Problems · by component
2013 Ford Focus fuel/propulsion system problems
219 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Focus cite fuel/propulsion system, 10% of all 2,157 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
219
10% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“The canister purge valve has failed. Was not defective when recall #19S22 was performed. Car failed to start repeatedly and would not idle after refilling the tank from low (fuel light on) to approximately 75%. Eventually, the car did start and after keeping the RPMs at 2000 for a few minutes, the car is back to idling normally. Check engine light did not appear until 3 days after the stall at the gas station, which had a DTC P1450 code indicating inability for the car to bleed the fuel tank, suggesting the canister purge valve. Ford should offer the free replacement of the defective purge valve and inspection of the carbon canister and fuel tank even after the 19S22 recall was performed (which was just a software update and inspection at the time of service). The possibility of the car stalling not just at the gas station is a safety issue for others and the occupant because of the possibility of a sudden loss of power/becoming an obstruction/or abruptly stopping on the road.”
“On 4/20/23 while driving home from work on the highway my car stalled and after pulling over would not start. The check engine ight had come one. On 4/21/23 I took my car to a mechanic who found the p0456 fault in the PCM which was tied to an active recall on my vehicle. The mechanic printed out the recall information and recommended replacing the cannister purge valve, fuel tank and fuel pump assembly. They suggested I take it to the local ford dealer to have the recall work done as it would be covered. On 4/27/23 I took my car to the dealership to have the recall work done. The dealer reprogrammed the PCM and replaced the vapor canister purge solenoid. On 5/15/23 while driving home from work on the highway my car stalled again and after pulling over would not start. The fuel tank has deformed, but less than the 1 inch ford is requiring to replace it and the distance to empty is still inaccurate. On 5/16 I dropped the car back off at the dealer. They looked at the car the next day and refused to address the outstanding issues.”
“There was a past recall for the purge valve canister and the fuel pump and I was never notified from Ford about the recall when it was open. Now they are asking me to pay out of pocket for these repairs the dealership is asking $1400 to repair. Ford shoild honor there recalls even if the recall is closed. Now that I have the problem with the fuel system it is affecting my fuel tank as well. I have been buying Ford cars for over 20 years. The least they can do is offer financial assistance. If this is affecting my fuel tank now my car can catch on fire. I can't drive my vehicle more than two miles before it starts to slow down. At the time of the recall my vehicle had 83,000 miles. it now has 140,000.”
“Faulty canister purge valve caused vehicle to stall and shut down while driving on public roads. Canister purge valve is also causing check engine code P0420. Catalytic converter is also giving out while operating causing a lot of white smoke from the exhaust and catalytic converter.”
“My daughter has a 2013 Ford Focus SE and has had numerous issues with her transmission which of recent has presented some serious safety concerns. She had driven her car to work and when attempting to leave after work was unable to get her car to move . She put the car in drive and reved the engine then in reverse the same , would not move. We had the car towed to Sarchione Ford of Alliance and was diagnosed as the Transmission Actuator A . My understanding of the Actuator is it engaged the transmission into gear. I recently read an article in a Ford Forum relating to the April 2020 Class Action Suit and I quote a blogger stated that this defect can abruptly cause car to jump into gear which could cause a safety issue . Another blogger stated that he had a similar issue while on an expressway traveling fast and ended up on the shoulder until eventually getting the car to move again. My daughter's Ford Focus 2013 has had 2 recalls issued relating to the transmission. Program #14M01 Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission input seal Warranty extension which is no longer valid. Program #14M02 Transmission Control Module which has been extended to 150,000 mile…”
Showing 6 of 219 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.