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 29, 2022
Recently, my 2021 Ford Focus began intermittently shuddering when shifting between first and second gear. Also, the reverse gear intermittently does not enage and will have to physically push the vehicle backwards in order to shift back into first gear.
Power train, Apr 21, 2022
A check engine light appeared on 5/12/2022 car experienced lack of power from accelerator with transmission slippage pulled off of road and car failed to go into any gears had to turn off engine let car sit and then restart for it to engage. 5/13/2022 car went to local mechanic it was diagnosed that TCM (transmission control module) was bad and we needed to take to ford dealership. 4/20/22 while driving to ford dealership the car would not accelerate or change gears several times during trip. Ford dealership mechanic said that the part TCM was on "indefinite backorder". The car is to dangerous to drive.
Power train, Apr 20, 2022
transmission control module malfunction was covered under extended warranty and I am 11 months outside the window for repair but think it should be covered for the lifetime of the car
Power train, Structure, Apr 1, 2022
PCM/ECM SOFTWARE INADEQUATE TO DETECT A STUCK OPEN CANISTER PURGE VALVE(CPV) YES IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST. AFTER RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED THE 2012 FORD FOCUS SE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR.THE CAR STALLED.THE VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICHLE SHOOT HAD NO POWER.THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY SAID ENGINE MALFUNCTION,TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND STARTING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK IMMEDIATELY TO THE FORD CERTIFIED SHOP.THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. YES THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AGAIN .THERE WERENT ANY WARNING LAMPS OR MESSAGES OR ANY MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL OR SOFTWARE PROBLEMS .THE SYMPTOMS DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED BY A FORD CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY.FORD STATED IF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ANY ISSUES AFTER SERVICE WAS PERFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK NTO WERE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AND THE CAR WILL BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE.THIS DID NOT HAPPEN THE CAR HAS 55 THOUSAND MILES ON IT .IT HAS SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2019. THE DOOR LATCHES COULD COME OPEN ON THEIR OWN.I WAS TOLD THAT RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON MY 2012 FORD FOCUS SE BY THE FORD CERTIFIED MECHANIC FACILITY MIKE WHITE FORD OF CD'A IDAHO.IN FACT THEY NEVER PERFORMED THE BREPAIRS OR EVEN LOOKED AT THE DOORS.AFTER REPAIR WORK WAS SUPPOSEDLY DONE I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT SERVICE WAS NOT DONE AND TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE SAME PLACE THAT DESTROYED MY CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE .FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO DO AS THEIR RECALL LETTER STATED.FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIES ANY FAULT CONCERNING MY 20123 FORD FOCUS .ITS BEEN ALMOST THREE YEARS OF ME TRYING TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED.THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABSOLUTELY KNEW THE 2012 FORD FOCUS HAD MAJOR ISSUES .THEY CHOSE TO SELL THE CAR TO THE CONSUMERS ANY WAY.
Power train, Mar 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move in reverse. While driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. Additionally, while driving the vehicle stalled. The service transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.
Power train, Mar 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact previously had the transmission replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission clutch failure. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Power train, Mar 12, 2022
Transmission slipping issues on acceleration
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2022
While driving the vechicle it has problems accelerating and dies out in traffic to a rolling stop. I had the car diagnosed at a Ford dealership near me and was told it would be worse senario approx. $6500 to repair and that is because part of the transmission is $4000 alone. Despite the transmission issues reported on this vehicle the dealership would not comp any fixes. When in reality my problem is the same as many other owners that reported this issue. The difference is the car is newer to me but was previously owned. This is bad that Ford released a faulty transmission and leaves the owners with the burdon to repair.
Power train, Mar 1, 2022
My wife was pulling out from grocery store into highway when car jerked and almost stalled out!
Power train, Feb 24, 2022
For the past few months there has been a grinding type sound when shifting down to third. Then It went to shifting up to second and it doesnt want to shift out of second without jumping forward.
Power train, Feb 16, 2022
When i got to accelerate car will rev to high rpms and when i let go of the gas pedal it will shift to nxt gear then do it again, i have to let go of the gas pedal for it to shift correctly
Power train, Feb 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Power train, Jan 24, 2022
was driving down the highway at 65 mph and went to accelerate and the transmission dropped out of gear and would not catch could not accelerate all you could hear is car reving in rpm was almost in a accident no warning light came on. Just driving regular speed the car the car with not shift properly and just Rev up in rpm and warning light will come on saying transmission hot pull over and transmission malfunction. When you take off from sitting still it will jerk and take forever to get up to speed.
Power train, Jan 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate at various speeds, the vehicle would shudder and shake, the check engine light would illuminate, and the clutch would become stuck. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the clutch was previously replaced on three separate occasions. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Power train, Jan 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The failure recurred. Additionally, the vehicle was unable to reverse. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to a Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign Number: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage) associated with the VIN; however, the warranty coverage had expired. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 149,929.
Power train, Dec 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM would rise however, the vehicle would decelerate. The contact stated the transmission fault warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle for 5 minutes before restarting and driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission and clutch to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Power train, Dec 22, 2021
Transmission slips and car shudders when gears shift. Car stalls slightly when moving forward.
Power train, Dec 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 30-35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started shuddering. The check engine and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove; however, the vehicle was shuddering significantly and increasingly while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch and the TCM had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 79,950.
Power train, Nov 6, 2021
While driving transmission seems to start to slip and then fails. Upon further research, found that there is a known issues with the TCM on vehicle. This issue came about while driving in traffic and could have caused an accident when the transmission stopped working if I was unable to get into a parking lot before it stopped working.
Power train, Nov 5, 2021
The transmission fails to engage 2nd gear from time to time so it will start to go then go to neutral many times leaving you in the middle of intersections.
Power train, Nov 2, 2021
Was driving along a curvy road when it suddenly down shifted and I had no safe place to get off the road. I continued to try and get to a safe place and then it went in to neutral and couldn't move at all. Thank goodness another car didn't come it could have killed me. It then went back into gear and I did make it to a safe place to pull over and call a tow truck. The said it needs transmission control module. By the look of all the complaints on the TCM they need a recall before someone gets killed.
Power train, Oct 30, 2021
Slow acceleration rough shifting in transmission E8 and E9 Code's detected on my OBD reader at auto zone
Power train, Oct 27, 2021
I need to change my transmission control module
Power train, Oct 24, 2021
Loss of power on major highway. Could have been hit in the back because car just stopped moving. Dash board had lights flashing, no up hill movement, transmission check immediately, no shift, check engine it was lite up like a Christmas tree. I was scared I was going to get killed. transmission- yes, towed to Steet-Ponte Ford dealer, nothing wrong, no reps called, lights first appeared at that moment, took car home worked for one day and repeated the same problem. Took it back to the dealer and they replaced a part in the clutch and said if that didn't work a fork would have to be replaced for $1,500 also I had to pay for the first repair $300. Took it home worked for 3 days and is still sitting in drive way
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2021
I've already lost count of how many times I changed the transmission of this car and now I have to change it again. So I don’t know what to do now Thank you