2013 FORD FOCUS Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Focus. This model year has 2,099 NHTSA complaints β top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
Before you buy β check the actual VIN
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2013 Ford Focus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Steering Defects
Considering a 2013 Ford Focus?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford Focus. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1,097 | 17 | 1 | β | |
| Engine Problems | 354 | 7 | 7 | β | |
| Steering Defects | 273 | 7 | β | β | |
| Electrical Faults | 272 | 4 | 5 | β | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 205 | 4 | 3 | β | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 192 | β | β | β | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 111 | 5 | β | β | |
| Structural Problems | 83 | 4 | 1 | β | |
| Fuel System | 55 | β | β | β | |
| Door Lock Issues | 53 | 1 | β | β | |
| Gasoline | 53 | β | β | β | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 36 | β | 1 | β | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 26 | 18 | β | β | |
| Brake System | 24 | 5 | 1 | β | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 23 | β | β | β | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 18 | 1 | β | β | |
| Suspension Failures | 15 | 2 | β | β | |
| Wheel Issues | 14 | 2 | β | β | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 14 | 1 | 1 | β | |
| Tire Issues | 10 | 1 | β | β | |
| Visibility | 6 | β | β | β | |
| Equipment | 5 | β | β | β | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | 1 | β | β | |
| Other | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | β | β | |
| Electric | 1 | β | β | β |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Focus. Type a keyword (e.g. βtransmissionβ, βstallingβ, βbrakesβ) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 2,099 total. View all on NHTSA β
The vehicle began to experience issues where it was difficult to start and ran rough. Multiple times after turning off vehicle and attempting to restart later it would not restart. Had vehicle towed to dealership for repairs, they conducted a recall repair and test over multipleβ¦
Steering wheel became hard to turn and then no steering and steering loss Stop safely came on the instrument panel, had car towed home and have had no one look at it yet
The vehicle was serviced at Bartow Ford in Bartow, Florida, where approximately $1,100 was paid for the installation of a Body Control Module (BCM). Less than two weeks after this repair, the vehicle was returned to the same dealership due to issues involving the windshield wiperβ¦
During recent freezing weather, upon starting the car and attempting to turn, I realized that the steering wheel was frozen solid. While researching what could have happened, the war warmed up enough to melt the water in the electric power assisted steering motor, allowing the veβ¦
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aβ¦
Our 2013 ford focus has had the shudder clutch replaced 3 times in 4 years. We paid $2500 for them to replace the clutch, forks, and adjust the tcm module. Within a year it went again. They replaced under our warranty from the first fix. Then a year later, it went again, warrantyβ¦
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, the RPM decreased, and the vehicle turned off independently. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that a dβ¦
The reverse Camera assist and alerts are faulty. The camera when you put the car into Reverse is upside down all of a sudden. The alerts continue to beep when I put the car in reverse as well. It's very dangerous because you think something is behind you even though there is nothβ¦
erratic shifting and eratic slipping gears , first happened while on highway and then it wouldnt go in any gear besides reverse and would say transmission overheat wait 5 min . caused another veihcal behind me to slam on there brakes and they ended up getting rear ended from the β¦
While driving, the electric power steering went out. I purchased this vehicle on Aug 15 2025 and the Carfax report did not have any information pertaining to an issue with EPAS. To have this repaired will cost me over $3k which I was not prepared for. Being that other Ford veβ¦
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehiclβ¦
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 aftβ¦
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal before the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was shifted into park and restarted. The transmisβ¦
Transmission not shifting properly
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 infβ¦
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that the cβ¦
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N), and the message βTransmission Overheated - Pull Over for 5 Minutesβ was displayed. The contact coasted to the side of the road and waited beforβ¦
The car shows a warning transmission fault service now
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 dashβ¦
When I drive my car it takes time before it kicks in to drive correctly
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Ford Focus.
Recalls for 2013 Ford Focus
11 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford Focus. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2013 Ford Focus β FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2013 Ford Focus reliable?βΎ
Severe Issues. The 2013 Ford Focus has 2,099 NHTSA owner complaints, 49 crash-related, and 11 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (1,097 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Focus?βΎ
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (1,097 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (354 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (273 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford Focus?βΎ
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Ford Focus?βΎ
The 2013 Ford Focus has 49 crash-related complaints and 12 fire reports out of 2,099 total NHTSA complaints. 28 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Ford Focus have any recalls?βΎ
Yes β 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Ford Focus. The largest issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2013 Ford Focus?βΎ
The 2013 Ford Focus has severe issues β review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Focus reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2013 Ford Focus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.