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, Nov 6, 2015
WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING, SUDDENLY NO POWER WAS DELIVERED TO THE WHEELS. I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP AT THE CURB. I RETURNED 1-1/2 HOURS LATER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ABOUT 3 MILES BEFORE THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS A FAILED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS REPLACED BY AN IDENTICAL UNIT. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON A FREEWAY, IT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IN FACT, I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THERE HAVE NOT ALREADY BEEN A NUMBER OF SUCH ACCIDENTS. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IN AUGUST I RECEIVED A NOTICE STATING THAT "THE TCM MAY EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FAILURES CAUSING INTERMITTENT SYMPTOMS OF LOSS OF TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING, NO-START, OR A LACK OF POWER." IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS AVAILABLE THAT WILL GIVE A VISUAL WARNING OF A POTENTIAL FAILURE. HOWEVER, THIS WILL NOT PREVENT A DRIVER FROM BEING STRANDED, NOR, IN MANY CASES, WILL IT PRECLUDE AN ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING. I AM BUYING A NEW CAR AND TRADING IN MY FOCUS. I COULD GET MORE FOR IT BY SELLING IT TO A PRIVATE PARTY, BUT I AM UNWILLING TO HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH THE UNWITTING PERSON WHO OWNS THE CAR NEXT. SINCE THE INCIDENT WITH MY 2012 FOCUS OCCURRED ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER MY PURCHASE, IT IS REASONABLE TO THINK THAT SUCH INCIDENTS WILL OCCUR WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. FORD NEEDS TO TREAT THE DESIGN OF A REPLACEMENT TCM AS AN URGENT MATTER, AND TO MAKE IT THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL.
Power train, Nov 5, 2015
MY CAR HAS SHUDDERED SINCE I BOUGHT IT . IT ALSO DID THE ROLL BACK ISSUES AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT SLIPS GEARS, STRUGGLES TO GET UP HILLS, STRUGGLES TO GET GOING AT LIGHTS, STRUGGLES IN TRAFFIC WHEN IDELING, AND SHUDDERS. I CALLED FORD TO COMPLAIN AT FIRST THEY SEEMED INTERESTED. THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH ME AFTER THE LATEST REPROGRAMMING. WELL THE REPROGRAMMING WAS COMPLETED AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THINGS AS BEFORE. FORD'S RESPONSE WELL GIVE IT A FEW DAYS. I ASKED WHEN THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP SINCE I JUST TOLD YOU IT IS NOT FIXED WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP. THEIR RESPONSE CALL US WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND CLOSED MY CASE. THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. I AM WAITING FOR MY TRANSMISSION TO COMPLETELY FAIL SINCE IT STRUGGLES TO SHIFT INTO GEARS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CAR IS A LEMON.
Power train, Nov 4, 2015
TRANSMISSION VIBRATION, SHUTTERING, JUMPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR , CLUNKING INTO GEAR , CAN'T FIND GEAR ,ROLLING BACK, SLIPPING, FLARING .
Power train, Nov 4, 2015
MY 2012 FORD FOCUS STALLED IN TRAFFIC. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN TRAFFIC SIGNAL TURNED GREEN, MY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. I HAD NO POWER TO MOVED FORWARD. THE NEEDLE FOR SHIFTING OF GEARS WENT ALL THE WAY OVER TO 8 &9. TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL IN TRAFFIC & TRANSMISSION LIGHT STAYED ON. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 07, 2015.
Power train, Nov 3, 2015
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT AROUND 26000 MILES FOR LEAKING, AND AGAIN AT 56000 MILES FOR A BULLETIN (NOT A RECALL, IT HAD TIME/MILEAGE PARAMETERS). THE MOST RECENT SERVICE, FOR THE BULLETIN, WAS A REPROGRAM OF THE TCM. FOLLOWING THIS WORK, VEHICLE SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR, SEIZING UP ON HILLS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS (UPHILL AND DOWNHILL), AND STOPPING THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS: FIVE, TO BE SPECIFIC, ALL THIS YEAR: ON A BUSY FREEWAY INTERCHANGE RAMP AND ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHILE TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR CANNOT BE MOVED, THE GEAR SHIFT STICKS AND CANNOT BE MOVED, AND THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUNNING "ROUGH" SINCE THE REPROGRAM. IT GRINDS, SHUDDERS, AND LURCHES. NOTE: THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE SEIZED UP WAS BEFORE THE REPROGRAMMING, AND THE OTHER TIMES WERE ALL SINCE THIS WORK WAS DONE. ON ALL OF THE OCCASIONS WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO AN ABRUPT HALT AND I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED. IN THE INSTANCE WHERE THE KEY HAS BEEN STUCK, WAITING A FEW MINUTES (MORE THAN 5 BUT LESS THAN 10) HAS ALLOWED ME TO CYCLE THE KEY AND RE-START THE VEHICLE, AND THEN IT WAS MOBILE AGAIN. I SHOULD NOTE THAT THE DOWNHILL ASSIST DASH LIGHT AND THE DOWNHILL ASSIST FEATURE (OPERATED BY A BUTTON ON THE GEARSHIFT) BOTH COME ON WITHOUT THE BUTTON BEING TOUCHED OR EVEN PRESSED. A VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND ABRUPTLY SLOWING TO A STOP ON A FREEWAY INTERCHANGE AT SPEED IS IN MY OPINION A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF SUDDEN LURCHES FORWARD WHILE BRAKING AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BOGGED DOWN ON OTHER OCCASIONS IN THE PAST, BUT NOWHERE NEAR AS FREQUENTLY AS IT DID ONCE I PASSED ABOUT 48000 MILES.
Power train, Nov 2, 2015
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, SKIPS, CANNOT FIND THE RIGHT GEAR. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AS MY WIFE AND KIDS PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AND ALMOST GOT HIT. IT HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALL FORD CAN DO IS FLASH THE SOFTWARE? WE NOW HAVE ABOUT 41K MILES AND THEY STILL CAN'T/WON'T FIX IT. THESE CARS ARE A REAL HAZARD AND I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN PERFORMED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS. WE ACTUALLY OWN ANOTHER 2012 FOCUS AND IT HAS BEEN FINE-EXCEPT THE TCM SUDDENLY WENT OUT (NO PRIOR SIGNIFICANT SHUDDERING). SINCE THE TCM WAS REPLACED (AFTER BEING STRANDED) IT SHIFTS SMOOTHLY. THE FOCUS WITH THE ORIGINAL TCM STILL HAS LOTS OF PROBLEMS AND THEY SIMPLY WILL FLASH THE SOFTWARE AND CALL IT FIXED. FORD IS ALSO DELAYING AS MANY REPAIRS AS THEY CAN BECAUSE DEMAND IS SO HIGH. I SUPPOSE WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEBODY TO DIE BEFORE A RECALL IS PERFORMED?
Power train, Oct 29, 2015
THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE POWER WHEN IT'S NEEDED. IT LURCHES, LAGS, SHAKES, RATTLES AND (USUALLY) ROLLS. THIS CAR IS SIMPLY UNSAFE.
Power train, Oct 28, 2015
TOOK IT IN FOR A RECALL, BUT IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, THEY SAID THEY MAY CHARGE ME THIS TIME IF IT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT IT'S NOT ITS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 27, 2015
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON. FORD HAS ATTEMPTED TO "FIX" THE REPEATED ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR STALLING OUT UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FORD REPLACED THE TCM BUT THE CAR STILL IS UNRELIABLE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE O'MEARA FORD IN COLORADO TOLD ME THAT THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND THAT HE HAS NOT SEEN A PRODUCT FROM FORD THIS BAD IN MANY YEARS. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE HAS ADVISED HIS FAMILY TO NOT RIDE OR DRIVE ONE OF THESE CARS AS THEY ARE UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS! THIS CAR HAS STALLED OUT WHILE I AM TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND IN MANY SITUATIONS THAT HAVE COMPROMISED MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FELLOW MOTORISTS. I FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO BUY THIS CAR BACK AND REPLACE IT AS IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS CAR CAN NOT BE FIXED IN ANY LASTING WAY. I ASK NHTSA TO PLEASE STEP IN AND INVESTIGATE THESE DANGEROUS CARS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! I ABSOLUTELY HATE MY FORD AND WILL NOT BY ANOTHER.
Power train, Oct 27, 2015
THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH. WE SEE MISSHIFTING WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP, CLUTCH APPEARS TO SLIP AT TAKE OFF.
Power train, Oct 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED INTO THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND POSSIBLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPROGRAMED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
Steering, Power train, Oct 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAULT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART OR SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARKING ENGAGE CONTROL SENSOR MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE DEALER, IT EXPERIENCED TROUBLE SHIFTING AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE EVERY TIME IT WAS SHIFTED INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PLATES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 19, 2015
IN 2014 I WAS DRIVING FROM GRAND FORKS, ND TO BEMIDJI, MN ON THE INTERSTATE GOING AROUND 60 WHEN MY CAR SHUDDERED AND SLOWED DOWN TO CLOSE TO 15. I WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER AFTER BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE I WAS ABLE TO CALL FOR HELP. MY CAR WAS THEN TAKEN THE THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN BEMIDJI AND I HAD SOMEONE PICK ME UP AND WAS ABLE TO BRING ME BACK TO GRAND FORKS. (FORD HAD REFUSED TO GIVE A RENTAL) AROUND 2 WEEKS AFTER I GOT A CALL STATING THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED. I GOT A RIDE TO BEMIDJI, PICKED IT UP AND HEADED HOME. SHORTLY AFTER I GOT IT BACK TO GRAND FORKS I WAS DRIVING AROUND A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN GRAND FORKS WHEN I STOPPED AT A 4 WAY STOP WAITING FOR MY TURN, WENT TO GO FORWARD AND MY CAR STARTED MOVING IN REVERSE. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BREAK SO I DIDN'T HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. THEY "FIXED" THE ISSUES AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME TWO MORE TIMES, EACH TIME I COULDN'T MAKE IT OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT IT SHUDDERING AND REFUSING TO SHIFT. FINALLY THEY "FIXED" IT AT THE END OF THE SUMMER IN 2014. THIS SUMMER I WAS NOTICING THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING WHEN I WAS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND IT WAS STOP AND GO, I BROUGHT IT BACK DOWN THE THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS FINE BUT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PARTS TO BE SURE. THIS WEEKEND I WENT HOME TO THE CITIES AND AS I WAS DRIVING BACK IT BROKE AGAIN. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE GOING AROUND 70 WHEN MY CAR SHUDDERED, WENT DOWN TO 55, SHUDDERED AGAIN AND WENT DOWN TO 10. I WAS FORCED TO SWERVE QUICKLY INTO THE LEFT SHOULDER SINCE I HAD A SEMI-TRUCK BEHIND ME GOING 70 THAT ALMOST HIT ME AND HAD TO CROSS THE INTERSTATE TO AN OFF RAMP TO BE SAFE. THEY HAVE "FIXED" IT FOUR TIMES AND IT STILL BREAKS DOWN. I'VE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO 4 ACCIDENTS, MISSED DAYS FROM WORK AND I'M TOO SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT THIS POINT.
Power train, Oct 16, 2015
THE VEHICLE HAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT WILL ALSO SHUDDER AND SHAKE WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL UPDATES DONE BY THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. FORD SAID THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH THE DUAL CLUTCH.
Power train, Oct 16, 2015
DURING ACCELERATION FROM STOP, THE 2012 FORD FOCUS BEGAN STALLING WHEN AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING. A CHECK ENGINE INDICATION TURNED ON WHEN THE CAR STALLED. THE FORD FOCUS THEN SHIFTED INTO A HIGHER GEAR AND ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY. ON THE HIGHWAY THE FOCUS ACCELERATED SLOWLY AND SOMETIMES SHIFTED MOMENTARILY INTO NEUTRAL WHILE THE SHIFTER IS SET TO DRIVE AND THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS WAS INDICATED BY A CHANGE IN THE TACHOMETER TO HIGH RPM THAT DIDN'T CORRESPOND TO A CHANGE IN CAR SPEED. THE PROBLEM BEGAN OCCURING ONCE THE CAR HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR A WARMING PERIOD OF TIME SUCH AS 30 MINUTES. THEN THE PROBLEM PERSISTED UNTIL THE CAR IS LEFT OFF FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME (THE NEXT DAY). THESE STALLS PUT MYSELF IN DANGER BECAUSE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I COULD NOT ACCELERATE TO MATCH TRAFFIC SPEEDS OR CROSS INTERSECTIONS. THE STALLS ALSO PUT ME IN DANGER BECAUSE THE FORD FOCUS SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE CARS BEHIND MINE EXPECTED ME TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT. I UNDERSTAND FORD HAS RECOGNIZED A PROBLEM THAT CAN LEAD TO THIS DUE TO LEAKING TRANSMISSION SEALS CONTAMINATING THE CLUTCH PACK. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. FORD "REPROGRAMMED" THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WHICH WAS RECALLED AND SAID A SUBSEQUENT TEST DRIVE SHOWED NO PROBLEMS. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES, AFTER WHICH THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED. I ASKED THE FORD DEALER IF THEY COULD APPLY THE CLUTCH RECALL. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION AND NOT A RECALL. THEY SAID GETTING THE PROBLEM FIXED UNDER WARRANTY WAS USELESS BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. IN MY OPINION, IF FORD KNOWS THERE IS A DEFECT BUT IS NOT PROCURING PARTS TO SERVE THE NEW EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY SHOULD BE FORCED BY THE CORRECT AGENCY TO RECALL THE CAR AND REPAIR THEM WITHIN A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME.
Power train, Oct 14, 2015
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ALWAYS SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFT EVEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP. THIS HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN COMING TO INTERCEPTIONS OR WHEN TAKE OFF NOT CATCH INTO A GEAR. CURRENTLY THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND REPROGRAMED 3 TIMES, STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 14, 2015
MY CAR ONLY HAS 4500 MILES! THE CARS TRANSMISSION IS JUNK! THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE PERIOD! THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION! ON THE CITY STREETS, I HAVE RUINED TWO 700 WHEELS TRYING TO PARK ON A HILL! THE CAR WILL NOT HOLD IN DRIVE OR REVERSE! I HAD A HIGHWAY PATROL CAR BEHIND ME AT A LIGHT, I WAS GOING RIGHT, THERE WAS A SLIGHT UPGRADE. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS IN DRIVE, AND HIT THE HIGHWAY PATROL CAR! HE PULLED ME OVER WITH HIS MIC. "DRIVER PULL TO THE RIGHT AND STOP! DRIVER, TURN OFF YOUR CAR AND PUT YOUR HANDS OUT SIDE THE WINDOW! HAD HIS HAND ON HIS GUN! THOUGHT I WAS DRUNK? I TOLD HIM THAT THE CAR ROLLS IN DRIVE AND REVERSE! I TRIED TWICE TO HAVE FORD BUY BACK THIS DANGEROUS CAR! THE HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER BELIEVED ME AND TOLD ME TO REPORT IT TO FORD! HE SAID WHAT IF THERE WAS A PERSON BEHIND YOU, AND YOU PINED THEM BETWEEN US? I TOLD ME TO REPORT THIS TO YOU! NOW I HAVE A MINT CAR IN THE GARAGE! I WON`T DRIVE IT! I WON`T SELL IT AND PASS THE PROBLEM TO SOMEONE ELSE! BESIDE THE PRICE ON THESE CARS HAS CRASHED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL! FORD CAN`T FIX IT! I WANT MY MONEY BACK! I HAVE A MINT TOP OF THE LINE FORD FOCUS SITTING IN MY GARAGE! FORD CAN`T FIX IT AND WONT GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK! THEY WON`T EVEN TELL ME WHY? PLEASE HELP! THESE CARS ARE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE! I HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BY FORD! FIRST AND LAST FORD I EVER BUY! MY DAUGHTER HAS OWNED TWO OF THESE FOCUSES THEY BOTH DID THE SAME THING! SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THEM! SHE LEFT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT! SHE NOW HAS A 10K CHARGE OFF ON THE CAR! THIS IS BS! I WANT ALL MY MONEY BACK! FORD HAS A DANGEROUS CAR OUT THERE AND I AM GOING TO EXPOSE THEM! I OWN WILD RODS, I AM 60, ADULT DRIVER, NO TICKETS! WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP THIS DANGEROUS CAR I CAN`T DRIVE AND THEY CAN`T FIX? PLEASE HELP ME! I HAVE A CAR THAT COSTS ME $400 A MONTH, I CAN`T DRIVE! THANK YOU! *TR
Power train, Oct 8, 2015
HAD THE CAR FOR 10 DAYS, WENT TO START, AND RECEIVED A NOTICE "TRANSMISSION FAILURE- SERVICE NOW" THE CAR ENDED UP GETTING TOWED, AND NEEDED NEW TMS. EVEN AFTER THE FIX, THE CAR TRANSMISSION DRIVES AWFUL. CAR SHIFTS AT ODD TIMES, AND HAS EXTREMELY SLOW PICK UP FROM A COMPLETE STOCK. IM TERRIFIED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR! IVE SEEN OVER 1,000 OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND MOST OF THESE INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THEY ARE STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILS AND SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE POWER OF THE CAR. I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT HAVEN'T FIXED THIS, CONSIDERING THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO SOMEONE, ALL BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO BUY A FORD. IM NERVOUS TO DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE I FEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL ON ME. FORD HAS AGREED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED IT. NOW IM STUCK WITH THIS CAR THAT IM AFRAID TO DRIVE
Power train, Oct 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 6, 2015
WHILE DRIVING CAR LOST PER AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT I WAS GOING 65 MPH COMPUTER SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT IN PARK.
Power train, Oct 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE DRIVEN MORE AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED TO THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600.
Power train, Oct 1, 2015
DELAY ON STARTING, CHECK ENG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE IN REVERS AND WOULD NOT MOVE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, CYCLED KEY AND NOTHING. CYCLED KEY 3-4 MORE TIMES NOTHING. CYCLED KEY HEARD CLICKING NOISE IN DASH AREA, CYCLED KEY ONE MORE TIME, VEHICLE STARTED AND TRANSMISSION ENGAGED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DROVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER.
Power train, Sep 30, 2015
SEVERE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERING, LURCHING, LACK OF POWER AND SPEED CONTROL ESPECIALLY AT RED LIGHTS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE ENTERED THAT IT OCCURRED 12/12/13, IT ACTUALLY HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR IN, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID "MAYBE YOUR WIFE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE AN AUTOMATIC".
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 30, 2015
BOUGHT A NEW 2012 FORD FOCUS FOR MY DAUGHTER SO SHE WOULD BE SAFE. SHE JUST MOVED ACROSS THE STATE FOR COLLEGE. WE HAVE HAD CONSTANT SYMPTOMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND SHE HAS BEEN ON THE FREEWAY 3 TIMES WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY JUST COMES TO A CRAWL WITH THE ENGINE SHAKING AND JERKING. THIS MAKES THE CAR UNRESPONSIVE. DEALER UPDATED TCM - PCM AND REPLACED CLUTCH AND THROW OUT BEARING IN AUGUST 2015. SEPTEMBER 2015 SHE LETS ME KNOW THAT WHILE GOING TO SCHOOL ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR DID THE SAME THING, LOSS OF POWER NO CONTROL OF THROTTLE AND THE CAR IS SHAKING AND JERKING. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. JERKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE TRANSMISSION. I'M AFRAID MY DAUGHTER AND OTHERS ARE GOING TO BE SEVERELY INJURED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. NO CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ THAT PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED THEIR CLUTCH AND BEARING 5 TIMES? IT DOESN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. IT'S LIKE PUTTING A BAND-AID ON AN OPEN ARTERY. PROBLEM HAPPENS AT SLOW AND FAST SPEEDS.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 28, 2015
SHUTTERING, NO POWER TO WHEELS, VERY SLOW AND SUDDENLY ENGAGING, EXCESSIVE CLUTCH SLIP, LOST REVERSE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TRYING TO CROSS TRAFFIC, AT THE STOP SIGN I PROCEEDED TO GO ACROSS TRAFFIC TO THE MEDIAN TURN LANE. CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE GEAR, WHEN IT DID IT WAS VERY SLOW AND NO POWER EVEN WITH GAS MASHED TO THE FLOOR. ALL THIS TIME I HAD CARS APPROACHING ME FROM THE SOUTH BOUND LANE, VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I THEN DECIDED TO JUST MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND GET OFF THE ROAD, WHICH WAS HARD BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST IN THIS CAR WENT OUT MONTHS AGO WITH STILL NO RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. I TURNED RIGHT DOWN A SIDE STREET AND TRIED TO TURN AROUND ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAVE NO REVERSE GEAR NOW, I AM SO OVER THIS LEMON OF A CAR. BUYERS BEWARE, STAY FAR FAR AWAY FROM FORD PRODUCTS ESPECIALLY THIS MODEL CAR. FORD TOUTS THAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO SAFETY, I FIND THAT HILARIOUS. WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU LET A VEHICLE WITH THE TRACK RECORD THIS MODEL HAS WITH STEERING GOING OUT AND TRANSMISSIONS JUST QUITTING WHEN THEY WANT TO, TO STILL BE ON THE ROAD? A LIFE THREATENING DANGER TO THE DRIVER AS WELL AS ANYONE THAT IS SHARING THE ROAD WITH THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY, ENGINE LIGHT GONE, CAR SHIFTS NORMAL?????? VEHICLE IS AT FORD NOW, THEY HAVE A RECALL TO RE-PROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE?