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, Jun 28, 2020
WHEN I GET IN MY CAR TO CRANK IT, THE KEY SWITCH SEEMS TO KILL THE BATTERY BUT WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN, THE BELL DINGS SO I KNOW THE BATTERY ISN'T DEAD. IF YOU WIGGLE THE KEY IN THE KEY SWITCH, IT SOMETIME WILL CRANK AND OTHERS IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING - LIKE THE BATTERY IS DEAD
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND IT WAS SAID THAT THE CATAYLIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2020
HAD REPLACED PART OF THE TRANSMISSION THE MODULE. BUT NOW MY CAR HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES AGAIN. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 29, 2020
WAS DRIVING UP MY STREET WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. VERY SCARY. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2020
THE HORN WON'T WORK.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 4, 2020
TAKI OFF FROM STOP LIGHT CAR IS STALLING, TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND WILL NOT START AGAIN
Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2020
IT DIED WHILE DRIVING 3 TIMES RIGHT AFTER AND THE CAR IDLES STRANGE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 24, 2020
I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE. I TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND IT THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT WAS TESTED AND THEIR WAS NO ISSUE, SO THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING NOW. MY VEHICLE COULD STALL AND NOT CRANK BACK AND FORD REFUSES TO FIX A FAULTY PART THEY HAD A RECALL ON?
Steering, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 5, 2020
AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALLS SERVICED BY MIKE WHITE FORD IN CDA IDAHO.MY VEHICLE IS NO.LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE.THE 2012 FORD FOCUS THAT WAS PERFECT NOW STALLS LACKS POWER .THE SAFETY FEATURES NO LONGER WORK.THE CAR NOW HAS STEERING ISSUES .SINCE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE CAR HAS SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY .IT IS UNSAFE FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND YOU DEPRESS THE GAS PADDLE THE RPMS WILL RACE ALL THE WAY UP THEN PLUMMIT.WHILE DRIVING THERE IS NO POWER .WHEN DRIVING AN INCLINE OR HILL THE GAS PADDLE HAS TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND STILL LOSES SPEED .THE CAR SHAKES AND THE STEERING IS ERRATIC. ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES IN WHICH THE STEREO MUTES UNLESS THE SEATBELTS ARE CLICKED IN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION NO LONGER WORKS THE FORD MOTOR CERTIFIED MECHANICS OR TECHNICIANS REFUSE TO HONOR THE. NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT AND THE LETTER OF RECALL CONCERNING MY 2012 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS UNDER 60 THOUSAND MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2020
VEHICLE MAKES EXTREMELY LOUD STATIC SOUNDS, CRACKING, POPPING. RADIO CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I ALMOST CRASHED FROM THE ERRATIC AND SUDDEN NOISE. RADIO DOES NOT WORK AS OF NOW, MILEAGE IS 80,000 APPROX. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2020
IVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SINCE I 1ST GOT THE CAR. IN THE BEGINNING IT WOULD LIKE A COUPLE MINUTES AND THEN BE FINE. I NOTICED IT WHEN IT WAS SUPER COLD OR EVEN JUST KIND OF COLD. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN THE WEATHER WAS FINE AND THE STEERING WAS STILL VERY HARD TO TURN. ID HAVE ISSUES IN THE MORNING BY THE TIME I LEFT THE PARKING LOT IT WAS FINE AND WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AFTER WORK THE SAME THING (WITH IN A FEW MINUTES WAS FINE). I'VE TAKEN MY CAR IN MANY TIMES BUT THEY COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT AN ISSUE. NOW ITS 2020 AND ITS BEEN "OUT" SINCE THURSDAY TODAY IS MONDAY AND I JUST HAD IT TOWED TO THE CAR DEALER SHIP. EVERY TIME THIS ISSUES OCCURRED MY CAR WAS IN PART I NEVER GOT A WARNING MESSAGE UNTIL TODAY. IVE ALWAYS BEEN AT HOME OR AT WORK WHERE MY CAR HAS SAT FOR A FEW HOURS
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 15, 2020
WHEN I MAKE A STOP AND TRY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, I FEEL VIBRATIONS, LOST OF POWER. I DID NOT KNOW THAT FORD RECALLED THE VEHICLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I JUST CALLED BUT FORD REFUSE TO FIX. THE AGENT TO WHOM I SPOKE, SAID THAT THE MILEAGE IS ABOVE 100 000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 173 000 MILES BUT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR LONG TIME.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2020
WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING FROM 0 MPH, THE CAR WILL STRUGGLE TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. IT CONSTANTLY JUMPS AND JERKS BETWEEN 10-20 MPH. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE WHO IS NEWLY LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE A STICK SHIFT IS SHIFTING THE CAR. AS AN AUTOMATIC, IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2020
I LITTLE WHILE AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2012, IT BEGAN SHUTTERING UPON ACCELERATION. I'VE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THEY RAN THEIR COMPUTER TEST WHICH CONFIRMS THERE IS A SHUDDER. HOWEVER, "IT IS NOT OCCURRING FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY FIXING IT" ACCORDING TO THE FORD CORPORATE OFFICE, WHO I SPOKE WITH LAST YEAR SOME TIME. IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND I WOULD LIKE THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THEY HAVE KNOWN IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS 2012. OR I WOULD ACCEPT FINANCIAL COMPENSATION TO BE PUT TOWARDS A SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2020
I WAS IN A LANE BEGINNING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR WAS TO MY LEFT AND DID NOT SEE ME IN THEIR BLIND SPOT TRYING TO MERGE RIGHT TOO EARLY. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE NOT ALLOWING ME TO BE ABLE TO SLAM ON MY BREAKS. IF MY HORN WORKED I COULD HAVE ALERTED THE DRIVER THAT A CAR WAS IN THEIR BLIND SPOT. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT I'D RATHER ONE NOT HAPPEN PERIOD. MY HORN HAS BEEN GOING IN AND OUT FOR QUITE A WHILE. I HAVE CHANGED THE FUSE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF TIMES AND GOT THE PLUGS CHECKED. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG. THIS CAR ALMOST HIT ME DUE TO THIS HORN ISSUE. ALSO, I CAN NOT PASS VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO MY HORN NOT WORKING AND THE SECURITY SOUND NOT SOUNDING WHEN IT IS BEING LOCKED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2020
RADIO RANDOMLY SCREECHES AT A VERY HIGH FREQUENCY. SOUNDS LIKE A GUN SHOT AT FIRST THEN EAR PIERCING SCREECHING. EVEN DOES IT WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. SEEMS TO MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURS AND IT DOES NOT DO IT EVERY DAY. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THIS NOISE COMES OUT OF NOWHERE. WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF THE NOISE CONTINUES. EVEN CONTINUES AFTER REMOVING THE KEY AND LOCKING THE DOORS.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 6, 2020, crash
BREAKS FAILED. WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY ROAD THAT IS ALSO DEEMED A HIGHWAY AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. TRIED TO STOP GOING APPROX 15 MPH FELT A CLICK AND THEN NOTHING, BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2019
MY 2012 FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. IT'S STUTTERING AND THE JERKING MOVING FROM A STOP. MY BROTHER WHO IS A MECHANIC SAYS IT'S PROBABLY THE CLUTCH AGAIN. IS IT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL. IT HAS 136500 MILES ON IT. I NEED THE CAR FOR BOTH MY JOBS. I'LL NOT PAYING $2000 FOR A NEW CLUTCH.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 15, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BOTH ON ROAD AND HIGHWAY STALING AND FRONT END MAKING NOISE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2019
THE RADIO ON THE STOCK FOCUS IS DANGEROUS. THE RANDOM STATIC AND LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE RADIO IS A SAFETY HAZARD IT CAN SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION. I GOT ANXIETY SO BAD I HAD TO REMOVE MY STOCK RADIO HARNESS FROM THE BACK OF THE RADIO.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2019
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ON A MAIN ROUTE IN A CITY AND THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR BUCKED THEN STALLED AGAIN, IT WAS RECALLED AND SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT AS FAR AS CAN TELL ITFS NOT
Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE TRAVELING.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2019
2012 FOCUS S A MAJORITY OF THE TIME FROM A STOP VEHICLE STARTS JERKING AND I DON'T OWN A STICK SHIFT. ALSO AS IT'S JERKING THE RPMS GO REALLY HIGH AS IF I NEED TO SHIFT IDK BUT ALSO EVERY TIME I PUT IT IN PARK IT ROLLS ABOUT QUARTER-INCPUT IT IN PARK IT ROLLS ABOUT A HALF AN INCH OR MORE THEN I HEAR A CLICK WELL IT'S MORE LIKE A TIN CAN SOUND I HATE IT I HOPE IT'S NOT MY TRANSMISSION
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 20, 2019
IT SEEMS AS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPROGRAM THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE IT SEEMS TO BE STUCK ON S INSTEAD OF NORMAL DRIVE AND IT HAS PROBLEMS WHEN ACCELERATE AND SHIFT
Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2019
CAR SHUTTERED MID TRAFFIC LIGHT SO I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT JERKED BACK INTO SPEED AND I WAS GOING UNDER A HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ANYMORE AND STARTED JERKING AGAIN SO I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT REVERSE EITHER.