2013 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1,102about this part
- Share
- 52%of 2,112 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 1,102 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Ford Focus, 52% of the 2,112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have own a 2013 Ford Focus and when I try to accelerate, it seams the car revs up but doesn't go any faster. That doesn't happen all the time but when it does it's scary to think that I might get rear-ended when I'm switching lanes on the freeway. The car also switches gears a little rough. Something definitely feels off about this transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11301819, filed 2020-01, 120,000 miles“Purchased car new and from day one it was evident there we're transmission issues. Had back to the deal several times the said they reprogrammed the transmission but it did not help, maybe even made it worse? When driving or pulling out the car would shake and shutter very bad. This was a constant issue from the day I drove it off of the sales lot.”
NHTSA complaint #11287266, filed 2019-12, 25 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“Dps6 transmission shutter has been attempted to be repaired 4 times. Was told the last time that it should be a permanent fix. It's starting to shutter yet again. Every time I'm told it's okay and have to fight to get it repaired. This worries me as entering a highway via on ramp when you need to build up speed and it shutters it can be very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11232310, filed 2019-07, 74,000 miles“Transmission shuttering ,rows backwards on a incline,try to merge in traffic will not move fast enough very dangers ,called Ford customer service said it would be covered once I took it to the Ford dealership I was charged for diagnostic then was told it was not covered and said it would cost me $1600 to fix ,did not have it fix setting at home in garage”
NHTSA complaint #11291443, filed 2019-12, 162,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237441May 4, 2023Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10226944Nov 7, 2022Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission; Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10199780Jul 30, 2021Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever…
- 10180371Sep 2, 2020This customer satisfaction program updates the TCM software in affected vehicles to provide improved detection and over warning of electrical circuit failures in the TCM. As…
- 10164620Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Service…
- 10164606Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164604Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty…
- 10164615Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164612Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module…
- 10163594Jul 12, 2019Short-Term DPS6 Dealer Customer Handling Direction
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 60% |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2013 Ford Focus
344 complaintsElectrical system
276 complaintsSteering
273 complaintsFuel system
263 complaintsOther or unknown
198 complaintsVehicle speed control
112 complaintsBody and structure
84 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
53 complaintsElectronic stability control
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsBrakes
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology