Reliable Auto DB

2013 Ford Focus reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 2,110 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Focus over 14 years — 204 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Focus years here — over the median of the other years, which is 55. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Evaporative emissions canister, Engine block heater, and Latch.

2013 Ford Focus SE hatchback
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

2,110

Per year

204

Recalls

12

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (1,101 of 2,110), then Engine (343) and Electrical system (275). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 53,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 17,858 and 86,000 miles. Those filings include 49 that report a crash, 12 that report a fire, 24 that report an injury, and 3 that report a death.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Focus has 3,801 complaints, 219 per year, and the 2014 has 2,656 complaints, 249 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Ford Focus. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (12)

Recall Evaporative emissions canister 2026-06-09 · NHTSA campaign 26V369000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 257,868
Recall equipment, electrical, engine block heater 2026-01-15 · NHTSA campaign 26V011000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 116,672
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, doors, latch 2020-06-08 · NHTSA campaign 20V331000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 2,147,323
Recall gasoline fuel system, storage 2019-07-05 · NHTSA campaign 19V515000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
Remedy 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 July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
Vehicles affected 57,488
Recall gasoline fuel system, storage 2018-10-22 · NHTSA campaign 18V735000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Vehicles affected 1,282,596
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, liftgate, lock 2016-09-28 · NHTSA campaign 16V698000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Ford Focus hatchback vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 26, 2016 and equipped with a manual transmission. The hatchback of the affected vehicles may be unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release button. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C13.
Vehicles affected 64,038
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, doors, latch 2016-09-06 · NHTSA campaign 16V643000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. 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.
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Vehicles affected 2,046,297
Recall electrical system, wiring 2015-12-02 · NHTSA campaign 15V813000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. 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).
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.
Vehicles affected 9,017
Recall electrical system, wiring 2014-08-11 · NHTSA campaign 14V495000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. 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).
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.
Vehicles affected 133,227
Recall Exterior lighting 2013-08-01 · NHTSA campaign 13V335000
Summary Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.
Vehicles affected 6,308
Recall Latches, locks, and linkages 2013-03-07 · NHTSA campaign 13V085000
Summary Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Vehicles affected 5,675
Recall Equipment 2012-10-02 · NHTSA campaign 12E035000
Summary This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not by Ford. Certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame.
Remedy Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focus. The safety recall began on October 15, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the vehicle rack system are affected. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not Ford. Owners may contact Yakima at 1-888-925-4621.
Vehicles affected 440

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (2110 total)

Powertrain
1101
Engine
343
Electrical system
275
Steering
273
Fuel and propulsion system
208
Speed control
111
Structure
84
Fuel system, gasoline
53
Latches, locks, and linkages
53
Electronic stability control (ESC)
36
Air bags
26
Visibility and wipers
23
Service brakes
22
Seat belts
18
Suspension
15
Engine and engine cooling
14
Exterior lighting
14
Wheels
14
Tires
10
Visibility
6
Equipment
5
Seats
4
Adaptive and mobility equipment
2
Fuel system, other
2
Traction control
2
Back-over prevention
1
Electric service brakes
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Lane departure
1
Show 21 more Show less
Crash-flagged

49

Fire-flagged

12

Injury reports

24

Death reports

3

Of the 1,681 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 53,000 miles. The middle half fall between 17,858 and 86,000 miles.

Complaints filed per year

5201215420132182014235201526320161942017162201836020191532020902021942022842023522024312025152026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "RE: FAULTY THROTTLE WIRING / LOCATION CAUSING CORROSION 2013 FORD FOCUS - RECALL NEEDED To Whom It May Concern: My 2013 Ford Focus SE Flex with VIN [XXX] lost power while traveling from [XXX] to [XXX] a couple times…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-09-09
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission failed, and the vehicle lost motive power, and the vehicle was stuck in the middle of traffic. The contact referenced several satisfaction…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-02
  • "I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus from Boucher Ford of Menomonee Falls, WI in February, 2026. A few months later, Ford issued a recall on this car that requires the Powertrain Control Module to be reprogrammed to avoid…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2026-09-02
  • "Issue happened in November 2016. The glass sunroof exploded while driving NE on I-44 just SW of Springfield MO. The reason I am reporting this now, is that I saw a news article about this happening often. Until I saw…"
    Structure · filed 2026-08-31
  • "See attached document for complaint."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-21

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Ford Focus 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Ford Focus 5 HB FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Ford Focus BEV 5 HB FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Focus Electric — Automatic (1-speed) Front-wheel drive 110 99 105 MPG / 76 mi range $700
Focus front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 36 30 MPG $2150
Focus front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 36 30 MPG $2150
Focus front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 26 35 29 MPG $2250
Focus front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 31 26 MPG $2500
Focus front-wheel drive flex-fuel 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 37 30 MPG $2150
Focus front-wheel drive flex-fuel 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 37 30 MPG $2150
Focus front-wheel drive flex-fuel 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 26 35 29 MPG $2250
Focus SFE front-wheel drive flex-fuel 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 28 39 32 MPG $2050

Specs and fitment

3rd generation, 2012–2018
Body styles Sedan, Hatchback
Oil 5W-20 (2.0L, most trims); 5W-30 (ST) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 195/65R15 (S) to 235/40R18 (ST); RS 235/35R19

Known issues for this generation

Focus models from 2012-2016 built with the optional PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission (DPS6) developed a well-documented pattern of rough shifting and repeat repairs to the clutch and clutch seals, the same underlying defect covered in the nationwide Vargas v. Ford Motor Co. class action settlement (final approval March 2020) that also covers 2011-2016 Fiesta owners. NHTSA found no evidence that the transmission is a safety risk and did not order a recall; in August 2019 Ford extended the clutch warranty to seven years or 100,000 miles on roughly 560,000 affected Focus and Fiesta cars. Only PowerShift-equipped cars are covered by the settlement.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Ford Focus Next year 2014 Ford Focus See every Ford Focus model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford Focus reliable?

Owners have filed 2,110 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Focus over 14 years — 204 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Focus years here — over the median of the other years, which is 55. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Evaporative emissions canister, Engine block heater, and Latch.

What are common problems with a 2013 Ford Focus?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (1,101 of 2,110), then Engine (343) and Electrical system (275). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 53,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 17,858 and 86,000 miles. Those filings include 49 that report a crash, 12 that report a fire, 24 that report an injury, and 3 that report a death.

Is the 2013 Ford Focus more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Focus has 3,801 complaints, 219 per year, and the 2014 has 2,656 complaints, 249 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Ford Focus been recalled?

The 2013 Ford Focus has 12 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Ford Focus?

Owners have filed 2110 complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Ford Focus get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Ford Focus is 37.9 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2015 Ford Focus?

3rd generation (2012-2018), the last Focus generation sold in the US.

Does the Ford Focus have PowerShift transmission problems?

2012-2016 automatic Focus models with the optional DPS6 dual-clutch transmission were covered by a 2020 class-action settlement and a 2019 clutch warranty extension; NHTSA did not order a recall.