2013 Ford Focus Electric

Routine

Owners filed 69 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

64 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 5,600 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train24
101
Electrical System14
000
Engine9
000
Fuel/Propulsion System8
000
Steering4
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Service Brakes2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2
000
Steering › Column1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Electrical18V592000
Filed Sep 10, 201849,197 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)13V523000
Filed Oct 30, 20132,456 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices13V475000
Filed Oct 17, 201323,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Feb 26, 202450,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus Electric. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while the battery was fully charged. The message "Stop Safely Now" was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 15N03 because the campaign had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Aug 5, 202145,000 milesIL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus Electric. The contact stated while turning off the vehicle, the lights and radio remained operational which resulted in the battery being drained. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 11, 201924,000 milesCA

CAR STOPPED ON MOTION WITH AN ALARM STOP SAFELY NOW, WHEELS LOST POWER, STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION SO CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 201991,500 milesNH

SO I WAS DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT IN THE RAIN AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS JUMPING AROUND A LITTLE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL FLASHED A COUPLE TIMES AND I THOUGHT 'OH IT'S JUST CAUSE THE RAIN' WELL TODAY THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THEN I GOT A WARNING LIGHT SAYING 'LOW BRAKE FLUID' AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DOING 30MPH. IT WENT AWAY AND DROVE FINE BUT IT WILL POP UP EVERY 4 MILES OR SO SAYING LOW BRAKE FLUID

Engine
Filed Nov 30, 201841,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STOP ENGINE NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANCOUVER AUTO GROUP (6804 NE 40TH ST, VANCOUVER, WA 98661, 360-992-7285) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.

Steering › Column
Filed Oct 22, 201869,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SIDEWALK AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 18, 2018105,000 milesFL

WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND STATIONARY, I TURNED ON THE CAR AND THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT OPERABLE AND THE STEERING WENT INTO MANUAL MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. AFTER THE MECHANIC EVALUATED THIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PART ALONE IS $1100 AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. RATHER COSTLY. THERE ARE MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS FOUND ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. OTHER FORD CARS HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS PART. IT SEEMS PARTICULARLY ODD AND EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE ON FORD'S BEHALF TO NOT CONCEDE TO THE DEFECT ON THIS PARTICULAR YEAR/MAKE/MODEL AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2018IN

TAKATA RECALL. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING SO WHEN I DRIVE IT JERKS AND FEELS AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT WAS BECAUS THERE'S A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE UNSERVICEABLE. I WAS GOING TO A LEAST GET THE FLUID CHANGED IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT THERE'S NONDIPSTICK AND I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE CHANGED AND IT'S THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD BY MORE THAN ONE PERSON THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND I'VE ONLY OWNED THIS YEAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND OWN 10,000 ON IT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 8, 2017TX

THIS CAR, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HELP FOR A LONG TIME AND IT SEEM LIKE NOT ONE HAS HEARD ME , NOT EVEN THE DEALER, AND NOW HEAR IT IS MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE LIKE THE TRUNK WONT OPEN AND WE TIDE A STREAM ON IT AND THE LIGHTS STAY ON OVER A HOUR. AND CAR JERK WHEN TAKEING OFF IN SPEED WHEN CHANGE GEARS.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 28, 2017TX

I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT HONDA IN ARLINGTON OFF OF 20 HWY IN 2013 I TOOK IT BACK WHEN I BOUGHT IT THAT WAS PRE USED , AND THEN IT SEEM LIKE THEY DID NOT WANT IT BACK AND NEVER WANT TO FIX IT . AND THE TRANS MISSION IS NOT WANT TO PUT DUE TO A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN THE TRUCK WANT OPEN AND THE LIGHT WANTED GO OFF AND THE ALARM WANT COME ON, TAKEN TO DON DAVIS AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME AND I AM DISABLE, AND I HAVE MY LITTLE GRANDCHILD THAT IS 6 MONTHS OLD AND SHE RIDE EVERYDAY AND I HOPE WE DON'T GET IN THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP US I HAVE PUT THIS ON MANY TIMES. THE DOOR WAS A RECALL AND WHEN TO DON DAVIS AND THEY ARE HAVE WAY FIX. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

Steering
Filed Oct 24, 20176,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL INADVERTENTLY LOCKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCLAUGHLIN (950 N MAIN ST, SUMTER, SC 29150 (803) 773-1481) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 13, 201763,580 milesIA

1898

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed May 11, 201738,000 milesCA

THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE PARKING PERPENDICULAR IN A PARKING STRUCTURE; DRIVER HAD SLOWED/BRAKED, TO 5 MILES OR LESS, TO PARK AND TAKEN HER FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PRESSED THE BRAKE. ABRUPTLY THE CAR ACCELERATED AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE WALL IN FRONT WITH THE DRIVER AIR BAGS ACTIVATED AND FRONT BUMPER CRUSHED.

Power Train
Filed Feb 6, 201728,300 milesTX

STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING ON DASH. CAR WILL NOT MOVE. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AGAIN. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME TO OCCUR IN 7 WEEKS. BEEN AT THE DEALER MOST OF THE TIME SINCE BUYING IT ON 12/16/2016. FORD NEEDS TO SEND AN ENGINEER TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 21, 201633,000 milesIN

DOORS LOCK AND CAN NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR LOCKED IN SETTING STILL COULD NOT BE OPENED BY PERSON TO HELP ME GET OUT OF CAR, LOCK LOCKED ME IN TOTALY

Electrical System
Filed Sep 16, 201618,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 9, 201655,000 milesCA

WAS DRIVING IN FROM LA TO PALM SPRING AT 11:00PM. AND THE DRIVERS DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO TIE IT CLOSED WITH ROPE AND A BUNGEE CORD THAT I NOW HAVE TO CARRY IN MY CAR, BECAUSE THIS THE SECOND LATCH THAT HAS BROKEN IN MY CAR.

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 201620,900 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V523000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,900.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2016900 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE SCREEN DISPLAYED "PULL OVER". THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE 12 VOLT BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.

Steering
Filed Nov 2, 2015VA

2013 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE POWER STEERING SYSTEM REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN EARLY OCTOBER, HE NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND, LIKE A BELT RUBBING, IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION, THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

20 of 69 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20177000Routine
20165110Routine
201512200Routine
201455210Routine
2013 — this page69300Routine
201233300Routine

Compare every Focus Electric year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 10, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.