2013 Ford Focus Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Focus. Part of Generation 3 — 2012–2018.

20122014
Complaints
2,907
Crashes
80
Fires
20
Injuries
45
Fatalities
5
Recalls
10

Worst 2013 Ford Focus Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#11,049 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:47,258 mi
Crash-related:15
Fires:1
#2340 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:55,403 mi
Crash-related:7
Fires:6
#3268 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:75,266 mi
Crash-related:6
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford Focus.

Transmission / Drivetrain
1,049
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
1
Avg Miles
47,258
Engine Problems
340
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
6
Avg Miles
55,403
Steering Defects
268
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
75,266
Electrical Faults
264
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
5
Avg Miles
51,227
Fuel System
205
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Avg Miles
77,304
Unintended Acceleration
110
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
38,003
Body Structure
73
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,669
Gasoline Fuel System
49
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
96,693
Electronic Stability Control
36
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,329
Airbags
26
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
Avg Miles
72,487
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,330
Latches / Locks
23
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
77,857
Wipers & Visibility
23
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,134
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,535
Brakes
22
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
51,469
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
102,925
Seat Belt Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
56,816
Suspension Failures
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
48,208
Headlight/Taillight Failures
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
41,304
Wheel Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
33,400
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
91,109
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
20,486
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
24,521
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Internal:Clutches/Bands
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,247
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
23,488
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Software
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

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.

26V011000Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
~116,672 affected

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.

20V331000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,147,323 affected

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.

19V515000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
~57,488 affected

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.

18V735000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
~1,282,596 affected

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.

16V698000Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
~64,038 affected

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."

16V643000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,046,297 affected

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.

15V813000Electrical System:wiring
~9,017 affected

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).

14V495000Electrical System:wiring
~133,227 affected

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).

13V335000Exterior Lighting
~6,308 affected

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."

13V085000Latches / Locks
~5,675 affected

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?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2013 Ford Focus has 2,907 NHTSA complaints, 80 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 1,049 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Ford Focus?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (1,049 complaints, avg 47,258 mi); Engine Problems (340 complaints, avg 55,403 mi); Steering Defects (268 complaints, avg 75,266 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford Focus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 56,115 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Ford Focus?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Ford Focus include 80 crash-related reports, 20 fire reports, 45 injuries, and 5 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Ford Focus have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,868,641 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Ford Focus?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

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

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