FordFocus2013Overview/ford/focus/2013/base/

2013 Ford Focus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Focus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2013 Ford Focus is a passenger car that pairs an automatic AM6 transmission with a powertrain lubricated by 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil to achieve an EPA-rated 27/36/30 mpg. Despite this efficient specification, the model is heavily burdened by its powertrain, which anchors 2,105 total owner complaints alongside 12 separate recalls. While it doesn't hit the historical peak of 3,881 complaints seen in the 2000 model across the 1999–2018 lineage, it falls far from the low of just 11 complaints in 1999, placing this year firmly on the problematic end of the spectrum and signaling to researchers that it is fraught with systemic reliability concerns.

Model year201820172016201520142013201220112010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/36/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 67R · 390 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 67R · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.7 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2926 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 36 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Focus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2013 ST 5-door Hatchback (Euro Spec)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013ST 5-door Hatchback (Euro Spec) 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.40 sec247 hpFWD
2013ST 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.90 sec14.60 sec252 hpFWD
2013ST 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.90 sec14.60 sec252 hpFWD
2013ST 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.90 sec14.80 sec252 hpFWD
2013ST 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.90 sec14.60 sec252 hpFWD
2013ST 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.50 sec252 hpFWD
2013ST 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec252 hpFWD
2012SE 5-door Hatchback 2.0L I-47.30 sec15.90 sec160 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity1.3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Manual Transmission FluidFord part number XT-11-QDC
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.6

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall new studs: 12.5 ft-lbs, Step 2:
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.10 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil TypeYN-32

Service checks

Pressure Test18-20 psi
RPM55-75 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)73 @ Idle
RPM55-72 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance1-2 na Direct Injected ohms
Engine Oil Pressure29-39 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.009-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52 ft-lbs / 129 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.354 in / 0.906 in
Drum Discard at-or-over9.055

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts to finger tight. Step 25 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 83 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 604 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Air Conditioning Refrigerant Line (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 200,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Ford Focus sits squarely in the middle of a sharp, generation-wide reliability downturn that began with the 2012 redesign. Complaints skyrocketed from just 113 in 2011 to 3,789 in 2012, and the 2013 model recorded 2,105 complaints, 12 recalls, and 4 investigations—numbers that remain elevated compared to the pre-2012 era. The 2013’s top problem area is the powertrain (746 complaints), and it also logged 49 crash-related and 12 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. While complaint counts decline after 2014 (e.g., 1,020 in 2015), the 2013 is part of the most troubled cluster of this generation, with recall and TSB counts still high through 2018. Given this pattern, the 2013 Focus is a poor choice for a used purchase; later model years (2015–2018) show fewer complaints and are a safer bet within this generation.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
154
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,105
Owner complaints
49 involved a crash · 12 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,105 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train746
Steering213
Unknown Or Other107
Fuel/Propulsion System87
Power Train,Engine73
Engine72
Electrical System64
Structure59

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V735000Fuel System, Gasoline:StorageReported 22/10/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

19V515000Fuel System, Gasoline:StorageReported 05/07/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 154 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25H05 S12026-04-29Electrical SystemHarvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25H052025-11-18Electrical SystemThis is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited…
24N072024-12-04Unknown Or OtherCertain 2012 – 2018 Model Year Focus Vehicle Line One-Time Canister Purge Valve…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Focus. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Focus take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Focus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Focus get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined mpg.