Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
erratic shifting and eratic slipping gears , first happened while on highway and then it wouldnt go in any gear besides reverse and would say transmission overheat wait 5 min . caused another veihcal behind me to slam on there brakes and they ended up getting rear ended from the car behind them ..... all becouse of my cars tcm or transmission issues>!!!! also not too mention ` random unusual noises coming from clutch or shifter when not even start car yet _delayed start and delayed shifting .. i could go on and on this car is a nightmare
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that during acceleration and takeoff, the vehicle shuddered and jumped forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a reset was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
There are multiple issues going wrong with my car and I have 5 children and this makes me angry and scared to drive it 1. Vehicle completely shuts down if you go under 1/4 tank and NOT on red at all! No gas light or anything 2. The hesitation from stop to go is getting worse" mechanics tell me this is normal" for a focus and now sometimes when accelerating on the highway it gets stuck in certain speeds and feels rougher 3. Now there is a chain like rattling noise upon idle that is annoying and embarrassing 4 the codes state oxygen sensor ,speed sensor,fuel valve issue, and power train and abs... It's 100.00 per issue to diagnose. How is anyone able to afford this? I'm not a mechanic but everytime I take my car in they give it back saying there's no issue or I have to pay more fees to find the issue before anything can be replaced? This is crazy! …
I have a current recall on my transmission I notify for it. I went up there to get the recall fixed. They plugged it up to the machine to see about my transmission, and they said it came back with a cold that was not associated with the recall for my transmission, but it did say something was wrong with my transmission, I looked into that popped up on the cold reader and it's it. I gave them the number and they said that Ford will be unable to pay for it and they told me I would have to pay $175 in order to hook it up to the main machine to see what exactly the code is if it match the cold that will pay for me new transmission. …
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.
My car will intermittently lose power, such as in the middle of an intersection, or turning in front of another vehicle, which puts me and my children at risk. The transmission is throwing a code for overheating and malfunctioning, and there is an open customer satisfaction bulletin for the transmission control module, but Ford refuses to replace it because it's not throwing "the correct code " I have had the clutch replaced three times if not four in the time that I've had the vehicle and it's more than frustrating. It's dangerous along with losing power. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving unknown speeds, the transmission slipped and skipped without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (autonation Ford wolfchase, 7625 stage rd, memphis, tn 38133) where it was diagnosed that the digital sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. On September 30, 2017, while driving 25 MPH, the transmission slipped gears and the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the median. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The occupant sustained cut and bruises to the arms, an ankle sprain, and back pain. Medical attention was received. The two air bags deployed on the driver's side. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Vehicle has repeatedly had transmission issues coming in a variety of forms. At times I will be unable to accelerate, with my pedal to the floor, while the car seems to 'coast' and with no explanation. Other times I have had the vehicle's alert lights come on with a warning the transmission has overheated and to pull over 'immediately.' this is difficult to do when on a 55 MPH zone or on the highway; the inability to accelerate has LED to multiple incidences pulling into traffic or attempting to merge where vehicles have had to swerve or stop because I am in their way. In daily driving, there is a constant shudder that makes me believe the vehicle will fail at any moment. This vehicle was the daily driver of my wife and we were forced to lease another vehicle because she did not feel safe. It has been in for a multitude of repairs and requires more. …
Purchased car in September of 2012. Car began shaking, sputtering and delaying acceleration after about 6 months. Contacted Ford, they told me that it was because the car had to "get used to its driver". Continued sputtering, shaking at lower speeds when accelerating. Began feeling increasingly unsafe and contacted Ford again. They did service work in September of 2013 and said there was a leak in the clutches and it was "repaired". My car still shook and sputtered during every single drive but it became increasingly worse over 2015. I brought in for servicing in the end of April 2015. Ford said "all set" and after I pressed for more answers they said it was due to the computer not recognizing the gear specs. One week later and the car is still shaking, sputtering and jolting in lower gears. It actually jolted in reverse several times this week. …
Car is driven in moderate raining conditions in va. Suddenly while maneuvering in a walmart parking lot a fault 'engine faul service car now' showed up on the dashboard screen. Didn't feel anything different at first and continued driving back home. About 2 miles later in the middle of route 28 the car lost acceleration and completely stalled in the middle of the highway. Was able to maneuver it on the shoulder before car completely stopped. Restarted engine but same error showed up and car only moved a meter before stalling again. Had it towed to Ford chantilly va. Dealer called a few days later and stated it's a 800usd repair on a electrical harness issue. It is the same electrical harness recall that Ford released but only for the Ford Focus st models and not se. This is the 2nd time this year that I've brought the car back to the dealer for major performance issues. …
Acceleration complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 112 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Ford Focus, 5% of the model year's 2,112 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Focus acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Ford Focus, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Focus acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.