2013 Ford Focus Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

341Engine complaints

16.2%Of all 2,103 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN1,050 · 49.9%

ENGINE341 · 16.2%

STEERING268 · 12.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM264 · 12.6%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM206 · 9.8%

Share of the 2,103 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Ford Focus overview page.

What owners report

“I HAVE A FORD FOCUS EV 2013. TWICE THE CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND THE MESSAGE APPEARS ASKING YOU TO PULL OVER AND…”NHTSA complaint 10542110 — filed 09/05/2013

“VEHICLE GRINDS GEARS FREQUENTLY. FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR VEHICLE WILL SHAKE, LOOSE POWER AND ALMOST STALL BEFORE ENGINE REGAINS POWER AND SHIFTS TO GO…”NHTSA complaint 10541856 — filed 09/04/2013

“MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR NEW 2013 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC HOME FROM SCHOOL AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE…”NHTSA complaint 10537801 — filed 08/28/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Ford Focus have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Ford Focus: 341 of 2,103 complaints on file (16.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Ford Focus have in total?

2,103 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 49 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, 28 reported injuries, and 3 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.