VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Focus Electric problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 120 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median Focus Electric year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 6 Focus Electric years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 37 reports (31% of the total).

120

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

4

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Focus Electric years?

Focus Electric NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted120 complaints2012: 53 complaints2013: 120 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 20 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 12 complaints
Focus Electric NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Focus Electric years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford Focus Electric problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3731%
Electrical System3025%
Engine1613%
Fuel System1513%
Steering98%
Speed Control54%
Brakes43%
Other33%
Lighting11%

Does the 2013 Ford Focus Electric have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V592000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2018 · 49,197 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

Consequence

An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.

13V523000TransmissionOctober 30, 2013 · 2,456 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus Electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition.

Consequence

An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall beganon November 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

13V475000Electrical SystemOctober 17, 2013 · 23,000 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED WHILE PARKING PERPENDICULAR IN A PARKING STRUCTURE; DRIVER HAD SLOWED/BRAKED, TO 5 MILES OR LESS, TO PARK AND TAKEN HER FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PRESSED THE BRAKE. ABRUPTLY THE CAR ACCELERATED AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE WALL IN FRONT WITH THE DRIVER AIR BAGS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 8, 2017 · crash

“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus Electric. The contact stated while turning off the vehicle, the lights and radio remained operational which resulted in the battery being drained. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 8, 2020

“WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ACCELERATING OUT OF THE TURN THE ENGINE, POWER TRAIN AND BREAKING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN THE STREET. THE DASH DISPLAYED "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT SYMBOL OF A WRENCH APPEARED. I TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART USING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 27, 2015

“WHILE BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN, THERE WAS A THUD, THE STOP SAFELY NOW LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. IT WOULD NOT RE-START. I PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE AND CALLED FOR A TOW. IT IS NOW AT THE FORD DEALER. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THIS KIND AND THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 25, 2013

“2013 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE POWER STEERING SYSTEM REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN EARLY OCTOBER, HE NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND, LIKE A BELT RUBBING, IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION, THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 6, 2015

2013 Ford Focus Electric — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford Focus Electric reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 120 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 6 Focus Electric years. It is one of the Focus Electric years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Focus Electric problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (37 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints), engine (16 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford Focus Electric have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Ford Focus Electric. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Ford Focus Electric under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Focus Electric years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Focus Electric years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Focus Electric years belongs to 2016.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.