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: steering
273 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Dec 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH HAD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND YOU ARE NOT IN PARK WARNING LIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RENTAL COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Aug 10, 2014
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF ABOUT 65+ MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WILL HAVE A NOTCHY FEEL WHEN YOU TRY AND TURN IT FROM THE CENTER TO CORRECT DIRECTION, WHICH RESULTS IN A JOLT* THAT OVER CORRECTS CAUSING YOU TO HAVE TO CORRECT AGAIN, WHERE THE ISSUE COMES INTO PLAY ONCE AGAIN. DOING SO MAKE IT FEEL AS IF YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY TURN THE WHEEL BETWEEN THE NOTCH POINTS IN ORDER TO GO IN A STRAIGHT LINE, WHICH MAKES THE CAR HANDLE IN A VERY UNSAFE MANNER, WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT WHEN THE WHEEL GOES INTO THE NOTCH THE CAR HEADS STRAIGHT FOR THE CAR NEXT TO YOU OR THE BARRIER/DITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE TO TAKE 500 MILE TRIPS EVERY MONTH, AND THIS BECOMES A SERIOUS PROBLEM AT THE SPEEDS AND DISTANCES THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE. * THIS JOLT IS LIKE YOU HAVE TO TURN OVER A BUMP, THERE IS A POINT THAT REQUIRES MORE FORCE TO TURN THAN NORMAL, BUT THE MOMENT IT BREAKS THAT BARRIER, IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL CAUSING THE WHEEL TO TURN AND STICK INTO ANOTHER POSITION/NOTCH. THERE IS A NOTCH BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT ABOUT 10-15 DEGREES OF CENTER, MEANING ONCE YOU BREAK THE INITIAL FORCE TO MOVE FROM THE CENTER, IT WILL "CLUNK" INTO THE NOTCH AT 10-15 DEGREES FROM CENTER. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2014
MY CAR HAS HAD THE STEERING FIXED, THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND THE CLUTCH FIXED 5-6 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS. MY TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE IN THIS CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET RID OF IT SO I AM FORCED TO PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER EVERY DAY. I HAVE A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY AND FORD WILL STILL DO NOTHING. I PAID $1095 FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND I DO NOT HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FORD COMMITTED FRAUD WITH THIS SALE. *TR
Steering, Jul 13, 2014
WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. "STEERING ASSIST FAULT. SERVICE REQUIRED." COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL TO GET OFF THE ROAD. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN 2 WEEKS LATER. *TR
Steering, Jul 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT MANEUVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,722.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 26, 2014
THE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED NEARLY TWO MONTHS AGO. AT FIRST IT WAS A FAINT PULL IN THE WHEEL... I INCORRECTLY ASSUMED IT WAS A TIRE BALANCE ISSUE. THEN THREE WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED THE "PULL" WAS GETTING STRONGER, AND SEEMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE A/C FAN OR RANDOM LIGHT FAILING. TWO WEEKS AGO WAS THE WORST - I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT A LIGHT. MY WHEEL WAS SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT; AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, THE WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN YANKED AN EXTRA FORTY DEGREES AND PULLED ME INTO THE TURNING LANE. AFTER GETTING BACK INTO MY OWN LANE, I NOTICED THAT THE A/C FAN ALSO QUIT WORKING. THE CAR HAS ALSO HAD RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS/FAILURES. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WEEKS NOW, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE/RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 23, 2014
2013 FORD FOCUS ST HAS STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65+ MPH MULTIPLE TIMES, IN ADDITION TO ON -RAMPS AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. MULTIPLE TIMES HAS STALLED WITHOUT GIVING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, MEANING THE DEALER WOULDN'T LOOK AT IT DESPITE BEING UNDER WARRANTY. ENGINE'S IDLING SPEED IS WILDLY ERRATIC BEFORE AND AFTER STALLING EVENTS. HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY LUCKY SO FAR BECAUSE THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A HUGE SAFETY RISK. TERRIFIED OF LOSING POWER AGAIN WHILE TURNING LEFT AHEAD OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY. FORD HAS ISSUED TSB 13-9-7 FOR THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE ECU STORE A CODE, NOTICE THE ISSUE AND GET IT TO A DEALER WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Engine, May 16, 2014
THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UPON PRESSING THE CLUTCH IN WHILE IN GEAR OR NEUTRAL REGARDLESS OF SPEED AT RANDOM INTERVALS. I'LL NOTICE THAT COMING TO A STOP WITH THE CLUTCH IN THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME FINDING AN IDLE THEN ULTIMATELY DIES. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR AWHILE AND THE AC IS ON HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE AC OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING WHILE DOWN SHIFTING INTO A LOWER GEAR WHILE TURNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS DESPITE SHOWING VIDEO PROOF OF THE ISSUE. THIS IS AN OVERALL SAFETY CONCERN WHEN THE CAR COULD SHUT OFF AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Apr 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE DROVE 65 MPH THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 350.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Feb 11, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT MIDNIGHT 2/8/2014 AT ABOUT 75MPH WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO BECOME STIFF IN THE STEERING AND LOST SPEED RAPIDLY. I DOWN SHIFTED FROM 5TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN WITH MY FOOT PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, I SHIFTED DOWN TO 3RD BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND STILL NOTHING THE CARS RPMS WOULD GO HIGHER BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT CHANGE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT SO I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, I CONTACTED FORD BROUGHT IT IN TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Power train, Engine, Dec 31, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,552. UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIE ROD. UPDATED 02/20/14
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Dec 5, 2013, crash
STEERING AND COMPUTER AIDED SYSTEMS ALONG WITH TIRES THAT WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO BE USED UNDER 40 DEGREES CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING INPUT AND CONTROL WHICH LEAD TO HITTING A CURB AND DAMAGING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AS WELL AS THE DRIVE-ABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS WORSE THAT BEFORE. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE STEERING ON THE 2013 FOCUS ST AND AFTER 6 MONTHS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH, FORD CANNOT REMEDY THE SITUATION AND THE CARE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED AS THE LACK OF STEERING CONTROL CAUSE UNNECESSARY MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE, REQUIRING NERVES OF STEEL TO DRIVE AT EVEN 20 MPH. CLUNKING NOISES AND GRINDING ALSO COMING FROM SUSPENSION AND TRANSMISSION GEARS. *TR
Steering, Sep 29, 2013
I OWNED MY BRAND NEW CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 7 DAYS, WHEN THE PROBLEMS BEGAN! IT HAD 4 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW! I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45-55 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING STARTED TO FEEL STICKY, I FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS IN A MAJOR WIND STORM AND WAS BEING BLOWN BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE HIGHWAY! I WAS SCARED TO DEATH! I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD MY HUSBAND COME DRIVE US THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. ALSO, WHEN TURNING TO A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT, I CAN FEEL SOMETHING UNDER MY FEET LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT TO ROCKET THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS! ALSO, WHEN I'M STOPPED ANYWHERE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED, AND I'M HOLDING THE BRAKE OF COURSE, THE CAR WANTS TO LUNGE FORWARD AND IT DOES IT TOO, WHEN I'M PULLING INTO OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. ITS DANGEROUS AND VERY SCARY!! PLEASE FORD, PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Steering, Aug 23, 2013
STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GETS 'STICKY' IN CENTER POSITION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE TRACKS REASONABLY WELL BUT AS IT DRIFTS SLIGHTLY IN THE LANE IT IS NORMAL TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS. IN EVERY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED BEFORE THIS REQUIRES NO EFFORT OR THOUGHT. IN THIS ONE IT TAKES CONCENTRATION TO AVOID LOOKING LIKE I'M DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE. IN OTHER WORDS, IT RESISTS NORMAL MICRO-CORRECTIONS AND TENDS TO TWITCH AND OVER-CORRECT WHEN IT FINALLY RESPONDS TO THE STEERING ADJUSTMENT. THAT RESULTS IN MY VEHICLE MOVING A FOOT INSTEAD OF AN INCH WHICH IS NOT A LOT OF FUN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. MY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THIS IS A PROGRAMMING ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED STEERING. NHTSA: PLEASE ADDRESS THIS WITH A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Steering, Aug 22, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT TIE ROD FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE FRAME TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.
Steering, Aug 3, 2013
I WAS ON MY WAY BACK HOME FROM CHICAGO TO OHIO. ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE TRIP MY STEERING STARTED GETTING STIFF AND HARD TO CONTROL. I HAD TO HOLD ON WITH BOTH HAND TIGHTLY. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WAS LOCKING UP. LIKE A CLICK. IF I MOVED IT EVER SO SLIGHTLY IT STUCK AND I HAD TO MOVE IT BACK QUICKLY. WHAT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN 6 1/2 HOURS TOOK ME 10 1/2. MY YOUNG SON AND I WERE SCARED. IT WAS SUNDAY AND I WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. NOTHING OPEN AND ON A TOLL ROAD. IT STILL GETS HARD TO STEER BUT MY DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP. I TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH FROM OHIO TO CHICAGO A LOT. *TR
Steering, Jul 6, 2013
VEHICLE WONDERS OR DRIFTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SEEMS LIKE YOUR ALWAYS OVER CORRECTING THE STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE MAKES A ZIG ZAG MOTION ON CERTAIN ROAD SURFACES LIKE YOUR CAUGHT IN THE WIND BEHIND A SEMI.VEHICLE ALIGNMENT AS OF THIS DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES. *TR
Steering, Jun 18, 2013
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-65 MPH) FOR PERIODS OF TIME GREATER THAN 30 MINUTES, THE STEERING BEGINS TO BECOME JERKY AND STICKY. THE VEHICLE STARTS TO WANDER AS IF THE FRONT WHEELS ARE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO MAKE MANY VERY SMALL STEERING CORRECTIONS. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER THE SAID CONDITIONS. *TR
Steering, Apr 10, 2013
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING BECOMES "STICKY". WHEN ATTEMPTING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE STEERING STICKS IN ITS CURRENT POSITION AND TO MAKE A SLIGHT MODIFICATION I HAVE TO PUT MORE EFFORT INTO TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE THE STEERING RELEASES THE CAR OVER CORRECTS AND THEN I NEED TO MAKE A CORRECTION IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION CAUSING A "ZIG-ZAG" MOTION. IT FEELS LIKE I COULD LOSE CONTROL IF I OVER CORRECTED AND I FIND MYSELF GRIPPING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN CITY DRIVING I DON'T NOTICE THIS HAPPENING, ONLY HIGHWAY DRIVING IT TENDS TO "STICK" IN ITS POSITION. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY MENTIONED IT HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF ANY TSB'S ON THE VEHICLE YET. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT WOULD BE EASY TO OVERCORRECT AND THEN EVENTUALLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, OR EVEN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THERE IS A CAR IN THE NEXT LANE. I BELIEVE FORD NEEDS TO ADJUST THEIR ELECTRONIC STEERING TO ASSIST LESS THAN IT IS CURRENTLY PROGRAMMED TO DO. *TR
Steering, Apr 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THEN RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN 70 DEGREE AND WEATHER AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Steering, Jan 24, 2013
APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES INTO TRIP TO WORK FROM HOME THE POWER ASSIST STEERING ON MY 2013 FORD FOCUS FAILED AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. LUCKLY I WAS ON A STRAIGHT PATH, HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A TURN, AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY OCCURED. AT THE POINT WHERE THE POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILED A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARDS LED DISPLAY THAT READ SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT LOSE OF POWER ASSITED STEERING DETECTED. AFTER THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED, THE VEHICLE'S (!) LIGHT REMAINED LITE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO AFTER LOOKING AT IT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN PERFECTLY. NO ISSES WITH THE STEERING AT ALL, BUT THAT THERE WERE SOME "CODES" LOOGED IN THE VEHICLE'S SYSTEM THAT THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH AND WERE TRYING TO REACH THE "FORD HOTLINE" FOR FURTHER HELP. *TR
Steering, Jan 10, 2013
DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY ~50MPH THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT AS THOUGH BEING BLOWN BY HEAVY WINDS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS LITTLE/NO WIND THAT DAY. I APPLIED A TYPICAL, SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT TO THE LEFT BUT THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTED MY INPUT, AS THOUGH SOMEBODY WAS HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE RIGHT, AFTER A SPLIT SECOND, THE OPPOSING PRESSURE RELEASED AND THE WHEEL OVERCORRECTED TO THE LEFT FOLLOWED BY THE IDENTICAL RESPONSE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BACK TO THE RIGHT. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS EVERY MILE OR SO, FOR APPROXIMATELY 9 MILES, UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY. AT LOWER SPEEDS (CITY DRIVING) THE STEERING IS COMPLETELY NORMAL. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED ON THREE DIFFERENT STRETCHES OF HIGHWAY IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT LANES, CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE, AND I HAD THE DEALERSHIP CHECK IT BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. APPLYING LIGHT/STEADY/EVEN PRESSURE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE DESIRED CORRECTION, WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE BEYOND THE POINT WHERE YOU FEEL THE RESISTANCE SEEMS TO HELP PREVENT THE OVERCORRECTION PROBLEM. ON 9 JAN, WHEN CROSSING UNEVEN LANES ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, THE WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT MORE THAN YOU'D EVER EXPECT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND I ENDED UP HALF WAY INTO THE NEXT LANE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS IN THAT LANE OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITHOUT A DOUBT. THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY AN OVERCORRECTION TO THE LEFT, AND AGAIN BACK TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN BELOW 40MPH BEFORE THE RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING EASED UP. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY THAT I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH; I HAVE TRAVELED IT WITHOUT INCIDENT ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS, AND I WAS PREPARED FOR THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE TWO UNEVEN LANES. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER VEHICLES WITH EPAS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL!! *TR