE BEST I CAN TO PLAY WITH THE GAS PEDAL, TRYING TO FIND A SWEET SPOT SO THE CAR BEHAVES BUT IT'S PRETTY IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR IS GREAT ON THE HIGHWAY BUT FOR STOP AND GO DRIVING IT IS AWFUL. I'M NOT SURE I CAN KEEP THE CAR WITH SUCH A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL FOCUS MODELS, BUT I WILL TALK TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR PEOPLE THIS WEEK AND LET THEM KNOW I HAVE FILED THIS COMPLAINT AND THAT I EXPECT THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Dec 13, 2014
FIRST THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2013. THEN AROUND 10,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED TO JERK SHUDDER AND SLIP OUT OF GEAR. . THE CAR JERKS AT STOP AND GO SPEEDS AND WHEN BAKING SLOWLY OUT OUR DRIVEWAY. THE CAR ALSO MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. LASTLY WHEN RIDING THE BREAKS AT STOP LIGHTS IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS GRINDING. FORD REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THEIR. THE TWO DEALERSHIPS SAID EVERYTHING WOULD BE CORRECTED WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED BUT IT HAS NOT. THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL BECAUSE IT IS A AUTOMATIC MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHY WOULD YOU SELL A CAR THAT PERFORMS LIKE A 30 YEAR OLD PIECE OF JUNK. *TR
Power train, Dec 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 9, 2014
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IT WAS RAINING, AS I PULLED OFF THE LIGHT, THE CAR BEGAN SPUTTERING AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH. I MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH CRITICAL ENGINE FAULT, AND A FEW OTHERS, THE CAR STALLED AND I SAT THERE FOR ABOUT 30 MINS. I MANAGED TO GET HOME THAT DAY AND AFTER SITTING FOR 24 HOURS, IT RAN FINE AGAIN.THIS MORNING (DEC.9TH2014) RAINING AGAIN, I PULLED INTO MY PARKING LOT AND THE CAR BEGAN SPUTTERING AND WHEN I PLACED IT IN PARK, ANOTHER CRITICAL ENGINE FAULT APPEARED, I HAVE READ ABOUT 100 OTHER CASES DESCRIBING THE SAME SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 26, 2014
WAS IN THE FAR LEFT HAND LANE ON I-15 IN THE MIRA LOMA, CA AREA GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, AS TRAFFIC STARTED TO CLEAR I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO INCREASE SPEED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 20 MPH. I PULLED OFF TO THE LEFT HAND SHOULDER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IN ADDITION, THE CAR CONSTANTLY "SHUDDERS" AT LOW SPEEDS TO WHICH FORD HAS ADVISED ME IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Nov 19, 2014
SUDDEN STUTTERING POWER LOSS WHEN MAKING A TURN NEARLY CAUSED A REAR AND HEAD-ON COLLISION. LACK OF ACCELERATION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS LEFT VEHICLE IMMOBILE. CONSTANT SHUDDERING UNDER DIFFERENT LOADS OF ACCELERATION WITH NO PASSENGERS, MULTIPLE PASSENGERS, ON DIFFERENT ROAD GRADES AND CONDITIONS OCCURS. LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN VEHICLE TO MANEUVER SAFELY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Nov 17, 2014
GRINDING/RATTLING NOISE AND HEAVY SHUDDERING/SHAKING/LURCHING OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS. NOT NORMAL SOUNDS. I DROVE MANUAL VEHICLES FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS OCCURRENCE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FIRST LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR A RECALL (THAT THIS SITE DOESN'T NOTE, FOR SOME REASON, BUT FORD DOES FIND). I HAVE NEVER ONCE (2 MONTHS TIME) GOTTEN OVER 31 MPG EITHER. THIS WAS PURCHASED AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE, AND FOR IT TO RARELY GET 30 MPG IS SAD, CONSIDERING MY DRIVING AN 8 YEAR OLD, 175K MILE COROLLA MEANT GETTING UPWARDS OF 34 MPG CONSISTENTLY. HAVE MADE 2 PAYMENTS ON THE CAR AND WISHING I HAD NEVER BOUGHT IT. *TR
Power train, Nov 16, 2014
BOUGHT THE CAR ON 11/06/13, NOTICED HESITATION WHEN I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP. BROUGHT THE CAR IN 12/04/13 TO HAVE THE BUCKING CHECKED. THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK FOUND AND FIXED, AND HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED. SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IT IN ON 07/28/14 WITH THE BUCKING AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, BUT THE BUCKING STOPPED AFTER I GOT IT BACK. THIRD TIME IN WAS 10/08/14. I WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PARK IT, THE CAR ACCELERATED, THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS TO BACK IT UP, HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT BACK ON ITS PARKING SPOT. HAD THE CAR TOWED THE FOLLOWING MORNING, TOW TRUCK DRIVER STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT UP ON THE RAMP WITH NO PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR THE MECHANICS SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY FOUND WRONG THAT NEEDED FIXING. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VOLUME IN THE CAR KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN. THEN THE 80MPH WARNING PROGRAM WAS TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. THE CAR IS STILL BUCKING AND THE BRAKES NOW SEEM TO FEEL SLIPPERY. *TR
Power train, Nov 10, 2014
HOWEVER IT DOES TAKE 1000 MILES FOR IT TO LEARN HOW YOU DRIVE, WELL WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YRS NOW AND IT IS STILL LEARNING, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE, FROM THE BEGINNING OF PURCHASING THIS CAR WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT, WE HAVE HAD PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ISSUES CAUSING AIR BAG PROBLEMS, IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS, WE HAVE NOTICED THAT SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD SHIFTING ISSUES ALONG WITH SHUDDERING AND HESITATION PROBLEMS, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THERE WAS A TSB TO BRING THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE COMPUTER RE-PROGRAMMED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD IF WE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM TO CONTACT THEM AND LET THEM KNOW, WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR ONE DAY AND WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION FIXING TO CROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC IT WAS CLEAR WE WENT TO PULL OUT THE CAR HESITATED COULDN'T FIND THE RIGHT GEAR TO GO INTO AND SUDDENLY SURGED INTO TRAFFIC, I THEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STARTED ASKING IF I HAVE EVER DRIVEN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEFORE, MIND YOU THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY AN AUTOMATIC "MANUAL" AS THEY CALL IT AND IS CONTROLLED BY COMPUTER AND THAT IT WILL ACT AS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE ADVISOR FROM WAS VERY CONDESCENDING STATING IF I KNEW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT I WOULD UNDERSTAND, AND THAT I CAN BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE THAT HE COULD "CARE LESS" WHETHER OR NOT I BROUGHT IT BACK IN OR NOT THAT HE GOT PAID EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT IN, I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE DEALER PRINCIPAL ABOUT THIS AND STATED ABOUT IT BEING VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, I THEN PROCEEDED TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, NO HELP WAS PROVIDED HERE, THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE......MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Nov 7, 2014
MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 31K MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 7 TIMES IN THE 2 YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED IT WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. AT LOW SPEEDS IT SHAKES/SHUDDERS/RATTLES/HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I UNDERSTAND IT'S A MANUAL TRANSMISSION BUT I DON'T BELIEVE FOR A SECOND THAT THE MANUFACTURERS INTENDED FOR THE CAR TO BEHAVE THIS WAY. IT HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP TO A POINT WHERE IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL STALL. I NO LONGER MAKE LEFTS BEFORE ONCOMING TRAFFIC FOR FEAR THAT IT WILL STALL COMPLETELY. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED AND THE CAR HAS BEEN "REPROGRAMMED" COUNTLESS TIMES, ALWAYS WITH THE SAME RESULT: AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE PROBLEMS RETURN AND IT ONLY GETS WORSE AS THE CAR GETS OLDER. I AM TRULY STARTING TO HATE THIS CAR AND REGRET EVER EVEN GIVING FORD A CHANCE. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Nov 6, 2014
THE CAR STARTED EXPERIENCING VERY ROUGH SHIFTING PROBLEMS AFTER THE IT REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND IT STILL EXPERIENCING SHIFTING ISSUES, HESITATION, SURGING, SHUDDERING, VIBRATING. THE ONLY TIME THE TRANSMISSION IS SMOOTH IS WHEN THE CAR IS AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND IS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR SO THAT I COULD HAND IT DOWN TO MY DAUGHTER. I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH THESE ISSUES. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER TO OPERATE. *TR
Power train, Nov 5, 2014
AFTER OWNING MY 2013 FOCUS SE HATCH FOR 20 MONTHS I FINALLY BIT THE BULLET, PAID OFF MY LEASE EARLY, TURNED IT IN AND WALKED AWAY. THE CAR IS NOW ONLY WORTH $10,500 (50% OF ORIGINAL VALUE) SO THAT TELLS YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE REPUTATION OF THIS CAR IS DOING TO ITS VALUE. WHAT A SHAME BECAUSE IT TRUELY IS A GREAT CAR - EXCEPT FOR ITS TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT IN 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 20 MONTHS TO 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND EACH TIME ITS DEEMED "NORMAL" OR THE TRANSMISSION IS "REPROGRAMMED WITH THE LATEST UPDATE" BUT THE SHUTTERING, NOISE, HESITATION, ETC CONTINUES. THE LAST STRAW WAS ONCE AGAIN AT IN INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING LEFT THE CAR HESITATED AND I WAS ALMOST T-BONED AGAIN (SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS). COMPLAINING TO FORD GOT ME "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 14M01: AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! SO THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW TO VOTE IS WITH MY WALLET AND SO AFTER OVER 20 YEARS OF FORDS I BOUGHT A 2015 HONDA ACCORD LX. THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE ACCORD IS SO SMOOTH IT'S ALMOST LIKE DRIVING AN ELECTRIC CAR. I'LL TAKE MY HONDA MADE IN O-H-I-O OVER THE FORD MADE IN MEXICO ANY DAY! GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS TO ALL THE OTHER FORD FOCUS OWNERS OUT THERE. I HOPE THIS NEVER GETS TO THE POINT OF A FATALITY BUT UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT OPTIMISTIC. *TR
Power train, Engine, Nov 4, 2014
THERE IS AN OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR FROM A STOP IT SHUDDERS AND NEARLY STALLS. THIS IS A CONSTANT EVERY DAY ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RECALL FORD IS NOT ALLOWING THE DEALERSHIPS TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGHT THERE ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ACROSS THE BOARD WITH THE 2013 MODEL OF THE FOCUS AND THE FIESTA. I WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT WITH AN OFFICIAL RECALL THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO STALL OUT ON THE ROAD OR BE THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT IN ORDER FOR THE ISSUE TO BE FIXED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 4, 2014
TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER RESTARTED, CAR DROVE IN LOWER GEAR, THEN WENT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD. PULLED OVER ONCE AGAIN. RESTARTED, THEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. AGAIN WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN INTO LOWER GEAR ABLE TO LIMP CAR INTO NEAREST DEALER. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY CARS TO BE ISOLATED. FORD NEEDS TO OWN THE BAD DESIGN. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS DURING ACCELERATING AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO FIR THE PAST 18 MONTHS. THE ISSUE HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. *TR
Power train, Oct 29, 2014
VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR DURING TURN IN AN INTERSECTION. ENGINE REVS BUT TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR, THEN IT FORCEFULLY ENGAGED INTO GEAR. VEHICLE REPEATEDLY AND FORCEFULLY ENGAGES GEAR AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSING TO IT JERK FORWARD ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. TRANSMISSION HAS CONTINUOUS CHATTER DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION. *TR
Power train, Oct 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROGRAM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 12/09/14*LJ UPDATED 05/11/2015 *JS
Power train, Oct 28, 2014
TRANSMISSION LURCHES ON ACCELERATION SHUDDERS AND SHAKES. *TR
Power train, Oct 27, 2014
NO REVERSE ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND LOUD NOISES WHEN ON DRIVE POSITION. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 27, 2014
WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2013, THE CAR WOULD JERK AND SHAKE WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP AND WAS ALSO VERY LOUD. I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL. I TOOK IT BACK A FEW MONTHS LATER BECAUSE I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT WAS NORMAL. THEY FIXED IT. BUT NOW IT'S STARTING TO SHAKE AGAIN. IN JUNE 2014 THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING O FOR A FEW DAYS. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY CLAIM THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON IN JULY, THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON IN SEPTEMBER, THEY CLAIMED YET AGAIN, NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I TOOK IT TOOK A SMALL TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY READ MY CODES AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND A PROBLEM, CLAIMING IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. EACH TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, IT WOULD STALL AND IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. EACH TIME FORD CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BE ON FOR TWO DAYS. EACH TIME I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FORD, THEY WOULD KEEP IT 2-5 DAYS... I COULDN'T GET A RENTAL CAR HALF OF THE TIME BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T ACTUALLY DO THEIR JOB UNTIL THE LAST DAY AND THEN TELL ME THAT NOTHING'S WRONG WITH MY CAR. WE ALL KNOW, YOUR WARRANTY COMPANY NEEDS TO KNOW THE PROBLEM BEFORE AUTHORIZING A RENTAL VEHICLE. THIS LAST TIME IN OCTOBER, THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FIXED IT. THEY CLAIM THAT A SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET RID OF THIS CAR! MY CAR IS STILL SHAKY. IT MAKES A KIND OF LOUD NOISE NOW AS WELL. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 21, 2014
VEHICLE BUCKED OR SHUDDERED WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR IF COASTING AND THEN GAS APPLIED. ISSUE WAS SAID TO BE FIXED AT THIS TIME 4/30/14, WHICH IT DID RUN BETTER UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9/6/14 WHEN I POINTED OUT THE SAME ISSUE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE BELL HOUSING AND IT WAS DRIPPING ON THE CLUTCH CAUSING THE SHUDDERING. ON 9/16/14 IT WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE FOR REPAIR. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING SOME SHUDDERING, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE WHEN GOING SLOW BUT ALSO AT TIMES GOING FORWARD. NOT SATISFIED THAT IT IS COMPLETELY FIXED, BUT FORD HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS/ 100,000 MILES. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE GARAGE IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Oct 20, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR STARTED TO BEHAVE ERRATICALLY ONCE WE HAD ~2500 MILES. IT WAS MAKING HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISES WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. IT WAS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS (UP/DOWN/UP/DOWN) WHILE ASCENDING HILLS LIKE IT COULDN'T DECIDE WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. IT SEEMED TO HAVE LOST POWER SUCH THAT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT RESULTING IN AN EXPECTED INCREASE IN SPEED. IT STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS OCCASIONALLY WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL, IMMEDIATELY AFTER REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE BREAK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHILE COMING TO A STOP. OCCASIONALLY IT IS UNABLE TO FIND THE APPROPRIATE GEAR, OR STAYS IN A GEAR WELL AFTER IT SHOULD HAVE SHIFTED TO A HIGHER GEAR. IT OFTEN SHUDDERS, OFTEN TO A POINT THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IN GENERAL, WE DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR BETWEEN THE RANDOM LURCHES/JUMPS AND THE RANDOM LACK OF POWER/RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE. *TR
Power train, Oct 20, 2014
VEHICLE SHUDDERS, JERKS, SHAKES UPON LAUNCH. ALSO WHEN GOING UPHILL VEHICLE JERKS (SIMILAR TO HOW A STANDARD ENGINE WOULD JERK WHEN TAKING OFF IN THE WRONG GEAR). ALSO WHEN PARKING, VEHICLE "JUMPS" INTO PARK AFTER CAR AFTER ENGINE IS OFF OR FOOT IS TAKEN OFF BRAKE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM??? *TR