Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
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! …
Size p215/55r16 Tire blew out on the freeway. After close inspection discovered that the blown out tire had severe tread separation. After closer inspection of the other tires on the car, I discovered another tire identical to the blown out tire also has tread separation. The tires on the vehicle have a least one year of tread on them.
Could not get tires rotated due to "swollen"lug nuts. Also the tool to fix a flat tire will no longer fit the lug nuts due to the swelling of the lug nuts. I feel like this is a very serious safety issue and we, the owners should not have the burden of having this situation fixed!! Please help!! Thank you
Swollen lug nuts. They corroded and were almost impossible to remove. Lug nuts were destroyed during removal and had to be replaced. Apparently some two piece lug nut Ford used. They were original equipment.
[redacted] ; my newly purchased used 2013 Ford Focus se. Had a series of things gone wrong with it. And I know it falls under the state "lemon law." although I have purchased the extended warranty. I have seem to find myself stranded with no vehicle to drive to work nor go to and from school with? This is why I have chose to file this complaint towards Ford motor company, about my newly purchased vehicle. The dealership in which I purchased the vehicle from has partly tried to comply by fixing the problems. While one other of the dealership departments chooses to avoid all the problems arising from the car. I would like this complaint to be a foremost last warning to whom the "reject vehicle" option or :lemon law option will be my next request. …
Went to get tires rotated. I was called to my vehicle to show excessive tire wear on rear tires. Especially right rear .I went to Ford dealer as this vehicle still under warranty. They checked and said it was witiin limits. I was to rotate more often. I rotate on a regular schedule and also run nitrogen in my tires for safety and extended tire life. I took a trip and was due for oil change and tire rotation.. The wear bars were showing and the mechanic would not rotate or attempt to align. His comment was all the Ford Focus vehicles are like this and no matter how good a tire you put on; they wear out right around 30,000 miles. Is this another denied defect by Ford motor company like my transmission was at first??? This is a safety hazard and investigating with other Focus owners found the above to be true with their vehicles. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus equipped with Goodyear viva 3 tires, size: 215/55r16 (na). The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 30 MPH and the change engine oil warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that a warning message illuminated, indicating that the vehicle would shut off in five minutes due to overheating. Furthermore, while driving between 50 to 70 MPH, the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to herb chambers Ford of westborough (310 turnpike rd, westborough, ma 01581, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be reset and replaced and that the tires were bald. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle failure mileage was 97,000. The tire failure mileage was unknown.
My 2013 Ford Focus tire rod "slipped out" and was replaced. The part was not broken but the threads on the male bolt slipped out and became disconnected while exiting a parking. The part came out during the transition from reverse to drive while stopped and straightening the wheel. The female part on the tire rod became disconnected. I have concern that that is a part malfunction and this should not happen. I have a video of the parts at the time of the incident that shows the part is not been broken and did not have damage. This car has not been involved in any accidents. There is rust on the threads and I feel that contributed to it coming apart. I believe that this part is a manufacturers defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was repaired; however, the diagnosis and repair were unknown. In addition, upon purchasing the vehicle, the tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. The technician stated that the indicator would eventually turn off; however, the contact mentioned that the indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown chip needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Steering and computer aided systems along with tires that were not disclosed to be used under 40 degrees caused loss of steering input and control which lead to hitting a curb and damaging suspension components as well as the drive-ability of the vehicle is worse that before. There are known issues with the steering on the 2013 Focus st and after 6 months of going back and forth, Ford cannot remedy the situation and the care is unsafe to drive at any speed as the lack of steering control cause unnecessary movement of the vehicle, requiring nerves of steel to drive at even 20 MPH. Clunking noises and grinding also coming from suspension and transmission gears.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2013 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2013 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 2,112 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Focus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.