2013 Ford Focus
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 3686 |
| 2001 | 1761 |
| 2002 | 939 |
| 2003 | 977 |
| 2004 | 387 |
| 2005 | 440 |
| 2006 | 204 |
| 2007 | 391 |
| 2008 | 250 |
| 2009 | 229 |
| 2010 | 287 |
| 2011 | 113 |
| 2012 | 3755 |
| 2013 | 2103 |
| 2014 | 2586 |
| 2015 | 1007 |
| 2016 | 1174 |
| 2017 | 882 |
| 2018 | 821 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
50% of complaints: power train — 1050 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
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 .
NHTSA ODI report, 20250909
INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE IN PARK - STOPPED THE CAR AND PLACED IT IN PARK (THOUGHT I DID) SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LOCKED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE STORE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130106
16% of complaints: engine — 341 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE 39MINS AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE . THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND I HAD AN ENGINE FIRE
NHTSA ODI report, 20180521
13% of complaints: steering — 268 distinct reports on file.
CRASH13% of complaints: electrical system — 264 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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 .
NHTSA ODI report, 20250909
ON THURSDAY AUGUST 2, 2018 AROUND 8:30. THE WIRES IN THE DASH BOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CARD BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE. I COULD SMELL THE BURNING AND I WASN'T SURE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180802
INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE IN PARK - STOPPED THE CAR AND PLACED IT IN PARK (THOUGHT I DID) SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LOCKED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE STORE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130106
10% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 206 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHSAFETY TIMELINE
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not by Ford. Certain combined
Remedy: Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focu
Campaign 12E035000 — check if this car was fixed
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, thr
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Com
Campaign 13V085000 — check if this car was fixed
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 Foc
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-4
Campaign 13V335000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.
Campaign 14V495000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 15V813000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failure
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 16V698000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Campaign 16V643000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed.
Campaign 19V515000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed.
Campaign 18V735000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failures
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.
Campaign 20V331000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of Motive Power
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40.
Campaign 26V369000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Campaign 26V011000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2013 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (1050 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (341 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (268 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V369000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V011000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12E035000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V085000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V335000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V495000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V813000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V698000 (latches/locks/linkages, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V515000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2013 Ford Focus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Ford Focus is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Focus?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Focus have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.