2012 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 3,801 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 108 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 88 people were injured and 5 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, evaporative emissions, canisterJun 9, 2026
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.
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJun 8, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Campaign 20V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJul 5, 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 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V515000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 22, 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 management system.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchSep 6, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Campaign 16V643000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingAug 1, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.
Campaign 13V335000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentOct 2, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not by Ford. Certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame.
Without proper contact of the rooftop rack clip to the door frame, there is insufficient clamping pressure and friction. The system may slide off the vehicle when loaded with accessories, possibly becoming a road hazard to other vehicles or causing injury to pedestrians.
Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focus. The safety recall began on October 15, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the vehicle rack system are affected. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not Ford. Owners may contact Yakima at 1-888-925-4621.
Campaign 12E035000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, switch/wiringApr 5, 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FOCUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 2011. A SEAL IN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE MISSING.
WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE CONNECTOR, RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR, REDUCING VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND AS NECESSARY, CLEAN AND PROPERLY SEAL THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR CONNECTOR. ANY INOPERATIVE WIPER MOTORS WILL BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 12V149000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
1,459 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Oct 27, 2016
WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN BY ITS SELF. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND COAST TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE, THE ENGINES RPM'S WOULD GO UP, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS DISENGAGED WITH THE ENGINE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. *TR
Power train, Oct 26, 2016
I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES NOW FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE THE BUCKING, SLIPPING AND ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. THE RPM REV UP WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AS I'M CONCERNED DRIVING MY VEHICLE NOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2013. PLUS A FEW MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSION MODULE IN THE COMPUTER WENT AND I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 26, 2016
HI MY NAME IS [XXX] PURCHASED 2012 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK IN NORTH CAROLING PARKWAY FORD VIN: [XXX] IN THE PAST RECEIVED SEVERAL SAFETY RECALL. 1) CLUTCH GRINDING 2) CAR ROLLING BACK WHEN ON INCLINE 3) SYSTEM UPGRADE 4) LATCH ISSUE I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 4 - AWAITING PART. MY CONCERN SAFETY - MY CAR STILL ROLLS BACK ON INCLINE AND CLUTCH MAKES GRINDING NOISE AND CAR JERKS. I TOOK INTO DEALER TO ASK FOR A REVIEW OF THIS CONTINUED ISSUE. HOWEVER I WAS TOLD MY CAR EXCEED THE 100,000 MILES MY CAR HAS 138,000 MILES. FORD WILL NOT REVIEW MY CAR UNLESS I PAY. ALL THE ABOVE NOTED ARE FOR KNOWN SAFETY RECALLS WHICH MY THOUGHTS ARE FORD SHOULD WANT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS TYPE VEHICLE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. REACHING OUT TO YOU PLEASE TAKE EXCEPTION AND SEND ME A RECALL NOTICES FOR THE CAR ROLLING BACK ON INCLINE AND MY CLUTCH GRINDING CAUSING CAR TO JERK. OTHER THEN THE NOTED SAFETY RECALLS THAT I DEAL WITH THE CAR IS ACCEPTABLE. MY HISTORY, I WORK FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY AS QUALITY ENGINEER AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND RECALLS. NOTE: PLEASE UNDERSTAND I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE ORIGINAL RECALL; THE CAR WAS ADJUSTED, THE QUESTION I HAVE CONCERN THE ADJUSTMENT WAS NOT A FIX AND CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES. WHEN MY CAR WAS PURCHASED, UPFRONT I PAID FOR ALL REQUIRED SERVICES ON THE CAR AND WENT TO DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE ARRANGED TIME FOR SERVICES. YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE DATE NOTED BELOW IS WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE ISSUE IS A RECURRING ISSUE. KIND REGARDS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Oct 18, 2016
VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM TRANSMISSION SHUDDER ISSUES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT BUT THE FORD TECHNICIANS STATED THE SHUDDER WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR A FULL REPAIR AND INSTEAD PERFORMED A MINOR FIX WHICH HAS DONE NOTHING TO ELIMINATE THE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE EXISTS ON A WIDE RANGE FOR FORD VEHICLES WITH A COMMON TRANSMISSION. THE SHUDDER HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, TYPICALLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND ALSO CAN HAPPEN WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR.
Power train, Oct 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO JERK EACH TIME THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 12/20/16*LJ
Power train, Oct 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. UPON COMING TO A STOP, THE GEAR SHIFT RANDOMLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE GEAR SELECTOR SEVERAL TIMES, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PARTS MAY BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Oct 6, 2016
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN "FIXED" NOW SEVERAL TIMES. CURRENTLY AT TIMES WHEN YOU ACCELERATE THE RPMS WILL JUMP AND THE ENTIRE CAR WILL HESITATE AND VIBRATE. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CLUTCH PACKS A FEW TIMES AND THE TCM AND REPROGRAMMED THINGS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ISSUE KEEPS RECURRING. AT TIMES IM NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS GOING TO ACCELERATE. THE DATE I STATED THIS HAPPENED IS THE MOST RECENT DATE THAT THE ISSUE OCCURRED IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I GOT THE CAR 4 YEARS AGO. WHAT A TERRIBLE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR EVER.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2016
TAKATA RECALL.CHRONIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE POWERPOINT TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH; SERVICES 6 PLUS TIMES IN 2 YEARS FOR THE SAME COMPLAINTS, THE DEALER UPDATES THE TRANSMISSION OR REPLACES THE CLUTCH THEN 3 OR SO MONTHS LATER THE SAME ISSUES ARISE. WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR CAR IS SHIFTING FROM 2ND GEAR INTO 3RD THERE IS ERRATIC SHIFTING, BUCKING, HER KING, LURCHING FORWARD, HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC. THIS CAR IS CHRONICALLY UNSAFE!
Power train, Oct 3, 2016
SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH ITS "DUAL CLUTCH" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IT JERKS, HESITATES, HAS REAL TROUBLE SHIFTING IN THE FIRST 3 GEARS. FORD HAS EXTENDED THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO 150,000 MILES, MAYBE THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. MOSTLY, THEY RESET THE COMPUTER OR PUT IN THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS EACH TIME. NO REAL SOLUTION HAS EVER BEEN PRESENTED TO ACTUALLY FIX THE CAR. THE CAR JERKS, DOWNSHIFTS, UPSHIFTS HORRIBLY. THIS HAPPENS FROM 1ST GEAR THRU 3RD GEAR. THIS CAR IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE DRIVEN AND I AM STUCK WITH IT BECAUSE FORD WILL NOT HELP. PLEASE HELP NHTSA TO BRING THIS HUGE PROBLEM TO LIGHT. I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GET LAWYERS INVOLVED TO GET FORD'S ATTENTION...
Power train, Sep 29, 2016
WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND I ACCELERATE IT JUMPS, JERKS AND SHAKES. IT HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT MANY TIMES. IT CAN'T BE FIX. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) FORD RECALL FSA 15B22. MY VEHICLE WOULD STRUGGLE TO SHIFT INTO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR WHENEVER I WAS DRIVING, SO I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE TCM TO GET REPROGRAMMED, AS PER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL IN JUNE 2016. IT SEEMED TO HELP WITH THE HARSHNESS OF THE VEHICLE'S SHIFTING, UNTIL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2016 WHENEVER I TRIED TO GET MY CAR TO REVERSE AND IT ACTED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN NEUTRAL. IT WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOW ON. THE SHIFTER WAS IN REVERSE CORRECTLY, AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THE CAR WENT NOWHERE. MY FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT UP TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD LOOK AT IT AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, SO I DID. IT OVERHEATED THREE TIMES IN THE 45 MINUTE DRIVE UP, DESPITE CAUTIOUS DRIVING. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY FORD IN ANY WAY. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WOULD BE DIAGNOSED LATER THAT DAY (MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH) AND ANY NECESSARY PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED BY THE END OF THE DAY. I HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM IN OVER 3 DAYS SO I CALLED FOR AN UPDATE. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE TCM AND IT NEEDS REPLACED, AS THE "REPROGRAMMING" THEY DID IN JUNE 2016 WAS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TCM IS HEAVILY BACKORDERED, SO THE FACTORY ISN'T EVEN SHIPPING OUR ANY TCM'S UNTIL NOVEMBER 4TH, WHICH MINE MIGHT NOT EVEN BE INCLUDED IN THAT SHIPMENT AND IT IS "HIGHLY LIKELY" THAT IT WILL BE CLOSER TO CHRISTMAS BEFORE I GET MY CAR FIXED AND RETURNED TO ME. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THEY ARE REFUSING TO PROVIDE ME WITH A SERVICE VEHICLE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTHS THAT MY CAR SITS AT THEIR DEALERSHIP AWAITING ITS PART. HOW AM I TO GET TO WORK? PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL? GET GTOCERIES? I'M AN ONLY PARENT AND CANNOT BE WITHOUT A CAR.
Power train, Sep 27, 2016
I TOOK MY 2012 FORD FOCUS TO GET FIXED AT WAYNE ACKERS FORD IN LAKE WORTH FLORIDA UPON DROPPING MY CAR OFF THE GENTLEMAN STARTED TELLING ME MY CAR ISN'T AFFECTED WHEN IT IS AND LATER ON SAYS I HAVE TO SEE IF IT'S UNDER WARRANTY THEN TELLS ME IT NEEDS TO BE AT 150K MILES THAT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL THE CAR IS STILL THERE I'M WATIING ON A RESPONSE.
Power train, Sep 23, 2016
THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHUDDERED AND SLIPPED FROM NEW. FORD HAS REPLACED THE CLUTCH TWICE, MADE PROGRAM MODULE ADJUSTMENTS NUMEROUS TIMES. NOTHING THEY HAVE DONE HAS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER AND CONSTANTLY AM CONCERNED THAT SHE DRIVES A CAR THAT DOES NOTHING BUT HESITATE AND SHUDDER
Power train, Sep 20, 2016
THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET, DOWNHILL, WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. THIS NORMALLY WOULD BE A GREAT CONDITION TO COAST DOWNHILL WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES OR GAS. MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND THEN KEPT TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT, IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY GEAR SELECTED AND STARTED PULLING ITSELF TO A STOP. DURING RUSH HOUR THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR QUICKLY SHUT OFF AS SOON AS I GOT DOWN TO 5 MPH. ONCE THE CAR WAS BACK ON IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 20 MPH, VERY DANGEROUS AS THE TO GET TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH ANY WAY I WOULD GO. ONCE I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO GET IN ON APPOINTMENT, AND THERE WERE NO LOANERS. THIS BEING MY ONLY CAR IS FIRST OF ALL DANGEROUS AND UNSETTLING, BUT ALSO EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. HOURS LATER AFTER LETTING MY CAR COOL OFF AND SETTLE, THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO REMEDY THEMSELVES UNTIL I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I REVERSED, APPLIED THE BRAKE, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL I SLAMMED ON THE BREAK AND TRIED THE GAS AGAIN. WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE THAT SAME PARKING LOT JUST AFTER THIS, MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE UP THE SMALL HILL AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AGAIN EXTREMELY FAST. I BELIEVE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY HAD THERE BEEN PEDESTRIANS BEHIND MY CAR. PREVIOUS ATTEMPT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND REPROGRAM THE TCM WERE GREETED WITH PAMPHLETS STATING JERKING AND SHAKING WERE NORMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOMATIC CARS. I WAS TOLD THE WAITING LIST JUST TO CHECK IF MY CAR QUALIFIED FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WOULD BE SIX WEEKS AND I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR THERE WITH NO LOANER JUST IN CASE THE WAIT TIME WAS CUT SHORTER. FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON AND TARGETED GROUP FOR FORD VEHICLES THIS ISN'T A POSSIBILITY.
Power train, Engine, Sep 17, 2016
MY WIFE TRADED IN HER 2009 TAURUS FOR A NEW 2012 FOCUS SEDAN BACK IN APRIL 2012 AT GREEN FORD. A MONTH OR SO AFTER GETTING THE FOCUS, IT HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. GREEN FORD FIXED THE PROBLEM. IN MID-2015 WE STARTED TO NOTICE TRANSMISSION ISSUES LIKE ERRATICALLY SHIFTING IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, VERY SLUGGISH SHIFT BETWEEN LOW GEARS AND THAT THE UPSHIFT BAGS DOWN LIKE THE VEHICLE MIGHT STALL, BUCKING, KICKING, JERKING, HARSH ENGAGEMENT, DELAYED ACCELERATION AND LURCHING FORWARD INTO INTERSECTIONS AT RED LIGHTS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THEIR BRAKING EFFORTS TO STOP THE CAR. WE TOOK IT TO GREEN FORD ON 9/18/2015. THEY STATING THAT IT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. HOWEVER, FOR A PRECAUTION, THEY SAID THEY REPROGRAMMED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM). HOWEVER, IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR THAT STATED PROBLEM/S. IN THE OFFICIAL SERVICE HISTORY FOR THE FORD OWNER'S RECORDS, THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE SAFETY RECALL DONE ON MY FOCUS, JUST THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND A MILEAGE OF OVER 96,000 MILES ON THE FOCUS AT THE TIME. JUMP FORWARD TO A YEAR LATER, ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, 2016, AT 2PM, MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING IN A 45 MPH SPEED ZONE WHEN THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME. SECONDS LATER, THE FORD STARTED TO STALL AND HAVE POWER ISSUES, CAUSING HER TO FIND THE NEXT SIDE ROAD TO PULL OVER. THE CAR COMPLETED STALLED AND COULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER 2 TOWING EVENTS, FROM THE BREAKDOWN LOCATION TO THOMAS TIRE, THOMAS TO STEARNS FORD, AND SITTING OVER THE WEEKEND, ON SEPT. 9, WE FOUND OUT IT WAS THE RECALL TCM THAT BROKE. THE TCM WAS IN BACK ORDER UNTIL OCTOBER 28, 2016. STEARNS FORD SENT ME TO ENTERPRISE WHERE THEY PAID FOR A FORD RENTAL. THE ONLY FORD ON THE RENTAL LOT WAS THE TRANSIT 250 OR 350 VAN (VERY LOW MPG). I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE DAILY. AFTER THE 3RD DAY, I BORROWED A FAMILY MEMBER'S CAR.
Steering, Power train, Sep 16, 2016, crash
LURCHING AND UNCONTROLLED SHIFTING OCCURS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS LEFT ME STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT TURN BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. NOW I RAN OFF THE ROAD WHILE EXITING A FREEWAY BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 6 TIMES RANDOMLY. IT GIVES ME A POWER STEERING FAULT. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO BEING THE CAUSE OF 3 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THESE TWO ISSUES.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2016
AT 58,000. HORN STARTED TO WORK INTERMITTENT, NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. WHAT NEXT? ALREADY HAD WORK DONE ON TRANNY. EVERY THING SEEMS TO BE COMPUTER RELATED. IT ALSO SURGES AT START UP AT STOP.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A FEEDER ROAD IN TEXAS, TAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN DUE TO A LATCH FAILURE. NO INJURIES, AND A RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED. THE CAR ALSO HAS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD AT BOTH HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALREADY BEEN "REPAIRED" ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT HAS STARTED SHOWING THE SAME ISSUES FOR A SECOND TIME. CURRENTLY WITH DEALER.
Power train, Sep 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE RPMS REVVED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANS CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Power train, Sep 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE SHUTTERED WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH. AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITING FIVE MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Power train, Sep 6, 2016
MY SON AND I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. WE HAD NO PREVIOUS INFORMATION ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE HAD. THE CARS TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT AROUND 98,067 MILES. 07/20/16. WELL EXACTLY 600 MILES AND $2400 DOLLARS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. FORD HAS TOLD US THAT THEY WILL NOT PURCHASE THE CAR BACK OR PAY TO FIX IT PROPERLY. MY SON IS TO LEAVE NEXT WEEK AND WILL BE DRIVING FROM INDIANA TO SEATTLE. IF AND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP IS DONE FIXING A SECOND TIME I'M ABSOLUTELY AFRAID TO EVEN LET HIM DRIVE IT THAT FAR. THIS IS VERY UNFAIR TO US TO LET THIS PROBLEM NOT BE RECALLED. IT IS NOT ONLY US BUT MANY OTHER FOCUS OWNERS THAT ARE STUCK WITH THESE HORRIBLE CARS. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY SON ON HIS WAY TO SEATTLE THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY!!
Power train, Sep 5, 2016
MY SON AND I WERE LEAVING A STORE IN MY 2012 FORD FOCUS AND HAD JUST BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARD JUST AN INCH AND LUNGED FORWARD AND WE FELT A "BUMP". GOT OUT OF THE CAR AT THAT POINT TO SEE IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING OR IF SOMETHING WAS UNDER THE CAR-THERE WAS NOTHING. GOT BACK IN, BUCKLED UP AND TRIED TO GO AND THE DASH LIT UP WITH "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" I BELIEVE IT SAID AND WOULDN'T GO AT ALL. I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND FROM THAT POINT THE CAR DASH SCREEN SAID "SERVICE TRANSMISSION NOW." I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CALLED MY HUSBAND IN TEARS TO COME AND GET US. I JUST GOT THIS CAR A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND I ENDED UP WITH A LEMON. AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR I NOTICED IT BECOMING MORE AND MORE JERKY AND LURCHING AND/OR ROLLING BACK. IT WAS A PROGRESSIVE THING, CONSTANTLY GETTING WORSE UNTIL FINALLY IT JUST GAVE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW FOR TWO WEEKS AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO RELY ON SHARING MY HUSBAND'S VEHICLE AND RIDES FROM OTHERS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE PART IS ON BACKORDER. THE LATEST IS THAT WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLED LAST WEEK, HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ON EMERGENCY BACKORDER. WHEN ASKED ABOUT A TIME FRAME, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA. IT COULD BE THREE DAYS, TWO WEEKS, OR A MONTH-WHO KNOWS? I AM BEYOND UPSET AND DISGUSTED!!!!!! I AM PAYING A CAR PAYMENT FOR A CAR THAT ISN'T DRIVEABLE, HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED, AND APPARENTLY THEY CANNOT GET THE PARTS. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!! I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE HAD A CAR WITH A PROBLEM LIKE THIS-AND NO IDEA WHEN I WILL HAVE MY CAR TO DRIVE AGAIN! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS-FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I AM FAR FROM ALONE IN THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Sep 5, 2016
I HAVE NO CLUE WHY THESE VEHICLES (INCLUDING THE 2011 FOCUS, AND 2011 & 2012 FIESTAS) HAVE NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY RECALLED. I HAVE NOW TAKEN MY CAR IN 8 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCHED REPLACED TWICE (25K MILES APART BETWEEN 2 AMD 3) AND HAD THE COMPUTER REBOOTED 3 TIMES. THE CARS SHUTTER, SHAKE, STALL, HAVE A POOR RESPONSE (ESPECIALLY IF YOU NEED TO FLOOR IT FOR SAFETY) AND NOTHING! I CONTACTED FORD AND PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME TOUGH, IT IS WHAT IT IS. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE AS A NEW SYSTEM CANNOT BE INSTALLED AND REALLY CRAPPY PARTS ARE BEING USED AS A CHEAP ALTERNATIVE. MY CAR IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT.
Power train, Sep 2, 2016
WE BOUGHT MY WIFES FOCUS WITH ABOUT 22K MILES ON IT IN JUNE 2013. SINCE THEN WE'VE BROUGHT IT IN 4 TIMES TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION "SHUTTER" FIXED. AS OF TODAY THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS BUT IT ISN'T BAD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO FIX IT AGAIN. IT MOSTLY SHUTTERS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR REACHING UPWARDS OF 2800 RPM. JUST SHY OF THEIR 3000 RPM REQUIREMENT. THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND SOMETIMES MAKE A CLUNK AND WE'RE TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING IT.