VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Focus electrical system problems

The 2013 Ford Focus has 311 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

311

Electrical System complaints

11%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

26V011000Electrical SystemJanuary 15, 2026 · 116,672 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

15V813000Electrical SystemDecember 2, 2015 · 9,017 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Consequence

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.

14V495000Electrical SystemAugust 11, 2014 · 133,227 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Consequence

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.

What owners report

ON THURSDAY AUGUST 2, 2018 AROUND 8:30. THE WIRES IN THE DASH BOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CARD BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE. I COULD SMELL THE BURNING AND I WASN'T SURE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I COULD HEAR A SPARK SOUND AND I COULD TELL THAT THE WIRES WHERE BURNING. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 2, 2018 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2013 Ford Focus have?

NHTSA has 311 complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus electrical system — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Ford Focus electrical system?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 14V495000, 15V813000, 26V011000.

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.