2013 Ford Focus Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#3 most-complained of 9 Focus years
The 2013 Ford Focus ranks 3rd worst of 9 model years with a Complaint Index of 75 and 2,111 complaints logged. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 52% of complaints, with 11 recalls on file, so NHTSA data marks this year Avoid relative to other Focus years.
- Complaints
- 2,111
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 49 / 12
- Injuries / deaths
- 28 / 3
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27 city / 36 hwy
Top 2013 Ford Focus problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,101 (52%)
- Engine430 (20%)
- Electrical System282 (13%)
- Steering273 (13%)
- Fuel System263 (12%)
- Other199 (9%)
- Structure & Body136 (6%)
- Brakes61 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers29 (1%)
What owners report
- Some vehicles rolled away or shifted unexpectedly after being placed in park, in one case rolling downhill into another vehicle.
- Owners describe sudden loss of acceleration followed by an unexpected surge forward when the gas pedal was pressed again.
- A front tie rod reportedly failed while driving at 35 mph, causing loss of control and a wheel to separate from the vehicle.
- Engine compartment fires were reported, including one that started after a low-speed rear-end collision.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed crashes, including one where the driver suffered whiplash.
- Steering and traction issues were reported leading to loss of control and curb impacts at low speed.
2013 Ford Focus recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V369000Jun 9, 2026Fuel System257,868 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
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.
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 20V331000Jun 8, 2020Structure & Body2,147,323 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
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. 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 component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
2013 Ford Focus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford Focus reliable?
- NHTSA data lists 2,111 complaints and a Complaint Index of 75 for the 2013 Focus, ranking it 3rd worst among 9 Focus model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Ford Focus?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 52% of complaints (1,101 of 2,111), with a median failure mileage of 39,000 miles, making it the top problem area for this year.
- Does the 2013 Ford Focus have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Focus, covering fuel system components like the Canister Purge Valve, structural door latch issues, and electrical splice problems.
- How does the 2013 Focus compare to other years?
- The 2013 Focus has a Complaint Index of 75, worse than 2015 (50), 2016 (63), 2017 (25), and 2018 (38), but slightly better than 2012 (100) and 2014 (88).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford Focus?
- EPA rates the 2013 Focus at 30 mpg combined (27 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.