Some 2012-2013 Focus vehicles built on or before 10/22/2012 and 2013 Escape vehicles built on or before 12/3/2012 may exhibit a crunching or creaking type noise from the front suspension on low speed turns and over bumps.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford Focus suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Ford Focus have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 45,207 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Focus | 21 |
| 2010 Focus | 18 |
| 2011 Focus | 3 |
| 2012 Focus | 21 |
| 2013 Focus (this page) | 12 |
| 2014 Focus | 15 |
| 2015 Focus | 3 |
| 2016 Focus | 4 |
| 2017 Focus | 3 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS, SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SOME NOISES FROM FRONT SUSPENSION, LIKE CREAKING OR CRUNCHING TYPE. MODEL 2012-2013 FOCUS, ESCAPE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of suspension and driveline issues, many unresolved despite multiple dealer visits. Front-end popping is the most persistent symptom; one owner had strut bearings and strut towers replaced on both sides with new bushings but the noise continued. Another owner discovered the rear suspension alignment is fixed and not adjustable by design, causing both rear tires to wear to the cords in 1,400 miles on a trip. That customer installed aftermarket adjustable control arms and resolved the wear problem themselves—suggesting a design flaw.
Transmission problems dominate the complaints: shudder, chatter, grinding, and hesitation on acceleration are common. Ford issued TSB 13-4-5 for clutch shudder, but owners report repairs failed or provided only temporary relief. Multiple owners had their transmission control modules and clutches replaced, yet the shuddering and shifting delays persisted. Two owners report unintended acceleration—one crashed into a concrete wall, the other jerked forward from a stop.
Engine stalling with check-engine lights appeared at 86,000 miles in one case, traced to failed control modules. Clunking and clicking from the front end during turns and over bumps round out the suspension complaints. Dealers initially dismissed many issues as normal, then acknowledged Ford was aware of the problems.
Same Ford Focus suspension reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Front-end popping / strut bearing failure
Popping noise from front end. Dealerships have replaced top and bottom strut bearings on both sides, strut towers, and bushings, but the problem persists.
When: Early ownership; multiple repair attempts over months
Symptoms owners cite: popping noise from front end; noise continues after strut bearing replacement on both sides; noise continues after strut tower replacement with bushings
Repairs/costs cited: Top and bottom strut bearings replaced on both sides; both strut towers replaced with new bushings/bearings
Excessive rear tire wear / alignment issue
Both rear tires wore to the cords on the inside shoulder after only 1,400 miles on a trip in high heat. Ford alignment specs are fixed (not adjustable); customer resolved issue by installing adjustable control arms and reducing negative camber by 1.5 degrees. Customer reports this is a safety issue because the vehicle could experience tire failure on long drives.
When: 27,111 miles; September 2016 trip
Symptoms owners cite: excessive wear on inside shoulder of both rear tires; tire wear to cords in 1,400 miles; tires had only 5,000 miles when wear began
Repairs/costs cited: Customer installed adjustable control arms and decreased camber by 1.5 degrees negative and toe by 1/10 inch per side; after adjustment, tire wear was even across tread on 1,640-mile trip
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Consumer Relations (CAS-10568914-W6X6B2) stated vehicle was out of warranty and alignment was within Ford specifications (camber -2.1 to +0.6, toe -0.01 to +0.39). Ford advised tire problem, not alignment issue.
Transmission shudder / clutch chatter / shifting issues
Transmission shudder, clutch chatter, hard shifting, delayed acceleration, and stalling on acceleration or gear changes. Multiple complaints reference TSB 13-4-5 and transmission control module (TCM) replacement. Dealers initially dismissed complaints as normal shifting; later acknowledged Ford was aware of the clutch shudder issue.
When: Early ownership; recurring throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: transmission clutch shudder; hard and fast acceleration from stops; delayed acceleration; hesitation when pressing accelerator; transmission will not change gears; loud grinding from transmission; vehicle stalls during acceleration or gear changes; sputtering hesitation on acceleration; transmission shifts weird
Repairs/costs cited: TSB 13-4-5 addressed clutch shudder; transmission control module (TCM) and clutch replacement performed; one customer reported vehicle was towed to dealership three times with 38 days total of repairs; hesitation persisted after repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 13-4-5 released; Ford acknowledged awareness of clutch shudder repair. One customer reported being told by Ford senior regional manager that trade-in was the recommended resolution.
Unintended acceleration
Vehicle accelerated on its own in traffic and parking situations, causing loss of control and collision. One customer hit a concrete wall and totaled the front end; axle broken; another customer pulled over when car jerked and accelerated on its own.
When: Various points in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: car accelerated by itself in traffic at low speed (15 mph); car accelerated on its own in parking lot; car jerked and accelerated on its own on city street
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One customer reported being told by Ford that they knew about this problem for years and had many complaints.
Engine stalling / RPM fluctuation
Engine stalled and check engine light illuminated on two occasions. Engine RPMs fluctuated and abnormal noise came from vehicle. Diagnosed as transmission control module (TCM) and powertrain control module (PCM) failure.
When: Approximately 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: engine stalled; check engine light illuminated; engine RPM fluctuation; abnormal noise from vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: TCM and PCM replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle referenced NHTSA Campaign 15V813000 (Electrical System)
Front-end clunking / clicking and suspension noises
Vehicle clunks when going over bumps. Front end clicks when turning and feels unstable. One complaint also mentions EVAP canister clicking.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: clunking noise when going over bumps; clicking noise from front end when turning; feels like something might break in front end; EVAP canister clicking
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2013 Ford Focus?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 15,995 and 100,100 miles, with the median around 45,207. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,995; a quarter make it past 100,100. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.