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
2,112 reports, newest first.
Power train, Engine, Jul 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Power train, Jul 19, 2014
TRANSMISSION IS GRINDING CAR IS SHIMMING ACTS AS IF IT WANTS TO STALL. I HAVE HAD IT TO BERT WOLF 2 TIMES THIS YEAR AND ITS STILL NOT FIXED. IM AFRAID CAR WILL STALL WHEN TURNING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Jul 18, 2014
TOOK DELIVERY OF A 2YR OLD CERTIFIED 2013 FORD FOCUS SE A WEEK AGO. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE CAR TRANSITION SLIPS SIMILAR TO A DRIVER LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN ACCELERATING AND TURNING A CORNER THE CAR WITH STUDDED AND JUMP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THIS WAS PART OF THE DUAL CLUTCH DESIGN OF THE CAR. APPRECIATE THE OTHER POSTS TO VALIDATE THE SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Jul 17, 2014
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BRAND NEW 2013 FORD FOCUS I NOTICED AT ACCELERATION FROM A STOP THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS "SLIPPING" (SHUDDERING, LURCHING INTO GEAR ETC.). I CONTACTED MY SALESMAN ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HE TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS "JUST BREAKING IN" AND IT WOULD GO AWAY. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT STOP AND EVENTUALLY GOT WORSE TO THE POINT THAT I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MY OWN TO COMPLAIN. I WAS TOLD TO BRING MY CAR IN; THEY WERE GOING TO USE A "SPECIAL" CLEANING SOLUTION ON THE CLUTCHES IN THE TRANSMISSION TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THAT DID NOT WORK THEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CLUTCHES ALTOGETHER. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CLUTCHES WERE REPLACED. THIS OCCURRED AT THE END OF JUNE OF THIS YEAR (2014); HERE IT IS NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER AND MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO DURING THIS TIME PERIOD MY CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY ROLL BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE. *TR
Power train, Jul 16, 2014
APPROXIMATELY 1/4/-1/3 OF THE TIME, UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL EITHER SHUDDER INTO GEAR WITH LITTLE ACCELERATION, OR WILL LURCH INTO GEAR SO BADLY THAT THE CAR ALMOST COMES TO A STOP DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY DID A COMPUTER CODE RESET, WHICH WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS THEN THE ISSUE CAME BACK. THE SECOND TIME THEY CHANGED SOME SEALS, AND THAT WORKED FOR A WEEK OR SO BEFORE THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIMES, I WAS ESSENTIALLY TOLD THAT "THIS WAS NORMAL" AND THERE WAS NOTHING THE DEALER COULD/WOULD DO ABOUT IT. AFTER RESEARCH, I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY DRIVER WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND IT HAS CAUSED ME TO QUESTION THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN NEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN AGAINST TRAFFIC. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 16, 2014
AS I WAS WAITING A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY ENGINE REVS DROPPED SO LOW THE ENGINE QUIETLY DIED. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE FROM THE LIGHT I REALIZED THE CAR HAD STALLED AND HAD TO RESTART THE CAR. IT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE MORE IN THE NEXT MONTH AND A HALF, THEN HAPPENED THREE TIMES YESTERDAY. THE LAST TIME THE CAR STALLED I WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT DURING THE RUSH HOUR COMMUTE HOME. THE CAR DID START UP AGAIN, BUT IT STRUGGLED TO TURN BACK ON AND SOME DASH LIGHTS FLASHED UP ME (I BELIEVE THE CEL FLASHED ON.) I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION DURING RUSH HOUR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS WITH A DEAD CAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 15, 2014
TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. CAR WAS JERKING BACK AND FORTH AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND NOTICED SEALS WERE LEAKING. WE ALSO OWN A 2014 FOCUS AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THAT TRANSMISSION. *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
Power train, Jul 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION INDEPENDENTLY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED BACK INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,200.
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.
Power train, Jul 9, 2014
THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND IT CONTINUOUSLY BOGS DOWN EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT TIMES WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION AND I GO IT WILL LURCH FORWARD. WHEN DRIVING NORMALLY IT WILL PULL BACK AND NOT WANT TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD ABOUT 5 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND THEY DO NOTHING. THEY TELL ME THAT IS NORMAL FOR THE THIS TRANSMISSION. IF IT IS NORMAL WHY DIDN'T IT DO IT THE FIRST 6 MONTHS WE OWNED IT. I GET NO WHERE WITH THEM. THE SERVICE GUY EVEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE HAVING ISSUES BUT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE FORD WONT FIX IT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 9, 2014
ENGINE STARTED IDLING ROUGH WHILE DOWN SHIFTING, ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED (RPMS) AND THEN STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED QUITE A FEW TIMES, BUT IS INTERMITTENT. ENGINE STARTED IDLING ROUGH WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A CORNER AND DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND, AT THAT TIME THE CLUTCH WAS PUSHED IN AND THE CAR STALLED. I LOST POWER STEERING AND SLIGHTLY TRAVELED INTO THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC AT 25 MPH. THE STALLING WHILE DOWN SHIFTING HAS HAPPENED QUITE A FEW TIMES, BUT IS INTERMITTENT. ENGINE IDLES ROUGH WHILE AT STOPS OR DOWN SHIFTING, BUT DOES NOT STALL. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST ALL THE TIME, DOES NOT ALWAYS STALL, BUT IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. HILL ASSIST SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT AS TO WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK OR NOT WORK. AFTER PERFORMING A TSB ON MY CAR THE CLUTCH STUCK TO THE FLOOR. AFTER I PUMPED THE CLUTCH A FEW TIMES IT STARTED ACTING NORMAL. *TR
Power train, Jul 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND WHEN THE GEARS ENGAGED THE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR CONTINUOUSLY OVER A PERIOD ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,037.
Engine, Jul 8, 2014
FORD FOCUS ST (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) STALLS REPEATEDLY WHEN COASTING TO A STOP. ONCE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHICH IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES THE IDLE DROPS VERY LOW (500 RPM) BUT DOESN'T STALL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL). DEALER SAID WITHOUT CEL THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. FROM ONLINE RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 2013 FOCUS ST. *JS
Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2014
CLUTCH FIXED 3 SEPARATE TIMES. NEEDS REPAIRED AGAIN. SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH FOR THE SECOND TIME. WANT TO SWITCH CARS, NOT A FORD. WAS TOLD AT HERRINGTON-YOAK FORD THAT THEY WOULD FIND ME A TOYOTA RAV4, HONDA CRV OR HONDA CIVIC. NEVER RECEIVED A CALL, HAD TO CALL THEM AND WAS DENIED. *JS
Power train, Jul 5, 2014
ERRATIC SHIFTING DURING A COLD START RESULTING IN RIDICULOUS JOLTING OF THE CAR. MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE FORCES APPLIED DUE TO THE ERRATIC SHIFT PROGRAMMING. THE SEAT BELT KEEPS MY BODY FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE RESULTING MOVEMENT EACH AND EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. *TR
Power train, Jul 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO INCREASE IN SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY FOR SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Power train, Jul 1, 2014
WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING IT SHIFTED VERY ROUGH AND RATTLED SKIPPING FROM 1ST TO 2ND VERY HARD AND WE HEARD A SOUND LIKE DRAGGING CARDBOARD. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY SAID "IT WAS NORMAL" AND THAT THE CAR HAD TO GET ADJUSTED TO OUR STYLE OF DRIVING. THEY DID COMPUTER CHECK AND NOTHING WRONG. WE THOUGHT THIS WAS RIDICULOUS, BUT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH SAME SOUNDS, SOMETIMES MORE THAN OTHERS. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO 2 DEALERS WITH BOTH SAYING BASICALLY THE SAME THING, THAT FORD MESSED UP WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND IT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS, NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IT IS SAFE. OUR DAUGHTER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR WHEN IT LURCHES FORWARD OR DOESN'T SHIFT GEARS WHEN SHE IS TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO SPEEDING TRAFFIC. WE WANT SOMETHING DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2014
THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE 2013-2014 FORD FOCUS ST WHERE THE CAR WILL IDLE ROUGH AND SOMETIMES STALL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME 2X ALREADY, BOTH DURING LEFT TURNS. I WAS ABLE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS A FIX YET, BUT THERE IS A TSB ANNOUNCED. I AM TRYING TO GET IT DONE NOW BUT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THE CURRENT GM RECALL. PEOPLE CAN DIE FROM THIS MALFUNCTION IF ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE TURNING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 28, 2014
WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND BEGIN TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLS AND JERKS RAPIDLY WHEN THROWING ITSELF INTO 2ND GEAR. ONCE IT FINISHES THE JERKING AND STALLING MOTION IT MAKES A LOUD RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN IN GEAR AND ACCELERATED GOING TO 35-55 IT WILL STALL THEN THE RPMS WILL GO HIGHER AND IT WILL JERK BACK INTO GEAR ACCELERATING FASTER THAN I WAS GOING. SOMETIMES IT WILL BARELY GO FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO TRYING TO ACCELERATE THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN JERK INTO GEAR. *TR
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
Power train, Jun 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE ENGINE VIBRATED AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED ITS NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,300.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 5 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR WAS IT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 23, 2014
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY IT DROVE FINE FOR 2 WEEKS. THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED HESITATING, SHUTTER NOISES, AND VIBRATING. I TOOK IT TO FORD 2 DAYS LATER IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. I WAS NOT DISCLOSED THAT INFORMATION WHEN I PURCHASED IT. NOW I HAVE A UNRELIABLE CAR, THANKS FORD! *TR