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: structure
332 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Structure, Mar 21, 2013
CHROME PEELING AWAY FROM PLASTIC LEAVING SHARP EDGES WHERE FINGERS ARE ON STEERING WHEEL PEELING IS BI LATERAL ON THE TOP PART OF THE AREA WHERE THE CONTROLS ARE FOR THE SYNC AND VEHICLE DATA CONTROLS. RUNNING HAND ACROSS THIS SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAN RESULT IN JERKING THE HAND AWAY BECAUSE OF THE SHARP EDGE. *TR
Structure, Oct 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THERE WAS SUN SHINING ON THE DASHBOARD, THE REFLECTION WOULD BLIND HER VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Sep 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO TRUNK RELEASE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON ENTERED THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT BECAUSE IT DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A TRUNK RELEASE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED .THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Air bags, Structure, Tires, Sep 17, 2012, crash
IN JUNE 2012, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND HER FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. THIS WAS THE 3RD SET OF NEW TIRES WE HAD PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE (BY 30,000 MILES - AVERAGING 10,000 MILES PER SET OF TIRES). THEN IN JULY 2012, SHE WAS DRIVING HOME AND STARTED TO SKID. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE SKID AND HIT A TREE HEAD-ON. THE FRONT OF HER CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE TREE CENTERED HER CAR AND THE FRONT END LOOKED LIKE A VOLKSWAGEN BUG. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE HAD THIS VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. EACH TIME THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS COULD FEEL THE CAR SWAY WHEN RIDING IT IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY ($17,000 CHECK SENT TO FORD) AND WE STILL OWE $1700 THAT WE HAVE AGREED TO PAY TO FORD TO KEEP FROM RUINING OUR CREDIT. THANK GOD SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT THAT ACTUALLY WORKED - OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PLAN OUR DAUGHTERS FUNERAL. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS ADVERTISED AS BEING A VERY SAFE CAR WITH THE INTERIOR WRAPPED IN AIR BAGS. WRAPPING THE INTERIOR WITH AIR BAGS DOES NOT HELP IF THEY DO NOT WORK. I HAVE BEEN BUYING FORD AUTOMOBILES FOR 30 YEARS BUT, RIGHT NOW I AM WONDERING HOW SAFE MY FORD F-150 IS. WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING HIRING AN ATTORNEY. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Aug 23, 2012, crash
I WAS LEAVE AN APPOINTMENT WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION. I STOPPED SHORT OF THE FADED WHITE LINE ON THE ROAD BUT A LITTLE PAST THE POSITION IN WHICH THE STOP SIGN WAS POSTED SO I ASSUMED I WOULD BE GOOD TO GO FROM THIS SPOT. I THEN LOOKED BOTH WAYS DID NOT SEE ANY ON COMING TRAFFIC FROM EITHER DIRECTION SO I PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS HAVE WAY INTO THE ROAD THAT I EVEN NOTICE THE OTHER DRIVER COMING AT ME AND BY THAT TIME IT WAS TO LATE ANY NEITHER MYSELF OR THE OTHER DRIVER WERE ABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE OTHER DRIVERS CAR THE STUCK MY IN THE REAR PASSENGER COMPLETELY DESTROYING IT AND SPINNING ME OUT OF THE ROAD IN THE DIRECTION OF A LIGHT POLE WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID OR STOP SHORT OF DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAD LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLES CONTROLS. MY FINAL STOPPING POSITION WAS A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THE POLE AFTER IT RIPPED THAT SECTION OF FRONT BUMPER APART AND I BOUNCED OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NEITHER THE SIDE NOR FRONT. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Aug 14, 2012
2012 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRUNK LID, WIRING AND WATER FLOWING DOWN REAR WINDOW *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TRUNK WAS ACTIVATED, THE LID WENT FROM FULLY CLOSED TO FULLY OPENED AT A HIGH VELOCITY IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE WIRING ROUTED TO THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK LID, WAS HANGING DOWN, AND WHEN IT RAINED, WATER FLOWED DOWN AND THROUGH THE GAPS BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW AND THE TOP OF THE TRUNK LID.
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 7, 2012
VEHICLE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM LOCKED THE CAR WHILE PARKED WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED TO FORCE ENTRY. ALARM DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN DOOR WAS OPENED. *TR