general problems of the 2013 Ford Focus - part 1

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 wipers. According to the dealership’s own written statement, their technician began diagnosing the issue by replacing a blown fuse and tracing the wiring harness. While inspecting the wiring harness near the heater hose area, the technician observed coolant dripping onto the harness. When the technician touched the harness, it immediately caught fire. The shop foreman then had to disconnect the battery to prevent further damage. This fire occurred while the vehicle was in the possession and control of the dealership and during active diagnosis by their technician. Despite this, the dealership is now attempting to charge approximately $3,700 to repair the wiring harness and related components. We find this unacceptable. It is unreasonable to expect the customer to pay for repairs to damage that occurred during dealership service and inspection. This situation raises serious concerns, particularly because the dealership had recently performed electrical work on the vehicle involving the bcm only two weeks earlier.

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, warranty was out but Ford sent a letter to replace for free. They did. . And now it’s broke again. It shudders and jerks so bad. My college daughter takes it to and from school and relies on it. I don’t understand how Ford gets away with this as it is an ongoing issue with this year make and model vehicle. It’s dangerous, will stall… and jerk. They charge to fix and all it is a bandaid for an ongoing inevitable failure again. On top of that all the electrical to the radio, speakers and such went as well. The vehicle has less than 98k miles on it. It is well taken care of. This transmission issue is Fords negligence. It’s dangerous, deadly; and I cannot believe they continue to charge for an issue they know about.

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 car behind them . . . . . All becouse of my cars tcm or transmission issues>!!!! also not too mention ` random unusual noises coming from clutch or shifter when not even start car yet _delayed start and delayed shifting . . I could go on and on this car is a nightmare.

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 vehicles have this epas recall, shouldn't a recall be made on the 2013 Ford Focus as well.

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.

There is an issue with the vehicle not receiving gasoline and the car has left me stranded.

Has a bad electrical problem and the transmission is got right.

P0236 , p0238, p007d, p0456, charged air sensor a fault, boost sensor range/performance fault, and other faults , crank car engine service now pops up everytime, clear codes pops rite back up, car stumbles ,misfires , no boost, no throttle shuts off . Only had this car a week . Performed wire splice and anything I saw that I could do to fix this . No help making payments on a car I can't drive is very frustrating. Replaced sensors. These faults pop up within 2 seconds of clearing codes and starting vehicle everytime.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off at a red light. The contact stated that after ten attempts the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 196,666.

Not shifting into gear properly, slipping out of gear into what seems like neutral, downshifting. Also electrical problems, radio not functioning, speakers popping and static sounds even with vehicle completely off.

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.

Unknown.

The washer fluid pump leaks causing liquid to make its way along the electrical wires leading to the body control module (bcm) and causing corrosion on the electrical connections and rendering the vehicle either inoperable or causing it to stall in some cases.

After the stop safely now alert flashed I tried to get off a really busy street and my car turned off in the middle of traffic. I was blocking traffic and cars were trying to pass me on both sides forcing them to drive around my car using the oncoming lane. 3 men helped me by stopping traffic on both sides so that they could push my car off the street onto a church entrance driveway. This is the second time I have had my car stop dead in the middle of busy traffic. The first time I reported this very dangerous problem, my car stopped dead in the middle of a busy intersection.

I bought the car in November, 2021. I had it immediately start to shudder, noticed that for example when I tried to accelerate especially in the midst of turning in the middle of a busy road at an intersection I would stall and lose the ability to move the car, then the hazard lights would never turn on, then lost power to the components of the car which used to function normally. I’m a single mom caring for a child who has multiple disabilities and needs much assistance in which we are still being tested and on waiting lists for, and the last year our car was overheating always, despite the amount of work and repairs that we have paid for and other organizations helped us with, which is more than the cost of the actual cars worth and before any of these faulty parts or builds were common knowledge and available, I was never aware of this. I had the car in to multiple mechanics and we were told they couldn’t find the problem. We’ve repaired up to 5 grand or more and have been having to drive with the heat on for the last year full blast and windows down. We’ve had heat sickness and thrown up or ended up having severe headaches and dehydration. We then had the loss of power worsen, til 2 months ago. It was dead one morning and after jumping it, I couldn’t get it in reverse, so pushed it out and then it wouldn’t go over 10-15 mph nor would the hazard lights work. I got it to ogden Ford, who said it’s the dual clutch part. I had it replaced and came up with the near grand. We have lost our entire life due to this, no help with outside assistance, almost homeless. Now we get a call saying the clutch part was replaced but the whole transmission has to be replaced and need to get 4 grand. Had told them no way I can. They had a salesmen call me to pitch a new car instead. I called Ford motor company and asked customer relations to get help. They won’t even fix the existing recalls and we are losing our life. We need help. Please we have tried all we can.

Electric power steering goes out without any warning. I took my car to the dealership to get rotors and tire rods put on. Go pick up my car, soon as I pull off the lot get down the road my car is pulling to the pulling to the right. I keep driving, it's pulling to the left. I took the car back and told them my car is doing something weird. The tech gets in the driver seat and I get in the passenger seat. We driving and he said yeah that is weird. Now, when I took my car there for repairs, it wasn't doing this. They do some testing and they tell me my electric power steering is going out. Without any warning. I don't know if they did something to it or it just went out. It's a safety hazard because there was no warning light or anything. That's an accident waiting to happen.

At approx 01-05-2023 while driving at a speed of 30 to 35 mph transmission quit with no notice. Dealer says it needs a total rebuild with a cost of approx $3500. 00 to $3900. 00 the dealer or Ford refuses to make things right with me. Ford told me to make payment arrangements with the dealer and suck it up. I still have a loan on car for approx $7100. 00 . Car is currently disabled and is parked for good.

While driving on busy street, car gave sudden warning light 'stop safely now’, car then slowed and shut down on its own, not giving enough time to find a safe place to pull over, posing risk of serious injury to myself, my son, and my wife, as this happened to all of us while driving this vehicle.

My Ford Focus has a steering assist fault. It failed in October 2022, and now I'm having to pay for replacement of the system because there is no recall on it for the Focus, unlike other models.

Bought my car from a dealer Ford and it was fine to start out then the battery died put a new one in kept doing what it was took it in to Ford they said it was the battery so I bought a new battery I asked them to check the alternator starter and the electrical wiring and things to see if they were something wrong with them they told me no that they had checked each one I can’t be driving in the whole car will shut off and shut back on then when you get in it the next day there is no electrical working had to call nan when I was grocery shopping to have them to come look at it they jarred the car little bit and it started up then my brother got in the car to start it lights and dash lights kept going off like it was possessed but would not start would like to know if they are any recalls on the electrical of the car it’s a 2013 Ford Focus.

Car acted like the battery was dead, then when the car started the check engine light engaged. The car did not have to be jumped. Put the car in drive and accelerated. The transmission changed gears rather rough. After a couple miles the car, although in reverse or drive had, zero acceleration power. Seemed as though I was in park or neutral. The 3rd day with this issue, I was prompted that the transmission was overheating. Please note that the car had been started and in park for 5 minutes. Took the vehicle to the auto shop and found the tcm failed at 54 thousand miles. Before this issue there was not any sign of issues. Looked at my maintenance records and found the tcm had been reprogrammed by an official authorized Ford dealership.

The stereo has faulty mosfet components it sounds like machine gun shots I almost hit another car and drove off the road. Even when the car is off it does this! this is a major safety issue no one is doing anything about. Half my dashboard is on my floor in order to make this stop! I can’t lock or unlock my doors without the key fob so if I needed to get out of the vehicle fast I have to reach in my pocket to hit the key fob. The radio also drains the battery while the car is off and making very loud machine gun shot noises. A new stereo unit is about $1000 this is a major safety problem as you can’t even turn the volume down its on full blast! whether the radio is on or off the only option is to take the 1. 5’by1. 5’ section of the dash “the whole middle” and put it somewhere else until this can be fixed! random full blast gun shots are not safe! I’ve read a lot of forums and there are a lot of people that have been in accidents because this is so liad and uncontrollable. Please let me know what I am supposed to do about this as your site says the radio is not covered? I’ve driving down the highway and the gunshots go off non stop for random lengths of time it is no exaggeration its as loud as gun shots! I shouldn’t have to drive my car with ear plugs or headphones I wear at the gun club while shooting guns! the mosfets on the pcb board are not adequately cooled, they break down because the heat for the car blows hot air right on/around them. The design of the stereo uses the plate on the back to keep them cool, not possible while running the heater! I am unsure what to do as I need to be able to safely drive my car without it shoot full blast blank gun shots at me!also the fuse for the radio does not blow shutting the stereo off when this happens. The mosfets get so hot I worry I’ll have an electrical fire while driving! this radio is not safe when the cheap components don’t function correctly and the safety features like fuses dont work! I dont want to crash!.

This message is a complaint about my local car dealership and the car manufacturer of my vehicle. I will try to follow the general guidelines as much as possible. First off, I have a 2013 Ford Focus with numerous recalls. I recently dropped the vehicle off at my local car dealership the have those recalls worked on. . . And only those recalls. The recalls include: - faulty transmission control module (tcm) - canister purge valve (cpv) being stuck open causing the plastic fuel tank to deform, causing incorrect gas tank readings - door latches not being secure - software update of the vehicle's computer. . . To also correct false computer readings. Symptoms I have with the vehicle are as follows: - difficulty with ignition, as I have to turn the key multiple times to start the vehicle; also happens when putting in gas - constant jerking of the vehicle while driving, especially when starting from a stop - stalling of the vehicle, especially when driving uphill - engine light always on - incorrect gas reading; fuel gauge goes up and down. When I dropped my vehicle off at the dealership, I was assured that if the problems were any of the recalls, they would be free of charge. Fast-forward a couple of weeks later and I'm being told that I now owe over $1,000 in labor fees! on top of that I am being told that I owe a $180 diagnostic fee. I was told of two things that were replaced on the vehicle: the canister purge valve (which I already stated is one of the recalls) and some random sensor, which they had no right to replace without my permission. I am being told neither of these things are covered since the car dealership and manufacturer suddenly don't consider these recalls. The excuse I have been given is the "codes" of the vehicle don't give the same information. I am in utter disbelief of everything I am being told. The recall letters clearly state repairs that are part of a recall are free of charge. Absolutely ridiculous.

I had my engine on in park and it stalled left me stranded and dashboard said engine fault service now when I tried starting the car it would turn over and I heard a bunch of clicking and the lights were flickering the dash and radio had no power and my wipers wouldn’t go off. I had to abandon my car on someone’s private property until I could get it towed they ended up calling the cops and gave me 48 hours to remove my car off there property. In my 2013 Ford Focus se I have experienced reduced engine power, hesitation, engine stalls while driving with no warning front and rear lights flicker and dim random spikes in voltage and inconsistent start-up issues like sometimes the vehicle does not start when turning the ignition on and car suddenly starts or idles down unexpectedly and stutters/lurches when driving. Also sometimes my radio fails to have power. I have replaced relay fuses starter fuses purge valve bought a new battery bought a new alternator I changed O2 sensors spark plugs filters etc I took it to fred martin Ford and they advised me they found intermittent communication failure between pcm and tcm. Performed wire trace on harness found harness frayed that runs along transmission unit. There are wiring harness recalls on certain 2013 and 2014 model year Focus st and escape vehicles equipped with a 2. 0l engine engine wiring splice repair safety recall 14s17 my 2013 Ford Focus se 2. 0l engine does not fall under this recall how come? there are several other customers having the same wiring harness issues.

Radio makes loud popping noises on occasion. This is available for inspection upon request assuming a fix is not made. This loud noise could put the driver and others at risk because loud popping noises could scare dive. This problem has been inspected and confirmed by an audio shop. The radio works on occasion but often has popping sound and cuts out.

I’ve seen multiple recalls on the electric power steering with Ford and recently I lost all power steering in my 2013 Ford Focus se and know it’s been a problem for other Fords like mine. My vehicle has 119,000 miles. I want to know why there are recalls for other Ford cars for the exact same issue but not the 2013 Focus.

This car started to make loud engine noises which caused the car to shut off then it restarted on it's on I finally got it to parking lot when I cut it off it still was rattling and clacking like I was cranking it up on the left side of engine so I waited till about 30 minutes what ever it was it killed my battery then it started back up again but then through a check engine light on but when I got it checked it wouldn't read any codes so the display on board of the car read transmission shift in reverse but I wasn't in reverse so it was stuck in transmission mode and could not drive it I got it at a shop which they only would say a transmission, but they only wants to put a transmission in with out checking if it could be anything else like a electrical problem but he says no a transmission so now I'm only at 150k miles and this goes out without notice, I even asked about the transmission acuator but he says no the whole transmission, I just got the car like 3 months ago, and that is no good.

Powertrain loss and loss of engine power, power control module. Engine failure on a busy highway. Putting me at risk of an accident. The car has been serviced by an independent service center. Has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer. Check engine and other warning lamps appeared.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 73 mph, the contact heard a loud knocking sound and received an electrical shock from the steering wheel. The contact sustained a numb left arm due to the electrical shock but medical attention was not sought. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,938.

My 2013 Ford Focus would not randomly start the other evening, after a couple tries it started. On the way home it would not shift properly and acting like it was going to stall. My engine light came on, which never had before. So the next morning I went to go take it to auto zone to have them do a diagnostic and my vehicle started right up, however it would not go into reverse. I have read there have been several issues with the Focus' transmission.

Car stalls while driving on highway. Within my 10 miles to work and back the transmission disengages about 6 times and need to hit the button on side of shift knob. Radio shorted out makes a horrible sound even when not turned on or car not started. Had to remove fuses.

Doesn't accelerate half the time when I hit gas. Doesn't go reverse half the time I put it in reverse. Shuts off randomly. Shakes , shutters. Had codes p07a3 and p2872 show up and Ford said they aren't transmission related even tho both codes have the word " transmission in the code summary. Couldn't get involved in 55mill lawsuit because I haven't had 2 repairs on it. Been in shop since 50k miles getting seniors and stuff replaced. Car has never improved even tho I keep spending money. It's been in shop 3 weeks now. They said might be trans issue now but the radiator is messed up and they can't proceed without 600 dollars. Help before car kills some1. Millions of youtube videos show same issues I have. Ford don't do anything but deny cause 1. 8 cars out there from the same assembly plant mine is from with same issues.

Transmission seems to be slipping as if the gears are not catching during certain times of shifting. Engine seems to lose compression. Mechanic after mechanic seems to have a hard time diagnosing and repairing issues.

Car is less than 6 years old, steering completely fails in very cold weather despite a fully electric epas steering system (no power steering fluid). In addition to the radiator and fuel pump needing replacement within the full lifespan of this car, it is very unsafe and not road worthy.

The transmission control actual failed while I was driving on the interstate. It was as if the car went into neutral and would not go back into gear. When I pressed the accelerator pedal, it would only rev the rpms high and fall back down, no reaction by the transmission whatsoever. I was almost hit by several cars while trying to move over, with the transmission not responding to my gas pedal. There is an active recall/extended warranty on the tcm transmission control module for my vehicle. The check engine light came on, and I scanned the code with a professional obd2 reader. The code was for tcm. Capital Ford at charlotte called me and told me it was the "shift actuator", (a $60 part), not the tcm, and it was not covered under the recall. They wanted $2800 to replace the part, a $60 part. I called Ford, and they gave me a case number to "try" to get it repaired under warranty, but the service director at capital Ford told me he cannot do anything unless Ford tells him to do so, and thus far they have not approved anything to be repaired under warranty. They still have my car in the shop. This is a death trap waiting to happen. I am glad it was me driving and not my wife.