
2013 Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC has 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 53. The most common issue is transmission problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: driving at low speed in a parking lot, the car lost propulsion (only) and displayed 'stop safely now'. this has occurred 3 times since (total of 4) with 3 incidents also being at low, parking lot speeds. i had one incident where this occurred at a steady 40mph. the car looses propulsion only. ste. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.
120
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
37 complaints- • DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR LOST PROPULSION (ONLY) AND DISPLAYED 'STOP SAFELY NOW'. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE (TOTAL OF 4) WITH 3 INCIDENTS ALSO BEING AT LOW, PARKING LOT SPEEDS. I HAD ONE INCIDENT WHERE THIS OCCURRED AT A STEADY 40MPH. THE CAR LOOSES PROPULSION ONLY. STE
- • AFTER DRIVING ABOUT ONE MILE FROM HOME, A TONE SOUNDED AND THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING WAS DISPLAYED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH. THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR'S SPEED WAS ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE TONE FIRST SO
- • MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT APPROX. 30 MPH. WITH NO PRIOR AUDIBLE OR VISUAL INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING DRIVE POWER CEASED AND THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP WITH A LOUD AUDIBLE WARNING.SHE WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE REAR ENDED..THE GREEN INSTRUMENT PANEL ICON WHICH NORMALLY INDICATES DRIVE POWER C
“DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR LOST PROPULSION (ONLY) AND DISPLAYED 'STOP SAFELY NOW'. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE (TOTAL OF 4) WITH 3 INCIDENTS ALSO BEING AT LOW, PARKING LOT SPEEDS. I HAD ONE INCIDENT WHERE THIS OCCURRED AT A STEADY 40MPH. THE CAR LOOSES PROPULSION ONLY. STE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC
Based on 109 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL
ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM
STEERING
SPEED CONTROL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.
Risk: An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2013 Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC Service Intervals
IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2013 FOCUS ELECTRIC, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2013 Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 120 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR LOST PROPULSION (ONLY) AND DISPLAYED 'STOP SAFELY NOW'. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE (TOTAL OF 4) WITH 3 INCIDENTS ALSO BEING AT LOW, PARKING LOT SPEEDS. I HAD ONE INCIDENT WHERE THIS OCCURRED AT A STEADY 40MPH. THE CAR LOOSES PROPULSION ONLY. STE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I HAVE JUST OVER 1000 MILES ON MY 2013 FOCUS EV ... TOOK IT FOR ITS 1ST POWER CAR WASH TODAY @ DELTA SONIC ... ABOUT 10:00 MIN DRIVING AWAY FROM CAR WASH, VEHICLE ABRUPTLY "SHUT DOWN" REQUESTING AN "IMMEDIATE SAFE STOP" AND THE "YELLOW WRENCH" SHOWED ON DASH. AFTER ABOUT 30:00 MIN WHILE SCHEDULI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TWO INCIDENTS OF "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING AND LOSS OF POWER. DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM IN FIRST INCIDENT. SECOND INCIDENT TODAY, 23 DAYS AFTER FIRST ONE. WILL TAKE (OR TOW) IT IN FOR INSPECTION MONDAY, PER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: I HAVE JUST OVER 1000 MILES ON MY 2013 FOCUS EV ... TOOK IT FOR ITS 1ST POWER CAR WASH TODAY @ DELTA SONIC ... ABOUT 10:00 MIN DRIVING AWAY FROM CAR WASH, VEHICLE ABRUPTLY "SHUT DOWN" REQUESTING AN "IMMEDIATE SAFE STOP" AND THE "YELLOW WRENCH" SHOWED ON DASH. AFTER ABOUT 30:00 MIN WHILE SCHEDULI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 120
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 53
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Ford FOCUS ELECTRIC