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2013 Ford Focus Recalls, Complaints & Specs

11 safety recalls list the 2013 Ford Focus, and owners have filed 2,112 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

11
safety recalls
2,112
owner complaints to NHTSA
49 / 12
complaints citing a crash / fire
26–105
MPGe combined (EPA)

11 safety recalls for the 2013 Ford Focus

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Canister (fuel system)

    NHTSA 26V369000 Reported 257,868 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

  2. Engine block heater (equipment)

    NHTSA 26V011000 Reported 116,672 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

  3. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 20V331000 Reported 2,147,323 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

  4. Canister (fuel system) and storage (fuel system)

    NHTSA 19V515000 Reported 57,488 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

  5. Canister (fuel system) and storage (fuel system)

    NHTSA 18V735000 Reported 1,282,596 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

  6. Lock (latches/locks/linkages) and hatchback/liftgate (structure)

    NHTSA 16V698000 Reported 64,038 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

  7. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 16V643000 Reported 2,046,297 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

  8. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 15V813000 Reported 9,017 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

  9. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 14V495000 Reported 133,227 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

  10. Exterior lighting

    NHTSA 13V335000 Reported 6,308 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

  11. Latches/locks/linkages

    NHTSA 13V085000 Reported 5,675 vehicles potentially affected Ford Motor Company

    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…

    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…

2,112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2013 Ford Focus have filed 2,112 complaints with NHTSA; 49 describe a crash and 12 describe a fire. Reports cite 28 injuries and 3 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 57,613 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 360 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Transmission error stating clutch A engaged. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the vehicle would not move after being stopped at”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 25, 2026 · Power train

“The vehicle suffered a major mechanical and electrical failure on July 28, 2026, and was immediately towed to an authorized dealership. After a multi-day delay awaiting a senior technician's analysis,”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 23, 2026 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2013 Ford Focus (Focus Electric, Focus FWD, Focus FWD FFV, Focus SFE FWD FFV). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined26–105 MPGe
City / Highway23–110 / 31–99
FuelElectricity, Gasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine4 cyl, 2 L
TransmissionAutomatic (A1); Automatic (AM6); Automatic (S6); Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd

Compare Ford Focus model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Focus model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1999 Ford Focus011
2000 Ford Focus113,686
2001 Ford Focus71,761
2002 Ford Focus1939
2003 Ford Focus1977
2004 Ford Focus1387
2005 Ford Focus1441
2006 Ford Focus0205
2007 Ford Focus0391
2008 Ford Focus1250
2009 Ford Focus0229
2010 Ford Focus0287
2011 Ford Focus0113
2012 Ford Focus73,769
2013 Ford Focus112,112
2014 Ford Focus122,603
2015 Ford Focus91,021
2016 Ford Focus101,181
2017 Ford Focus10898
2018 Ford Focus7835

Checking a specific 2013 Ford Focus

How do I know if my 2013 Ford Focus has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 11 campaigns currently list the 2013 Ford Focus; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 13V085000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Ford models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.