Worst 2013 Ford Focus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Steering Defects
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford Focus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1,049 | 15 | 1 | 47,258 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 340 | 7 | 6 | 55,403 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 268 | 6 | — | 75,266 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 264 | 4 | 5 | 51,227 mi | |
| Fuel System | 205 | 4 | 3 | 77,304 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 110 | 5 | — | 38,003 mi | |
| Body Structure | 73 | 4 | 1 | 49,669 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 49 | — | — | 96,693 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 36 | — | 1 | 65,329 mi | |
| Airbags | 26 | 18 | — | 72,487 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 24 | — | — | 73,330 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 23 | — | — | 77,857 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 23 | — | — | 70,134 mi | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 22 | — | — | 57,535 mi | |
| Brakes | 22 | 4 | 1 | 51,469 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 17 | 1 | — | 102,925 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 17 | 1 | — | 56,816 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 15 | 2 | — | 48,208 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 13 | 1 | — | 41,304 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 13 | 2 | — | 33,400 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 11 | 1 | — | 91,109 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | 1 | 20,486 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | 1 | — | 24,521 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Internal:Clutches/Bands | 6 | — | — | 65,247 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | — | — | 23,488 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Software | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Focus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2013 Ford Focus
10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,868,641 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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).
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).
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."
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.
Other Ford Focus Years
2013 Ford Focus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2013 Ford Focus reliable?
What are common problems with the 2013 Ford Focus?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford Focus?
How safe is the 2013 Ford Focus?
Does the 2013 Ford Focus have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2013 Ford Focus?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Focus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2013 Ford Focus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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