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.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 9/4/13 *CN
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
Vehicle speed control, Jul 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
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
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
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
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 26, 2013
TRAVELING ON A ROAD. STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. WHEN THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE CAR SHOWED AN ERROR OF "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND REFUSED TO MOVE. THE CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED AROUND THE CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE VEHICLES TRIED TO PASS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 24, 2013
ON SUNDAY JUNE 23, 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 PM ON OR ABOUT BUFFALOE RD AT SOUTHALL RD IN RALEIGH, NC, WE WERE HEADING WEST BOUND IN THE RIGHT LANE OF BUFFALOE RD. APPROACHING A GREEN LIGHT. APPROXIMATELY, 700 FT FROM THE LIMIT LINE, THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW AND WE SLOWED TO STOP. STOPPING WAS A LITTLE MORE FIRM THAN THE SLOW PACED REGENERATIVE CHARGING, A NOISE WAS FROM THE FRONT WAS HEARD, RESEMBLING THAT OF A LOOSE BRAKE PAD HITTING METAL AND THE VEHICLE THEM SOUNDED A WARNING AND FLASHED "STOP SAFELY NOW" VISUAL WARNING AS WE CAME TO A FULL STOP AT THE LIMIT LINE AT THE LIGHT. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE MOTOR, THE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVE AND THE GREEN GO CAR WAS NOT VISIBLE. WE ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE VEHICLE BY POWERING OFF AND POWERING ON TO NO AVAIL. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND CARS BEGAN TO SOUND THEIR HORNS. I IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND STEPPED OUT THE VEHICLE TO DIRECT TRAFFIC AROUND THE STALLED VEHICLE (NOT RECOMMENDED UNLESS PROPERLY TRAINED). TRAFFIC ON SEVERAL INSTANCES CAME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO COLLISION AS THIS SITUATION PRESENTED A HUGE RISK TO PERSONAL SAFETY. HAD WE JUST SAT IN THE VEHICLE, WE SURELY WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED A COLLISION. SEVERAL MINUTES PASSED AND WE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FROM A COLD START. IT WAS ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, RESTED AND POWERED ON THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROCEED. HAVING A VEHICLE JUST STOP IN TRAFFIC FOR NO REASON PRESENTS A HUGE RISK NOT ONLY TO THE OWNER BUT THOSE AROUND. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 22, 2013
VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST DRIVETRAIN POWER AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP IN THE LEFT-HAND LANE OF A MAJOR SURFACE STREET IN SAN JOSE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED THE WARNING 'STOP SAFELY NOW". ATTEMPTS TO RESTART OR REBOOT THE CAR FAILED LEAVING US DANGEROUSLY STRANDED IN MODERATE TRAFFIC FOR OVER 20 MINUTES UNTIL A NEARBY RESIDENT HELPED US TO PUSH VEHICLE TO SAFETY. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION BUT THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILIZED. PUSHING THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT, AS IF THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE FORD DEALER REPORTED THAT THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED AND COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED. FORD DEALERSHIP REPORTED OVER 30 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES APPEARING ON THE VEHICLE THAT PROVED TO BE MISLEADING. INEXPERIENCE OF SERVICE TEAM WITH ELECTRICAL VEHICLES PROVIDED LOW CONFIDENCE THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD AND REPAIRED THE CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AND CONTROL MODULE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AGREED TO REFUND OR REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Jun 20, 2013
TRANSMISSION SPUTTERING, HICCUPING GOING THROUGH LOW GEARS. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS FINE. *TR
Power train, Jun 20, 2013
THE CAR IS A BRAND NEW 2013 FORD FOCUS WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 450 MILES, THE CAR STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE IN THE LOWER GEARS - SIMILAR TO ONE MIGHT HEAR IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CAR STUTTERS/SHUDDERS AT THE START IN LOWER GEARS. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FOCUS WHICH FORD SEEMS UNWILLING TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS. WHILE THE STUTTERING/SHUDDERING ISSUE CAN CERTAINLY PRESENT SAFETY ISSUES, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RELATES TO. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2013
DRIVING ON FREEWAY, STOP SAFELY NOW TRIANGLE SHOWS UP....CAR COMPLETELY POWERS DOWN. PULL TO SIDE, HAVE TO WAIT 45 MINUTES TO DRIVE AGAIN. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. *TR
Power train, Jun 11, 2013
AFTER AN ACCIDENT, TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND THE CAR KEPT STALLING OUT WHILE TRYING TO GIVE IT GAS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY REPAIRED THE BODY WORK AND SAID THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE GAS TO SHUT OFF HAD TO BE RESET. PICKED UP FROM DEALER AND THE CAR KEPT STALLING OUT AND SHAKING WHEN TRYING TO TAKE OFF OR ACCELERATE THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE THE CLUTCH IN THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER KEPT FOR A WEEK AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. FORD IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCHES IN THE FORD FOCUS. THEY SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED SO FAR HE HAS PUT IN 5 CLUTCHES ON THE 2013 FORD FOCUS. DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING UNLESS FORD WILL DO A RECALL. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 11, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING WAS DISPLAYED. THIS VEHICLE IS THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE HIGHWAY PATROL PROMPTLY SHOWED UP TO LECTURE ON HOW THIS WAS A UNSAFE PLACE TO STOP. NO KIDDING. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT WE HAD NO CHOICE. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS CONDITION HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC OPERATORS. ONE FORD SPOKESMAN HAS BEEN REPORTED TO SAY THAT LIKE A GAS CAR, THIS WARNING IS SIMILAR TO THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND CAN BE CAUSED BY ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. HOWEVER, UNLIKE A GAS CAR, WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A FOCUS ELECTRIC IT MAY RENDER THE CAR POWERLESS AND MAY EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 11, 2013
WHILE AGGRESSIVELY SHIFTING FROM 1-2 AND EVEN SOMETIMES 2-3 THERE IS A HARD THUMPING BANG THAT OCCURS WHEN SHIFTING OVER 3K...MULTIPLE FORD OWNERS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATE THAT THE PROBLEM DEPENDS ON THE BUILD DATE OF THE VEHICLE...SUPPOSEDLY STATING ITS THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT. UPON READING INTO THE PROBLEM FORD ISN'T SURE IF THE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT A RECALL OR NOT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Jun 10, 2013
MY PERFORMANCE CONCERN STARTED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. I HAD REPORTED WHAT I PERCEIVED AS A PERFORMANCE ISSUE TO THE DEALER BUT OPTED TO GIVE A NEW CAR TIME TO "BREAK IN". 4 WEEKS INTO MY OWNER EXPERIENCE, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HELD AND DROVE THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND HAD DETERMINED THAT A TRANSMISSION COMPONENT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING. I NOW HAVE OVER 10K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS SINCE TOLD ME THAT THE ROUGH IDLE IN PARK OR IN GEAR WITH BRAKE APPLIED IS THE RESULT OF THE "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY USED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE HESITATION EXPERIENCED DURING 0 TO >0 ACCELERATION (GRADUAL OR HARD) IS ALSO THE RESULT OF THE "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY COUPLED WITH ELECTRONIC CLUTCH TECHNOLOGY USED IN PLACE OF A TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS COMBINATION HAS YIELDED NUMEROUS "ALMOST STALLED" CONDITIONS DURING NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS INCLUDING ACCELERATION DURING THE COMPLETION OF A LEFT TURN CROSSING ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC. I RAISE THIS CONCERN AS I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION OF F150 VEHICLES WITH "DIRECT INJECTION" TECHNOLOGY AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE FORD FOCUS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY GOAL IS TO RAISE AWARENESS TO A SIMILAR CONDITION FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER UTILIZING THE SAME TECHNOLOGY. I ALSO HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE ([XXX]) THAT IS LEASED AND HAS THE SAME PERFORMANCE ISSUE DESCRIBED ABOVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2013
MY 2013 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK, IN THE DAYTIME YOU CAN NOT READ THE SPEEDOMETER GAGE IN THE CLUSTER PANEL. THE GAGE LIGHTING NEEDS TO BE BRIGHTER. THE SPEEDOMETER GAGE IS SET BACK IN THE DASH AND THE DIM LIGHTING MAKE IT VERY HARD TO SEE HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING. WE LIVE IN SUNNY FLORIDA AND THE BRIGHT SUN DURING THE DAY MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL YOUR MPH. THE INSTRUMENT DIMMER SWITCH IS ADJUSTED TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. ON A CLOUDY DAY OR AT NIGHT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM TO SEE & READ. I DROVE 2 OTHER 2013 FORD FOCUS HB AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALER SAID THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD, IF ONE CAN NOT CLEARLY READ THE SPEEDOMETER GAGE. I SURE HOPE AT SOME POINT IN TIME, THIS CAN BE CORRECTED. THANK YOU. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND HESITATE TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOFTWARE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. EIGHT HUNDRED MILES LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE SOFTWARE WAS AGAIN UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE BUT NOT A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.