274 of the 2,919 complaints about the 2013 Ford Focus are about the steering — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,500 miles.
274
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
Steering wheel became hard to turn and then no steering and steering loss Stop safely came on the instrument panel, had car towed home and have had no one look at it yet
NHTSA complaint #11725902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
During recent freezing weather, upon starting the car and attempting to turn, I realized that the steering wheel was frozen solid. While researching what could have happened, the war warmed up enough to melt the water in the electric power assisted steering motor, allowing the vehicle to turn. Now, the EPAS is seized up completely. If I had been driving when it locked up completely, it could have proved fatal. The problem has not been reproduced, as it just happened in the last couple of weeks. I never got any check engine light pertaining to this issue. OBDII showed not errors for the EPAS.
NHTSA complaint #11717304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
While driving, the electric power steering went out. I purchased this vehicle on Aug 15 2025 and the Carfax report did not have any information pertaining to an issue with EPAS. To have this repaired will cost me over $3k which I was not prepared for. Being that other Ford vehicles have this EPAS recall, shouldn't a recall be made on the 2013 Ford Focus as well.
NHTSA complaint #11681687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The vehicles power steering assist has failed and there are active recalls from the same manufacturer and year but not my specific VIN.
NHTSA complaint #11639374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Power steering malfunction. Wheel not working on low temperature.
NHTSA complaint #11634061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Electrical Power Steering. While driving the steering suddenly locked up. There was no prior indication. Upon having a Master Mechanic check the vehicle, it was stated that it is a common problem seen by mechanics and after researching online searches, the Ford Focus vehicles from 2010-2014 have experienced the same issue. This is an absolute hazard. The cost to repair will be close to $4, 000. I am requesting that an immediate recall she be mandated by Ford. This was a close call for me on a main Freeway.
NHTSA complaint #11607623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Power steering assist pump stopped intermittently, than stop completely
NHTSA complaint #11603026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
UNKNOWN
NHTSA complaint #11597717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
My Ford Focus has a Steering Assist Fault. It failed in October 2022, and now I'm having to pay for replacement of the system because there is no recall on it for the Focus, unlike other models.
NHTSA complaint #11560214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The intermittent power steering issues are now permanent and it is extremely difficult to turn the wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11550960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering column became inoperable; however, the contact's son was able to safely drive the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11540081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I was driving when my power steering went out on the highway. Ford knows this is a problem. That was the first time I seen the warning light while driving
NHTSA complaint #11538849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The steering wheel wants to lock up as you make a turn either left or right
NHTSA complaint #11519196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Electric power steering goes out without any warning. I took my car to the dealership to get rotors and tire rods put on.Go pick up my car, soon as I pull off the lot get down the road my car is pulling to the pulling to the right. I keep driving, it's pulling to the left. I took the car back and told them my car is doing something weird. The tech gets in the driver seat and I get in the passenger seat. We driving and he said yeah that is weird. Now, when I took my car there for repairs, it wasn't doing this. They do some testing and they tell me my Electric power steering is going out. Without any warning.I don't know if they did something to it or it just went out. It's a safety hazard because there was no warning light or anything. That's an accident waiting to happen.
NHTSA complaint #11511356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The power steering randomly fails (it was raining each time) making it difficult to control the car. It lasts from 2-15 seconds.
NHTSA complaint #11494244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 10 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. The message to pull over safely was displayed. The red critical warning indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering control module (PSCM) needed to be replaced but the parts were back ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #11491990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I have a 2013 Ford Focus Titanium with 92k miles and have been experiencing problems with my electric steering rack. It’s making noises when turning the steering wheel. I have not had it replaced yet as I fill this something that should recalled and covered through Ford. It has not locked on me yet but this is something that should be recalled and fixed as I’m hearing multiple ford owners are experiencing the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11489447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11488833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
A few times i have been driving, or sometimes just started my car to drive and my steering would be hard. Contacted Ford and was told that was normal. I Was driving a couple months with everything working properly and suddenly the Electronic steering is gone. Nearly caused an accident with my grandchildren in the vehicle. I was fortunate enough to be able to get to the side of road without getting hit.
NHTSA complaint #11474450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Power steering assist failure. On the freeway. Hard to steer. Then when I made it home (thankfully) turned into the driveway, turned the car off. Then when I tried to start it later, the wheel had completely locked up. Couldn't move the car. If it would have done that on the freeway, I would have died.
NHTSA complaint #11468869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Steering rack failed while driving. Leaving parking lot steering started to make a grinding noise and almost immdeiatly locked in place when on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11463633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I’ve seen multiple recalls on the electric power steering with ford and recently I lost all power steering in my 2013 Ford Focus SE and know it’s been a problem for other fords like mine. My vehicle has 119,000 miles. I want to know why there are recalls for other ford cars for the exact same issue but not the 2013 focus
NHTSA complaint #11450883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Power steering assist failed while driving on the highway. I pulled over and turned off the car to investigate and the steering wheel locked up.
NHTSA complaint #11443763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering assist fault warning message was displayed. The vehicle lost power steering and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the failure was corrected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with steering control module failure. The steering control module and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #11440205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
- Steering rack and pinion failed while driving and is currently being repaired at dealership - Safety was out at risk due to the malfunctioning occurring while car was being driven. Steering became extremely difficult and felt as if wheel was locking-up. - Car was taken to dealership twice regarding the malfunction. First resolution was updating the power steering control module software. Steering was fixed for one week before the issue re-appeared while driving. During second visit at the dealership, it was determined that the steering rack and pinion will need replacing. - There was no warning messages or symptoms prior to the malfunctioning occurring.
NHTSA complaint #11436925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
On September 25, 2021 around 11:30pm, I was driving and the steering wheel happened to lock out of nowhere and I’m not able to turn correctly. It was a very dangerous situation and I couldn’t turn and the car was going straight. I was very close to get into a car accident. I bought car without any issues and I’ve been taking good care of it and out of nowhere the steering wheel locked on me and gave me a signal saying “steering loss stop safely” i went to advanced parts to have it tested on a Sunday and they said I needed to replace my catalyst system efficiency which I was aware of that needed to replaced but nothing else showed besides the code they gave me P0420. The vehicle hasn’t been Inspected or component by a insurance company or others.
NHTSA complaint #11434399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
As I was driving down the road my power steering went out. I pulled over and tried to turn the car off and on and had no luck. I then got a warning that said my power steering malfunctioned. I do not know what I would have done if I were on the interstate as I had been 2 minutes earlier. I cannot believe I am alive. This is the second time something like this has happened. The other time I just had my car stall out on the interstate as I drove down it. That time it was a transmission issue.
NHTSA complaint #11433127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while reversing out of the garage, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000. Vin was not available. Consumer stated mechanic has custody of the old rack and pinion needs to evaluate it.
NHTSA complaint #11421118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING FELT A LITTLE STICKY. LAST NIGHT I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND AN ALERT CAME UP THAT SAID 'STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW' AND THIS MORNING I STARTED IT AND IT SAID 'STEERING LOSS PARK SAFELY' AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING LAST NIGHT
NHTSA complaint #11415403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET WHEN MY STEERING GOT REALLY HARD AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A POLE. UNABLE TO STEER SAFELY.
NHTSA complaint #11405683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.