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, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 18, 2016
CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN STOPPED. GAS NEEDLE WILL NOT WORK SOMETIMES. ECHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN GAS IT PUT INTO THE VWHICLE.IT
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2016
MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH BROKE. DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND LATCH IS BROKE SPRING MECHANISM IS GONE. FORCED TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2016
THE DOOR LATCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO LOCK IN AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE CLOSED AT ALL WHENEVER I DROVE OR PARKED THE CAR. IT IS SO DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING AND THE CAR IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE TO BE STOLEN. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD (BERGE FORD, MESA, AZ) DEALER SERVICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT COSTED ME $440.00.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, NOT ALLOWING THE DOOR TO SHUT. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON 07/14/2016 AND STOPPED AT THE STORE. UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR HE NOTICED THE LIGHTS ON AND DOOR AJAR. WHEN HE GOT IN THE CAR, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. HE HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT WITH HIS HAND, WHILE STEERING WITH THE OTHER. THIS DEFECT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY RECALL YET. I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2016
MY BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. I WENT INTO THE STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK I NOTICED MY INDICATOR KEPT TELLING ME MY DOOR WAS OPENED. I GOT OUT AND TRIED TO CLOSE IT BIT IT WOULDN'T STAY CLOSED. I HAD TO USE THE SEAT BELT JUST SO IT COULD STAY CLOSED ON THE WAY HOME. I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2016
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED. DOOR WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED. NOTICED WHILE PARKED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2016
MY CAR STARTS WHEN IT WANT TO IT WENT DEAD ON THE INTERSTATE AND WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE SECOND TIME I TURN THE KEY IT SIT FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT STARTED
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2016
THE DRIVER REAR DOOR LATCH STOPPED WORKING. I OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE LIKE NORMAL AND THEN CLOSED IT. STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT MY DRIVER REAR DOOR WAS OPEN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO TRY AND GET IT TO LATCH WITH NO PREVAIL. I TALKED WITH A FRIEND AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS MY LATCH THAT WAS BAD AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL WITH THE FUSION AND FIESTA MODELS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2016
WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION TURNING ONTO A BUSY STREET, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FLEW OPEN. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2016
MY 2012 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD TWO DOOR LATCHES/LOCK FAIL. THE LATEST ONE HAPPENED LAST WEEK. IT WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR THAT WONT CLOSE AT ALL. IT JUST SWINGS OPEN AND DOES NOT CLOSE NO MATTER WHAT. THIS HAPPENED TO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS AGO TOO. BOTH HAVE HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT MY WORK PLACE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IN MY CAR FOR SERVICE TO THE EARNHARDT FORD PHOENIX LOCATION, THE FORD EMPLOYEE WHO TOOK MY INFORMATION DOWN SAID THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIS SAME YEAR MODEL FOCUS. THE SECOND FORD EMPLOYEE WHO TOOK MY INFO DOWN LAST WEEK HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE WHILE MOVING/DRIVING A FRIENDS FORD FOCUS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2016
WHILE DRIVING DOWN MY STREET I TAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND MY DOOR FLIES OPEN AND I ATTEMPT TO CATCH IT FROM SLAMMING CLOSED BUT THE FORCE WAS TOO GREAT AND THE DOOR PUSHED MY ARM BACK TOWARDS MY BODY. THE DOOR HIT THE CAR AND BOUNCED INSTEAD OF LATCHING ON. I PULLED OVER AND IT SAID DOOR AJAR AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY SON AND I, AND FORD SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED SO IT IS COSTING ME $529! THIS KIND OF SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED MUCH LIKE THE FORD FIESTA AND FUSION!
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 3, 2016
TCM PROBLEMS WIFE PULLED OUT TO A RESIDENTIAL INTERSECTION AND THE CAR STALLED, LUCKILY NO CARS WE'RE COMING AT THE TIME SHE CALLED ME AND WAS SCARED SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IT TOOK ME I'M OUT 30 MINUTES TO GET TO HER MEANWHILE CARS WERE BACKING UP AND GOING AROUND HER WE PULLED IT INTO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S DRIVEWAY WHICH WAS NEAR AND ASK MY BROTHER-IN-LAW THAT IS A MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT AND HE INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE TCM THAT WAS OUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT NEW IT FINALLY WENT OUT. I USE THIS CAR TO GO TO WORK I AM A STATE CIRCUIT RIDER AND PUT A LOT OF MILEAGE ON MY CAR ILEARN TO DEAL WITH THE SLUGGISH TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE DEALERS INDICATED THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT JUST TO REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS DONE AND THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT FOR DONE FOR MY VEHICLE. AFTER FORD INDICATED RECALL I HAD TOO MANY MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE TO QUALIFY IT WAS JUST BARELY OVER 50,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME. SECOND LETTER INDICATED FOR ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED BUT THE DEALER MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY HAD TO PHYSICALLY HEAR OR FEEL THE SHUDDERING OF THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE THEY COULD PROGRAM IT AGAIN THIS WENT ON UNTIL I HAD NO WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WITH SOMETIMES DO THE SHUTTERING OR SKIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION NOT ALL THE TIME THAT'S WHY THE DEALER SAID THAT HE COULD NOT DO IT UNTIL IT WAS DOING IT FOR HIM. SO I LEARNED TO IGNORE THE SHUDDERING AND SKIPPING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND ADAPTED TO DRIVING WITH IT BUTT WHEN MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR AND IT FINALLY DIED ON HER THAT IS TOO MUCH TO DEAL WITH.
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2016
MY DRIVER AND DRIVER'S PASSENGER DOOR LATCHES DOES NOT WORK ON MY VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO CLOSE AND SECURE MY DOORS AT HOME, WORK, NOR OUT IN PUBLIC. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY UP TO 1400 ON TWO NEW LATCHES. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I PULLED THE HANDLE TO OPEN IT AND WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR IT NEVER LATCH ONTO THE DOOR FRAME. I HAVE ROPE AND CORDS HOLDING THE DOOR IN PLACE AS I DRIVE AND WHEN MY KIDS TRAVEL TO SCHOOL. MY DOORS ARE UNSECURED DAILY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR LATCH FAIL TO CLOSE THE DOOR. FROM THERE ON THE DOOR DO NOT CLOSE ANYMORE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR OUR CHILDRENS BUT FOR ANY PASSENGER IN THIS CAR.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2016
DOOR LATCH STOPPED WORKING, DOOR NO LONGER CLOSES, HAD TO FIND BUNGIE CORD TO TIE THE DOOR SHUT SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN I NOTICED THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2016
WE CAME OUT OF RESTAURANT SHUT DRIVER. DOOR AND WOULD NOT LATCH HAD TO DRIVE HOME TRYING TO HOLD SHUT, WE WERE IN PARKING LOT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH. I NOTICED IT BEFORE DRIVING SO I HELD ONTO THE DOOR SO IT WOULDN'T FLY OPEN.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2016
SUNROOF EXPLODED. JUST DRIVING ALONG A CITY STREET AT APPROX. 45 MPH AND A LOUD BANG SOUNDED. ALL MY WINDOWS ARE CLOSED, AC IS ON 2, AND SUDDENLY I HEAR WIND. I CRACK THE DIVIDER BACK A BIT, AND I SEE THE HOLE AND SHATTERED GLASS. LITERALLY HAPPENED TO ME WITH NO WARNING, AT 8:00 PM TODAY (JUNE 23, 2016), SO NO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. DRIVING IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. IS THIS A RECURRING ISSUE?
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2016
DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOORS HAVE BROKEN IN THE PAST 9 MONTHS. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH OTHER FORD MODELS, HOWEVER, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS AN ISSUE WITH FORD FOCUS. THE DOOR LATCH BREAKS FOR NO REASON AND PUTS DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. THE FILE ATTACHED IS THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ISSUED TO FORD IN SEPTEMBER 2015.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2016, crash
I WAS LEAVING AFTER MEETING UP WITH A FRIEND AND AS I TURNED MY DRIVER DOOR OPENED OUT OF NO WHERE CAUSING MY TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE, TURNS OUT IT'S THE DOOR LATCH THAT WON'T CLOSE, SO I'M SITTING HERE STARTLED WRITING THIS AND MY CAR DOOR IS STILL NOT ABLE TO CLOSE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2016
DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OR LOCK IN ORDER TO STAY CLOSED WHILE DRIVING NOR WHILE PARKED. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM THAT ENGAGES AFTER BEGINNING TO DRIVE DOES NOT LATCH OR LOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR, RESULTING IN A PANEL WARNING THAT THE DOOR IS AJAR.
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2016
REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED. THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED. I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD THE LATCH ON THE FRONT DOOR REPLACED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I REALIZED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE ON THE 2012 FORD FOCUS WHEN I CHATTED WITH ANOTHER OWNER OF A 2012 FORD FOCUS WHO WAS IS FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR A DOOR LATCH REPLACEMENT. LUCKILY, I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MY COST WAS $100. THE COST WITHOUT A WARRANTY WOULD BE ALMOST $275. THIS SHOULD NOT COST THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS ANYTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THESE LATCHES FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. BOTH TIMES THAT THE LATCHES FAILED, THEY WORKED FINE THE PREVIOUS DAY
Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2016
DRIVE SIDE DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. DOOR SWINGS OPEN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. DOOR MUST BE SECURED WITH A BUNGIE CORD. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR DAMAGE CITING I NOT BEING THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. ONE WEEK AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PART IS ON ORDER. FORD IS NOT CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS!
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2016
DOOR LATCHE ON DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 178 THE DRIVERS DOOR CAME OPEN AND WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSED. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCHES. I THEN LOOKED ON SAFE CAR AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE SAME NATURE. I TOOK MY 2012 FORD FOCUS TO THE DEALER TO BE EVALUATED AND THEY SAID THE DOOR LATCH WAS BAD. I F THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY INCIDENTS WHY ISN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2016
I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR TO TAKE OUT A FEW GROCERIES, AND WHEN I WAS GOING TO SHUT THE DOOR, IT JUST BOUNCED BACK. NOW IT JUST WON'T CLOSE AT ALL, (IT WON'T LATCH ON) AND I HAVE TO TIE IT DOWN.