2013 Ford Focus recalls and problems

11 recalls and 2,112 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Focus.

11
recalls
2,112
owner complaints
49
complaints mentioning a crash
12
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2013 Ford Focus recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister

NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · reported June 9, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 257,868 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Equipment: electrical, engine block heater

NHTSA campaign 26V011000 · reported January 15, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 116,672 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · reported June 8, 2020 · Ford Motor Company · 2,147,323 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister · Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 19V515000 · reported July 5, 2019 · Ford Motor Company · 57,488 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister · Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · reported October 22, 2018 · Ford Motor Company · 1,282,596 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate, lock · Structure: body, hatchback/liftgate

NHTSA campaign 16V698000 · reported September 28, 2016 · Ford Motor Company · 64,038 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
With only a single press needed, the driver may accidently unlatch the hatchback, increasing the risk of injury to any unsecured passengers in the back.
The fix
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.

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 16V643000 · reported September 6, 2016 · Ford Motor Company · 2,046,297 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix
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.

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 15V813000 · reported December 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company · 9,017 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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).
The risk
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 14V495000 · reported August 11, 2014 · Ford Motor Company · 133,227 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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).
The risk
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA campaign 13V335000 · reported August 1, 2013 · Ford Motor Company · 6,308 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Latches/locks/linkages

NHTSA campaign 13V085000 · reported March 7, 2013 · Ford Motor Company · 5,675 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 25, 2026 · Power train

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 the stop light or stop sign or stop during traffic.

Sep 23, 2026 · Electrical system

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, the dealership issued a single service ticket grouping two distinct issues: a failed Canister Purge Valve (active…

Sep 9, 2026 · Electrical system

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 […] lost power while traveling from […] to […] a couple times before completely dying. My code reader was getting fixed throttle codes 2112, 2111 and pending codes 122…

Sep 2, 2026 · Power train

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 programs for the issue; however, the VIN was not included in the repair. The vehicle was towed back to…

Sep 2, 2026 · Power train

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 issues like a collapsed fuel tank or stalling while driving, potentially causing an accident. I had been…

Focus model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2010 0287224
2011 011380
2012 73,77010715
2013 112,1124912
2014 122,606689
2015 91,022314
2016 101,183272

Across all years, the 2012 Focus has the most complaints (3,770). All Ford Focus years →

Questions

Does the 2013 Ford Focus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Ford Focus, the most recent reported on June 9, 2026 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Focus?
Owners have filed 2,112 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (1,102 complaints), followed by engine (344).
How many 2013 Ford Focus complaints mention a crash or fire?
49 of 2,112 complaints report a crash and 12 a fire; 28 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 25, 2026.