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: other or unspecified
359 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 14, 2016
VEHICLE IN MOTION DRIVING ABOUT 60-65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE COULD NOT ACCELERATE FELT AS IF ON NEUTRAL. I BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED AND HAD THE FORTUNE NO INCOMING VEHICLES WERE BEHIND ME. I SHUT THE CAR OFF ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE AFTER BEING OFF FOR 15 MINUTES WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT REVERSE GEAR WAS NONE FUNCTIONAL.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2016
THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND PAID $510.72
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2016
ON THE PASSENGER DOOR, DRIVERS SIDE, I FOUND THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I WAS WALKING TO MY CAR FROM WORK. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE STOLE ANYTHING. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT. IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE A BREAK IN AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LATCH.THE MECHANIC SAID THE DOOR LATCH WAS VERY POORLY DESIGNED. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THIS DOOR LATCH PROBLEM IS HAPPENING WITH OTHER FORDS AS WELL. I CONSIDER THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOOR COULD HAVE SWUNG OPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I TRIED CONTACTING FORD TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEMS BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL. APPARENTLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS. CURRENTLY I AM CONCERNED IF THE OTHER DOORS WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM-DOOR LATCH ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2016
CAR DOOR LOCK BROKE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR. THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR LOCK TO BREAK IN A MONTH. ASSUMING THEY WILL ALL GO OUT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2016
DOOR LATCH BROKE. DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2016
DOOR LATCH ON BACK SIDE DOOR HAS FAILED AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. WHILE AT HOME WENT TO CLOSE BACK DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT CLOSE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET TRAVELLING 50 MPH WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO STALL. I HIT THE GAS AND MY CAR JERKED AND STALLED AGAIN. THEN MY CAR READ A MESSAGE THAT SAID "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION SERVICE NOW." ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION, I PARKED MY CAR AND IT MADE SOME FUNNY SOUND ALMOST LIKE A CLUNKING NOISE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT AND HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THIS IS ACTUALLY THE THIRD TIME I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR AND BEEN SCARED OUT OF MY MIND DUE TO MY CAR STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2016
THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT ENGAGE. I MADE SURE THE LATCH IS NOT CLOSED SHUT BEFORE CLOSING THE DOOR. THE DOOR LATCH BAR ATTACHED TO THE CAR GOES INSIDE THE OPEN LATCH SEAMLESSLY, HOWEVER THE LATCH WILL NOT HOLD. THE ONLY WORKAROUND I HAVE FOUND IS TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED, LOCK THE CAR, THEN PUSH THE DOOR OPEN AND SHUT IT AGAIN. ONLY THEN WILL THE LATCH ENGAGE. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS DRIVING FROM A RESTAURANT AND THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE MAP SAID IT WAS MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I TRIED TO CLOSE IT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NO LUCK, UNTIL I CAME ACROSS THE WORKAROUND MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2016
R/H REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH, DOOR FREELY OPEN WITH NO ACTION BY USER, WHILE MOVING DOOR OPEN WITH ANY TURN TO THE LEFT
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 FORD FOCUS THE DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A STATE ROAD. THE DASH FLASHED WARNING AT SAME TIME DOOR FLEW OPEN. UNABLE TO SHUT DOOR, DROVE HOME HOLDING DOOR SHUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP, DOOR LATCH FAILURE, REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. I REQUESTED FORD DEALERSHIP RETURN DEFECTIVE PART TO ME. REPORTED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2016
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN MY DOOR FLEW OPEN. I TRIED TO CLOSE WITH NO AVAIL. I HELD MY DOOR CLOSED UNTIL I GOT HOME AND IT STILL WILL NOT LATCH. I CALLED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND OF COARSE THERE IS NOT. BUT WAS TOLD A PENCIL WOULD RESET IT, THIS DID NOT WORK.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2016
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET--MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR RANDOMLY SWUNG OPEN! I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET--THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE! IT WOULD NOT LATCH ONTO THE CAR. I HAD TO DRIVER TO MY MOMS HOUSE, HOLDING THE CAR DOOR, GOING 20 MPH SO THAT MY DAD COULD TRY AND FIX IT. IT TOOK HIM TWO HOURS TO GET THE CAR DOOR TO CLOSE!. I HAVENT OPENED IT SINCE THEN BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THE DOOR WONT CLOSE AGAIN! IVE BEEN HAVING TO CLIMB OUT OF THE PASSANGER SIDE!
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2016
THE LIGHT SHOWED THE LEFT REAR DOOR WAS OPENED SO I OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR BUT IT DI'D NOT LATCH, I CONTINUE TO CLOSE THE DOOR THE LATCH WOULDN'T HOLD. I LOOKED AT THE LATCH AND IT SEEMED TO BE LOOSE, IT WAS BROKEN NOT SURE HOW OR WHY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2016
THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED LATCHING WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD TRIP. IT WAS OPERATING CORRECTLY UNTIL I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO WALK INTO A GAS STATION. WHEN I RETURNED IT WOULD NOT LATCH. INSTEAD, IT WOULD JUST BOUNCE OFF THE DOOR FRAME WITHOUT THE LATCH ENGAGING. I TESTED THE LATCH TO SEE IF IT WAS JAMMED, BUT THE ACTUAL LATCH ITSELF MOVED JUST FINE WHEN I MOVED IT WITH MY KEY. I HAD TO TIE THE DOOR TO MY LEG WITH A BELT TO MAKE THE REST OF THE DRIVE HOME. ON MONDAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LATCH, AND THAT THE ENTIRE UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $680 FOR THE REPAIR, AND NEITHER THE SERVICE MANAGER NOR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WERE WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. I HAD IT REPLACED BY A LOCAL AUTO SHOP THAT I TRUST, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DO IT FOR MUCH CHEAPER THAN FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2016
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOST THE ABILITY TO SHUT. WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, IT WOULDN'T LATCH. HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND DISCOVERED THE REAR DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SPOKE TO FORD AND APPARENTLY THE PART IS ON A 4 MONTH BACK ORDER! NOT SURE WHY THIS HASN'T YET GONE TO RECALL. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, FOUND OUT THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON A LOT OF 2012-13 FOCUS, AND AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN STARTED. I WAS CHARGED $129 FOR THE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE CAR, BUT HAVEN'T HAD IT SERVICED YET DUE TO THE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. I DON'T HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THE INSPECTION HANDY BUT CAN SCAN A COPY IF NEEDED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" I OWN A FORD FOCUS 2012 AND THE LATCH ON THE DRIVERS DOOR BROKE OFF. IT IS A PLASTIC PIECE. WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN MY DOOR FLEW OPEN. LUCKILY, I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. IF NOT I WOULD HAVE BEEN FLYING OUT MY VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE LATCH WILL NOT LOCK ONTO THE DOOR PIN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2016
DRIVERS REAR DOOR LATCH WILL NOT LATCH. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. THE HOOK INSIDE THE LATCH JUST FLOPS BACK AND FORTH. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU SHUT THE DOOR, IT WILL NOT LATCH. DID INTERNET SEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF FOCUS'S.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2016
THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SPONTANEOUSLY REFUSED TO STAY SHUT. I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE ALARM SOUNDED, INDICATING THE REAR DOOR WAS AJAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2012 FORD FOCUS THAT I BOUGHT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO FROM SOMEONE ON CRAIGSLIST. IT'S MY FIRST CAR AND HAS BEEN THE MOST AMAZING FIRST CAR I COULD'VE ASKED FOR, WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT I HAD GOTTEN A LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING MY FORD AND IT TOLD ME TO BRING IT INTO FORD BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TRANSMISSION. SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO CAPISTRANO FORD TURTLE CLICK, THEY TOLD ME TO COME BACK AFTER THE 4 DAY WEEKEND BECAUSE I PROBABLY DIDN'T WANT MY CAR SITTING IN THE SHOP ALL WEEKEND FOR SUCH A MINOR PROBLEM. SO I ASKED IF MY CAR WAS GOING TO BE FINE FOR ME TO STILL DRIVE IN OR SHOULD I JUST LET IT BE UNTIL THEY COULD WORK ON IT. THE MAN TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WOULD BE FINE AND JUST BRING IT IN AFTER THE WEEKEND. I ALSO CALLED AS SOON AS I WAS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPT AND ALSO GOT IT VERIFIED THAT MY CAR WOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE IN UNTIL MY APPT. FUNNY THING THE NEXT DAY MY GF AND I WE'RE DRIVING AND I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND IT TURNED GREEN WENT TO HIT THE GAS AND MY CAR JUST DIED. DIDN'T EVEN FEEL LIKE IT TURNED OFF OR ANYTHING AND THEN IT SHOWED MY CAR WAS NOT REGISTERING THAT IT WAS IN DRIVE. SO I CALL FORD AND THEY HAD ME TOW THE CAR TO THEM AND THEY SAID THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION SOMETHING AND THEY FIXED IT FOR ME. SO SHE WAS RUNNING SO GOOD AND ABOUT 8 MONTHS DOWN THE LINE THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION IS HAPPENING EXCEPT NOW I GET IN MY CAR AND WILL GO TO TURN THE KEY AND IT WON'T TURN OVER, I HAVE TO LET IT DING 4 TIMES AND THEN IT'LL START. VERY ODD? I THEN WILL START DRIVING AND WHEN IT GOES TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR IT DOES A GNARLY STALL AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT CAN'T CATCH THE GEARS AND IT'S BEEN TELLING ME "TRANSMISSION TOO HOT PULL OVER SAFELY" AND THEN IT JUST PULLS ITSELF OUT OF GEAR AND I KINDA JUST COAST INTO A SPOT. SO I TOLD FORD ABOUT IT ALL AND NOW THEY CAN'T FIX MY CAR BECA
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2016
WHILE AT A STOP, I TRIED TO CLOSE MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND THE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO LATCH AND HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED. THIS IS THE THIRD DOOR LATCH TO FAIL ON THIS CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2016
THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSE NOR WILL IT LOCKED. I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR ANYWHERE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
THE LATCHING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING, AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THERE WERE NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCES, THE MECHANISM SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
2 DOOR LATCHES HAVE BROKEN WITHIN THE PAST TEN DAYS. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING, WOULD NOT CLOSE.