Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then refilled the fuel tank, however, he noticed that there was a significant amount of pressure coming out of the fuel tank. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the fuel gauge frequently provided inaccurate reading and would indicate that there was approximately 100 miles left of fuel while the fuel tank was empty. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank had expanded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who provided the same diagnostic information. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle would not immediately start-up with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was stalling while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). Despite the repair, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where a diagnostic test indicated that the purge valve was defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The contact stated that they assumed the dealer fixed the issue under the recall. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 15-20 MPH with his daughter in the front passenger's side seat, the front passenger's side door opened inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and closed the door; however, the door failed to close securely. The contact stated that the door unintendedly opened for a second time. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) due to the vehicle having a Salvage Title. Additionally, the dealer failed to honor the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). However, the contact stated that the vehicle still had the original parts impacted by the recall. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with fuel tank and fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway and the vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the powertrain control module needed to be updated and that the carbon canister, fuel tank, and fuel delivery module needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). On another occasion while attempting to starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact added fuel and the vehicle started however, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted a case was filed and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35-70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the steering wheel was vibrating while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the RPMs were high, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where DTC code: P1450 was retrieved, and the contact was informed that the fuel tank was deformed. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall was previously completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the fuel quickly evaporated soon after refueling. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that an abnormal sputtering sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; the contact was informed of a failure with the catalytic converter. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and notified the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to park on the side of the road. The contact stated her uncle arrived at her location and assisted with adding fuel to the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated she had experienced the failure a second time. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the carbon canister and the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the vehicle had been previously repaired under the recall. The contact was informed that the vehicle would be repaired out of pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 33,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle restarted after several attempts. However, the vehicle stalled while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop at the traffic light. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve was defective and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact was referred to the dealer. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Evaporative emissions › Canister
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.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Evaporative emissions › Canister
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.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Evaporative emissions › Canister
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power
On September 15, 2023, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) after receiving 98 consumer complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles. The RQ focused on the effectiveness of the remedies of Recall 18V-735 and 19V-515.
Fuel System complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2013 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 263 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2013 Ford Focus, 12% of the model year's 2,112 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Focus fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-369 (canister, Jun 9, 2026); NHTSA recall 19V-515 (canister, Jul 5, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-735 (canister, Oct 22, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Focus fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury and 1 death to fuel & propulsion system 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.