Is the 2013 Ford Focus a bad year?
2,111 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 1,101, 28× a quiet Focus year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus were filed between 13k and 76k miles. You're at 42,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Focus owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 42,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 1,101 (52%) | 13k–76k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 112 (5%) | 8k–60k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 53 (3%) | 40k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 273 (13%) | 50k–97k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 263 (12%) | 60k–115k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 354 (17%) | 13k–84k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 276 (13%) | 10k–80k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 84 (4%) | 42k–64k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 36 (2%) | 31k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 29 (1%) | 24k–111k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 26 (1%) | 40k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 24 (1%) | 10k–83k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Seat belts | 18 (1%) | 35k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (1%) | 15k–88k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 42,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 2,111 complaints: 49 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 24 report an injury · 77 say the car was towed.
20 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Trying to back out of my driveway when it first happened. The shifter didn't engage but the shifting level moved.
Transmission is grinding car is shimming acts as if it wants to stall. I have had it to bert wolf 2 times this year and its still not fixed.
I was driving down the highway at about 60MPH and the hood flew open shattering the window.the latch that was holding it down came loose and one side was not attached to anything.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 42,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Ford Focus: 12
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving. An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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. The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
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. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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). The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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). The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
Certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame. Without proper contact of the rooftop rack clip to the door frame, there is insufficient clamping pressure and friction.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 145
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Ford Focus. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Control…
Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date…
Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission…
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Loss of Motive Power
Door Latch Failures
Door Latch Failure
Neighbouring years
2012 Focus: 3,767 complaints, consider selling · 2014 Focus: 2,604 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford Focus year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · All Focus years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2013 Ford Focus a bad year?
2,111 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 1,101, 28× a quiet Focus year. At 42,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus were filed between 13k and 76k miles. You're at 42,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Focus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (1,101), speed control (112), latches and locks (53), steering (273), fuel system (263). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 13k–76k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Focus have?
12 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 26V-369), Equipment (NHTSA 26V-011), Latches and locks (NHTSA 20V-331), Fuel system (NHTSA 19V-515) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.