Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Ford Focus problems
Owners filed 2,157 complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus with NHTSA between Oct 2012 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is power train (1,131).
Complaints
2,157
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
49
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
27
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train1,131
- Engine355
- Electrical system295
- Steering279
- Fuel/propulsion system219
- Vehicle speed control115
- Structure83
- Fuel system, gasoline52
- Latches/locks/linkages52
- Electronic stability control (esc)39
- Air bags26
- Service brakes26
- Visibility/wiper23
- Seat belts18
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
189
228
240
268
200
166
362
153
91
94
84
53
24
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 189 |
| 2014 | 228 |
| 2015 | 240 |
| 2016 | 268 |
| 2017 | 200 |
| 2018 | 166 |
| 2019 | 362 |
| 2020 | 153 |
| 2021 | 91 |
| 2022 | 94 |
| 2023 | 84 |
| 2024 | 53 |
| 2025 | 24 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
1,131 reports17 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH on two occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the roadway and restarted. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure could not be replicated; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that on the second failure, the vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure persisted upon restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to another unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Engine
355 reports7 crashes6 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the transmission was slipping, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.”
Electrical system
295 reports3 crashes4 fires2 related recalls
“Power steering randomly stops working when vehicle is running. It happens most often right after I start the vehicle. I can turn the vehicle off and back on a couple times to get it to work. I am worried that it will happen while active driving. Power steering light comes on dashboard. It has happened many times.i will list the last date that it happened.”
Steering
279 reports7 crashes
“Electrical Power Steering. While driving the steering suddenly locked up. There was no prior indication. Upon having a Master Mechanic check the vehicle, it was stated that it is a common problem seen by mechanics and after researching online searches, the Ford Focus vehicles from 2010-2014 have experienced the same issue. This is an absolute hazard. The cost to repair will be close to $4, 000. I am requesting that an immediate recall she be mandated by Ford. This was a close call for me on a main Freeway.”
Fuel/propulsion system
219 reports4 crashes3 fires
“I have had multiple instance of losing power with my car, I completed Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 and the known issue was not solved. I then went to a mechanic to have a diagnostic test performed due to the check engine light being on and they concluded that the issue was the Canister Purge Valve as well as possibly the Charcoal Canister due to the CPV malfunctioning. Other than losing power within my car the other associated problems, as confirmed by mechanic, are rough idling, difficulty starting, decreased fuel economy, and increased emissions.”
Vehicle speed control
115 reports4 crashes
“I have a current recall on my transmission I notify for it. I went up there to get the recall fixed. They plugged it up to the machine to see about my transmission, and they said it came back with a cold that was not associated with the recall for my transmission, but it did say something was wrong with my transmission, I looked into that popped up on the cold reader and it’s it. I gave them the number and they said that Ford will be unable to pay for it and they told me I would have to pay $175 in order to hook it up to the main machine to see what exactly the code is if it match the cold that will pay for me new transmission. I explained to them that if I have a recall on the car for my door, lash and my transmission , why would I have to pay for so he kept running around loops not trying to give me a correct response basically just making me trying to pay for them to hook up something that should be for free so my car is accelerating is not accelerating speed, it keeps on clicking is something to do with my transmission, which it has a recall on it before in Orange will not fix it Paid paid off so I need someone to help me solve this matter because Ford and…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.