The transmission has been repaired time and time with no fix. The recall fix was a failure as well. Took the transmission in for repair they stated that was normal for that transmission. Sometimes it jets off then other times it will not go. Ford should have replaced my car or that transmission awhile ago. The car is currently getting worse.
2013 Ford Focus powertrain problems
critical 1,049 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
1,049
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
16crashes
1fire
10injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 1,049 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Ford Focus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 50% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 1,049 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would fail to respond while attempting to drive from a complete stop or while shifting into gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission clutch and the transmission control module…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission overheating warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle on the side of the road. The contact waited for five minutes before restarting the vehicle, and continued driving to her destination. The vehicle was taken to larry h. Miller super Ford (1340 500 w, salt lake…
This car shudders when starting from a stop. Especially bad going up an incline
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford focus. While accelerating the vehicle from a stop or while in reverse, the vehicle shuttered without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred six times. The vehicle was service per a technical service bulletin for the transmission clutch failure. The…
I had already begun noticing the shuddering and lurches when I was notified of the recall. I immediately brought it to my local dealership in may 2015. During this first visit the service department replaced the clutches, clutch assembly, seal, and fluids as allowed by the recall. I brought the vehicle back to service in october 2015 at which time I was told this problem would never be fixed, but…
Transmission jerks.,hesitates,slips revs up,stalls out,module for transmission reprogrammed,replaced,clutches replaced,still same problem.they cannot repair,will sit parked in driveway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The contact also mentioned that the gear failed to reverse the vehicle intermittently. The contact also stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The failures was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or…
Since the focus was first drove there has been a shutter,a noise coming from what we thin is the transmission. We bought this car in ny and took it to the dealership twice and told us that the car needed to be drive and should stop this at a 1000 mi. Moved to ar took it to the dealership they said it was under recall? That the car needed to be reprogrammed concerning drivetrain. Took it back 2…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started jerking. No warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the mechanic stated that he would not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a Ford dealer where it was diagnosed with a wiring failure. The vehicle…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2013 Ford Focus?
It's a serious issue. 1049 complaints have been filed, including 16 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 784 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 15,000 and 76,000 miles, with the median around 44,210. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 76,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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.