2013 Ford Focus: engine overheating

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Transmission · IA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission failed, and the vehicle lost motive power, and the vehicle was stuck in the middle of traffic. The contact referenced several satisfaction programs for the issue; however, the VIN was not included in the repair. The vehicle was towed back to the residence due to it not being able to operate. The contact stated there was an unknown warning light on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the transmission had overheated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was confirmed with transmission failure.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · MN · crash · 2 injuries

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

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 Nov 12, 2024 · Transmission · CA

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TPMS LIGHT ON. VEHICLE EXHIBITS OVERHEATING WARNING LIGHT ON. FOUND CODES: PO7A3 - Transmission Friction Element 'A' Stuck On P2872 - Clutch 'A' Stuck Engaged the transmission takes off in 1st okay, stutter felt in 2nd and 3rd when shifting. when shifting from 3rd to 4th there is a long delay engine bogs down before shifting into 4th gear. same problem in 4-5, 5-6th gear was running properly recommended diagnosis on the engines code and dual clutch assembly then retest clutch travel test failed. Transmission is previously recalled. Ford has Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program that is supposed to replace the Transmission control module extended warranty coverage Campaign# 14M02 It’s also supposed to repair issues caused by TCM, which is related to the codes showed but the dealership will not fix either issue. On the website chat a guest service member said my car qualified for repairs but the dealership said they won’t replace the TCM unless I replaced the clutch first with a $3700 estimate. Clutch issues are cause by TCM malfunctioning.

Filed Jul 23, 2024 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message "Transmission Overheating" was displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission clutch forks had become stuck, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jan 25, 2024 · Engine · 52,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle started to overheat. The contact's son was able to drive the vehicle to a safe location off the roadway. The contact's son allowed the vehicle to cool down. The contact's son safely drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed TCM. The contact was informed that there was a technical service bulletin for the TCM replacement, and the part would be ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had provided any assistance or information regarding the ordered parts for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · UT

I bought the car in November, 2021. I had it immediately start to shudder, noticed that for example when I tried to accelerate especially in the midst of turning in the middle of a busy road at an intersection I would stall and lose the ability to move the car, then the hazard lights would never turn on, then lost power to the components of the car which used to function normally. I’m a single mom caring for a child who has multiple disabilities and needs much assistance in which we are still being tested and on waiting lists for, and the last year our car was overheating always, despite the amount of work and repairs that we have paid for and other organizations helped us with, which is more than the cost of the actual cars worth and before any of these faulty parts or builds were common knowledge and available, I was never aware of this. I had the car in to multiple mechanics and we were told they couldn’t find the problem. We’ve repaired up to 5 grand or more and have been having to drive with the heat on for the last year full blast and windows down. We’ve had heat sickness and thrown up or ended up having severe headaches and dehydration. We then had the loss of power worsen, til 2 months ago. It was dead one morning and after jumping it, I couldn’t get it in reverse, so pushed it out and then it wouldn’t go over 10-15 mph nor would the hazard lights work. I got it to Ogden Ford, who said it’s the dual clutch part. I had it replaced and came up with the near grand. We have lost our entire life due to this, no help with outside assistance, almost homeless. Now we get a call saying the clutch part was replaced but the whole transmission has to be replaced and need to get 4 grand. Had told them no way I can. They had a salesmen call me to pitch a new car instead. I called Ford Motor company and asked customer relations to get help. They won’t even fix the existing recalls and we are losing our life. We need help. Please we have tried all we can.

Filed Aug 30, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · IN

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. It will intermittently catch the gear that is trying to shift into and cause the car to accelerate rapidly, the transmission, shutter control module and clutch have been an issue in this car, along with a class action lawsuit, and now Ford has had my vehicle for three weeks, and refuses to do the open service campaign for the TCM because of the code issue and it refuses to do the clutch because even though it was replaced three years ago, they state that the warranty is only for 12 months regardless of the fact that it was the fourth clutch that put in the car , I am working with someone at Ford warranty in hopes of getting them covered because I know they have done it in other cases, but I am more than frustrated with the service. I’ve received so far very unprofessional, which is unfortunate because overall I do love my car I would’ve kept it all this time if I didn’t I 10-year-old car should not have had to have the transmission clutch replaced three times or four times in 10 years and under 150,000 miles.

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Transmission · 141,605 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "transmission overheating" warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that after waiting for a while, he restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as having transmission failure with the clutch overheating. The contact was informed that the transmission and clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,605.

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Engine · MD

On Monday March 27th 2023 at about 7:00 pm I was leaving the parking garage where I work in Rosslyn, VA: I started the car as usual and notice that I couldn't put the car in Reverse using the clutch (it's an automatic Ford Focus 2013): Luckily, the parking garage was empty on the level where I was parked, and I pushed the car back and forth to be able to keep the car in "Drive" mode so that I could drive the car out of the garage. I did that and I started to drive to go home. I started to notice that I couldn't accelerate the car and at about 20 min into driving I started to get a signal on the dash board that said: “TRANS OVERHEATING”, and I was getting the signal to stop the car to cool off before driving it again. I had to do this several time (at least 6 times) while I was driving home to MD. The car was NOT SAFE to drive I barely made it home and the next morning on Tuesday March 28th I drove the car to the Ford Dealer "Academy Ford" in Laurel MD, having the same issue and emergency signal on the dash board. This is the SECOND TIME that this issue has presented itself: in 2019 the Car had the same problem, and at the time, because the car was under extended warranty, Ford replaced the part at no cost. I took the car at the same Ford Dealer in 2019. (see paper attached) This time the Dealer said that I would have to pay for the COST OF THE REPAIR, which I provided with the QUOTE from the Dealer in attachment. I was advised to contact directly "Ford Costumer Service" to see if they would provide Financial Assistance and Reimbursement for the Car Rental that I had to get because I didn't have a car and I work in VA every day (the cost is provided in attachment). Ford Costumer Service opened a case but denied ANY FINANCIAL HELP and Assistance for the Car and for the Rental because THERE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ANY RECALLS of this nature ON THE FORD FOCUS 2013. I need to open a CASE & A RECALL for this PROBLEM for the FORD FOCUS 2013. Thank you.

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 26, 2022 · PA

The vehicle sputters and shakes when pulling out. I try not to pull out if someone is coming because I am not sure if the car will stale out or not. The vehicle shuts off sometimes. It has been overheating a lot lately.