2013 Ford Focus Electric Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 Focus Electric years
The 2013 Ford Focus Electric ranks worst of 6 model years, with 69 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 3 recalls. Owners most often reported sudden loss of propulsion (54% of complaints) at a median mileage of 5,450, making this the year to avoid.
- Complaints
- 69
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 105
- 110 city / 99 hwy
Top 2013 Ford Focus Electric problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (54%)
- Electrical System27 (39%)
- Engine19 (28%)
- Fuel System15 (22%)
- Steering9 (13%)
- Brakes7 (10%)
- Other3 (4%)
What owners report
- Vehicles unexpectedly display a "stop safely now" warning and lose drive power, often at low speed in parking lots.
- Loss of propulsion has occurred repeatedly on the same vehicle, sometimes at speeds up to 40 mph.
- Owners describe the accelerator becoming unresponsive with dash warning lights urging them to pull over.
- In one case the car reportedly moved on its own while parking, resulting in a crash into a wall.
- After a full power loss, some vehicles required a restart or brief wait before regaining function.
2013 Ford Focus Electric recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V592000Sep 10, 2018Other49,197 vehicles
Equipment:electrical
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V523000Oct 30, 2013Transmission & Powertrain2,456 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus Electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall beganon November 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
- NHTSA 13V475000Oct 17, 2013Other23,000 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.
2013 Ford Focus Electric fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 110 MPG
- Highway
- 99 MPG
- Combined
- 105 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Focus Electric years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2013 Ford Focus Electric?
- Yes, relative to other Focus Electric years. It ranks worst of 6 model years with a complaint index of 100 and is rated Avoid, versus later years like 2016 and 2017 rated Best.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Ford Focus Electric?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 54% of complaints (37 of 69), mostly involving sudden loss of propulsion, with a median failure mileage of 4,800 miles.
- Does the 2013 Ford Focus Electric have any recalls?
- Yes, three recalls: a powertrain control module software issue (13V523000), a missing door chime audible alert (13V475000), and a charge cord replacement (18V592000).
- How many complaints does NHTSA list for the 2013 Ford Focus Electric?
- NHTSA lists 69 complaints for the 2013 Focus Electric, including 1 crash and 1 injury, with no fires reported.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford Focus Electric?
- EPA rates it at 105 MPGe combined (110 city / 99 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $700.