MYRModel Year Report

2013 Ford Focus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Ford Focus
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
2,111
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

53% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2012: 3,766 complaints 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2,111 2014: 2,601 complaints 2015: 1,019 complaints 2016: 1,181 complaints 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2007 2008: 250 complaints 2009: 229 complaints 2009 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2,111 2014: 2,601 complaints 2015: 1,019 complaints 2015 2016: 1,181 complaints 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2000 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2004 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2006 2007: 391 complaints 2007 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2009 2010: 287 complaints 2010 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2012 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2,111 2014: 2,601 complaints 2014 2015: 1,019 complaints 2015 2016: 1,181 complaints 2016 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints 2018

2013: 2,111 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199911
20003,686
20011,761
2002939
2003977
2004387
2005441
2006205
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123,766
20132,111
20142,601
20151,019
20161,181
2017896
2018833

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

53% · 1,110 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show 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, 2025-09-09

Also filed under Electrical system and vehicle speed control

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, 2013-01-06

Also filed under Electrical system

I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus from Boucher Ford of Menomonee Falls, WI in February, 2026.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-02

Engine

16% · 344 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show 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, 2018-05-21

I am reporting a severe vehicle safety hazard and engine stalling incident on my 2013 Ford Focus caused by an un-remedied factory emissions safety defect (related to Ford Recall 26S40 / 18S32).

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

The evap canister purge valve has been a recurring problem for this vehicle. The canister was replaced in 2021, but continued having problems, as it pulled a vacuum on the fuel tank in upwards of 3/8 inch.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

Electrical system

13% · 277 reports

Most commonly citing software and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 2018-08-02

Steering

13% · 274 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and rack.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

10% · 209 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2012-10-15Equipment12E035000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2013Complaint volume 2,111 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2013-03-27Latches/locks/linkages13V085000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-08-16Exterior lighting13V335000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-10-06Electrical system14V495000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2016-01-07Electrical system15V813000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2016-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2016-10-29 Door Latch Failure
  8. R
    2016-11-16Latches/locks/linkages, structure16V698000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2017-01-27Latches/locks/linkages16V643000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2019-07-29Fuel system, gasoline19V515000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2019-08-19Fuel system, gasoline18V735000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2019-12-19Recall queryClosed 2022-02-07 Door Latch Failures
  13. R
    2020-07-27Latches/locks/linkages20V331000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2023-09-15Recall queryClosed 2024-12-20 Loss of Motive Power
  15. R
    Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline26V369000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    Date not on fileEquipment26V011000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 1,110 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 344 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 277 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V369000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 26V011000 · Equipment
  • Recall 12E035000 · Equipment
  • Recall 13V085000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 13V335000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V495000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 15V813000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 16V698000 · Latches/locks/linkages, structure
  • Recall 16V643000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 19V515000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 18V735000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 20V331000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 53% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Focus have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.