2013 Ford Focus: engine failure

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Steering · VA

During recent freezing weather, upon starting the car and attempting to turn, I realized that the steering wheel was frozen solid. While researching what could have happened, the war warmed up enough to melt the water in the electric power assisted steering motor, allowing the vehicle to turn. Now, the EPAS is seized up completely. If I had been driving when it locked up completely, it could have proved fatal. The problem has not been reproduced, as it just happened in the last couple of weeks. I never got any check engine light pertaining to this issue. OBDII showed not errors for the EPAS.

Filed Jun 13, 2025 · Transmission · 169,000 miles · OH

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 vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The contact drove the vehicle to work and while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start, and the vehicle became inoperable. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 28, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 118,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Engine Overheated” message was displayed. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle and waited for the engine to cool down before restarting the vehicle. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the clutch was previously replaced in 2019. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Powertrain loss and loss of engine power, power control module. Engine failure on a busy highway. Putting me at risk of an accident. The car has been serviced by an independent service center. Has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer. Check engine and other warning lamps appeared

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Steering · 87,000 miles · CA

My power steering seized and went out while driving on the freeway with my child. We are so lucky that we did not crash and die! I have had nothing but problems with my 2013 ford focus! I just wanted a safe car for my child and I. Even after I fix it and pay over $2000.00 I will never feel safe in this car again! How can ford be ok with this. The car itself should be recalled! Power steering, transmission replacement, brake lines failing, radio has gone out, sync never worked, door latches failed, now I am told my gas tank is recalled! Ugggg!

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Steering · 50,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the "power steering assist failure" message appeared and the steering ability seized. The contact drove the vehicle to bradley ford lincoln (1690 industrial blvd, lake havasu, az 86403) and the battery was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times. The vehicle was not corrected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2019 · Steering · 88,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford focus. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle at a nearby fuel station and then drove home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · TX · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 ford focus. When the contact's son started the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact's son drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle had a defective canister purge valve (cpv). Later that day, the vehicle stalled and a fuel odor was detected. The following day, while the contact's son was driving 68 MPH, it was believed that the engine stalled and the steering seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed head on into a tree. The contact's son died instantly and the passenger was ejected from the vehicle through the windshield. Another motorist observed the crash and called 911. The passenger was airlifted to the hospital and received medical attention for their unknown injuries. The contact's son was pronounced dead on the scene. The air bags deployed upon impact. A police report was filed. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 16, 2019 · Transmission · 27,906 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford focus. When the contact attempted to move the gear shifter out of park, the shifter would not engage and failed to function without warning. The vehicle was towed to huntington beach ford (18255 beach blvd, huntington beach, ca 92648, 714‑842‑6611) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The dealer replaced the dual clutch system inside the transmission; however, the failure recurred without warning. While the contact's wife was driving 20 MPH, the transmission shifted out of gear and the rpms increased. The driver attempted to depress the accelerator pedal, however, the vehicle stalled and failed to move. The vehicle began to resume normal operation and was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where they replaced the engine, the actuators, both clutches, the engagement bearing, and the transmission control module. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered an extended warranty regarding the failure. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in a warranty extension. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 27,906.

Filed May 30, 2019 · Steering · 50,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel seized and the steering assist fault indicator illuminated. The failure recurred. The contact called brandon ford at 813‑246‑3673 (located at 9090 e adamo dr, tampa, fl 33619) and scheduled an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed May 7, 2019 · Steering · 120,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford focus. While making a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning and became difficult to turn. As a result, the contact crashed into a median. There were no injuries. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home as the power steering and oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2019 · Steering · 61,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford focus. While the contact's daughter was driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The driver managed to steer the vehicle home. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The failure mileage was 61,000.