2013 Ford FOCUS
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Ford FOCUS has 2913 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 1308. The most common issue is transmission problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: at approximately 7:15 am, roadway was wet (previously rained), traveling at approximately 60 mph in lane 3 of 3 and changing lane into lane 2 of 3 while mildly accelerating and then let off the accelerator lightly as changing lane (approaching rear of vehicle in front of me). as i tried to accelera. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 17 fire reports filed.
2913
Total Complaints
12
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
2.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
1107 complaints- • AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM, ROADWAY WAS WET (PREVIOUSLY RAINED), TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN LANE 3 OF 3 AND CHANGING LANE INTO LANE 2 OF 3 WHILE MILDLY ACCELERATING AND THEN LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR LIGHTLY AS CHANGING LANE (APPROACHING REAR OF VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME). AS I TRIED TO ACCELERA
- • I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION HUNTED FOR A GEAR BUT SEEMED TO GET STUCK BETWEEN GEARS AND ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE RPMS STAYED UP SINCE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS. I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE RPMS DIDN'T DROP, BUT KIND OF JUMPE
- • TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER TRAVELING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL AWAY IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER SWITCHING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TH
“AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM, ROADWAY WAS WET (PREVIOUSLY RAINED), TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN LANE 3 OF 3 AND CHANGING LANE INTO LANE 2 OF 3 WHILE MILDLY ACCELERATING AND THEN LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR LIGHTLY AS CHANGING LANE (APPROACHING REAR OF VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME). AS I TRIED TO ACCELERA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford FOCUS
Based on 2,315 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL
SPEED CONTROL
VISIBILITY
BRAKES
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 (12)
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2013 Ford FOCUS
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
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 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, 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
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.
Videos About the 2013 Ford FOCUS
Videos hosted on YouTube — embedded via official playerVideos are hosted on YouTube and embedded here via YouTube's official player. BestCarRank does not host or produce these videos. Watch counts and channel information are pulled from YouTube's public Data API.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 2913 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM, ROADWAY WAS WET (PREVIOUSLY RAINED), TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN LANE 3 OF 3 AND CHANGING LANE INTO LANE 2 OF 3 WHILE MILDLY ACCELERATING AND THEN LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR LIGHTLY AS CHANGING LANE (APPROACHING REAR OF VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME). AS I TRIED TO ACCELERA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: I OWN A 2013 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK TITANIUM MODEL. PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY 2013. CURRENTLY HAS 1100 MILES ON IT. CAR HAS A SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT FORD HAS DUBBED "POWERSHIFT". TRANSMISSION IS VERY JITTERY AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. IT IS ALSO HESITANT TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY ~50MPH THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT AS THOUGH BEING BLOWN BY HEAVY WINDS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS LITTLE/NO WIND THAT DAY. I APPLIED A TYPICAL, SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT TO THE LEFT BUT THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTED MY INPUT, AS THOUGH SOMEBODY WAS HOLDING ONTO THE STE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES ARE HARD TO READ ON A SUNNY DAY. THE VISION OF THE SPEEDOMETER, WHILE DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY IS VERY HARD TO READ. IT IS A DISTRACTION TO STARE AT THE SPEEDOMETER, TO SEE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS ARE SET AT THE BRIGHTEST SETTING. TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford FOCUS — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 2913
- Recalls
- 12
- Fire reports
- 17
- Crash reports
- 48
- Injury reports
- 26
- Segment avg
- 1308
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Ford FOCUS