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: steering
933 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Oct 30, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY CAR IS STARTING TO LOCK UP WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE STEERLING WHEEL GETS STUCK AND ITS HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR,.
Steering, Oct 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND A STEERING WHEEL ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER TO CONTACT NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE. *JB
Steering, Oct 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. BLAKE FORD LOCATED (1011 ARMORY DR, FRANKLIN, VA 23851, (888) 338-4988) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,496.
Steering, Oct 28, 2018
I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR THREE DAYS (10-28-18) WHEN THE STEERING ASSIST STOPPED WORKING WHEN IT WAS STARTED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY SAID STEERING ASSIST FAULT. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED IT WAS OK. THIS CAR HAS 71100 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED AS A FIRST CAR FOR MY SON WHO IS 17.
Steering, Oct 26, 2018
:STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION" ERROR ON DASHBOARD AT START UP. POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING -- STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES AT STARTUP. CAR HAS 79,399 MILES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR MECHANISM AND RACK NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,800 AND ALIGNMENT FOR $99.95. I AGREED TO HAVE DEALERSHIP DO THE WORK AS I WAS TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS SEEMS LIKE A WIDESPREAD AND DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL?
Steering, Oct 26, 2018
ON 9/25/18, AFTER DRIVING TWO HOURS AND THEN MAKING A BRIEF STOP, WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING WARNING: "STEERING ASSIST FAULT. SERVICE REQUIRED." WHEN I STARTED BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, I DISCOVERED THE CAR HAD LOST POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON BUT RECEIVED THE SAME WARNING AND STILL HAD NO POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE TWO HOURS HOME VERY CAREFULLY BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS POSED A SAFETY RISK, ESPECIALLY IF IT HAD GONE OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING OR IF THERE WAS A NEED FOR ME TO MAKE A TURN QUICKLY. HERE ARE THE FACTS WE LEARNED FROM DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND CONTACTING OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP: SEVERAL OTHER FORD FAMILY MODELS WITH SIMILAR YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR STEERING ASSIST ISSUES AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM WHICH COSTS OVER $2100. IN CONCLUSION, WHY AM I NOW $2100 POORER AFTER REPLACING POWER STEERING IN A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES WHEN CLEARLY THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH FORD'S POWER STEERING THAT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL ON THE FOCUS AS WELL? THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS COMPLAINT.
Steering, Oct 25, 2018
POWER STEERING FAULT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AN ENGINE RESTART NORMALLY RESETS LIGHT. ON OCTOBER 23, 2018, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE IN MOTION AND COMPLETELY DISABLE MY ABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARK AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN.
Steering, Oct 25, 2018
WHEN STARTING THE CAR, BEFORE DRIVING, "STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION" COMES ON THE SCREEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. THIS HAPPENS A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY AND I FEAR THIS WILL IMPAIR THE ABILITY TO TURN DURING DRIVING OR WHEN STARTING MY COMMUTE. I FOUND RESTARTING THE CAR A FEW TIMES ELIMINATED THIS ERROR.
Steering, Oct 25, 2018
POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY. AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE.
Steering, Oct 22, 2018
POWER ASSIST STEERING FAULT COMES AND GOES, AS WELL AS STEERING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Steering, Oct 20, 2018
STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION ON FORD FOCUS 2012 MODEL. THIS ERROR WOULD COME UP PERIODICALLY OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, BUT WOULD GO AWAY WHEN RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. NOW THE ERROR COMES ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY OUT. DRIVEN ABOUT 2000 MILES SINCE ERROR FIRST NOTICED. MILEAGE NOW 116,895.
Steering, Oct 20, 2018
UPON IGNITION A MESSAGE 'STEERING ASSIST FAULT SVC REQUIRED' SOMETIMES APPEARS AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. PROBLEM IS USUALLY REMEDIED BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING BUT CAN SOMETIMES TAKE THREE TRIES. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT BUT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. SO FAR IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND AND SLIGHTLY INCLINED DRIVEWAYS. ONLINE RESEARCH SUGGESTS BAD PLACEMENT OF THE STEERING MODULE IS CAUSING INTERNAL ELECTRONICS TO OVERHEAT AND DEVELOP FAULTS.
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 19, 2018
ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 35MPH, A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT NOTIFICATION APPEARED. ON ONE OCCASION IT PREVENTED MY BRAKE PEDAL FROM ENGAGING THE BRAKES. THE PARKING BRAKE STILL WORKED. THE VEHICLE HAS A 3RD PARTY WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM, WHEN TAKEN TO THEIR MECHANICS IT WAS STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NO TRACE OR CAUSE OF THE ISSUE AND COULD NOT REPLICATE.
Steering, Oct 18, 2018
STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION-SERVICE REQUIRED KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN IS A RECALL COMING. SCARED THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TO TURM THE CAR OFF AND ON THEN WAIT TIL IT DECIDES IT WANTS TO MOVE. AFRAID THE STEERING WILL LOCK WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY BUT HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.
Steering, Oct 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE MESSAGE "STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Steering, Oct 10, 2018
POWER STEERING IS DISABLED UPON STARTING VEHICLE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A RANDOM ERROR BECAUSE I WOULD TURN VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AND THEN IT WAS FINE. NOW THE ERROR WILL NOT TURN OFF AND I DO NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AT ALL.
Steering, Oct 9, 2018
FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, EVERY TIME I START UP THE CAR THE STEERING COLUMN IS ALMOST LOCKED. I START BACKING OUT AND IT LOOSENS UP. THIS MORNING I STARTED MY CAR UP AND IT WAS LOCKED AGAIN, BUT I GOT THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION, AND IT NEVER LOOSENED UP. I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS DRIVING IT OT WORK, BUT I HAD TO GET THERE. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO GET FIXED.
Steering, Oct 5, 2018
TAKATA RECALL WELL I WENT TO TURN ON MY CAR AND I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND WHEN I WAS BACK IN UP I NOTICE THE SCREEN SAY STEERING MALFUNCTION SERVICE REQUIERE AND THE STEERING WHEEL DINDT WANT TO MOVE
Steering, Oct 2, 2018
RECEIVED "STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION" ERROR ON DASHBOARD AT START UP. POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AND VERY HARD TO TURN CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM ELECTRONIC STEERING MECHANISM AND RACK NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2300. SEEMS LIKE A WIDESPREAD AND DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL, WONDER WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL?
Steering, Sep 25, 2018
MY FOCUS WHEN BEING TURNED ON THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN PLACE AND DOES NOT WANT TO TURN IN ANY DIRECCION. THIS HAS HAPPEND MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE PROBLEM USED TO BE RESOLVED BY TURNIG THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON BUT IS NOT THE CASE ANYMORE. THIS LAST TIME THAT IT HAPPEND I WAS IN MOTION COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND IT SEIZED ON ME. LUCKYLY I WAS ALREADY STOPPING OR I COULD HAVE WRECKED. IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. FOR NOW WE ARE NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT IT IS DANGEROUS. THE WARINING THAT TURNED ON ON THE DASH READ "STEERING FAULT". THIS CAR IS A 2012 WITH 130 THOUSAND MILES.
Steering, Sep 25, 2018
POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING "IN AND OUT" FOR ABOUT A YEAR. RESOLVED TEMPORARILY TYPICALLY BY RESTARTING ENGINE. HOWEVER, POWER STEERING PERMANENTLY FAILED 9/24/18. T CALLED CUSTOMER CARE STATING FORD KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE (2017 DISMISSED LAWSUIT). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. MILEAGE @88,000. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ISSUES THEY HAVE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. COST TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION WAS $2,200!
Steering, Sep 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 24, 2018
THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING IT AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE STEREO WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES BUT FORD SAYS THE PROBLEM IS NOT BAD ENOUGH WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER FOR IT TO BE REPLACED UNDER THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH FORD HAS PUT IN PLACE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 100,000 MILES AND 7 YEARS. LASTLY TWICE WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS STARTING TO DRIVE THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. THE SECOND TIME THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE AND CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. ITS A GOOD THING SHE KNEW TO USE HER EMERGENCY BRAKE OR SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. NEVER BUYING A FORD AGAIN.
Steering, Sep 24, 2018
MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT MADE THE STEERING GO OUT FOR HER. THIS PART IS EXTREMELY PRICEY I FEEL THAT AS MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THIS PLUS THE HIGH COST THIS SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. VERY DANGEROUS
Steering, Sep 20, 2018
THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME, BUT MID-TRIP. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING HOME.