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, May 9, 2014
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITH A DRAGGING FEELING. VEHICLE LOSSES SPEED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THEN CATCHES WITH A JOLT. *TR
Power train, May 9, 2014
WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME IT WOULD NOT SHIFT BUT RAISED A RED FLAG. AFTER TURNING OFF IGNITION AND TRYING AGAIN IT FINALLY ENGAGED, ALL OTHER SHIFTER SELECTIONS WERE FINE; N, D. SOON THEREAFTER I BEGAN NOTICING A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END ACCOMPANIED BY A SLIGHT VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR WHEN NEGOTIATING A CURVE AT SLOW SPEED. WE LEFT FOR TUCSON SOON THEREAFTER TOWING OUR FOCUS BEHIND OUR MOTORHOME. THE CAR CONTINUED WITH THE SAME ISSUES AS DESCRIBED ABOVE SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER. THEY TEST DROVE AND SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK. SOON AFTER.THIS WE DROVE FROM TUCSON TO ALBUQUERQUE AND THE CAR SHUDDERED AND HESITATED WHILE SHIFTING SO BADLY I FELT IT WAS UNSAFE. RETURNED TO DEALER IN TUCSON TWO MORE TIMES WHERE THEY FINALLY "FIXED" IT. LASTED TWO DAYS NOW WORSE THAN EVER. I FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SEVERAL VEHICLES SINCE 1958 AND THIS IS MY WORSE DRIVING EXPERIENCE EVER. I WILL BE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALER TODAY TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A SOLUTION. I KNOW I AM ONE OF MANY FORD OWNERS WITH THESE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUES. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO ISSUE A RECALL. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ FORD CONSIDERS GOOD FUEL MILEAGE MORE IMPORTANT THAN SAFETY. IF MY LOCAL DEALER CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM SO THAT I FEEL SAFE DRIVING OUR FOCUS I WILL BE GOING BACK TO TOYOTA OR SUBARU ASAP. ANOTHER "BIG THREE" FAILURE. I AM FROM MICHIGAN AND AM EMBARRASSED TO DRIVE THIS CAR ASSEMBLED IN MICHIGAN WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT IS TOTAL JUNK. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,600. UPDATED 06/30/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INCONSISTENT TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE AND LURCHES DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TRUSTED DURING EXPECTED QUICK RESPONSE. UPDATED 07/2/2014 *JS
Power train, May 5, 2014
I AM LEASING THIS CAR AND GOT IT IN MARCH 2013. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES ALREADY AND THE DEALERS, 2 DIFFERENT ONES, KEEP TELLING ME IT IS JUST NORMAL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A LONG TIME AND EVEN DROVE A 5 SPEED, BUT NEVER HAVE I HAD THESE ISSUES. GRINDING, SHUDDERING, JERKING IN LOWER SPEEDS AND I SOMETIMES THINK THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP, AS I WORK AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORTHLESS FOR ME TO TAKE IT IN. I AM NOT SURE IF I CAN FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT, BUT NOT SURE WHAT ELSE I CAN DO. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, May 5, 2014
WHILE DRIVING , INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS AND NOTIFICATION LIGHTS BLINKED OFF AND ON 5 TIMES CAR CONTINUED TO RUN NORMAL . ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE TACH AND SPEED NEEDLE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THEN WENT BACK UP TO NORMAL . ALSO STARTING FROM A STOP HESITATION AND JERKING WHILE STARTING OUT FROM STOPPED POSITION AND FROM SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR . AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, May 4, 2014
THIS VEHICLE HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT HAS IT HESITATING AND LURCHING FORWARD IN THE SLOWER GEARS. IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN STARTING OUT AND I HAVE NEARLY HIT SEVERAL CARS, SEVERAL TIMES. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A NORMAL "FEATURE" OF THE MANUAL/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE COMPUTER WOULD "LEARN" MY DRIVING HABITS AFTER A SHORT WHILE. IT NEVER HAS AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Suspension, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, May 2, 2014, crash
I WAS GOING TO PICK UP MY WIFE FROM WORK AS USUAL. I AM A VERY SAFE DRIVER ESPECIALLY AROUND CORNERS. I WAS NOT DRIVING MORE THAT15 MPH WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED CAR I HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I WENT UP ON THE DRIVEWAY AREA. I HIT A CONCRETE WALL PORTION OR A DRIVEWAY. TOTALED THE ENTIRE FRONT RIGHT. AXLE IS BROKEN. AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. SEVERAL MONTHS BACK THEY HAD TO PUT IN A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS JUST NOW 1 YEAR OLD. IT COULD NOT GO UP HILLS, PARK UP HILLS. TRANSMISSION WOULD TURN OFF. NOW IT ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. MY WIFE TOLD ME FROM THE BEGINNING THIS CAR IS A LEMON. I LIKED IT SO DID NOT WANT TO BELIEVE IT! NOW I HAVE TO. I AM STILL STIFF ALL OVER. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD AUTO BODY AND MY DEALER. I HOPE THEY WILL BE HONEST ABOUT ALL THIS. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD BE MARKED BADLY BY MY INSURANCE OR HAVE MY PREMIUM GO UP WHEN THIS IS NOT MY FAULT. I HOPE FORD WILL AT LEAST HELP ME OUT WITH A NEW REPLACEMENT CAR FOR THIS LEMON THEY SOLD ME! NOW THEY WILL PUT THROUGH A CLAIM ON MY INSURANCE TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE WALL. I HOPE MY INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL NOT GO UP. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS WHEN FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAS MANY COMPLAINTS. THIS I WAS NOT EVEN AWARE OF! *TR
Power train, Apr 30, 2014
I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS IN MAY 2013 BRAND NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP. FOR THE FIRST 6-8 MONTHS THE CAR DROVE FINE. STARTING IN JANUARY 2014 I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS GRINDING THROUGH OUT EACH GEAR WHICH IS ODD BECAUSE I DRIVE AN AUTOMATIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS COVERED IN MY 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE CAR WILL VIBRATE AND SHUDDER AND JERK WHEN I'M ACCELERATING AS WELL AS THE PERSISTENT GRINDING. THE GRINDING SOUNDS AS IF SOMEONE PUT GRAVEL ROCKS IN MY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SEARCHED IN ONLINE FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AND THAT THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS HAVE ALSO BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THEM PROPERLY. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FEELS AS IF IT COULD GO OUT AT ANY SECOND. A FEW OTHERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO LEMON LAW THEIR VEHICLE DO TO THESE PROBLEMS. IF IT CANT BE RESOLVED I WONT BE PURCHASING FROM FORD AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS AT 14,000 AND THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL OCCURRING. *JS
Engine, Apr 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Power train, Apr 28, 2014
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER VEHICLE DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR DURING DECELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE SIX CLUTCHES BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 560. JS
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 28, 2014
I FIRST NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION THE FIRST WEEK I BOUGHT MY '13 FORD FOCUS. I WOULD HEAR A SHUDDERING AND GEARS GRINDING WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AND MY TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY WITHOUT EVEN TAKING A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD. I INFORMED THEM I WAS WORRIED ABOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH IT AND THEY SAID THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AND IT WAS OF NO CONCERN. ON FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH, 2014, AFTER DRIVING 40 MINUTES TO WORK, I STARTED MY CAR UP AGAIN AND TURNED ONTO A MAIN CITY ROAD FROM A PARKING LOT THEN ONTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THERE, I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAD TURNED ON AND MY CAR WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING GEARS. THE RPMS SKYROCKETED AND THEN PLUMMETED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 20MPH-25MPH AND MY DASH IS READING 4RPMS. I THEN TURN ONTO ANOTHER MAIN ROAD WHERE MY CAR STARTED CHUGGING ALONG, IT FELT, WHILE REVVING MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY OWN VEHICLE. ABOUT A MILE OR TWO AWAY, I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I PARKED AND THEN STARTED TO DRIVE AGAIN WHERE MY CAR THEN STOPPED AND I HAD TO DECLARE IT INOPERABLE. THE NEXT DAY, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. COME TO FIND OUT, THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I COMPLAINED ABOUT TO THE DEALER WERE NOT NORMAL AND ANY DAY MY CAR WAS GOING TO QUIT ON ME. APRIL 25TH, 2014 HAPPENED TO BE THAT DAY. MY CAR IS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE LEMON LAW AS I PURCHASED IT LAST JANUARY. FORD IS HESITANT ON HELPING ME AND GETTING MY CAR BACK AND RUNNING. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, THEREFORE, I DID NOT PURSUE THE PROBLEM ANY FURTHER. *JS
Power train, Apr 26, 2014
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR MOVING POSITION IN MY CAR I GET A CRUNCHING, GRINDING NOISE AND SUDDEN JERKING. SEEMS TO COME FROM THE TRANSMISSION BUT EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE THEY REFUSE TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR AND SAY IT'S NORMAL AND HAND ME PAPERWORK SAYING IT'S FINE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL HARDLY EVEN ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR MOVE AS SLOW AS MOLASSES. I NEED HELP WITH THIS BECAUSE IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Power train, Apr 21, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON A HILL, IT ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Power train, Engine, Apr 19, 2014
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED TWO DAYS OR SO AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. HEARD GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AS IF METAL WAS DRAGGING ON ASPHALT. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WAS NORMAL. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN A TEST AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AND RESET THE COMPUTER. A WEEK LATER, MESSAGE COMES ON THE SCREEN IN THE CAR TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. LIFTED THE HOOD AND STEAM WAS EMANATING FROM THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND THE LID HAD COME OFF DUE TO THE PRESSURE. I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN ANOTHER TEST AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR FAN HAD FAILED AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT. MORE REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE GRINDING TRANSMISSION BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN APRIL 2014, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE VIOLENT SHUDDERING AND JERKING, ALONG WITH THE GRINDING, AND AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD MY HUSBAND NOTHING WAS WRONG BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EXPERIENCE IT WHEN HE CAME IN. TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY, THEY RAN A TEST AND FOUND THAT I WAS IS FACT RIGHT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE CLUTCH WAS BEING LEAKED ON BY SEALS ABOVE IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD ORDERED THE PART AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN IT CAME IN. I WAS NOT TOLD TO LEAVE IT THERE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PART CAME IN. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING AND SHUDDERS HORRIBLY. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND NOTHING SEEMS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Apr 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,700.
Power train, Apr 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP WHEN HE FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Power train, Apr 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEALS AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,950.
Power train, Engine, Apr 15, 2014
ON MY 2013 FORD FOCUS ST I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A STALLING ISSUE WHILE MOVING. CAR WILL STALL WHEN CLUTCH IS PRESSED WHILE SLOWING DOWN. FORD HAS A TSB ISSUED, BUT WILL NOT PERFORM REQUIRED WORK DUE TO NO CODE BEING PRESENT. THE ISSUE WILL COME AND GO. UPON BROWSING INTERNET THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD FORD WILL NOT PERFORM THE FIX. SO THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORD FOCUS ST ON THE ROAD HAVING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT IS AFFECTING THE CURRENT YEAR AS WELL. HERE IS A LINK TO A DISCUSSION ON THIS TOPIC HTTP://WWW.FOCUSST.ORG/FORUM/FOCUS-ST-MAINTENANCE/5514-YOUR-CAR-RANDOMLY-STALLING-IDLING-WIERD-READ.HTML AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS PRETTY MUCH MORE THAN 50% OF CARS SOLD SEEM LIKE THEY WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT'S A MATTER OF LUCK IF IT WILL THROW A CODE. PEOPLE HAVE RESORTED TO FIXING IT THEMSELVES. THIS IS ABSURD. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE MADE PUBLIC SINCE FORD SEEMS THEY ARE TRYING TO SAVE MONEY BY SAYING THEY NEED A CODE PRESENT. I BRAND NEW CAR SHOULD NOT BE STALLING WHILE MOVING OR ANY TIME YOU DON'T PHYSICALLY SHUT IT OFF. IT'S CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TT
Power train, Apr 14, 2014
MY 2013 FORD FOCUS WANTS TO STALL WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND OR THE GEARS SLIP AND THE CAR STUTTERS LOSING SPEED SUDDENLY. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE MANUAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. INITIALLY IT WAS ALSO DOING IT WHILE TRYING TO REVERSE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WITH IN TWO MONTHS OF PURCHASE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE "BROKEN IN" AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT FOR 1500-2K MILES. I LET IT GO AND FINALLY BROUGHT IT IN THE FOLLOWING SEPTEMBER AND SINCE THAN AN ADDITIONAL 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAMMED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES. IT WILL ACT OK FOR A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING THEN SLOWLY GOES BACK INTO THE SAME PATTERN UNTIL IT HAPPENS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. I FIND IT OCCURS MORE AFTER DRIVING HIGHWAY MILES AND THEN BEING STUCK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (WHICH IS MY DAILY COMMUTE). I'VE SPOKEN WITH FOUR DIFFERENT FORD TECHNICIANS AND EACH CLAIM THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. INITIALLY I WAS ACCUSED OF DRIVING TWO FOOTED OR NOT KNOWING HOW A STANDARD SHOULD SHIFT. UPON EXPLAINING THAT I DO NOT DRIVE TWO FOOTED, I AM WELL AWARE OF HOW STANDARDS SHOULD SHIFT AS I AM NOT A NEW DRIVER, I WOULD BE CONNECTED WITH A TECHNICIAN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. *JS
Power train, Apr 12, 2014
2013 FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INCLUDE NOISE, GRINDING, SHUDDERING, LURCHING. DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE NORMAL BUT REPRESENTS SAFETY AND FINANCIAL ISSUE (I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO SELL THE CAR) AND I DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. *JS
Power train, Engine, Apr 10, 2014
ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE COASTING OR COMING TO A STOP WITH THE CLUTCH IN. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 8, 2014
IN AUGUST OF 2013 I BROUGHT MY 2013 FORD FOCUS INTO THE DEALERSHIP WITH TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I OWNED THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AT THAT POINT WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. CAR WAS SHUDDERING AT LOWER GEARS, TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING, AT TIMES RPM WOULD REV UP HIGHER THAN NORMAL, GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AT TIMES, LOSS OF POWER AND A COUPLE TIMES COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND A COUPLE OF SOFTWARE UPDATES WERE APPLIED TO THE CAR. THIS FIXED IT FOR MAYBE 3 MONTHS THEN I STARTED NOTICING LOSS OF POWER IN THE CAR AGAIN, AND NOW RECENTLY ALL OF THE SAME ISSUES I ORIGINALLY HAD, AND LISTED ABOVE, HAVE RESURFACED. CURRENT MILES ARE 14,000. I CAN'T EVEN GO UP A HILL FASTER THAN 25 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR FAILS TO CHANGE GEAR AND ENGINE RPMS REV AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING EVERYDAY. MY CAR IS BACK AT FORD, THIS TIME FOR A WEEK WHILE THEY TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS NOT NORMAL OPERATING FOR A CAR NO MATTER WHAT FORD SAYS. LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRYING TO CROSS TRAFFIC IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. *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.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 4, 2014
UPON STARTUP, THE CAR IDLES ROUGH AND THE RPMS DROP UNTIL THE ECU CATCHES IT AND THE RPMS INCREASE. THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT AS THE CAR IS DRIVEN. AT TIMES, THE RPMS WILL DROP SO FAR THAT THE CAR WILL STALL. THE PROBLEM TENDS TO GET WORSE AS THE CAR HEATS UP. IT HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION OR TO PARK. FOR EXAMPLE, I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF IT SITTING AFTER 40 MINUTES OF MIXED COMMUTING AND THE CAR COULD NOT KEEP AN IDLE. IT STALLED ON ME 3 TIMES AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHAKE ITSELF TO PIECES. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED BY HOLDING DOWN THE THROTTLE AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. IT WAS 60-63 DEGREES OUT ON APRIL 3RD, 2014 IN SOUTHEASTERN CT WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM ALSO SEEMS TO GET WORSE AS THE AIR TEMPERATURE INCREASES. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Apr 3, 2014, crash
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. CAR HANDLED ERRATICALLY ON WET / SLICK SURFACES. ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS TRACTION CONTROL RELATED. BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND FORD SERVICE (ALL AMERICAN FORD, HACKENSACK, NJ) SAID THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS OPERATIONAL. WE SPECIFICALLY SUGGESTED IT MIGHT BE THE TIRES, AND FORD SERVICE INDICATED THE TIRES WERE NOT PROBLEMATIC / AN ISSUE (INCOMPETENCE OR DISINTEREST). SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED THAT FORD INSTALLED "SUMMER ONLY TIRES" INSTEAD OF "ALL WEATHER TIRES". AUTOMOBILE WAS PURCHASED IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO EQUIP AUTOMOBILES WITH SUMMER ONLY TIRES IN THE US NORTHEAST (IF NOT ILLEGAL, PERHAPS IT SHOULD BE). ON FEBRUARY 15, 2014, AUTOMOBILE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A SNOW BANK IN PRINCETON NEW JERSEY. NO INJURIES. IN LIGHT OF THE NOW HIGHLY PUBLICIZED GM THOUGHT PROCESS TOWARDS IGNITION SWITCHES ON COBALT AND G5 MODELS, WE FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. SENT A LETTER TO [XXX] ON MARCH 6TH. TRIED TO SPEAK WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS (NO FOLLOW UP). FORWARDED A COMPLAINT CONCERNING SAFETY AND SERVICE SUPPORT VIA THE FORD WEBSITE. NO FOLLOW UP FROM FORD HQ. REPLACED THE TIRES AT OUR EXPENSE (COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1,000) IN LATE FEBRUARY / EARLY MARCH, AND DISPOSED OF ORIGINAL TIRES. THE NHTSA SHOULD RAISE THE SAFETY MATTER WITH FORD GIVEN THEIR APPARENT DISREGARD FOR SAFETY AND LACK OF FOLLOW UP / INTEREST IN THE MATTER. IN OUR VIEW THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH POTENTIALLY PUTS LIVES AT RISK AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR