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, Mar 24, 2017
PULLS TO THE RIGHT. STEERING GETS HARD TO TURN. I WAS IN ASHVILLE N.C TRAFFIC WHEN IT HAPPEN IN 3 LANES TRAFFIC FINAL WAS ABLE TO GET SIDE OF THE ROAD.SCARED HELL OUT OF ME.CALL FORD,THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS
Steering, Mar 23, 2017
MY DAUGHTER COMPLAINED THAT SHE RECEIVED A DASHBOARD WARNING AND LOST POWER STEERING A FEW TIMES- TO CONFIRM, I DROVE HER CAR FOR A WEEK AND IT HAPPENED SIX TIMES IN ONE WEEK!!! TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING! IT HAPPENED WHILE IN REVERSE, DRIVING FORWARD AND UPON STARTING. IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND IN CITY STREETS AND WHILE TURNING. I WAS NOT GOING FAST AND WAS WATCHING FOR IT. WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THOSE WHO AREN'T WATCHING FOR IT? APPARENTLY IT IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AS TONS OF OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS MY CHILDS CAR (WHICH I WILL NOT LET HER DRIVE) AND I FIND IT TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!
Steering, Mar 23, 2017
POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILED TWICE WHILE DRIVING, ONE AT LOW SPEED (15 MPH) AND AGAIN IN TRAFFIC AT (50 MPH). TURNING IGNITION OFF THAN ON RETURNS STEERING TO NORMAL. NO WARNING BEFORE FAILURE. LUCKY TO GET VEHICLE OFF TO SHOULDER OFF TO SIDE OF FREEWAY WITHOUT A COLLISION.
Steering, Mar 20, 2017
ON AT LEAST FIVE OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 45MPH. JUST PRIOR TO THE FAILURE A WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON THE POWER STEERING RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION. FORD DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. SEEMS TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO A RECALL ISSUE ON OTHER FORD MODELS
Steering, Mar 20, 2017
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE REPORTED - ELECTRONIC POWER-ASSISTED STEERING FAILURE. I LOST POWER STEERING. ON HIGHWAY PROBLEM WAS MANAGEABLE. IT REQUIRES MUCH MORE EFFORT TO STEER AND CONTROL CAR IN CITY.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 20, 2017
NOTICE CAME UP ON DASH MONITOR "STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION-NEEDS ATTENTION". AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR YOU COULD STEER IT, AND TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A "STEERING RACK" AT A COST OF $1600.00, NOT COVERED ON THE "DRIVE TRAIN" WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD BY THE SALES MAN FROM A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, THAT A NEW STEERING RACK HAD BEEN INSTALLED AT JUST OVER 3000 MILES. THE CAR NOW ONLY HAS JUST OVER 45000 MILES ON IT. NOT HAPPY! CAR WAS NOT MOVING WHEN THE INITIAL "NEEDS ATTENTION" MESSAGE APPEARED, IT WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, AND JUST STARTED TO GO HOME FROM WORK.
Steering, Mar 19, 2017
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS WAS ON THE FREEWAY STARTING OUR VACATION THAT IS NOW RUINED BECAUSE FORD IS CLOSED ON SUNDAY'S.
Steering, Mar 19, 2017
UPON ENGINE START, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. AFTER 10 SECONDS, IT WORKS FINE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, EXCEPT SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, IT REQUIRES A FEW START/RESTART CYCLES FOR THE POWER STEERING TO START WORKING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST 15,000 MILES, ABOUT 10 MONTHS. NO FAULT LIGHT HAS EVER COME ON. STEERING HAS NEVER FAILED WHILE DRIVING. ONCE THE POWER STEERING COMES ON, IT STAYS ON FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THE IGNITION IS ON.
Steering, Mar 17, 2017
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND MINUTES LATER AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED LOCKING UP WHERE IT WOULD NOT TURN. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO JIGGLE IT BACK AND FORTH TO MAKE IT STEER INTO HER WORKS PARKING LOT. STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID TO SAFELY STOP. I HAD TO TRAILER IT A MECHANIC SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT TURN. MECHANIC AND HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ELECTRIC STEERING RACK ($1947.74).
Steering, Mar 16, 2017
I WENT TO START UP MY 2012 FORD FOCUS TO DRIVE MY SON TO SCHOOL, AND AS IT TURNED OVER I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD SAYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ASSIST MODULE AND THAT IT NEEDED SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. I STILL HAD TO DRIVE MY SON INTO SCHOOL, SO I HAD TO DRIVE MY FOCUS IN TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND FORTUNATELY I MADE IT OK. LATER, WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK, THERE WAS NO MESSAGE AND IT HAS BEEN FINE THE REST OF THE DAY. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO ME. WHY IS THERE NO FIX OR RECALL ON THIS?
Steering, Mar 15, 2017
THE POWER ASSIST FAULT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN.
Steering, Mar 14, 2017
STEERING FAULT LIGHT AND LOCKED STEERING WHEEL - RECURRING IN MY DRIVEWAY, UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE & FIX - WHAT IF IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY?
Steering, Mar 2, 2017, crash
LOSS OF STEERING AT 55 MPH ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY. CROSSED CENTER LINE AND HIT BY ONCOMING TRUCK
Steering, Feb 28, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 2/17/2017 MY FOCUS LOST POWER STEERING. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO DEAN SELLERS FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE ($2100) I LEARNED OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 2012 FORD FOCUS AND THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT.
Steering, Feb 23, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT OVER THE DOUBLE LINES WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Feb 22, 2017
UPON START-UP A YELLOW WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED, I.E. IT TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. CAR WAS SHUT OFF. LATER IN THE DAY, CAR WAS RE-STARTED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN WORKING AND NO WARNING LIGHT (AMBER) WAS DISPLAYED. APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER WAS MADE TO ADDRESS ISSUE.
Steering, Feb 21, 2017
STARTED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING ASSIST FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAS NO POWER STEERING. IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. I DRIVE 70 MILES A DAY ON THE FREEWAY AND IT WAS PURE LUCK THIS DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 17, 2017
"DRIVER ASSIST FAULT" AGAIN. THIS IS THE 4TH INSTANCE THAT IS HAPPENED IN 3 WEEKS - WHERE MY CAR SUDDENLY POWERS OFF WHILE I AM BEHIND THE WHEEL. THE LAST THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE MY CAR WAS IN REVERSE MOTION. TODAY, IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN DRIVE BUT STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC. SOMEONE HAD TO HELP ME PUSH MY CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. OCCURRED ON MY WAY TO WORK AROUND 3:30 PM EST.
Steering, Feb 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACTS STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATING, "STEERING ASSIST FAILURE". THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE DEALER WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Feb 14, 2017
IT USED TO BE THAT UPON STARTING MY CAR, A WARNING PROMPT READING "STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION" POPPED UP AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE VERY DIFFCULT TO TURN. USUALLY, I WOULD TURN OFF THE CAR, TURN IT BACK ON, AND VOILA--IT WOULD WORK FINE. BUT NOW, THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION HAS DEVELOPED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH NO PATTER OR WARNING OF IT HAPPENING. AGAIN I WOULD TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON ONCE I MERGED OUT FROM THE ROADS OF THE STREET OR FREEWAY. STEERING ALONE WAS REALLY DIFFICULT. NOW, MY CAR READS THE SAME MALFUNCTION PROMPT, AND MY NIFTY TRICK OF TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON NO LONGER WORKS. THE ISSUE IS PERMANENT AS OF NOW. ALSO I HAVE LOTS OF VIDEOS DOCUMENTED ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON YOUTUBE.
Steering, Feb 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING DEFAULT WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Feb 12, 2017
INTERMITTENT POWER ASSIST STEERING MALFUNCTION OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. POWER ASSIST MALFUNCTION ON STARTING CAR WOULD RESET AFTER RESTARTING CAR. FORD GARAGE CHECKED AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. WENT OUT TO START CAR TODAY AND POWER ASSIST STEERING NOW OUT COMPLETELY. UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. RESTARTING CAR DOES NOT HELP. FORTUNATELY CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WILL BE CALLING FORD TOMORROW.
Steering, Air bags, Feb 11, 2017
METAL ON AIRBAG ASSEMBLY/STEERING WHEEL COVER CRACKING AND PEELING. CAUSING MULTIPLE FINGER LACERATIONS WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Feb 8, 2017, crash
I GOT IN MY CAR, BUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE WHEN MY SUDDENLY CAR LOST POWER. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT STEER OR STOP MY CAR FROM GOING BACKWARDS AND I HIT A PARKED CAR IN THE PARKING DECK AT SCHOOL AS A RESULT. THE CODE ON MY DASH WAS (I) STEERING ASSIST FAIL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL AND BREAK RELEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AGAIN. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 2 WEEKS IT HAS DONE THIS (JAN 28, FEB 2 AND FEB 8). ALL THREE TIMES THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION AND IN REVERSE GEAR. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE OFFICES AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNLESS THE CAR DUPLICATES THE PROBLEM IN THEIR PRESENCE.
Steering, Feb 7, 2017
ON 2 SEPERATE OCCASSIONS WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED AFTER HOURS OF NON USE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE INDICATOR MESSAGE IN THE CAR STATES NO STEERING ASSIST. THE CAR COULD BE MANUALLY STEERED WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY.THE CAR WAS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, SO IT COULD BE MANUEVERED SAFELY AND PARKED. WHEN TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AFTER THE FIRST EVENT, NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. ONE WEEK LATER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS TAKEN BACK FOR SERVICE AGAIN.