2013 Ford Focus Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 Focus most often describe transmission problems: shuddering and jerking on acceleration, delayed or missing engagement in drive and reverse, and occasional limp or no-move conditions, frequently traced by dealers to the clutch, clutch actuators or the transmission control module. Fuel-system complaints — stalling, an inaccurate fuel gauge and a deformed fuel tank — form a second cluster, and recurring steering-assist warnings with sudden loss of power assist are also reported. Many complaints describe symptoms that recur after repairs and appear across a wide mileage range, from very low mileage to well past 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, jerking and delayed engagement

   • 1,018 complaints (48%)
   • median 40,664 mi at 3.1 yrs old (864 state mileage)
   • 22 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,700 (median of 45 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe shuddering, shaking and jerking when pulling away from a stop, particularly on hills or in traffic, and a delay or total failure to respond when the accelerator is pressed. Many report the car refusing to engage reverse or stay in gear, or the dashboard showing a transmission fault or overheating message before the vehicle loses power. Complaints frequently state that the dealer replaced the clutch, clutch actuators, seals or the transmission control module, sometimes more than once, and that the symptoms returned afterward. Reported from very low mileage up to and beyond 150,000 miles, with many clustered between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles.

   11 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive, accelerate repeatedly from a stop and try reverse on a slight incline, watching for shudder, hesitation or delayed engagement. Ask whether the clutch, clutch actuators or TCM were replaced and whether the DPS6 extended-warranty programs were ever applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car shakes when trying to change gears an take off today it did it bad in traffic an wouldn't go into reverse an the check engine light came on.. I toke it to see why the light came on an it was the code p080d witch is the same as many other have reported clutch motor TCM I just hope that's it an I still have a warranty on it..”

   NHTSA complaint #11319852, filed 2020-03, 80,000 miles

   “Vehicle was in motion on busy highway going 70mph when it abruptly decreased in speed. Rpms moved back and forth until I was able to get off the highway. If I were in the fast lane, it is likely someone would have ran into the back of me. Concerns with shudder relating to transmission control and clutch assembly needed replacing.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331949, filed 2020-07, 28,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Stalling, inaccurate fuel gauge and deformed fuel tank

   • 677 complaints (32%)
   • median 59,225 mi at 4.5 yrs old (548 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,650 (median of 26 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe the engine stalling or losing power at speed or when accelerating, sometimes only when the tank is not full, and the car failing to restart afterward. Owners also report the fuel gauge and distance-to-empty reading far more fuel than is actually present, leading to running out of gas, and a hissing or fuel-spraying noise when refueling. Several complaints state the fuel tank was found deformed and that a dealer or independent shop linked the symptom to the canister purge valve recalls; some say the recall software update had already been done but the symptoms returned, and others were told their vehicle was not covered. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 150,000 miles, with several complaints tied to post-refueling or low-fuel conditions.

   Recall 26V369000Recall 19V515000Recall 18V735000

   What to check: Fill the tank and compare the gauge reading with the amount pumped, look for a tank that appears sucked in, and ask whether the canister purge valve recalls (18V735, 19V515 or the later follow-up) were completed and whether the PCM was updated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fuel gauge and miles till empty is always wrong so I constantly run out of gas while driving anywhere. When I put the fuel nozzle in my tank it makes a hissing noise (compressed air) or it sprays fuel out of the tank. I have a check engine light that won't go off.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397899, filed 2021-02, 130,000 miles

   “The fuel tanked is deformed and the fuel gauge reflects one-quarter to one-half of a tank of fuel when it is actually empty. The recall notice indicated the fuel tank could be replaced if deformed. My fuel tank is deformed and I mentioned that to the service advisor. He didn't seem interested in my concern. Not knowing how much fuel is remaining in the tank is a real problem. The tank is deformed and should be replaced as per the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11316435, filed 2020-03, 123,934 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering assist loss and warning messages

   • 300 complaints (14%)
   • median 69,800 mi at 5.4 yrs old (259 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,850 (median of 34 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy or effectively locked, often accompanied by a steering assist or steering loss message, sometimes shortly after a cold start or while turning at low speed. Complaints state that restarting the car sometimes clears it temporarily, that dealers attributed it to software in some cases, and that in others the steering gear or rack and pinion was replaced. Some describe the condition at speed, others while parking or reversing. Reported from about 60,000 to beyond 190,000 miles, with several mentions of cold starts and low temperatures.

   What to check: Start the car cold and turn the wheel lock to lock, watching for the steering assist warning or unusually heavy effort. Ask whether any steering-assist module or rack work has been done and whether the fault has ever been stored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering felt a little sticky. Last night I lost all power steering and an alert came up that said 'steering fault service now' and this morning I started it and it said 'steering loss park safely' and the steering wheel doesn't move at all. Almost went off the road when I lost power steering last night”

   NHTSA complaint #11415403, filed 2021-05, 131,000 miles

   “I started the car and the steering assist fault alert came up and the steering wheel was locked in place. I turned the car off and back on and there was no longer an issue. The car also jerks when accelerating quickly. This has been an ongoing issue that the dealership claims to have repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365093, filed 2020-10, 104,672 miles

Buying note. The 2013 Focus draws a large share of its complaints from the automatic transmission, so a thorough test drive across different conditions and a check of the transmission-related recall and warranty work is worth more than mileage alone. Also confirm completion of the fuel-system and door latch campaigns, and watch for steering assist faults on a cold start.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.