Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 the vehicle had been experiencing transmission failures. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift as intended and was downshifting unexpectedly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where the TCM software and firmware were updated; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while his son was driving 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted unexpectedly to second gear, nearly causing a crash. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's son was able to pull to the side of the road momentarily. The contact's son then continued driving at slower speeds. The contact stated that upon using an OBD reader to scan the vehicle, diagnostic tests codes related to the transmission clutch actuator and to other unknown parts were retrieved. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N), and the message "Transmission Overheated - Pull Over for 5 Minutes" was displayed. The contact coasted to the side of the road and waited before continuing to drive. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately, causing the contact to make several attempts to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was hesitating, and the vehicle was jerking while downshifting. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed failures with dual clutch, engine failure, Clutch A failure, and a failure with the Transmission Control Module(TCM). …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral unintendedly and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle after waiting for 5 minutes. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the part was replaced a month and half later as it was on back order; however, the failure reoccurred while driving a year later. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact's daughter turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact's daughter heard an abnormal sound coming from the transmission and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that after the vehicle was towed to his residence, he started the vehicle and heard abnormal sounds coming from the transmission. The contact heard an abnormal opening and closing sound. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The diagnostic fee was not paid, and the contact was not provided information related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the repair was not eligible under a Customer Satisfaction Program related to a transmission replacement. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that within 6 months of purchasing the vehicle new, the transmission made an abnormal grinding sound while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and the TCM was replaced; however, the failure became more frequent. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the two internal clutches needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall repair was performed. The contact was concerned that the dealer had not properly completed the recall repair. The contact stated that the recall remedy was incomplete, and that the powertrain control module (PCM) should have been updated, and the evaporative emissions canister purge valves and the evaporative emission canister should have been replaced; however, the dealer had not performed the additional repairs. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that no additional repairs were available because the recall repair had been deemed completed. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The transmission warning light then became illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond and started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact released the accelerator pedal and slowly depressed the pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the transmission clutch assembly, oil seal assembly, transmission fluid and lubricant were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while driving three years later. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where the same repairs were completed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving and shifting gear, the vehicle hesitated. While in third gear, the vehicle failed to shift. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The "Take to the Dealer" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and a software update was performed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed about an extended warranty coverage, and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Transmission complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 1,102 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Ford Focus, 52% of the model year's 2,112 complaints. The component named most often is clutch assembly (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Focus transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 1 fire and 10 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.