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, Apr 2, 2015
THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING, SHIFTING NOT SMOOTH, SOMETIMES WONT START, SOMETIMES WONT SHIFT GEARS AT ALL. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO A REPAIR CENTER TWICE THIS MONTH DUE TO THE PROBLEMS AND NOT BEING SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Power train, Mar 30, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
Power train, Mar 30, 2015
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING. AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. I HAD TO COAST OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND ONCE STOPPED IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I GOT A WARNING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS HOT AND TO STOP SAFELY. RECENTLY I HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED AND WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2015
IN OCTOBER 2013, MY CAR STARTED SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP, GOING AROUND CORNERS AND GOING UP HILLS. ON OCT. 22, 2013, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND IT WAS DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM HAPPENING AT THE TIME WITH MY MAKE/MODEL. THE CAR WAS "REPAIRED" AND IT DID NOT SHUDDER UNTIL ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR LATER IN OCTOBER 2014. THE SHUDDERING WAS EXACTLY THE SAME AS PREVIOUSLY - SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP, GOING AROUND CORNERS AND GOING UP HILLS. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 25, 2015 AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR REPAIRS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SINCE SO MANY FORD OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THEY ARE BOOKED SOLID AND CANNOT DO MY REPAIR UNTIL MIDDLE OF JUNE 2015 (3 MONTHS FROM TIME OF DIAGNOSTICS). *TR
Power train, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Mar 27, 2015
WHEN TAKING OFF TRANNY STUTTERS AND SLIPS IN KNOW ABOUT TO DRY CLUTCH YOU GUYS SHOULD RECALL BEFORE SOME GETS HURT THEN AL LEAST FORD WOULD FIX PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2015
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013, I PURCHASED A USED FORD FOCUS FOR MY TEENAGE SON. SOON AFTER PURCHASING, WE REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE HAVING PROBLEMS. IT WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, SO WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND REPAIRED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING NEEDED TO BE RESET, WHICH THEY DID, AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE DRIVING IT ABOUT 1000 MILES FOR THE CAR TO "LEARN" THE NEW SETTING, AND THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. THE PROBLEM, BY THE WAY, IS THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, PARTICULARLY DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION SUCH AS AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS COULD PUT MY SON IN DANGER IF HE'S IN A SITUATION WHERE HE NEEDS IMMEDIATE ACCELERATION (SUCH AS TO PASS) AND THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T PERFORM. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND HAS EVEN SENT OUT A NOTICE THAT THEY'VE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION. YET THEY WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THEM TO FIX THESE TRANSMISSIONS? *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 25, 2015
TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS, FEELS LIKE ITS SKIPPING A GEAR, ROLLS BACKWARD DOWN HILL IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, STALLED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO A GEAR. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. *TR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS 7 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IS MAKING CUSTOMERS DRIVE UNSAFE VEHICLES DURING THE WEEKS THAT THOSE VEHICLES AREN'T IN THE SHOP. *TR
Power train, Mar 25, 2015
DRIVING ON I-97 SOUTH AT SPEED WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CAR SUDDENLY "RACED" AND SLOWED DOWN AND ACCELERATOR DID NOT RESPOND TO MORE POWER WITH CARS AND TRUCK APPROACHING FROM BEHIND. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER, COMPOSE ,MYSELF SHUT DOWN. CAR THEN RESTARTED AND I CONTINUED ON AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PROCEEDED TO DAVE'S AUTO SERVICE IN ANNAPOLIS MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT I NEED TO GO TO FORD DEALER TO RE-SET COMPUTER MODULE OR SOMETHING THO THAT EFFECT. TOMORROW I GO TO BOB BELL FORD IN GLEN BURNIE. MD TO SEE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND GET REPAIRED. I WAS TERRIFIED AT THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITH APPROACHING VEHICLES FORM BEHIND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION BUT FAILED TO DRIVE FORWARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SAME FAILURE APPLIED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Power train, Mar 17, 2015
TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SLIPS AND CAR SHUTTERS AND JERKS. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE ENGINE REVS FAST AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER DUE TO SO MANY CARS HAVING THIS PROBLEM BEEN WAITING 2 MONTHS! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 17, 2015
I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN EARLY 2014. I HAD THIS CAR NOT EVEN TWO YEARS AND THE TRANSMISSION IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE CAR SHAKES, RATTLES, AND STALLS AS I'M DRIVING. THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM FORD STATES THAT THIS IS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ON MY CAR IS LEAKING AND CONTAMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WOULD BE ALMOST EMPTY IN 24 HOURS. IN ORDER TO USE MY CAR FOR A DAY, I WOULD NEED TO REFILL MY CAR WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID SO IT WILL AT LEAST MOVE. THE CAR AT TIMES WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE POWER-SHIFT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS AND AT TIMES WON'T ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM MAYBE NOW BEGINNING TO AFFECT MY ENGINE. THE FOCUS WON'T EVEN START AT TIMES. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE RADIO WILL GO ON/OFF AND WITH TIME, SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THEIR ARE ALSO REPORTS OF CAR WILL ROLL BACK ON HILLS WHEN IN DRIVE AND IT DOES. THE FORD FOCUS 2012 HAS TOO MANY DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER PROBLEMS NOT TO HAVE A RECALL OR LEMON LAWSUITS. THIS CAR NEEDS TO SIMPLY BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER MODEL (NOT 2013 OR 2014 MODELS, SAME REPORTS) OR FULL REIMBURSEMENT. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 17, 2015
THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER TRAIN QUIT WORKING DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING CORRECTLY. BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER, I WAS ENDANGER OF GETTING HIT BY OTHER CARS. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IS A HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THE RESULTING LOSS OF POWER TRAIN WAS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE. MINE BEGAN WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND CONTINUES TODAY. I AM GOING TO ABANDON THE CAR BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AT THIS POINT FOR ME OR ANYONE ELSE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 16, 2015
THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT ON SUNDAY 3/15/15. MY CAR HAS FLASHED HILL ASSIST NOT WORKING AND NOT IN PARK WHEN IT WAS INDEED IN PARK AFTER THE RPM GO UP TO 5 & 6 AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND FORCING ME TO PULL OVER. MY CAR WOULD START, BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DOING 70 AND THE CAR JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AND I CAN NO LONGER GO, SO I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND LUCKILY RESTART THE CAR AND GO. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. WHAT IF THIS CAR CAUSES MYSELF AND FAMILY TO BE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT? WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS DURING RUSH HOUR? THIS IS A WORLD WIDE ISSUES AND FORD IS FULLY AWARE YET THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS. I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND WHEN OR WHAT WILL MAKE YOU FORD STAND UP AND CORRECT THE ISSUE BY ISSUING A RECALL ON THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE? DEATH? *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2015
THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT ON TUESDAY 3/12/15. MY CAR HAS FLASHED TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, PARKING AID MALFUNCTION, HILL ASSIST NOT WORKING. MY CAR WOULD START, BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. TWO COPS HAD TO PUSH MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE DOING 75 AND THE CAR JUMPS OUT OF GEAR AND I CAN NO LONGER GO, SO I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND LUCKILY RESTART THE CAR AND GO. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING THIS PAST WEEK AND IT KEEPS FLASHING PARKING AID MALFUNCTION, SERVICE REQUIRED. I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS. IF THIS CAR CAUSES US TO BE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. THIS IS COMMON ISSUES AND FORD IS FULLY AWARE YET I DO NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Mar 9, 2015
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO REPORT FILED 1-4-15 (NHTSA ID #10669989). ON 1-6-15 WE HAD OUR 2012 FOCUS SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP FOR A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE DESCRIBED ON PREVIOUS REPORT. THAT DEALERSHIP PERFORMED "ADAPTIVE LEARNING STRATEGY AND CLEARED ALL THE CODES". VERBAL SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS THAT THE COMPUTER HAD BEEN CONFUSED BY A CHANGE IN TRANSMISSION DEMANDS. WE HAD TAKEN A DAY TRIP INTO HILLY, CONGESTED SAN FRANCISCO. OUR TYPICAL DRIVE IS SMALL TOWN, COUNTRY HIGHWAY ON RELATIVELY FLAT TERRAIN. THE COMPUTER DID NOT KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE WITH DIFFERENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND TERRAIN. AFTER THAT SERVICING, ALL SEEMED FINE UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER ON 1-23-15, WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER AT A 4-WAY STOP. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL ON GREEN, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T ENGAGE PROPERLY, ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS REVVING--SIMILAR SYMPTOMS TO LAST TIME.AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO RELIABLY ENGAGE, ONLY SPORADICALLY, LIMPING THROUGH A FEW INTERSECTIONS. EVENTUALLY, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT EVEN TURN OVER.I DECIDED TO USE FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN, TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. THE ADVISOR AT THAT DEALERSHIP SAW THE WISDOM OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND PROGRAMMING IT. AS OF TODAY, 3-9-15, ODOMETER AT 45,556, WE HAVE HAD NO ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS AND THE CAR IS RUNNING SMOOTHER THAN EVER, EVEN SINCE NEW. WE STILL NEED TO TEST THE CAR ON SAN FRANCISCO HILLS AND MOUNTAIN DRIVING, HOWEVER. MY ADVICE TO OTHERS IS TO INSIST ON A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, SEALS AND PROGRAM AT THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. DON'T LET THEM MERELY PERFORM THE " ADAPTIVE LEARNING STRATEGY AND CLEARING OF ALL CODES" ON THE OLD TCM. THAT DID NOT HOLD LONG IN OUR CASE. *TR
Power train, Mar 9, 2015
THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE DUAL CLUTCH POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION THAT HAS STARTED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN NOVEMBER 2014. WHEN I TAKE OFF THE CAR SHUTTERS AND GRINDS AND SOMETIME LOOSES POWER. ON MULTIPLE CASES I HAVE GONE TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR RANDOMLY HESITATES CAUSING A RISK TO MY SAFETY. ON FEB 13TH 2015 I WAS ON THE FREE WAY AND THE CAR LOCKED IN TO NEUTRAL LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. FORD REPLACED THE PCM BUT THE PROBLEM IS RETURNING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO FORD MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THIS ISSUE CORRECTED AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Power train, Mar 9, 2015
1.POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME, WHETHER ITS INITIAL CRANK OR DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS. IT APPEARS TO OCCUR MORE SO IN THE WARMER MONTHS OF THE YEAR. 2. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, CHATTERS, ROLLBACKS WHILE IN GEAR, HESITATION, DELAYED RESPONSE. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, THEY SAID THEY CANT GET THE POWER STEERING TO RE-OCCUR SO THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR! THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION ACTS WITHIN THEIR SPECS, AS THIS IS DOES COME AND GO BUT APPEARS 90-95% OF THE TIME. HOWEVER I DID RECEIVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OUT OF NO WHERE FOR THE TRANSMISSION IN WHICH I HEARD THEY DO NOTHING BUT CLEAN OIL OFF THE CLUTCH PLATE WHICH WILL RESOLVE NOTHING. MY WIFE IS 100LBS SOAKING WET AND CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE IN TURNS WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT. SHE HAS ALREADY BLOWN OUT A TIRE ON A CURB DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CORRECT THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE IN A TURN. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 5, 2015
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD OR STALLS AND THEN LURCHES. I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE CAR ALSO LURCHES BACKWARDS WHEN IN REVERSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TWICE FOR SERVICE. IT IS IN FOR SERVICE AS I AM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS TOLD THERE WERE RECALLS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHAT WAS ACTUALLY "REPLACED/RECALLED" ON MY VEHICLE. IT SEEMED TO DRIVE SMOOTHER FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN. I'M WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHAT THEY HAVE FOUND WRONG THIS TIME. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Engine, Mar 5, 2015
THE TRACTION CONTROL IN THE VEHICLE OPERATES IN AN UNSAFE MANNER IN SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS. WHEN CLIMBING A SLIGHT GRADE IN SNOW, THE TRACTION CONTROL CONTINUALLY REDUCES ENGINE POWER TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD. AS THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO A STOP WHILE MODULATING THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE WILL NOT REV ABOVE 1500RPM WITHOUT THE TRACTION CONTROL CUTTING OFF POWER. CONTROLLED AND SUSTAINED FORWARD MOMENTUM IS REQUIRED FOR SAFE DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE WHEN TRAVERSING TYPICAL ROADWAY INCLINES IN SNOWY WEATHER WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED. ADDITIONALLY, IT TAKES NO FEWER THAN SEVEN INPUTS FROM THE DRIVER TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM; SOMETHING THAT MUST BE DONE FREQUENTLY IN THIS VEHICLE TO KEEP IT MOVING SAFELY IN SNOW. THIS CREATES UNDUE DRIVER DISTRACTION IN ALREADY DEMANDING DRIVING CONDITIONS. A MANUFACTURER RETROFIT OF A SIMPLE ON/OFF SWITCH FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, AS INSTALLED IN MOST CONTEMPORARY VEHICLES, SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM REMEDY. *TR
Power train, Mar 1, 2015
MY 2012 FOCUS SHUTTERS ALOT AND DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT . I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER IN AUG 2014. THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCHES AND SEALS ECT.5 MONTHS LATER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IT SHUT DOWN AND THE DASH READ TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED FOR 3 HOURS ALONG A BUSY INTERSTATE. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS PLEASE? *TR
Power train, Feb 27, 2015
OUR 2012 FORD FOCUS, LIKE SO VERY MANY OTHERS, HAS SUCCUMBED TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DELINEATED IN THE FORD OWNER FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER 14M01. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AWAITING A REPLACEMENT PART (5 WEEKS AND COUNTING). I HAVE BEEN READING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS THAT, EVEN AFTER THE WORK IS DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, THE SAME OR WORSE ISSUES ARE OCCURRING. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY, BUT OF ANYONE WHO MIGHT BECOME A VICTIM OF A CAR ACCIDENT THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY THIS AUTOMOBILE. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2015
MY FORD FOCUS WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2011 THE VEHICLE WAS NEW OFF THE DEALER LOT, TO DATE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR POWER TRAIN REPAIR FOR A TOTAL OF SEVEN TIMES. THE FIFTH TIME BACK IN JUNE 2013, THE POWER TRAIN INTERNAL PARTS WERE REPLACE, THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. MY VEHICLE AGAIN WENT IN FOR REPAIR ON JANUARY 29, 2015 AS THE TRANSMISSION OVER HEATED AND I RECEIVED A WARNING TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS, I PICKED THE CAR UP ON THURSDAY AFTER WORK, THE NEXT DAY THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO PULL THE VEHICLE AND I BARELY GOT OFF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO OVER TEN MILES AN HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP SENT A TOW TRUCK FOR MY CAR AND BACK TO THE SHOP IT WENT. AFTER TWO WEEKS I GOT A CALL THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PAY A TECH TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MORE THAN 20 MILES. I INSISTED THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND THAT I FEAR FOR MY LIFE DRIVING THIS CAR NOW. THE DEALERSHIP GOT PERMISSION FROM ME TO ALLOW THE TECH TO DRIVER THE VEHICLE HOME TO SEE IF THE CAR ACTED UP FOR HIM ON A LONGER DISTANCE DRIVE 2/19/2015. ON 2/20/2015 I RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE TECH HAD IN FACT GOT STRANDED ON THE HWY ON 2-19-2015 AND NOW THEY MUST ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING THEIR BEST TO FIND THE PROBLEM BUT FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE, I FEAR FOR MY LIFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE EVERY DAY TO AND FROM WORK AND I AM AFRAID. I FEAR HAVING TO DRIVE WITH MY CHILD IN THIS CAR. HAD I BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR HOME YESTERDAY I VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER BY A TRACTOR TRAILER OR CAUSED A MAJOR HWY ACCIDENT. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2015
WHILE THE TRANSMISSION DOES ACT DIFFERENT THAN A NORMAL AUTOMATIC I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD ANY MORE THE ENGINE WOULD JUST HITS HIGH RPMS WHICH IS FUNNY CAUSE THIS CAR HAS NEVER HIT A HIGH RPM WHILE NOT IN GEAR IT HAS A REV LIMITER ANYWAY I COASTED TO A STOP I TRIED TO USE THE SPORT OPTION TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT NOPE SO I TURN THE CAR OFF NEVER TO START AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ON DASH SAID CAR WAS IN DRIVE EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK MY MAIN CONCERN HERE IS WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD TAKE ME WEEKS TO READ THEM ALL WHY HAS THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. HAS NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION THAT IS STILL BEING PUT IN NEW CARS TODAY AND HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND CAN CAUSE A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE AND THE COMPANY IS HELD RESPONSIBLE. *TR
Power train, Feb 18, 2015
FROM 2012 TO OCTOBER 2014, AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER, SO MUCH SO THAT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IT WERE GOING TO STALL WHILE IN TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION TO THIS, WHILE ON A HILL THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS. I CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, HOWEVER WAS TOLD OVER THE PHONE " THAT'S JUST HOW THE TRANSMISSION WORKS" AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT. AFTER BECOMING SO FRUSTRATED I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO FORD IN OCTOBER OF 2014, AND THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH... THE SHUTTER PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED AFTER THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER NOW THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AT RANDOM TIMES BOTH IN TRAFFIC AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION SHUTS OFF, AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES DISABLED WHEREVER I AM. THIS IS BEING BROUGHT INTO FORD THIS WEEK NOW AT 39000 MILES. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC SINCE PURCHASED I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS A HYBRID STANDARD/AUTOMATIC, AND THERE IS A DIFFERENT FEEL WHICH I AM OK WITH, HOWEVER THIS TRANSMISSION IS PUTTING ME IN AN UNSAFE POSITION THE WAY IT ROLLS BACK, AND FREQUENTLY STALLS AT BOTH HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS MAKING ME VULNERABLE TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Feb 13, 2015
THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY FORD FOCUS AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT I PERSONALLY KNOW THAT HAS THE CAR. SINCE THEY WENT TO THE DCT TRANSMISSION THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES. IT IS A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF ANYONE DRIVING IT. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE CLUTCHES IN THE CAR BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BLOWN ITS COMPUTER THAT DOES ALL THE SHIFTING SINCE HAVING THE CLUTCHES REPLACED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. THANK GOD I WASN;T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THAT HAPPENS. UPON ACCELERATION THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS AND DOESN'T GRAB TRACTION LIKE IT SHOULD. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE THE PERSON WHO NEEDS THEIR CAR TO MOVE TO AVOID AND ACCIDENT, STEPS ON THE GAS, AND THE CAR HESTIATES BECAUSE OF THIS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY TRANSMISSION, AND GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF IT. I HAVE ASKED MY DEALERSHIP TO MAKE GOOD AND JUST BUY THE CAR BACK AND GET ME INTO A DIFFERENT CAR, BUT THEY WON'T BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AUTHROIZED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO DO THAT, AND FORD SAYS THE TRANSMISSION IS DAFE. IT OBVIOUSLY ISN'T. *TR