2013 Ford Focus: fuel pump failure

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

I am reporting a severe vehicle safety hazard and engine stalling incident on my 2013 Ford Focus caused by an un-remedied factory emissions safety defect (related to Ford Recall 26S40 / 18S32). Due to an incomplete factory software monitoring patch, the canister purge valve stuck open and allowed continuous, unchecked engine vacuum to pull straight out of the plastic fuel tank. This heavy vacuum physically collapsed and deformed the bottom of the plastic fuel tank inward by approximately 0.25 to 0.375 inches. This structural collapse compressed the internal fuel pump assembly and mechanical float arm, falsifying the dashboard fuel gauge and distance-to-empty calculations. On April 2nd, while driving on Interstate 95 at midnight, the vehicle displayed an inaccurate fuel level, ran completely dry, and suffered a sudden engine stall in high-speed traffic without warning. My family and I were trapped in a highly hazardous situation and were forced to physically push the disabled vehicle 3 miles down the highway in total darkness. We ultimately had to enlist the emergency intervention of the Florida State Patrol Road Rangers to dispatch a unit and supply fuel so we could safely clear the interstate. The vehicle has since thrown a hard diagnostic trouble code P0443, confirming a complete electrical circuit malfunction of the EVAP system. Ford's failure to successfully deploy a functional software monitor has caused severe structural damage to my fuel system and created an imminent, life-threatening safety risk to my family on public highways. I am requesting a federal record of this incident to compel a full vehicle inspection and complete fuel system component replacement by the manufacturer."

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

The evap canister purge valve has been a recurring problem for this vehicle. The canister was replaced in 2021, but continued having problems, as it pulled a vacuum on the fuel tank in upwards of 3/8 inch. (Documented by Murray Ford in 2023 and reassuredthere was no issue by them) the vehicle has displayed inaccurate fuel readings and caused our family to be disabled and then stranded in the night on highway 95. It put the safety of my family, and other motorists at risk The problem hasn't been duplicated because their "software fix" essentially ignored the problem altogether. There were no warnings. According to my vehicle it had at least 50 miles til empty. The fuel sending unit is displaying innacurqte fuel readings, and the fuel pump has displayed symptoms, characterized by surging, stalled when accelerating from a stop, and of course, completely shutting off, while on the highway. I've tried my best to trust and be patient with Ford and for them to do the right thing, but have been brushed off.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Fuel system · 98,819 miles · PA

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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,819.

Filed May 17, 2023 · Fuel system · CA

On 4/20/23 while driving home from work on the highway my car stalled and after pulling over would not start. The check engine ight had come one. On 4/21/23 I took my car to a mechanic who found the p0456 fault in the PCM which was tied to an active recall on my vehicle. The mechanic printed out the recall information and recommended replacing the cannister purge valve, fuel tank and fuel pump assembly. They suggested I take it to the local ford dealer to have the recall work done as it would be covered. On 4/27/23 I took my car to the dealership to have the recall work done. The dealer reprogrammed the PCM and replaced the vapor canister purge solenoid. On 5/15/23 while driving home from work on the highway my car stalled again and after pulling over would not start. The fuel tank has deformed, but less than the 1 inch ford is requiring to replace it and the distance to empty is still inaccurate. On 5/16 I dropped the car back off at the dealer. They looked at the car the next day and refused to address the outstanding issues.

Filed May 8, 2023 · Fuel system · GA

There was a past recall for the purge valve canister and the fuel pump and I was never notified from Ford about the recall when it was open. Now they are asking me to pay out of pocket for these repairs the dealership is asking $1400 to repair. Ford shoild honor there recalls even if the recall is closed. Now that I have the problem with the fuel system it is affecting my fuel tank as well. I have been buying Ford cars for over 20 years. The least they can do is offer financial assistance. If this is affecting my fuel tank now my car can catch on fire. I can't drive my vehicle more than two miles before it starts to slow down. At the time of the recall my vehicle had 83,000 miles. it now has 140,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Car is less than 6 years old, steering completely fails in very cold weather despite a fully electric epas steering system (no power steering fluid). In addition to the radiator and fuel pump needing replacement within the full lifespan of this car, it is very unsafe and not road worthy.

Filed Sep 11, 2020 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · CO

There is a shudder on take off and vibration while accelerating - 2013 ford focus. 2013 ford focus to vibrate upon acceleration. From your description, it describing an engine misfire. Misfires can be caused by many issues, but the most common are spark plugs, coil, fuel pump, fuel injectors, maf sensor, vacuum leaks, or a wiring harness fault.

Filed Feb 23, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 158,000 miles · FL

While at a stop light on a busy street my car jerks and then gets quiet, when the light changes to green I hit on the gas pedal and the car does not move, no matter how hard I press, I turn on my emergency lights and after about 3 mins the car finally moves but while driving once again I hit on the gas pedal to increase speed and it does not work, I decide to turn around in a small parking lot and take it home and while doing that the car doesn't reverse, I get it back on the road and it jerks and jumps to the point where I just had to park it and call a ride. The week prior a mechanic told me I just needed coolant after the car jerked and stalled on the highway while I was going 70mph, and now every time I bring the car to a complete stop it doesn't move once it's time to accelerate, I've had it stall in heavy traffic where cars where bumper to bumper and I could not move. All of this after I had the ecu flashed to fix the codes, the entire engine and head gaskets replaced, the fuel pump system and transmission fixed by ford. So I took it to a mechanic to get it diagnosed and they inform me of multiple problems such as a new thermostat and air bag deployment issues but the main problem is that I need a new transmission again, unfortunately the cars value is not worth what it will cost to fix the transmission again.

Filed Dec 26, 2019 · Fuel system · 99,000 miles · OH

The vehicle suddenly shut off while my daughter was driving on a highway and she was unable to restart it. The mechanic states that it is a malfunction involving the purge valve and fuel pump. Due to this malfunction, the o2 sensor and fuel tank needs replaced and the PCM needs reprogrammed. The mechanic states this should be covered under recall 18s32 and 19s22 but ford is saying that my particular vehicle is not covered under this recall. Why???

Filed Oct 16, 2019 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · OK

Fuel pump went out and had to be replaced in april 2019. Recently received a letter of fuel pump recall on my 2014 ford focus VIN [xxx]. My 2013 ford focus does not have a recall but is has the same engine, built at the same plant, and built within the same year. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 10, 2019 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford focus. When the vehicle was turned off, an abnormal noise was detected under the hood. The vehicle was taken to martin dodge jeep chrysler (2209 scottsville rd, bowling green, ky 42104, (270) 216-5185) where it was determined that the fuel pump relay needed to be replaced; however, a diagnostic was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2019 · Fuel system · 88,700 miles · MO

While driving on the highway the vehicle stopped running and lost all power without warning the vehicle could not be re-started. Was able to get the vehicle towed and looked at by an independent repair shop since the ford dealerships were too busy to look at a vehicle that was 3 hours away from the home address. The cause of the issue was the evaporator vacuum canister. The failure of the canister also caused the fuel tank to deform and damaged the fuel pump/level sensor. The canister was replaced and the fuel tank popped out as much as possible, but the fuel level sensor is still reading incorrectly due to the deformed tank.