2013 Ford Focus Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 25, 2026 · 53 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 2013 Ford Focus, 3% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 99,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “fuel tank” (28% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Fuel tank: mentioned in 15 of 53 complaints (28%)
  • Purge valve: mentioned in 8 of 53 complaints (15%)
  • Gasoline included: mentioned in 7 of 53 complaints (13%)
  • Depressing accelerator: mentioned in 6 of 53 complaints (11%)

At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?

Based on 47 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles3 · 6%
10k–25k miles1 · 2%
25k–50k miles2 · 4%
50k–75k miles9 · 19%
75k–100k miles9 · 19%
100k–150k miles16 · 34%
150k+ miles7 · 15%

How serious are the reports?

None of the 53 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.

Ford Focus fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year

Peak: 2000, with 366 complaints
2000: 36620003662001: 2772772002: 582002582003: 12122004: 8200482005: 17172006: 7200672007: 882008: 1200812009: 442010: 152010152011: 222012: 562012562013: 53532014: 532014532015: 34342016: 612016612017: 61612018: 65201865

n = 1,158 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearFuel System, Gasoline complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2018 Focus658%67,000
2017 Focus617%60,000
2016 Focus615%80,000
2015 Focus343%77,000
2014 Focus532%90,000
2013 Focus533%99,000
2012 Focus561%95,771
2011 Focus22%44,150
2010 Focus155%51,835
2009 Focus42%58,000
2008 Focus10%32,233
2007 Focus82%45,000
2006 Focus73%58,000
2005 Focus174%51,000
2004 Focus82%33,000
2003 Focus121%16,633
2002 Focus586%50,644
2001 Focus27716%52,378
2000 Focus36610%52,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2022, with 13 complaints
2013: 2201322014: 3201432016: 4201642018: 2201822019: 7201972020: 4202042021: 5202152022: 132022132023: 7202372024: 5202452025: 120251

n = 53 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canisterJun 9, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · 257,868 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.

Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canisterJul 5, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V515000 · 57,488 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.

Risk: The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canisterOct 22, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · 1,282,596 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.

Risk: The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, the RPM decreased, and the vehicle turned off independently. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that a dealer was…

Received Nov 17, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11699842

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove rough. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling rough. In addition, the fuel gauge was moving erratically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with canister…

Received Oct 23, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11621624

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…

Received Oct 2, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11617706
Ford Focus
2018 Ford Focus ST-Line X 1.0 Taken in Warwick. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2013 Ford Focuss have fuel system, gasoline problems?

No. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the 2013 Ford Focus (3% of the 2,112 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Focus fuel system, gasoline?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems start?

The median reported mileage is 99,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 2013 Ford Focus?

The most frequent phrase is “fuel tank”, in 15 of 53 complaints, followed by “purge valve” (8).

Other 2013 Ford Focus problems

See all 2013 Ford Focus problems or fuel system, gasoline problems across all Focus years.