What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2013 Ford Focus

Typical pattern

13.9% of complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2013 vehicle — around the middle of the 210 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (1105 complaints), typically at 3.4 yr or about 39,000 miles.

Complaints
2,915
Median age at failure
4.5 yr
Median mileage
52,460 n=2308
Crash / fire / tow
5.9% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
1105 reports · 39,000 mi
3.4 yr
5.4%
Engine
343 reports · 49,557 mi
4.1 yr
5%
Electrical system
275 reports · 44,885 mi
4.3 yr
5.8%
Steering
273 reports · 75,000 mi
5.8 yr
6.2%
Fuel / propulsion
208 reports · 75,000 mi
6.2 yr
4.3%
Other
194 reports · 67,000 mi
6.1 yr
0%
Speed control
110 reports · 22,400 mi
2.2 yr
6.4%
Structure
86 reports · 51,000 mi
3.9 yr
5.8%
Latches / locks
54 reports · 77,671 mi
4.1 yr
1.9%
Fuel system
53 reports · 99,000 mi
8.2 yr
7.5%
Electronic stability control (esc)
36 reports · 59,780 mi
4.5 yr
5.6%
Air bags
26 reports · 66,000 mi
6.1 yr
69.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V369000 2026-06-09
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister

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.

26V011000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

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.

20V331000 2020-06-08
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

19V515000 2019-07-05
Fuel system, gasoline:storage

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.

18V735000 2018-10-22
Fuel system, gasoline:storage

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.

16V698000 2016-09-28
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

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.

16V643000 2016-09-06
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

15V813000 2015-12-02
Electrical system:wiring

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.

14V495000 2014-08-11
Electrical system:wiring

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.

13V335000 2013-08-01
Exterior lighting

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.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 340 mi 1 mo in service
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES ARE HARD TO READ ON A SUNNY DAY. THE VISION OF THE SPEEDOMETER, WHILE DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY IS VERY HARD TO READ. IT IS A DISTRACTION TO STARE AT THE SPEEDOMETER, TO SEE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ARE SET AT THE BRIGHTEST SETTING. THE GLARE FROM THE POLISHED ALUMINUM ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY. THE CLUSTER GAUGE BACK LIGHTS NEED TO BE BRIGHTER. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WAS NOT A HELP... *TR
Electrical system 3,800 mi 5 mo in service
VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WITH NO WARNING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART FOR 10-15 MINUTES, THE CAR DID RE-START, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP ON 2/22. AWAITING INFORMATION FROM DEALER. *TR
Electrical system 1,800 mi 8 mo in service
FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC VEHICLE STOPS SUDDENLY WITH "STOP SAFELY NOW". WHEN THIS OCCURS DRIVER (ME) LOOSES ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS EVEN OCCURRED TODAY AND LEFT US IN DANGER ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE WE NERVOUSLY WAITED FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE. MANY REPORTS OF THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE ON THE PUBLIC FORUMS. CONCERN OF LOSS OF POWER TRAIN COULD MEAN INJURIES OR DEATH DEPENDING ON THE MOMENT A CAR LOOSES IT'S ABILITY TO DRIVE WHILE MOBILE. *TR
Power train 273 mi 2 mo in service
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION HUNTED FOR A GEAR BUT SEEMED TO GET STUCK BETWEEN GEARS AND ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE RPMS STAYED UP SINCE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE RPMS DIDN'T DROP, BUT KIND OF JUMPED AROUND. I TRIED APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR BUT IT JUST REVVED AND DIDN'T ACCELERATE. I THEN STOPPED APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, THEN SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION FOUND A GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. *TR

Other Focus model years

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

How to read this