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2013 Ford Focus: complete transmission failure

96 of the 2,112 complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus describe complete transmission failure.

owner complaints
96
of this car's complaints
5%
typical repair cost reported
$3,700
typical mileage
50,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 43 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Complete transmission failure by model year

What owners say

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 Mar 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

I have a current recall on my transmission I notify for it. I went up there to get the recall fixed. They plugged it up to the machine to see about my transmission, and they said it came back with a cold that was not associated with the recall for my transmission, but it did say something was wrong with my transmission, I looked into that popped up on the cold reader and it’s it. I gave them the number and they said that Ford will be unable to pay for it and they told me I would have to pay $175 in order to hook it up to the main machine to see what exactly the code is if it match the cold that will pay for me new transmission. I explained to them that if I have a recall on the car for my door, lash and my transmission , why would I have to pay for so he kept running around loops not trying to give me a correct response basically just making me trying to pay for them to hook up something that should be for free so my car is accelerating is not accelerating speed, it keeps on clicking is something to do with my transmission, which it has a recall on it before in Orange will not fix it Paid paid off so I need someone to help me solve this matter because Ford and Orange is trying to make me pay for something that is a recall that should be fixed and free if someone call me back at [XXX] thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · Transmission · MO

My transmission went out on me and I was stuck right in the middle on the highway. That puts everyone’s safety at risk. These Automatic transmission’s are faulty from factory and Ford is refusing to “FIX” them. They will only accept to update the TCM and that’s not a fix when it has internal problems. I did get a warning on the screen saying transmission malfunction and a check engine light.

Filed Nov 14, 2024 · Transmission · 174,500 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall for transmission failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for transmission failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,500.

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 Aug 2, 2024 · Transmission · 100 miles · TX

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. A second dealer, Johnson Sewell Ford (3301 N U.S. Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654, (830)693-5577) was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

Filed May 17, 2024 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shuddering, and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not included.

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Transmission · KY

I have been an owner of a Ford vehicle for 3 generations. My 2013 Ford Focus has only 95K Miles and has had serious Transmission problems. The vehicle has been well taken care of and has been serviced at the dealership several times for regular service maintenance. All recalls have been taken care of. However, Despite the fixes performed by Ford Dealership. The car still has problems of shuddering, hesitation, and stalling or inability to accelerate. Most of the time the clutch experiences slips between 1 and 2nd gears. It is not safe to drive on the highway. Ford service center is refusing to fix the problem as the 10 year power train warranty has expired in May of 2023. I have spent thousands of $'s in maintaining the vehicle and my wife loves it. But we cannot afford to keep spending money. IT needs a new transmission and I feel Ford should fix it. I have been given a runaround. Can Someone in Ford customer care help with this request to get my Transmission fixed under customer satisfaction.

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · OH

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 was advised to report the failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while shifted into drive(D), the engine revved but the vehicle failed to accelerate. Additionally, the contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the message displayed on the instrument cluster stated, “Turn Vehicle Off and Wait”. The contact stated that he turned the vehicle off and restarted after approximately six minutes. The transmission fault warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

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 Jun 30, 2023 · Transmission · OH

We bought a used car,as is, and had no problem. Approx 6 wks later it had trouble going into park and were told (by our technician) there was a recall on a computer. Made an appt. with the dealer and on the day it was to go in husband went to get gas the transmission failed so we had AAA tow it to them. They then told us the entire transmission failed and there was no warranty. We learned there was a nationwide problem with the computers. We never, nor did the dealer we purchased it from ever receive a notice from Ford that there was a recall on the outer computer. If they had done that the transmission could have been saved. I contacted Ford and was told to go back to the dealer they were doing nothing, The car sits in our driveway. This is not the only year Ford had a problem with Ford Focus transmissions. They should do something. We were quoted $9000, for a new transmission. Being on social security and a small pension we can't afford it and a used transmission is not feasible because of the major problems with the trans.

Questions about the 2013 Ford Focus transmission failure

Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2013 Ford Focus?

96 of 2,112 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus (5%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2012.

How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the 2013 Ford Focus?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,700 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Ford Focus?

There are 0 recalls and 43 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Ford Focus

Stalling 334Shudder 301Jerking 295Hesitation 234Check engine light 219Slipping 125Grinding brakes 121Loss of power 120Power steering loss 89Door locks 85Won't shift 64Won't start 59Fuel gauge 47Overheating 39Fuel pump 35Steering lock-up 34Engine failure 32Harsh shifting 31Wipers 29Sudden acceleration 19Misfire 18Fire or smoke 17Seat belt 14No deployment 13Warning lights 8Adaptive cruise 7Knocking 7Tire blowout 6ABS 5Pulling 5

All model years of the Ford Focus

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