Should I buy a 2013 Ford Focus with documented lighting problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented lighting issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2013 Ford Focus lighting problems

severe Owners of the 2013 Ford Focus have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$250

lighting complaints on the Ford Focus, by model year
Model year	lighting complaints
2012 Focus	11
2013 Focus (this page)	5
2014 Focus	6
2016 Focus	5
2017 Focus	5

1fire

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 13V335000 August 1, 2013

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

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.

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.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had lighting trouble with your 2013 Ford Focus? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the lighting problem on the 2013 Ford Focus?

It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.

At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?

Based on the 5 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 73,719 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to lighting?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/Focus. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.