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, Sep 5, 2013
VEHICLE STUTTERS AND GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO SHIFT SOON ENOUGH AND FREQUENTLY WILL LOSE POWER TO THE POINT OF ALMOST STALLING OUT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SO I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM IN CASE IT TAKES A COUPLE SECONDS FOR IT TO GET MOVING AGAIN. IT ALSO ROLLS BACKWARDS ON HILLS AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE KEEPS RUNNING FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER I'VE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. *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
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 3, 2013
THE CAR HAS LOCKED ME OUT THREE TIMES WHEN I HAD THE KEYS IN MY POCKET THE ELECTRICAL WENT OUT THE CAR STALLED AND I HAD TO CALL FOR HELP AND THE BLUE TOOTH WAS OUT. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED THE DEALER 25 MILES AWAY . I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE TO DEALER AND THEY PUT A NEW SD CARD IN THE CONSOLE, SAYING THE WRONG CARD WAS BEING USED. NOW, THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR A TEST DRIVE AND THEY SAID THE TIRES ARE OUT OF BALANCE AND NEVER BALANCED AT THE FACTORY. THE CAR LOOSES POWER ON STEEP HILLS AND SOME TIMES ROLLS BACK ON HILLS. THE DEALER SAYS THE TRANSMISSION WILL MEMORIZE MY DRIVING HABITS . THE TRANSMISSION TWO MONTHS LATER STILL SHUDDERS UNTIL IT WARMS UP AND HESITATES TO SHIFT T TIMES AND I FEEL THE NEED TO USE THE THROTTLE IN BETWEEN SHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSION WILL CLUNK EVERY NOW AND THE AS THE GEARS ARE OUT OF SYNC NOW, THIS CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND SEEMS TO TRY AND CORRECT ITSELF ELECTRONICALLY. THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO LOOSE ONE OR BOTH OF ITS CLUTCHES AT ANYTIME. THE CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN . AN EXAMPLE THE CAR DOWN SHIFTED ON ME AND A CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. THE DEALER KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT TELLS THE SAME STORY. THAT'S HOW A DCT IS. FORD NEEDS TO HELP THE DEALERS AND STEP UP. THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT GET AFTER FORD. THE CAR IS UNSAFE, UNRELIABLE AND NEEDS A RECALL. THE CAR HAS 3600 MILES ON IT AND RUNS LIKE 1936 FORD MANUAL SHIFT. WHAT A WASTE OF 25K, NO MORE AMERICAN CARS FOR ME. *JB
Power train, Aug 29, 2013
THIS VEHICLE SHUTTERS, JERKS AT EACH STOP. IT FEELS LIKE IT GETS NO POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. SOMETIMES ITS LIGHT SHUTTERING/JERKING, OTHER TIMES ITS VIOLENT SHUTTERING AND JERKING TO THE POINT WHERE IT JERKS SO BAD THE CAR SHUTS OFF. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEEP TELLING US ITS A "GREEN CLUTCH" AND JUST KEEP DRIVING IT TO GET IT BROKEN IN. WE DO NOT SEE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER AFTER A WEEK OF DAILY DRIVING. WE HAVE VISITED MANY SITES AND REALIZE THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED A 2012,2013 FORD FOCUS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TT
Power train, Aug 25, 2013
AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, AN ALERT CAME ON INSTRUCTING ME TO "STOP SAFELY NOW!" AND THE POWER TRAIN LOST ALL POWER. *TR
Power train, Aug 24, 2013
STOP SAFELY NOW (SSN) CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THIS CAUSED POWER TO BE CUT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY FURTHER DRIVING OF THE CAR, WHICH ONLY ALLOWED FOR COASTING TO A STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 23, 2013
THIS IS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" LIGHT CAME ON. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, BUT REALIZED I HAD NO POWER. I COASTED TO A STOP AT THE CURB. THERE WAS A HAZARD SYMBOL DISPLAYED, BUT I COULD NOT BRING UP ANY OTHER INFORMATION TO GIVE A CLUE WHAT MIGHT BE BEHIND THE PROBLEM. I NOTED THE GREEN VEHICLE SYMBOL LIGHT WAS OFF, INDICATING POWER IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. I TRIED DOING DIFFERENT THINGS TO RESTART THE CAR, BUT ALL ATTEMPTS FAILED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER. AFTER THE CAR WAS ROLLED BACKWARDS OFF THE TOW-TRUCK FLATBED, I TRIED ONCE AGAIN TO START THE CAR. IT STARTED RIGHT UP, AS IF NOTHING HAD BEEN WRONG. *TR
Power train, Aug 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED WHEN SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION POWER WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER ONLY. THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING AT NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,202.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 21, 2013
THIS IS ACTUALLY THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH THIS OCCURRED. THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING COMES UP. 1ST TIME ON 7/29, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, AND THE WRENCH SYMBOL DISPLAYED. TURNED OFF AND TRIED AGAIN 5 MINUTES LATER, AND THE CAR WORKED FINE. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR GAVE NO NOTICE AS I MOVED TO ACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT. A CLUNK, AND NO POWER, AND THE "STOP SAFELY" NOW WARNED OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. I TURNED THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON, A PEDESTRIAN ASSISTED ME IN PUSHING THE CAR OUT OF THE TRAFFIC. IT RESTARTED 5 MINUTES LATER, I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER DID THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER WAITING OVER 2 WEEKS FOR THE CAR, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" OCCURRED AGAIN 5 DAYS AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TO TAKE TO FIX THE ISSUE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, KNOWING THE POWER CAN BE DISABLED ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME. I HOPE FORD TAKES THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY. *TR
Power train, Aug 20, 2013
THE 2013 FORD FOCUS HAS A DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE VEHICLE STALLS, BUCKS, JERKS AND ROLLS BACKWARDS ON INCLINES. HAD I KNOWN THESE ABOUT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS SURROUNDING THIS VEHICLE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND NEEDS THE CLUTCHES TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRANSMISSION IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND FALLS WELL SHORT OF PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS FOR AN ALLEGED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Aug 17, 2013
WAS TOLD BY DEALER TRANSMISSION WAS NORMAL IF IT JERKS HARD AND GRINDS AND KNOCKS,DEALER WAS CHECKING TRANSMISSION THE WHOLE TIME. TRANSMISSION HAD A SEAL LEAK( DEALER STATED YOU CAN RUN THOSE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT FLUID), DEALER FIXED SO THEY SAY, DEALER LEFT RATCHET THE SIZE OF MY FOREARM ON TRANSMISSION WHEN I PULLED AWAY FROM DEALER I THOUGHT TRANSMISSION HAD FELL OUT. DEALER COULD HAVE BEEN BOUGHT FOR A DOLLAR. DEALER PLACED DYE IN TRANSMISSION OFFERED FREE OIL CHANGES NO THANK YOU I REPLIED. THREE DAYS LATER BACK IN SHOP TRANSMISSION STILL BAD ALONG WITH A BAD MISS. NOW THE CLUTCH PLATE IS BAD. GOT CAR BACK DROVE THREE MORE DAYS, CAR SHAKING WAS TOLD CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT( DIDN'T DO THE HARD SHAKING UNTIL THEY MESSED WITH TRANSMISSION), TRANSMISSION STILL ISN'T RIGHT IN LOW GEARS HARD SHIFTING AND GRINDS . TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER REFUSED SERVICE I WAS TOLD TO TAKE CAR SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH. WE FEEL ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING ALL THIS. THIS CAR WAS TAKING IN TO DEALER AFTER I CAME OFF A EXIT ALL WAS CLEAR TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT IN SHIFT IN GEAR TO GO ALL TO SOON A SEMI-TRUCK WAS ON ME IF HE HAD NOT HAD ROOM TO GET OVER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY. THAT'S NOT A NEW NORMAL TRANSMISSION . I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW SUIT. FORD NOTIFIED MADE ALL THE EXCUSES THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS BEEN TOLD, CAR WILL GET BETTER THE MORE YOU DRIVE IT, PARTS ON BACKORDER, THAT'S THE WAY IT IS, CAR HAS TO LEARN YOUR DRIVING HABITS. ALL THE SAME STUFF. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 12, 2013
THIS APPLIES TO THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOAD CLUNK. I INSTANTLY FELT THE POWER STEERING FAIL AND THE MOTOR CEASE FUNCTION (LOST ALL POWER RENDERING ME IMMOBOLIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET). THE DASH DISPLAYED THE WARINING "STOP SAFELY NOW". THIS INDICATES AN ELECTRICAL FAULT. NOTE THE BATTERY HAD A FULL CHARGE. THE SYMPTOM PERSISTED.AS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A FEW BLOCKS WITH THE SAME BEHAVIOUR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENDED. *TR
Power train, Aug 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITH AN ACCOMPANYING RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPROGRAMMED THE PCM AND THE TCM. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ON A SEPARATE VISIT. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE JERKING BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,042.
Power train, Aug 8, 2013
BRAND NEW 2013 AUTOMATIC. APPARENTLY, MY AUTOMATIC HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY. AROUND MAY MY VEHICLE STARTED ACTING UP WHEN I WOULD PULL FORWARD OR BACK UP - THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHUDDER CAUSING A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE, NO CHANGE. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE TO ALLOW IT TO RESET. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER FEW HUNDRED MILES THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE- TOOK IT BACK AND THEY PUT IN A NEW CLUTCH. SAME ISSUES - SAME RESPONSE, DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE AND LET IT BREAK IT. TOOK IT BACK - TOLD IT WAS WITHIN STANDARDS AND I WAS TO EXPECT THE SHUDDER!? IT'S BRAND NEW - ACCORDING TO THE SALE REP AND MAINT SUPERVISOR ITS PART OF THE DESIGN, BUT CUSTOMERS AND EVEN FORD SALES AND MAINT WAS NOT TOLD UNTIL COMPLAINTS CAME IN. FORD WILL DO NOTHING BUT TELL ME I CAN TAKE IT FOR ANOTHER OPINION AND PAY FOR IT. NO MATTER, THEY FEEL IT PERFORMS WITHIN THEIR STANDARDS. THE PROBLEM IS I'M PAYING FOR THE CAR AND WHEN I PULL INTO TRAFFIC I EXPECT IT NOT TO PAUSE - THAT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE ME TO GET HIT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! I CAN'T BELIEVE FORD WILL NOT MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR
Power train, Aug 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-CALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 6, 2013
MAY 1ST: SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION, VEHICLE SHUTTERS WHEN SHIFTING 4TH: NO CHANGES IN PERFORMANCE. SHUTTER AND VIBRATION CONTINUES; NO WORK PERFORMED. ADVISED ALL OF THIS IS A ?NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC? OF A DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. 10TH: SIGNIFICANT SHAKING AT IDLE CONTINUES 17TH: VIBRATION CONTINUES; TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO BUCK AND STALL. VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WELL TO SUDDEN STOPS? SIGNIFICANT SHUDDERING AND RPM GAUGE HAS RAPID FLUCTUATIONS. GEARS STILL MAKING GRINDING NOISE. 18TH: TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FELT WORSE THAN USUAL TODAY. 20TH: VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE WELL. TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO CLICK/POP/GRIND; GEAR CHANGES ARE ROUGH, SIMILAR TO SOMEONE WHO CANNOT DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION 24TH: ROUGH IDLE PERSISTS; CAR SLOW TO ENGAGE IN FIRST GEAR; FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. JUNE 4TH: ROUGH IDLE CONTINUES 26TH: GEAR CHANGES ARE NOT SMOOTH AND IN FACT ARE QUITE ROUGH; CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION NORMALLY. NO IMPROVEMENT WHATSOEVER SINCE LAST UPDATE. 29TH: VEHICLE SHAKES BADLY UPON START; VERY ROUGH SHIFTING; CAR DOES NOT FEEL SAFE JULY 5TH: GEARS ARE NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY; DELAYED ACCELERATION FROM 0MPH IN DRIVE 11TH: VIBRATION IS AS BAD AS EVER; NO IMPROVEMENT. 17TH: HAD TWO CASES OF DELAYED ACCELERATION & BUCKING TODAY 19TH: VEHICLE SHUTTERED SIGNIFICANTLY TODAY; RPM GAUGE PLATING CONTINUES TO RATTLE; PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE KEY; BEGINNING OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS 21ST: TRANSMISSION STALLED UPON ACCELERATION AGAIN; SUBSTANTIAL HESITATION 22ND: LOUD GRINDING NOISE SHIFTING TO REVERSE; RPM GAUGE WENT TO ABOUT 2500 26TH: STALLING, SHUDDERING/BUCKING CONTINUES; GEAR CHANGES ARE NOT SMOOTH 28TH: INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM; INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE NOR DO THE A/C & RADIO LIGHTS; 29TH: EXPERIENCED A VERY HARD JOLT UPON ACCELERATION SO MUCH SO THAT IT JARRED THE ENTIRE CAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 25, 2013
DECEMBER 2012 - WHILE STOPPED ON HILL CAR PUT ITSELF INTO A HARD REVERSE WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT - COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE - MARCH 1, 2013 NEAR 8700 MI ON OD WHILE DRIVING CAR IN TRAFFIC CAR QUIT COMMUNICATING WITH TRANSMISSION - CAR DASH LIT UP WITH EVERYTHING MESSAGE: TRANSMISSION FAULT, THEN MADE IT LAST 1/4 MILE IN LOW GEAR. IN DRIVEWAY - STARTING CAR - TRANS. WOULD NOT ENGAGE. CAR THEN WENT INTO LIMP MODE. AFTER FORCED TO TAKE CAR BACK FROM DEALER NOT FIXED CAR FAILED NEXT DAY - CAR FLASHED MESSAGES - HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE. AFTER 1/2 HOUR OR SO, DROVE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHERE CAR COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN WHILE DIAGNOSTIC BEING RUN. CAR THEN TOWED TO DEALER - DEALER GAVE JONESES RUN AROUND - FORCED AGAIN TO TAKE CAR BACK NOT FIXED ON 3/19/13. DOCUMENTED ON RELEASE FORM THAT CAR GENERATING MULTIPLE NONDESCRIPT ERROR CODES. CAR HAS ALWAYS RUN ROUGH, UNPREDICTABLE AND UNRELIABLE. CONSIDER TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON FWY. CAR SOLD AS TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC AND FIND OUT 2 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS OPERATED BY COMPUTER THAT HAS TROUBLE FIGURING OUT WHAT DRIVER IS DOING AT STOP OR LOW SPEEDS. THIS CAR IS A NIGHTMARE SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED. LEMON LAW BLOGS AND OTHER BLOGS FULL OF FORD FOCUS OWNERS WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. LEMON LAW SUIT PENDING. FORD AND DEALERS GAME CUSTOMERS TO NOT DOCUMENT PROBLEMS. DEALER CALLED HARD REVERSE INCIDENT "NORMAL OPERATION" AND REFUSED TO DOCUMENT IT. FORD JUST AS BAD. SOMEONE WITH CLOUT NEEDS TO STEP UP & PROTECT CONSUMERS. *TR
Power train, Jul 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE ACTION WAS NORMAL FOR A 2-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION WITHIN THE FIRST 5000-6000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED SERVICE TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION EMITTED AN ABNORMAL DING WHEN COMPLETING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. OR WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,300. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 23, 2013
WHILE DRIVING RESIDENTIAL STREETS AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, THE CAR SOUNDED AN UNFAMILIAR WARNING TONE ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE "STOP SAFELY NOW" - AT WHICH POINT, I COASTED THE CAR TO A STOP (UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION). EVEN THOUGH I HAD NO THROTTLE CONTROL AT THIS POINT, THE CAR REFUSED TO SHUT DOWN AFTER MULTIPLE PRESSES OF THE "START" BUTTON. I EVENTUALLY TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, HIT "START" AGAIN, OPENED THE DOOR AND THIS SEEMED TO CYCLE THE CAR TO "OFF" MODE. I THEN TRIED AGAIN TO START THE CAR AND IT WORKED - AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS OF DRIVING THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" ERROR CAME ON AGAIN. I PULLED OVER THIS TIME AND SHUT THE CAR DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES - I WAS ABLE TO LATER DRIVE THE CAR HOME. WAITED AN HOUR AND DECIDED TO HAVE MY WIFE VIDEO TAPE ME WHILE DRIVING INCASE THIS HAPPENED AGAIN.. THE ERROR OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES AND IS ALL ON TAPE - ALL WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS OCCURRED ON MY NORMAL COMMUTE ON THE CARPOOL LANES OF THE 405 OR 110 -OR WORSE, DECIDED TO POWER DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT HAND TURN!- THIS WOULD BE A HUGE LIABILITY AND SAFETY RISK FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WITH FORD AND I'M IN A RENTAL UNTIL WE HAVE A RESOLVE - I DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL AFTER SIGNING A 3 YEAR LEASE THAT THIS IS NOW A WELL KNOWN ISSUE (AT LEAST TO THE NHTSA AND ON MANY FORD FORUMS AND IN ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET) IT'S AN AMAZING CAR AND I HOPE FORD FIGURES THIS OUT VERY QUICKLY. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOP AND GO SITUATIONS, THE AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE CAR BUCKS, SHUTTERS AND FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL OUT. THE CAR ROLLS BACK IMMEDIATELY ON HILLS EVEN THOUGH IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM THAT HOLDS THE CAR IN PLACE FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR JERKED AND PULLED STRONGLY TO THE LEFT AND FOUR LOUD GRINDING/POPPING NOISES CAME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IT SOUNDED LIKE APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH NO PADS. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL. I EVEN RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD DESCRIBING THE ABOVE AS COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
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, Jul 15, 2013
THE SAME AFTERNOON AFTER PICKING UP MY NEW CAR I NOTICED JERKINESS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP TO AROUND 30 MPH. I BLEW IT OFF AND THOUGHT THEY MAYBE IT WAS BAD GAS THAT WAS MAKING CAR RUN FUNNY. IT ONLY GOT WORSE FROM THERE. SO BAD I WAS SCARED TO EVEN PULL ONTO A HIGHWAY CAUSE IT WOULD ACT AS THO IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. THEN I STARTED NOTICING NOISES KIND OF A GRINDING NOISE ALONG WITH THE HARD SHIFTING. I TOOK IT IN A DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND GIVE TRANSMISSION TIME TO GET " USE TO HOW I DRIVE" THE STUPIDEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD. NEEDLESS TO SAY MY NEW CAR IS IN SHOP FOR HOWEVER LONG. I'M NOT SURE I EVEN WANT IT BACK FROM ALL THE OTHER HORROR STORIES I'VE READ. SOME CATCHING FIRE AND SUCH. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND PUT A NORMAL TRANSMISSION BACK INTO IT BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 7, 2013
THIS COMPLAINT APPLIES TO THE FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, GOING APPROXIMATELY 5MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND I COASTED THE CAR TO A HALT AT THE SIDE OF THE LOT ENTRANCE. NO OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE, IT ALSO COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. USUALLY, PRESSING THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF DISCONNECTS THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY FROM THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND SHUTS THE CAR DOWN, BUT IN THIS SITUATION IT WOULD JUST CAUSE THE WARNING BELL AND "STOP SAFELY NOW" LIGHT TO POP UP AGAIN IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER MAYBE 45 MINUTES, RIGHT AS THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED, I WAS SUDDENLY ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF BY PRESSING THE BUTTON. IT THEN FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHEN TURNED BACK ON. LUCKILY I WAS IN A REASONABLY SAFE SITUATION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HOWEVER, MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS EXIST FOR THE FOCUS ELECTRIC (MANY MORE IN PUBLIC FORUMS THAN HERE), AND THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN TRAFFIC FOR SOME PEOPLE. CLEARLY THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Power train, Jun 30, 2013
I RECENTLY PURCHASE THIS 2013 FORD FOCUS SE 6SPD POWERSHIFT WITH APPEARANCE PACKAGE ON JUNE 8 2013. WHEN I TOOK IT ONLY HAD 7 MILES. AS I DROVE THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS I HEARD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND THIS HAPPENS BETWEEN 5 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR AS I ACCELERATE AND THEN IT DISAPPEARS. I WENT ONLINE AND GOOGLE THIS NOISE AND READ THE THREADS LOOKS LIKE IT NEEDED TO BREAK IN. WHEN I REACHED AROUND 700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER THE NOISE IS ALMOST GONE BUT STILL THERE AND NOT AS BAD AS BEFORE. TODAY JUNE 30, 2013, IT HAS 1183 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AS I WAS MAKING A TURN FROM THE LIGHT ACCELERATING I GOT A SUDDEN SHIFT FELT LIKE SOMETHING HIT ME FROM BEHIND AND HEARD A THUNK WHEN IT SHIFTED AFTER THAT IT WENT THROUGH THE SHIFTING SEQUENCE AS I ACCELERATED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND HAVE THIS KIND OF ISSUES. I READ ABOUT THE POWER SHIFT TSB BULLETIN BUT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT IN THIS CAR HOPEFULLY FORD WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. I BELIEVE THE WAY ITS SHIFTING SOMETHING WILL WEAR OUT FAST AND FORD NEEDS TO ACT ON THIS. *TR
Power train, Jun 28, 2013
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LAST SATURDAY JUNE 22. ABOUT 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING NOISE SHIFTING GEARS. SOUNDS LIKE ROCKS IN A ALUMINUM COKE CAN. IT HESITATES AND SHIFTS HARD SOMETIMES. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IF IT SHOULD MESS UP I AM COVERED BY WARRANTY. THIS TO ME IS NOT NORMAL AND ITS QUITE SCARY. MY CAR HAS 300 MILES ON IT I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TROUBLE LIKE THIS. I READ REVIEWS FROM OTHERS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. ALSO THIS IS MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR PURCHASE AND I AM NOT VERY PLEASED. *TR