Page 41 of 43 · complaints 2,001–2,050 of 2,112

2013 Ford Focus complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2013 record →

Power Train
Filed Sep 24, 20135,500 milesMA

MY CAR HAD TO GO IN FOR SERVICE TWICE. THE ISSUE AS I DESCRIBED IT WAS THAT THE CAR BOGS DOWN, SHUDDERS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, MAKES A RATTLING NOISE, AND SHIFTS INCORRECTLY INTO THE WRONG GEAR. THEY APPLIED A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON 9/14 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT IT DID NOT. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TODAY AND THEY INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING INTO THE CLUTCH. THEY SAY TO PICK UP THE CAR AND DRIVE IT FOR THE 10-12 DAYS IT WILL TAKE TO GET PARTS. THEY'LL FIX IT LATER THEY SAY. THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE FOUND, AS I REQUESTED. NOT SURE IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE, I WOULD THINK THAT IT IS NOT SAFE. THE DEALER IS WALLS FORD, 2 MERRILL ST, SALISBURY MA 01952. *JS

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Sep 24, 20139,676 milesMI

DRIVING INTO WORK ONE MORNING, I WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, ALMOST TO A STOP WHEN I THEN TURNED INTO A PARKING SPOT, PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE SO I THEN PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT A MUCH FASTER SPEED THAN USUAL AND THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE IN THE SPACE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN. ON OTHER OCCASIONS BEFORE THIS, I HAD EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT NOTHING LIKE WHAT HAPPENED THE MORNING THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, HITTING THE CEMENT WALL IN THE PARKING STRUCTURE. *JS

Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2013210 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND JERKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND TO A MECHANIC, WHO BOTH STATED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 24, 2013210 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOCK WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEAT BELT TO CLICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BELT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.

Power Train
Filed Sep 24, 2013200 milesNJ

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW AUTOMATIC FORD FOCUS 2013 AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND ANGRY. THE FIRST PROBLEM IS THE CAR TENDS TO STALL IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, KEEP IN MIND IT IS AUTOMATIC. BESIDES STALLING IT DOES NOT SWITCH GEARS PROPERLY BETWEEN FIRST AND 2ND. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT STALLED WHILE I WAS GOING UP A HILL. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY! *JS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 23, 20134,500 milesCA

VEHICLE WARNING "STOP SAFELY NOW" APPEARED AND THE EV LOST ALL ITS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FAILED.

Power Train
Filed Sep 22, 20131,350 milesCA

THIS APPLIES TO A FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC, NOT A GASOLINE MODEL. WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN "STOP SAFELY NOW" INDICATOR APPEARED. VEHICLE SLOWED AND CAME TO STOP WITHIN A FEW SECONDS WHILE STILL IN TRAFFIC LANES. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND SWITCHED THE SYSTEM OFF, THEN ON AGAIN. IT STARTED NORMALLY AND DROVE NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WHILE I WENT HOME. THERE IS NO APPARENT VALID REASON FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP ITSELF. UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CHECKING REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON, AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED REPEATED OCCURANCES OF THIS PROBLEM. WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS MODERATE (70 TO 75 DEGREES F). THIS IS A NEW CAR (TWO WEEKS OLD, APPROXIMATELY 1350 MILES) WHILE I DON'T SUGGEST THAT THE FOLLOWING ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, I LIST THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE UNUSUAL FOR ME AND THIS MAY BE HELPFUL TO REVIEWERS LOOKING FOR COMMON CIRCUMSTANCES: 1. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN GIVEN A LEVEL 1 (120 VOLT) CHARGE EARLIER IN THE DAY, BRINGING THE STATE OF CHARGE FROM APPROXIMATELY 60% TO 70%. THIS IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE I USUALLY USE LEVEL 2 (240 VOLT) CHARGING. 2, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SWITCHED "ON" WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BUT WITHOUT DRIVING ANYWHERE. THE PROBLEM OCCURED SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES. 3, NO OTHER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES WERE NOTED. CAR DROVE NORMALLY BEFORE AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 21, 2013500 milesCA

CAR:2013 FORD FOCUS EV. NOTICED "STOP SAFELY NOW" LIGHT ON AT STOP LIGHT JUST AFTER EXITING FREEWAY OFF WINCHESTER RD IN TEMECULA, CA. WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO GET ONTO WINCHETER ROAD TRAVELING WEST GOING DOWN HILL AND NERVOUSLY COASTED DOWN HILL NOTICING THE STEERING BECOMING DIFFICULT. THANKFULLY THE LEFT TURN LIGHT WAS GREEN SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST THRU THE INTERSECTION AND GET ON JEFFERSON ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE FIRST AVAILABLE PARKING LOT OFF OF JEFFERSON ROAD - POLLO LOCO PARKING LOT AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. CALL HUSBAND TO COME GET ME. HE TURNED VEHICLE ON WITHOUT INCIDENT AND DROVE IT HOME WITH OUT ISSUE. WORKING WITH DEALER FOR NEXT STEPS. CALL FRITTS FORD AS I TALKED TO DANIEL IN SERVICE AND HE REPORTED THAT ANOTHER FOCUS EV OWNER JUST REPORTED TEH SAME ISSUE AND WAS ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY, 21.SEPT. THIS PROBLEM IS PERHAPS MUCH BIGGER THAN WE THINK?! FYI: DEALERSHIP = FRITTS FORD, RIVERSIDE, CA CAR PURCHASED ON SUNDAY, 15.SEPT.2013. OWED THE CAR FOR 6 DAYS.

Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2013CA

TRAVELING AT APPROX. 35 M.P.H. ON COUNTY ROAD, PULL OVER SAFELY LIGHT CAME ON, UNABLE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY DUE TO TRAFFIC, TRAVELED A SHORT DISTANCE IN ATTEMPT TO FIND A SHOULDER TO PULL ONTO, CAR DIED IN A CURVE. NO POWER AT ALL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 20, 20131,245 milesCA

THIS IS FOR THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD GOING APPROX 50 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER AND HAD NO ACCELERATION A MESSAGE CAME ON THE DISPLAY THAT SAID STOP SAFELY NOW IN RED WITH A EXCLAMATION POINT INSIDE A TRIANGLE AT THAT POINT I WAS A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AS THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN AS I WAS TRYING TO MERGE TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP AND I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE AND TRIED TO RESTART AND IT WOULD NOT, I TRIED A SECOND TIME AND IT FINALLY CAME UP READY TO GO. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE TO THE SERVICE DEPT IN THE MORNING. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 19, 20131,024 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CAR QUIT RUNNING AND DISPLAYED "STOP SAFELY NOW". *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 19, 20136,744 milesCA

THIS IS REGARDING FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC VEHICLE 2013 MODEL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. WHILE DRIVING IT SUDDENLY BEEPS AND DISPLAYS MESSAGE "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND CAR JUST STALLS AND STOPS RUNNING. QUITE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT I GOT BACK THE VEHICLE, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT IS AGAIN IN THE SERVICE CENTER OF FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS OR WHAT IS THE FIX. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ASAP AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 16, 20134,530 milesCA

I LEASE TWO FORD FOCUSES; ONE FOR ME AND ONE FOR MY DAUGHTER (UNDER MY WIFE'S OWNERSHIP). THE CAR HAS STALLED ON ME TWICE AND ONCE ON MY DAUGHTER. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT SPEED OF 35 MILES PER HOUR IN JUNE 2013 AND THE SECOND TIME AT LESS THAN 2 MILES HOUR IN AUGUST 2013. THE FIRST TIME, IT ASKED ME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND STALLED. I PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE CAR, LOOKED AT THE WHEELS THINKING THAT IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED DUE TO LOW AIR, HOWEVER, NOTHING. I SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED AFTER TWO MINUTES, IT STARTED JUST FINE. THAT IS UNTIL THE SECOND TIME WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED AT THE CORNER OF 11TH AND J STREET IN SACRAMENTO, CA. I GOT OUT OF THE CITY GARAGE MADE A RIGHT TURN ON 11TH TO MAKE A LEFT ON J STREET. AT THE LIGHT, IT JUST SHUT DOWN WITH THE WARNING WITHOUT ABILITY TO PULL OVER. I HAD TO WAIVE THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TO GO AROUND. I COULD NOT DO MUCH. SAME THING, AFTER TWO MINUTES, THE CAR RESTARTED. AT BOTH TIMES, THE CAR WAS FULLY CHARGED. SIMILARLY, THIS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER, WHO FREAKED OUT AND SHE CALLED ME. I TOLD HER IT MAY BE GLITCH AS IT HAD HAPPENED TO ME THE FIRST TIME AROUND. SHE PULLED OVER, PARKED, WAITED FOR TWO MINUTES, RESTARTED AND SO FAR HER CAR IS FINE. WHOM SHOULD I REPORT THIS TO? THE FIRST TIME, IT GAVE ME TIME TO PULL OVER, HOWEVER, THE SECOND TIME, IT JUST SHUT DOWN. I THOUGHT FORD KNEW ABOUT IT THUS DID NOT REPORT. PLEASE HELP ME REPORT THIS. I LOVE THE CAR AS THERE IS NO MORE GAS STATION TRIPS, HOWEVER, IT NEEDS TO BE

Engine
Filed Sep 16, 20132,935 milesCA

I WAS COMING BACK FROM SCHOOL TO MY HOUSE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ASKING ME TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I DID THAT, THE CAR STALLED. I FREAKED OUT, AND CALLED MY DAD. HE SAID NOT TO WORRY AS IT HAD HAPPENED TO HIM IN HIS FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC TOO. HE ASKED ME TO WAIT FOR TWO MINUTES AND THEN RESTART THE ENGINE. I DID THAT, THE CAR WAS FINE THEN. PLEASE TALK TO MY DAD IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. HIS CONTACT INFORMATION IS LISTED BELOW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 16, 20132,900 milesAZ

CAR STALLED WITH SOME WARNING MESSAGES FOR NO REASON. AFTER COMPLETE TURN-OFF RESTARTED NORMALLY. HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AND COULD RESULT WITH ACCIDENT. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Sep 12, 2013150 milesCA

THIS IS A FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE STOPPED IN AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT, THE STOP SAFELY NOW LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND GET THE CAR OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER A FEW CYCLES OF THE START/STOP BUTTON THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 11, 20131,000 milesPA

1ST INCIDENT: WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON ROUTE 30 BYPASS WEST IN DOWNING TOWN WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND GAVE A WARNING TO STOP SAFELY NOW. ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT MY WIFE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THEN DROVE HOME WITH NO ISSUE. 2ND INCIDENT: TODAY 9/11 MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY FOR WORK AND THE CALL STALLED WITH THE MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY NOW. SHE RE-STARTED THE CAR WITH NO INCIDENT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO WORK. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 11, 20134,000 milesTX

- WHILE IN DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD AT 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND NO POWER WAS TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS ALSO HAPPENED AT 15 MPH GOING AROUND A TURN FOR 4 SECONDS BEFORE POWER TO THE WHEELS RESUMED. DURING THESE TWO OCCURRENCES THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND BEHAVING AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. - AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT MOVED FORWARD AS EXPECTED ABOUT 2 FEET AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE TRANSMISSIONS WOULD NOT ENGAGE UNTIL 4 ATTEMPTS OF PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. - ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD RAPIDLY SHIFT UP AND DOWN WHILE MOVING FORWARD BETWEEN 5 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR. BY RAPIDLY, I MEAN IT WAS SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEARS AT A RATE OF ABOUT 4 SHIFTS PER SECOND. THIS RESULTED IN ERRATIC SPEED AT CONGESTED INTERSECTIONS AS WELL AS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND REGULAR ROADS. - ON 2 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AT ALL. THIS IS MOST LIKELY RELATED TO THE BEFORE MENTIONED ISSUES BECAUSE THE CAR WAS CONFUSED AND THOUGHT IT WAS IN GEAR. - SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LAG AND THEN LURCH. - 1ST GEAR WAS MUSHY WHEN TAKING OFF THEN WOULD SUDDENLY LURCH. THESE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND FLUID ON THE CLUTCH PADS AND MOST LIKELY ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SENSORS IN THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. FULL CLUTCH ASSEM

Power Train
Filed Sep 10, 20131,800 milesCA

I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15MPH AND NOTICED THE STOP SAFELY NOW ICON ALERTING ON THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION THE CAR WAS STALLED WITH THE STOP SAFELY NOW LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. I EXITED THE VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF BEING REAR-ENDED. AFTER 5 MINUTES I ATTEMPTED THE IGNITION AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. THE CAR IS NOW AT DEALER. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 9, 2013650 milesWI

TRIED TO TELL DEALERSHIP ABOUT STUTTERING OF CAR WHEN IT IS SHIFTING, RESPONSE WAS NOT ENOUGH MILES ON IT, NOTHING WAS CHECKED OUT. ALSO CALLED DEALERSHIP AGAIN ABOUT THE STUTTERING, HAD THE FEELING THEY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY. OIL CHANGE AT 5000 MILES, WAS ASKED ABOUT HOW I LIKED THE NEW STANDARD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WAS NOT IMPRESSED, WAS TAKEN OUT ON THE ROAD, HAD A LOUD SCREECH IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, WAS TOLD SOMETIMES A SOMETHING GETS LOOSE AND AIR GETS UNDER IT AND IT SCREECHES**.2ND OIL CHANGE, HAD ENOUGH OF THE RUN AROUND, MADE SOME NOISE AND GOT THE CAR CHECKED OUT ON A COMPUTER, LOW AND BEHOLD, THEY FOUND A BAD CLUTCH, THEY ARE REPLACING IT AT NO COST TO ME, PROBLEM IS I DON'T WANT THIS CAR ANYMORE, I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, & I FEEL IT IS A " LARGE RED LEMON "& I WANT IT REPLACED WITH A GOOD DEPENDABLE NEW CAR, I DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE. THANK YOU, WOULD LIKE TO THINK THIS WOULD HELP MY CAUSE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 6, 20131,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT GEARS AND SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 5, 20133,000 milesGA

VEHICLE STUTTERS AND GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO SHIFT SOON ENOUGH AND FREQUENTLY WILL LOSE POWER TO THE POINT OF ALMOST STALLING OUT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SO I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM IN CASE IT TAKES A COUPLE SECONDS FOR IT TO GET MOVING AGAIN. IT ALSO ROLLS BACKWARDS ON HILLS AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE KEEPS RUNNING FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER I'VE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. *JB

Engine
Filed Sep 5, 20131,600 milesCA

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS EV 2013. TWICE THE CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND THE MESSAGE APPEARS ASKING YOU TO PULL OVER AND STOP. THIS IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. FURTHER, THE SYNC SOFTWARE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE GPS SHOWS WRONG LOCATION, INCLUDING THAT THE CAR IS AT THE MICHIGAN ASSEMBLY PLANT, CLOCK SHOWS WRONG TIME, PHONE DOES NOT CONNECT OR WILL NOT DISCONNECT AND THE REAR CAMERA PICTURE SHOWS WHILE DRIVING FORWARD. *JB

Engine
Filed Sep 4, 20133,296 milesIN

VEHICLE GRINDS GEARS FREQUENTLY. FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VEHICLE WILL SHAKE, LOOSE POWER AND ALMOST STALL BEFORE ENGINE REGAINS POWER AND SHIFTS TO GO FORWARD. TAKEN TO FORD 4 TIMES. THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL AND JUST NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN. AT ONE VISIT, THEY GAVE ME A 2 PAGE HANDOUT ON HOW DUAL CLUTCH ENGINE WORKS, AS IF THAT JUSTIFIES THE PERFORMANCE. THEY FINALLY REPLACED CLUTCH WHICH HELPED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE ORIGINAL PROBLEMS RETURNED. NOW, ON A GOOD DAY, THE CAR JUST GRINDS IN 3RD GEAR. MEANWHILE, FORD DOES NOTHING, SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Sep 3, 20132,230 milesME

THE CAR HAS LOCKED ME OUT THREE TIMES WHEN I HAD THE KEYS IN MY POCKET THE ELECTRICAL WENT OUT THE CAR STALLED AND I HAD TO CALL FOR HELP AND THE BLUE TOOTH WAS OUT. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED THE DEALER 25 MILES AWAY . I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE TO DEALER AND THEY PUT A NEW SD CARD IN THE CONSOLE, SAYING THE WRONG CARD WAS BEING USED. NOW, THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR A TEST DRIVE AND THEY SAID THE TIRES ARE OUT OF BALANCE AND NEVER BALANCED AT THE FACTORY. THE CAR LOOSES POWER ON STEEP HILLS AND SOME TIMES ROLLS BACK ON HILLS. THE DEALER SAYS THE TRANSMISSION WILL MEMORIZE MY DRIVING HABITS . THE TRANSMISSION TWO MONTHS LATER STILL SHUDDERS UNTIL IT WARMS UP AND HESITATES TO SHIFT T TIMES AND I FEEL THE NEED TO USE THE THROTTLE IN BETWEEN SHIFTS. THE TRANSMISSION WILL CLUNK EVERY NOW AND THE AS THE GEARS ARE OUT OF SYNC NOW, THIS CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND SEEMS TO TRY AND CORRECT ITSELF ELECTRONICALLY. THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO LOOSE ONE OR BOTH OF ITS CLUTCHES AT ANYTIME. THE CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN . AN EXAMPLE THE CAR DOWN SHIFTED ON ME AND A CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. THE DEALER KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT TELLS THE SAME STORY. THAT'S HOW A DCT IS. FORD NEEDS TO HELP THE DEALERS AND STEP UP. THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT GET AFTER FORD. THE CAR IS UNSAFE, UNRELIABLE AND NEEDS A RECALL. THE CAR HAS 3600 MILES ON IT AND RUNS LIKE 1936 FORD MANUAL SHIFT. WHAT A WASTE OF 25K, NO MORE AMERICAN CARS FOR ME. *J

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 29, 20131,200 milesCA

MY FIVE YEAR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER REAR OF THE FORD FOCUS EV (2013) IN A BOOSTER SEAT (BOTTOM ONLY, NO BACK). HE MANAGED TO WRAP THE SEAT BELT AROUND HIS TORSO. WHEN MY WIFE ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED, MY SON UNHOOKED THE SEAT BELT, BUT THE BELT HAD LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE BELT WAS VERY TIGHT AGAINST MY SONS CHEST. WE TRIED TO WIGGLE HIM OUT AND TO RELEASE THE TENSION ON THE BELT, BUT WITH EACH TRY THE BELT TIGHTEN MORE. HE BECAME VERY SCARED AND WE CUT THE SEAT BELT.

Power Train
Filed Aug 29, 2013250 milesSD

THIS VEHICLE SHUTTERS, JERKS AT EACH STOP. IT FEELS LIKE IT GETS NO POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. SOMETIMES ITS LIGHT SHUTTERING/JERKING, OTHER TIMES ITS VIOLENT SHUTTERING AND JERKING TO THE POINT WHERE IT JERKS SO BAD THE CAR SHUTS OFF. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEEP TELLING US ITS A "GREEN CLUTCH" AND JUST KEEP DRIVING IT TO GET IT BROKEN IN. WE DO NOT SEE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER AFTER A WEEK OF DAILY DRIVING. WE HAVE VISITED MANY SITES AND REALIZE THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED A 2012,2013 FORD FOCUS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TT

Electrical System
Filed Aug 28, 20131,900 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STOP SAFELY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,900.

Engine
Filed Aug 28, 20131,000 milesAR

I WENT AND TRADED IN MY MUSTANG FOR SOMETHING WITH BETTER GAS MILEAGE WHICH ENDED UP BEING A 2013 FORD FOCUS (MANUAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE FIRST ONE I GOT WAS IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR GRINDING NOISES WHEN IT TRIED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY BARELY HAD IT A DAY AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE SECOND THROUGH THE REST OF THE TIMES I HAD IT OUT THERE THEY JUST REBOOTED THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT IS FINE AND WILL BE FINE. NOT EVEN TWO DAYS LATER I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD GET THE CAR TO MOVE. I BARELY MADE 3 PAYMENTS ON THAT CAR. I KEPT TELLING THEM THIS WAS A LEMON AND THEY WOULDN'T TAKE IT BACK. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LADY I TALKED TO SAID "WELL MY SONS FOCUS HASN'T BEEN GIVING HIM ANY TROUBLE. THAT MADE ME REALLY PISSY. I TOLD THE LADY I DIDN'T CARE ABOUT HER SONS CAR YOU SHOULD FIX MINE. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANOTHER FOCUS THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE "MANUAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION" AND THEY DID SO I GOT THAT ONE INSTEAD OF THE PIECE OF CRAP I HAD. NOW I HAVE NOT EVEN MADE A SINGLE PAYMENT ON THIS NEW CAR AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THIS IS NORMAL. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FOCUS OR FORD AGAIN. I DON'T CARE WHAT KIND OF FORD IT IS. *TT

Engine
Filed Aug 28, 20131,378 milesCA

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR NEW 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC HOME FROM SCHOOL AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE STARTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT BEFORE SHE COULD GET SAFELY TO THE CURB, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS 'STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT CARS BREAK DOWN BUT COMPLETELY DISABLING THE CAR IN THIS WAY COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS CRASH. *TT

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 27, 20136,500 milesFL

LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED - AS I WAS DRIVING THE HIGHWAY TO GO HOME, THE CARS MOTOR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, AFTER BARELY MAKING IT TO THE SHOULDER (INCHES FROM TRAFFIC) I LOOKED AT THE ESTIMATED MILES TO EMPTY, WHICH STATED 17 MILES TO EMPTY - YET I WAS OUT OF FUEL. SEEMS FORD FOCUS HAS A INCORRECT READING ON THE FUEL ECONOMY/AND OR ESTIMATED PORTION THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. (I TOOK A PHOTO OF THE DASH READOUTS AS WELL). *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 25, 20133,184 milesFL

AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, AN ALERT CAME ON INSTRUCTING ME TO "STOP SAFELY NOW!" AND THE POWER TRAIN LOST ALL POWER. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 24, 2013785 milesCA

STOP SAFELY NOW (SSN) CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THIS CAUSED POWER TO BE CUT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY FURTHER DRIVING OF THE CAR, WHICH ONLY ALLOWED FOR COASTING TO A STOP WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 23, 20134,093 milesCA

THIS IS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" LIGHT CAME ON. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, BUT REALIZED I HAD NO POWER. I COASTED TO A STOP AT THE CURB. THERE WAS A HAZARD SYMBOL DISPLAYED, BUT I COULD NOT BRING UP ANY OTHER INFORMATION TO GIVE A CLUE WHAT MIGHT BE BEHIND THE PROBLEM. I NOTED THE GREEN VEHICLE SYMBOL LIGHT WAS OFF, INDICATING POWER IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. I TRIED DOING DIFFERENT THINGS TO RESTART THE CAR, BUT ALL ATTEMPTS FAILED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER. AFTER THE CAR WAS ROLLED BACKWARDS OFF THE TOW-TRUCK FLATBED, I TRIED ONCE AGAIN TO START THE CAR. IT STARTED RIGHT UP, AS IF NOTHING HAD BEEN WRONG. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2013500 milesCA

STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GETS 'STICKY' IN CENTER POSITION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE TRACKS REASONABLY WELL BUT AS IT DRIFTS SLIGHTLY IN THE LANE IT IS NORMAL TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS. IN EVERY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED BEFORE THIS REQUIRES NO EFFORT OR THOUGHT. IN THIS ONE IT TAKES CONCENTRATION TO AVOID LOOKING LIKE I'M DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE. IN OTHER WORDS, IT RESISTS NORMAL MICRO-CORRECTIONS AND TENDS TO TWITCH AND OVER-CORRECT WHEN IT FINALLY RESPONDS TO THE STEERING ADJUSTMENT. THAT RESULTS IN MY VEHICLE MOVING A FOOT INSTEAD OF AN INCH WHICH IS NOT A LOT OF FUN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. MY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THIS IS A PROGRAMMING ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED STEERING. NHTSA: PLEASE ADDRESS THIS WITH A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 22, 2013889 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION FROM A FORD ENGINEER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 889. *TR

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod AssemblyCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 22, 20131,200 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT TIE ROD FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE FRAME TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

Power Train
Filed Aug 22, 20133,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED WHEN SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION POWER WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER ONLY. THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING AT NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,202.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 20133,637 milesCA

THIS IS ACTUALLY THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH THIS OCCURRED. THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING COMES UP. 1ST TIME ON 7/29, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, AND THE WRENCH SYMBOL DISPLAYED. TURNED OFF AND TRIED AGAIN 5 MINUTES LATER, AND THE CAR WORKED FINE. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR GAVE NO NOTICE AS I MOVED TO ACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT. A CLUNK, AND NO POWER, AND THE "STOP SAFELY" NOW WARNED OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. I TURNED THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON, A PEDESTRIAN ASSISTED ME IN PUSHING THE CAR OUT OF THE TRAFFIC. IT RESTARTED 5 MINUTES LATER, I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER DID THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER WAITING OVER 2 WEEKS FOR THE CAR, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" OCCURRED AGAIN 5 DAYS AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TO TAKE TO FIX THE ISSUE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, KNOWING THE POWER CAN BE DISABLED ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME. I HOPE FORD TAKES THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 20, 20133,000 milesMD

THE 2013 FORD FOCUS HAS A DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE VEHICLE STALLS, BUCKS, JERKS AND ROLLS BACKWARDS ON INCLINES. HAD I KNOWN THESE ABOUT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS SURROUNDING THIS VEHICLE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND NEEDS THE CLUTCHES TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRANSMISSION IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND FALLS WELL SHORT OF PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS FOR AN ALLEGED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 17, 20136,500 milesNC

WAS TOLD BY DEALER TRANSMISSION WAS NORMAL IF IT JERKS HARD AND GRINDS AND KNOCKS,DEALER WAS CHECKING TRANSMISSION THE WHOLE TIME. TRANSMISSION HAD A SEAL LEAK( DEALER STATED YOU CAN RUN THOSE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT FLUID), DEALER FIXED SO THEY SAY, DEALER LEFT RATCHET THE SIZE OF MY FOREARM ON TRANSMISSION WHEN I PULLED AWAY FROM DEALER I THOUGHT TRANSMISSION HAD FELL OUT. DEALER COULD HAVE BEEN BOUGHT FOR A DOLLAR. DEALER PLACED DYE IN TRANSMISSION OFFERED FREE OIL CHANGES NO THANK YOU I REPLIED. THREE DAYS LATER BACK IN SHOP TRANSMISSION STILL BAD ALONG WITH A BAD MISS. NOW THE CLUTCH PLATE IS BAD. GOT CAR BACK DROVE THREE MORE DAYS, CAR SHAKING WAS TOLD CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT( DIDN'T DO THE HARD SHAKING UNTIL THEY MESSED WITH TRANSMISSION), TRANSMISSION STILL ISN'T RIGHT IN LOW GEARS HARD SHIFTING AND GRINDS . TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER REFUSED SERVICE I WAS TOLD TO TAKE CAR SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH. WE FEEL ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT CAUSING ALL THIS. THIS CAR WAS TAKING IN TO DEALER AFTER I CAME OFF A EXIT ALL WAS CLEAR TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT IN SHIFT IN GEAR TO GO ALL TO SOON A SEMI-TRUCK WAS ON ME IF HE HAD NOT HAD ROOM TO GET OVER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY. THAT'S NOT A NEW NORMAL TRANSMISSION . I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW SUIT. FORD NOTIFIED MADE ALL THE EXCUSES THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS BEEN TOLD, CAR WILL GET BETTER THE MORE YOU DRIVE IT, PARTS ON BACKORDER, THAT'S THE WAY IT IS, CAR HAS TO LEARN YOUR DRIVING HABITS. ALL THE SAME STUFF. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 201317,042 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITH AN ACCOMPANYING RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPROGRAMMED THE PCM AND THE TCM. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ON A SEPARATE VISIT. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE JERKING BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,042.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 12, 20131,400 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 20131,123 milesCA

THIS APPLIES TO THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOAD CLUNK. I INSTANTLY FELT THE POWER STEERING FAIL AND THE MOTOR CEASE FUNCTION (LOST ALL POWER RENDERING ME IMMOBOLIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET). THE DASH DISPLAYED THE WARINING "STOP SAFELY NOW". THIS INDICATES AN ELECTRICAL FAULT. NOTE THE BATTERY HAD A FULL CHARGE. THE SYMPTOM PERSISTED.AS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A FEW BLOCKS WITH THE SAME BEHAVIOUR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENDED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 10, 2013500 milesFL

WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS OR IF YOU TURN ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES, GET "VERY DIM". WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE TURNED TO OFF, ALL OF THE GAGE LIGHTS GET BRIGHTER. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND SEE THE SPEEDOMETER DURING THE DAYTIME. I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE WITH MY RUNNING LIGHTS "ON" DURING OUR TRAVELS IN THE DAYTIME. BUT THE GAUGES GET TO DIM TO READ IN THE DAYLIGHT, SO WE TRAVEL WITH OUR RUNNING LIGHTS IN THE "OFF" POSITION. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THAT IS THE WAY THEY ARE DESIGNED AT THE PRESENT TIME. THE LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A "FIX".... THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY WIFE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 8, 20132,328 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING AN ALERT COMES ON STATING "STOP SAFELY NOW", THEN THE VEHICLE STARTS TO LOSE POWER, GIVING THE DRIVER LITTLE TIME TO PULL OVER. IF YOU ARE IN THE FAR LEFT LANE, IT COULD BE A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP ONCE BEFORE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED AND IT IS BECOMING AN ISSUE OF CONCERN. FROM THE INTERNET SEARCHES ON FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC STOP SAFELY NOW IT APPEARS TO BE A PRETTY LARGE ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 8, 20136,200 milesOH

BRAND NEW 2013 AUTOMATIC. APPARENTLY, MY AUTOMATIC HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY. AROUND MAY MY VEHICLE STARTED ACTING UP WHEN I WOULD PULL FORWARD OR BACK UP - THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHUDDER CAUSING A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE, NO CHANGE. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE TO ALLOW IT TO RESET. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER FEW HUNDRED MILES THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE- TOOK IT BACK AND THEY PUT IN A NEW CLUTCH. SAME ISSUES - SAME RESPONSE, DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE AND LET IT BREAK IT. TOOK IT BACK - TOLD IT WAS WITHIN STANDARDS AND I WAS TO EXPECT THE SHUDDER!? IT'S BRAND NEW - ACCORDING TO THE SALE REP AND MAINT SUPERVISOR ITS PART OF THE DESIGN, BUT CUSTOMERS AND EVEN FORD SALES AND MAINT WAS NOT TOLD UNTIL COMPLAINTS CAME IN. FORD WILL DO NOTHING BUT TELL ME I CAN TAKE IT FOR ANOTHER OPINION AND PAY FOR IT. NO MATTER, THEY FEEL IT PERFORMS WITHIN THEIR STANDARDS. THE PROBLEM IS I'M PAYING FOR THE CAR AND WHEN I PULL INTO TRAFFIC I EXPECT IT NOT TO PAUSE - THAT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE ME TO GET HIT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! I CAN'T BELIEVE FORD WILL NOT MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 7, 201315,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS RE-CALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 6, 2013536 milesIL

MAY 1ST: SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION, VEHICLE SHUTTERS WHEN SHIFTING 4TH: NO CHANGES IN PERFORMANCE. SHUTTER AND VIBRATION CONTINUES; NO WORK PERFORMED. ADVISED ALL OF THIS IS A ?NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC? OF A DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. 10TH: SIGNIFICANT SHAKING AT IDLE CONTINUES 17TH: VIBRATION CONTINUES; TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO BUCK AND STALL. VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WELL TO SUDDEN STOPS? SIGNIFICANT SHUDDERING AND RPM GAUGE HAS RAPID FLUCTUATIONS. GEARS STILL MAKING GRINDING NOISE. 18TH: TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FELT WORSE THAN USUAL TODAY. 20TH: VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE WELL. TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO CLICK/POP/GRIND; GEAR CHANGES ARE ROUGH, SIMILAR TO SOMEONE WHO CANNOT DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION 24TH: ROUGH IDLE PERSISTS; CAR SLOW TO ENGAGE IN FIRST GEAR; FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. JUNE 4TH: ROUGH IDLE CONTINUES 26TH: GEAR CHANGES ARE NOT SMOOTH AND IN FACT ARE QUITE ROUGH; CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION NORMALLY. NO IMPROVEMENT WHATSOEVER SINCE LAST UPDATE. 29TH: VEHICLE SHAKES BADLY UPON START; VERY ROUGH SHIFTING; CAR DOES NOT FEEL SAFE JULY 5TH: GEARS ARE NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY; DELAYED ACCELERATION FROM 0MPH IN DRIVE 11TH: VIBRATION IS AS BAD AS EVER; NO IMPROVEMENT. 17TH: HAD TWO CASES OF DELAYED ACCELERATION & BUCKING TODAY 19TH: VEHICLE SHUTTERED SIGNIFICANTLY TODAY; RPM GAUGE PLATING CONTINUES TO RATTLE; PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH REMOTE KEY; BEGINNING OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS 21ST: TRANSMISSION STALLED UPON ACCELERATION AGAIN; SUBSTANTIAL HESITATION 22ND: LOUD GRINDI

Steering
Filed Aug 3, 20138,500 milesOH

I WAS ON MY WAY BACK HOME FROM CHICAGO TO OHIO. ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE TRIP MY STEERING STARTED GETTING STIFF AND HARD TO CONTROL. I HAD TO HOLD ON WITH BOTH HAND TIGHTLY. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WAS LOCKING UP. LIKE A CLICK. IF I MOVED IT EVER SO SLIGHTLY IT STUCK AND I HAD TO MOVE IT BACK QUICKLY. WHAT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN 6 1/2 HOURS TOOK ME 10 1/2. MY YOUNG SON AND I WERE SCARED. IT WAS SUNDAY AND I WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. NOTHING OPEN AND ON A TOLL ROAD. IT STILL GETS HARD TO STEER BUT MY DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP. I TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH FROM OHIO TO CHICAGO A LOT. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2013 Ford Focus → · Every Focus year → · How the figures are calculated →