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, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 16, 2014
AT RANDOM TIMES THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF LEAVING A COASTING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, OR LEAVE YOU STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. IF YOU LEAVE IT SIT FOR 30MIN-1HOUR IT MAY RESTART. IF YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR IT WAS NOT RESPOND. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES THE VEHICLE WILL RECOVER FROM A ROUGH IDLE AND TRY TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK. PROBLEM: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. *TR
Power train, Sep 13, 2014
IT DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. SLOW AND SLUGGISH TO SHIFT. VERY JERKY. ESPECIALLY AT LOWER GEARS. JERKS FORWARD WHEN NOT EXPECTING IT. HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE. HAD A NEW CLUTCH PUT IN. WAS GOOD FOR A DAY OR TWO. DOING IT AGAIN!!!! THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED & RETURNED TO OWNERS ONLY WHEN THIS IS FIXED. FORD KNOWS THIS EXPERIMENT DID NOT WORK & IT IS TIME TO MAKE IT RIGHT. I WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY & THIS EXPERIENCE HAS LEFT ME VERY UNHAPPY. I WAS SOOO HAPPY TO GET A NEW CAR. NOW I AM LEFT WITH THIS. AS A SINGLE WORKING MOTHER, I WAS APPALLED THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION BEING MANUAL HYBRID UNTIL I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. THIS IS FRAUDULENT SALEMANSHIP FROM FORD. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2014
ON AUGUST 24TH, WHEN DRIVING ON A MAJOR HOUSTON HIGHWAY AT 64MPH, I LOST ALL DRIVE-TRAIN POWER. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DRIVE STATUS INDICATOR IMMEDIATELY STARTED BLINKING, AND I HAD NO RESPONSE FROM MY THROTTLE. I WAS SIMPLY COASTING. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY TAKE AN EXIT RAMP AND PULL INTO A RELATIVELY SAFE LOCATION OFF THE MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAITED SOME TIME WITH THE CAR SHUT OFF, AND AFTER STARTING IT BACK UP, THE CEL CLEARED ITSELF AND CAR WAS FUNCTIONAL AGAIN AFTER LEAVING MY CAR AT TOMBALL FORD FOR A WEEK, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, AND FOUND NO RECORD OF THE CEL IN THE SYSTEM. I WAS FORCED TO PICK THE CAR BACK UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND UPON REPEATED INQUIRIES FROM MY WIFE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS WOULD NOT TELL HER IT WAS SAFE. ON SEPTEMBER 7TH, ONLY A FEW SHORT DAYS AFTER PICKING THE CAR BACK UP, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN DURING BUSY WEEKEND TRAFFIC WITH MY PREGNANT WIFE AND BABY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED (IT WAS A SUNDAY). UPON STARTING THE CAR LATER THAT DAY IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE CEL AGAIN, CLEARED ITSELF. I DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME, THAT ONCE AGAIN, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THIS CAR HAS NOW SHUT-DOWN TWICE ON ME, WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, ON VERY BUSY HOUSTON HIGHWAYS. I FEEL INCREDIBLY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AND QUESTION MY DEALERSHIP'S ABILITY TO FIX THE ISSUE AFTER THEY WILLINGLY ADMITTED THEY'VE "NEVER SEEN THIS FAILURE BEFORE." I MANAGED TO RECORD THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON VIDEO, WHICH CAN BE SEEN HERE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JHXELGQMK1M. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 11, 2014
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN A LIGHT MESSAGE ON MY DASH CAME ON SAYING "HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" AND THE CAR LOST COMPLETE POWER TO THE WHEELS, MOTOR REVVED BUT I WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE. I TRIED PUTTING IN A SPORT MODE TO SEE IF COULD SHIFT VIA TOGGLE SWITCH, BUT STILL NO GEARS. I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON. I SHUT THE CAR OFF HOPING IT WOULD RESET SOMETHING, BUT ONCE DID THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START, I HAD POWER AND ALL BUT WHEN TURNED KEY TO START NOTHING HAPPENED. IT'S SITTING AT THE DEALER NOW. I CHECK SOME MARK II FOCUS FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND WHEN TAKING TO DEALERSHIP NOTHING IS BEING DONE. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2014
DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION APPARENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO SHIFT LEVEL ACTION [SHIFTING FROM 'DRIVE' TO 'SPORT' MODES]. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, AND WAITING A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED AND THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY. THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS. ON THE THIRD DAY, THE SAME FAILURE. AFTER RESTARTING, I TURNED AROUND AND IT FAILED AGAIN [200 YARDS FROM THE PREVIOUS FAILURE]. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND IS WAITING FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2014
MY CAR SHUDDERS VERY BAD TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND ALMOST COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN TAKES OF LIKE YOU HAVE JERKED IT INTO GEAR ITS MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS UNTIL YOU LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A LONG TIME. ITS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE BUY FORD AND NOW THERE TELLING ME THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DUE FOR ME BECAUSE ITS IN SPEC. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2014
FORD FOCUS TITANIUM HATCHBACK (2012) HAS TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH PROBLEMS. FORD SERVICE DEPT. HAS "FIXED" OVER THREE TIMES WITH NO RESULT. LEAK BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALS LEAK. AT ONE POINT THE SERVICE CHANGE WAS PUT ON HOLD DUE TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE RENTAL CAR OR AND EXTRAS TO HELP WITH THE INCONVENIENCE. *TR
Power train, Sep 5, 2014
MULTIPLE INSTANCE HAVE OCCURRED STARTING IN 2013 REGARDING SHUDDERING WITH THE CAR ON ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR EVEN JUST TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS CAUSED SOME DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE PERSON BEHIND ME WAS REALLY UPSET ABOUT IT AND STARTED TAILGATING ME. HE WAS SO CLOSE WE COULD HAVE REACHED OUT AND TOUCHED HIS CAR. I COULD NOT GO FASTER, AS HARD AS I TRIED BY PUSHING ON THE GAS. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET UP TO SPEED, THE CAR CONTINUED TO FOLLOW ME WAY TOO CLOSELY FOR SEVERAL MILES BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF THE FREEWAY. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ON MY CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE FOR TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES. THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN ( APRIL 2014), I WAS TOLD THAT THE SHUDDERING IS OCCURRING BUT DOES NOT FALL IN THE PARAMETERS SET OUT BY FORD, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY SAID IF IT GOT WORSE, TO BRING IT BACK. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, IT HAS BEEN A HASSLE AND VERY STRESSFUL FOR OUR FAMILY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2014
SHUTTERS/ GRINDING NOISE/ TUGS AND JOLTS AT LOW SPEEDS AND UP HILLS. WHEN IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC MESSAGE ON DASH, OVERHEATING TRANSMISSION PULL OVER WAIT 8 MINUTES. *TR
Power train, Sep 4, 2014
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED STATING THE "HILL ASSIST" IS NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I GAVE IT GAS THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE ENGINE RPM RAN UP. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE, REVERSE OR STANDARD. I TURNED THE CAR ENGINE OFF THINKING IT MIGHT RESET ITSELF. INSTEAD, WHEN I TURNED THE KEY NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WOULD ALSO NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC IN THE ONLY LANE OPEN TO ALLOW CARS TO PROCEED STRAIGHT. THE RIGHT LANE WAS CLOSED DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND I WAS BLOCKING THAT ROAD CREW. SEVERAL TIMES I NEARED RECEIVING A REAR END COLLISION. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP TELLS ME THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONS AND NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1300.00. I FIND THAT CURIOUS AS THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND THERE WAS RECALL ISSUES ON THAT MODULE FOR OTHER 2012 FOCUS. THAT RECALL SIMPLY INVOLVED FORD RE-PROGRAMMING THE MODULE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 2, 2014
HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHAKING, SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY, AND BEING UNABLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 40-35 MPH. I WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AND IT WOULD OPERATE AS THOUGH IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN KICK IN AND REV UP TO 6-7000 RPM AND STILL NOT ACCELERATE. THEN IT WOULD FINALLY FEEL AS THOUGH IT HAD DOWNSHIFTED BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 40 MPH. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY APPLIED THE LATEST COMPUTER UPDATES AND CHECKED FLUIDS. THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE HAD A SHIFTING FORK CODE (DCT), AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED- YET THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE AFTER THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. IF THERE WAS A SHIFTING FORK ISSUE, THEN IT WOULDN'T MAGICALLY DISAPPEAR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER A COMPUTER UPDATE AND COME RIGHT BACK. THE VEHICLE OPERATED FINE FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH NO ISSUES. THEN I FELT THE TRANSMISSION 'HITCH', AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. I WAS LITERALLY 2 BLOCKS FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO EARLIER THAT DAY, SO I TOOK IT BACK IN. THEY SAID THE SAME CODES APPEARED, BUT THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT THE COMPUTER UPDATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE AGAIN SEEMED TO WORK FINE. THEN I WAS DRIVING ON A BACKROAD HIGHWAY DUE TO MY FEAR OF THE VEHICLE ACTING UP WHILE ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND HAVING MY SMALL CHILDREN WITH ME. THE CAR AGAIN ACTED UP AND WENT FROM 65 TO 35 RAPIDLY AND REFUSING TO ACCELERATE AND ACTING AS THOUGH IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD OCCASIONALLY CATCH, BUT WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 35 MPH IN A 65 MPH AREA. THIS COULD CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT, AND I CANT HELP BUT WONDER IF THERE AREN'T ANY FATAL ACCIDENTS THAT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS. I SEE THAT MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME EXACT ISSUE I HAVE. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014
CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND BOG DOWN AS I MOVED FORWARD. THEN SLIPPED GOING INTO 2ND. WHEN GIVEN A GOOD AMOUNT OF GAS THE CAR HESITATED AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014
MY WIFE PURCHASED OUR FOCUS AUGUST 2012. SHORTLY THERE AFTER WE NOTICED THE CAR SHAKING AND SHUTTERING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES EACH TIME IT WAS PUT ON A COMPUTER AND GIVEN BACK TO US. THE SECOND TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT'S HOW FORD MADE THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT COULD BE DONE.(WOODY SANDERS FORD). THE CAR ONLY HAS 9000 MILES ON IT AND STILL DRIVES LIKE CRAP. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014
ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, EVEN AFTER 3 "FIXES" AT A FORD SERVICE CENTER. TRANSMISSION HESITATES, JERKS, AND SHUDDERS IN GEARS 1 THROUGH 3 PRIMARILY, SOMETIMES HARD ENOUGH TO SPILL A DRINK. SLOW SPEEDS AND STOP AND GO SPEEDS RESULT IN HORRIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS AS THE JERKS/SHUDDERS GET WORSE. IT FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FOR EXAMPLE, I'LL BE PREPARING FOR A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC (WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO TAKE THIS TURN), AND THE HESITATION WILL BE SO BAD THAT IT'S UNCLEAR IF I'LL MAKE THE LEFT OR GET HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC FIRST. TRANSMISSION HAS NOW MOVED ON TO A GRINDING SOUND, JERKING MOTION, SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING'S GETTING STUCK. EACH TIME I'VE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE SHOP, IT RUNS WELL FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THEN STARTS THE SHAKING AND HESITATING AGAIN. SLOWLY THE RESULTS COME BACK, AT FIRST SUBTLE SO YOU DON'T THINK TO RUSH TO THE SHOP TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AGAIN (IT COSTS MONEY EACH TIME YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT), AND COME A COUPLE MONTHS THE CAR IS BACK TO HEAVY JERKING AND GRINDING. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE, IT'S UNCLEAR IF I'LL MAKE IT PROPERLY ACROSS TRAFFIC AT TIMES, OR BE ABLE TO MAKE TO DESTINATIONS ON LOG CAR RIDES. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014, crash
VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD WHILE AT A STOP, I DID NOT REALIZE I WAS ROLLING AND BUMPED THE CAR BEHIND ME WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. GRADE AT STOP LIGHT IS 99% LEVEL GROUND. HAS CONSISTENTLY ATTEMPTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AT ALL STOPS THEREAFTER, DEALER HAS SERVICED ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESULT. *TR
Power train, Aug 25, 2014
ONGOING AND PERSISTENT ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION; HESITATION, JERKING, SHUDDERING, GRINDING, LACK OF POWER. SLOW SPEED AND STOP-AND-GO DRIVING RESULTS IN VERY POOR PERFORMANCE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. ONE OCCASION I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO MERGE AND HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY; THE ENGINE WAS REVVING BUT THERE WAS ALMOST NO POWER GOING TO THE WHEELS AND A VERY LOUD GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE SHOP TWICE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION WORKED ON. THEY REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE AND IT DRIVES OK FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEN GOES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITION. THE CAR IN MY OPINION IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME. FORD HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS OR CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Aug 25, 2014
I CANNOT GIVE EXACT DATES AND MILEAGE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FORM THE GET GO AND GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE RECENTLY. THE CAR USED TO SIMPLY STRUGGLE TO GO FORM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPROGRAMMED BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. IT CONTINUES TO ACT IN THAT MANNER BUT NOW HAS GOTTEN DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT IS DRIVEN FROM GEORGETOWN, KY TO CINCINNATI 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR WORK. IT NOW HAS ROUGHLY 105,000 MILES ON IT, THOUGH THAT MAY BE JUST A LITTLE HIGH. THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER, NOT SHUTTING DOWN BUT LOSING POWER. IT IS HAPPENING AT SLOW SPEED AND AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MY WIFE HAS REPORTED IT HAS NEARLY CAUSED HER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $1100 TRYING TO FIX IT BASED ON WHAT THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING THE "CODES" SAY IS WRONG BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I AM AFRAID THIS CAR WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND HURT SOMEONE OR WORSE IT WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO IT, TRADE IT IN, OR STOP USING IT. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE TO WONDER WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A MANDATORY RECALL TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, NOT JUST REPROGRAM IT SINCE THAT DOESN'T WORK. PLEASE PUT FORD ON NOTICE THAT THIS ISSUE MUST BE CORRECTED AND ALL OUTSTANDING VEHICLES THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM MUST BE FIXED BEFORE THE CARS KILL SOMEONE. THANK YOU. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 22, 2014
WHEN TURNING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE FRONT OF THE CAR MAKES A METAL ON METAL SCRAPING SOUND (INTERMITTINGLY) ALSO THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SEEM TO ALWAYS KICK IN WHEN AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SHAKES AS THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT, IT IS JUST HOW THE CAR OPERATES. *TR
Power train, Aug 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR ASSIST MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Engine, Aug 22, 2014
I BOUGHT THE 2012 FOCUS AROUND FEBRUARY OF 2012. AT FIRST I WAS ESTATIC AND THE CAR RAN GREAT. HOWEVER, JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE CAR STARTED GRIDING AT LOW SPEEDS HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE GOING UP A HILL TO THE POINT IT WANTS TO STALL. AT ONE POINT I DID GET UP THE HILL, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T SEEM TO RECOVER AND ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER THE CAR DID STALL DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WE HAD TO GLIDE IT THROUGH TRAFFIC AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BY THE TIME I GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T "DUPLICATE THE ISSUE", AND THAT IF THE LIGHT HAD WENT OFF THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND. THE GRINDING NOISES CONTINUED, AND I COMPLAINED EVERYTIME I BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. IT ALSO STARTED ACTING LETHARGIC WHEN MAKING TURNS (SPECIFICALLY LEFT TURNS). THE CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES OVER THE SAME ISSUE, HAD A REPROGRAMMING DONE, AND IT STILL CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISES, JERK, GRIND, SHIFT WIDLY, ETC. AROUND MAY OF THIS YEAR (2014) I WAS STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL AND THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. AT FIRST IT SEEMED NORMAL BECAUSE I APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT WHEN I MOVED TO THE GAS THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS IN DRIVE AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I APPLIED THE BRAKE AGAIN. I ALMOST HIT THE PERSON IN BACK OF ME. I INSISTED FORD FIX THE ISSUE, AND AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR ALMOST A WEEK THEY AGAIN SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED TWO WEEKS LATER AND I RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER. I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES FOR THE MANAGER OVER THE WHOLE DEALER, AND HE WON'T RETURN MY CALLS. I AM ABOUT TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AGAIN SINCE I ONLY HAVE AROUND 300 MILES OF MY WARRANTY LEFT, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES LATELY. AND THEN I'M GOING TO CALL A LAWYER AND THE NEWS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ROUGHLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Power train, Aug 21, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR STOPPED WHILE I WAS STEPPING ON THE PEDAL - I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY GEARS SO THEY WERE CHANGED AND MY CAR WAS REPAIRED FOR OVER 3 WEEKS AND WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP - IT STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM - MY TRANSMISSION ISN'T SHIFTING WITH MY GEARS SO IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK AFTER ONLY DRIVING 6 BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE FORD DEALER. IT IS STILL BEING REPAIRED. *TR
Power train, Aug 20, 2014
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN JERKY, SHAKY, JUMPS INTO GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED PERIODICALLY SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MOST RECENTLY, WHENEVER IT SHIFTS AROUND 20 MPH THERE IS A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE ALONG WITH A SHUDDER. BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO HUDSON FORD IN HUDSON, WI ON AUGUST 15, 2014. DEALER STATED THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED SEALS. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY SAID NO. ON MONDAY AUGUST 18, 2014 I CALLED THE DEALER BACK TO LET THEM KNOW THE GRINDING NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT, NOT ALL OF THE TIME SHIFTING BUT IT IS STILL OCCURRING. DEALER SAID TO "GIVE IT A THOUSAND MILES AND CALL BACK IF IT STILL HAPPENS BECAUSE NEW PARTS NEED TO LUBRICATE AND BEAK IN." I AM NOT SURE HOW TRUE THIS IS BECAUSE THERE ARE METAL PARTS GRINDING, NOT THE SEALS REPLACED" I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THERE ISN'T MORE WRONG WITH THIS CAR WITH GRINDING METAL NOISES PRESENT. THIS IS A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS SHOULD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY OR IT JUMPS INTO/OUT OF GEAR AND A HIT A CAR. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. FORD NEEDS TO PROVIDE TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR BUY THESE CARS BACK. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 20, 2014
WITHOUT WARNING, (NO LIGHTS ON DASH-BOARD - NO UNUSUAL NOISES - NO PROBLEMS STARTING ETC), THERE WERE NO GEARS AND I WAS LEFT IN NEUTRAL. IT REQUIRED COMING TO A STOP, PUTTING IT INTO PARK AND STARTING AGAIN TO LIMP ALONG TO GET TO A SAFE POINT TO PARK THE CAR AND CALL FOR HELP. LUCKILY I WAS NOT YET ONTO THE FREEWAY! THE FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND HE TOO FOUND HIMSELF WITHOUT GEARS; HE WAS ON THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP AND WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE HIT. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW DANGEROUS THIS IS IF YOU ARE IN 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC GOING 60 MPH!!! NOTWITHSTANDING THE SEVERITY OF THIS "MODULE" DEFECT, THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO FORD DOES NOT COME UNDER THE 'TRANSMISSION RECALL' AND MY CAR IS 3,500 MILES OVER THE MAGICAL 60,000 POWER-TRAIN RECALL. I AM STUCK WITH A $1,500 BILL AND THE FEAR THAT IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN; IF NOT TO ME, SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR FOCUS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 20, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY FORD FOCUS 2012, THE ENGINE WOULD SHUTTER INBETWEEN SHIFTS. THIS RESULTED IN DELAYS IN THE SHIFT AND THEN SOMETIMES IN SURGES IN POWER, BACK AND FORTH. THERE WAS ALSO OFTEN A GRINDING OR CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE DURING THE SHIFT. I FINALLY GOT FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AFTER TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP FOR SERVICE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND MAKING NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS. IN THE INTERIM, I BELIEVE MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER DO TO THE UNPREDICTABLE MALFUNCTIONING OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OR GET ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE DELAY/SHUTTER/SURGE OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AS I COULD NOT PREDICT WHEN THE INCIDENTS WERE GOING TO OCCUR, OR EXACTLY TO WHAT DEGREE. I BELIEVE FORD'S REPEATED REFUSAL TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER. THE FIX ENDED UP BEING A REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. HOWEVER, I WAS ADVISED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THIS WOULD ONLY BE A SHORT TERM FIX AND THAT EVENTUALLY THE PROBLEM WOULD RETURN (NO DOUBT NEXT TIME ONLY AFTER MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR). PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME IS SERIOUSLY INJURED BY FORD'S REFUSAL TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR