The Lemon Index2013 Ford Focus.
The 2013 Ford Focus is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 930 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 314, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, and it has 12 recalls. The best Ford Focus year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2012–2018 Ford Focus, 34.5M views. The 2013 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.3M views
2012-2015 Ford Focus Battery ReplacementNoneMechanic101 · 623K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter1.2M views
How to Reset Transmission ford focus 2013YTLIFE · 531K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring748K views
How To: Change the Tail Lights on a 2011-2018 Ford FocusO'Reilly Auto Parts · 259K views · 4 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition651K views
2013 Ford Focus No Start/ Wont Start Issue SOLVED!Alek Timmons · 651K views
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors400K views
Do I REGRET buying a 2017 Ford Focus RS? 15 month UPDATERaiti's Rides · 400K views - Oil changes & service370K views
HOW TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL ON FORD FOCUS 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Auto Repair Guys · 238K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension323K views
How to Replace Front Lower Control Arm 2012-2020 Ford FocusTRQ · 211K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank268K views
2014 Ford Focus Low Fuel Pressure P0087 FixedL8R-HP · 268K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford Focus Hatchback 2012-2020 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 850K views
Ford Focus ST 2015-2019 in-depth review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 311K views
Ford Focus Estate 2015-2019 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 271K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 2,181 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Focus year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 85K miles on the car (1,744 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 9K–73K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 10K–82K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 5K–75K miles
Recalls 12
- fuel system, gasoline 2026
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
- equipment 2026
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
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.
Show all 12 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
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.
- electrical 2015
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).
- electrical 2014
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).
- lights 2013
Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function.
- latches/locks/linkages 2013
The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly.
- equipment 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 154 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some vehicles, when unlocking door, with ikt fob, dome light fails to illuminate after…
- There is a banging noise heard and/or bump felt coming from front of vehicle, during quick 1-2…
- From the front of some vehicles, there would be a bump and/or bang noise, when during quick…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2023–2024
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Focus 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Focus BEV 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $700–2450 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).
In owners' words
Anytime while driving this vehicle you will experience grinding,shuttering and hesitation usually at lower traffic speeds , which is sometimes unsafe while merging into traffic because of the hesitation.
2013 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 10680119
More owner reports
While driving at 30 mph, the car quit running and displayed "stop safely now".
NHTSA complaint 10544341
While accelerating from a stop there is a sudden loss of power with a dragging feeling. Vehicle losses speed for several seconds then catches with a jolt.
NHTSA complaint 10587490
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Ford Focus reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 314; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Focus year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2013 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (61%), engine (18%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Focus have?
12 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2013 Ford Focus safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,000 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 51,000 miles, from 1,744 complaints.
Does the 2013 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 61% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $700 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Ford Focus year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works