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, Aug 31, 2018
THE TRUNK LID OPENS RANDOMLY. IT OPENS WHENEVER THE CAR IS STARTED OR TURNED OFF(WHILE THE KEYS ARE TAKEN OUT), WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, AND WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST SET INTO MOTION. IT HAS NOT OPENED WHILE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED BUT WORRIED THAT IT COULD HAPPEN.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 31, 2018
ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND SAYS ENGINE IS OVERHEATING WHEN IT IS IN FACT NOT AS WELL AS WHEN IT IS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2018
IM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE 2016 THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT I TOOK IT BACK A CONTROL MODULE WAS PUT ON IT, THAN I TOOK IT BACK THE END 2017 A CLUTCH WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN PUT IN IT. NOW ITS 2018 AND ITS BACK ACTING UP AGAIN.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2018
THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION SEVICE NOW WARNING CAME ON. CAR SHUDDERS AND LURCHS WHEN ON INCLINE, SLOWING AT INTERSECTION, DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING 60 MPH ON EXPRESSWAY. CLUTCH HAD BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES: THE FIRST AT 3,543 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD SHUDDERED,LURCHED FORWARD I OFF/ON FOR FOUR YEARS WHEN STOPPING,SLOWING DOWN AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2018
THE HORN STOPPED WORKING, WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, IN ALL CAPACITIES. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE REMOTE LOCKING FEATURE ON THE KEY. LATER, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN IN CITY TRAFFIC, TRYING TO SIGNAL TO ANOTHER DRIVER THEY WERE MAKING A DANGEROUS TRAFFIC VIOLATION, I DISCOVERED THE HORN ITSELF, AND NOT THE KEY INTERFACE, WAS TO BLAME.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2018
ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING, MY RADIO MADE A VERY LOUD POP SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT NOISE, THEN STOPPED PLAYING MUSIC AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THIS WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY. IN ABOUT THE PAST 2 WEEKS IT HAS HAPPENED MORE AND MORE OFTEN, AND NOW THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THE NOISE COMING FROM THE SPEAKER HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. IT NOW CRACKLES, BOOMS, MAKES HIGH PITCHED NOISES, SOME OF WHICH ARE EXTREMELY LOUD. THESE NOISES NOW HAPPEN ALL THE TIME- WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND IN DRIVE (ANY SPEED), STOPPED, IN PARK, AND EVEN HAPPEN WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY OFF, NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. BEING SOMEONE WHO SCARES EASILY, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT IF IT HAPPENED AT THE RIGHT MOMENT, THESE LOUD NOISES WOULD CAUSE ME TO CRASH. THERE IS NO RECALL AND I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION WHERE FORD EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH A QUICK SEARCH ON GOOGLE SHOWS THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM HAPPENING WITH MANY FOCUSES AND SIMILAR MODELS. I HAVE VIDEO RECORDINGS BUT UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT FIGURE OUT A FORMAT THAT WILL WORK TO UPLOAD THEM HERE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND THEM ANOTHER WAY IF WHO EVER RECEIVES THIS COMPLAINT WOULD LIKE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2018
THE CAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2018
THE CAR HAS A BAD STUTTER FROM COMPLETE STOPS, OR EVEN WHEN SLOWING DOWN IT STUTTERS AND SHAKES. EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS THE RPM STAGGERS FROM 200 TO 800 JUST SITTING STILL. WHEN I'M IN TRAFFIC GOING UNDER 40MPH THE RPM STAGGERS BETWEEN 1-2000 RPM IT'S JUST UNSAFE AND WORRISOME AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY FORD! I'VE READY SERVAL DIFFERENT BLOGS WITH VARIOUS CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE! IT WOULD BE SAD FOR SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEHIND THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE FORD WON'T ADDRESS AND HANDLE THE ISSUE
Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2018
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE DOOR FLEW OPEN ON A BACKROAD. I HAD TO BUNGEE MY DOORS SHUT JUST TO MAKE IT HOME. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR NEXT TIME.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2018
DOOR LATCH ON DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED SECURING THE DOOR - WOULD NOT KEEP DOOR FROM OPENING - WOULD NOT KEEP DOOR IN CLOSED POSITION. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. A TIE-DOWN STRAP IS KEEPING DOOR FROM SWINGING OPEN.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DRIVING MY CAR GOING TO WORK SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENS SO I TIE IT WITH ROPE AND BRING IT TO MECHANIC AFTER WORK AND THEY FOUND THE DOOR LATCH IS NOT WORKING,AFTER 2 MONTHS SAME THING HAPPEN ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHILE DRIVING GOING TO GROCERY THE DOOR OPENS AND IT WONT LOCK ANYMORE SO BOTH MY DOORS ARE TIED WITH ROPE WHILE DRIVING.THANK YOU
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 29, 2018
MY CAR HAS BEEN GOING BACKWARD WHEN IN DRIVE AND THEN JUST WON'T GO. TODAY IT TOTALLY STOPPED MOVING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK GOD I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WALKED TO THE GARAGE DOWN AROUND THE BEND AND THEY PUSHED IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THEIR YARD. BEFORE TOTALLY STOPPING THE CAR WOULD BUCK FORWARD WHILE DRIVING THEN SLOW DOWN AND SPEED UP ON ITS OWN. NOW WON'T START OR RUN. POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION OR GEAR STICK
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2018
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2016, WHICH I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT. HOW DOES IT TAKE 2 YEARS TO GET IN CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO BOUGHT A FORD FROM THE DEALERSHIP?
Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2018
IT STARTED AS THE RADIO BEING ON AND A LOUD CRACKLINGS SOUND WOULD OCCUR THEN THE RADIO WOULD STOP AND NEVER TURN BACK ON. NOW THE RADIO IS ALWAYS ON AND STILL THE SOUND OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY AND SOUNDS LIKE GUNSHOTS GOING OFF. IT'S BEEN SO LOUD IT HAS SCARED ME TO THE POINT WHERE I'VE LOST SOME CONTROL OF THE WHEEL. ALSO THE 911 ASSIST CAN'T BE USED WHEN THE RADIO ISN'T WORKING. THE VEHICLE CAN BE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY OF ON THE ROAD.
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2018
AT 73,000 MILES ERROR CODE IN DASH READ STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION SERVICE NEEDED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER MY CAR. AT 76,000 MILES ERROR CODE READ ENGINE TOO HOT, STOP SAFELY AND WAIT 8 MINUTES. CAR SHUDDERS AND HIGH REVS AT LOW SPEEDS AND VERY LOUD ENGINE NOISE. I HOPE THAT FORD RECALLS THESE ISSUES SOON!!!
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2018
DRIVER DOOR DO NOT CLOSE
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS SHARP EDGES IN THE ALUMINUM TRIM IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, COVERING THE HORN & AIRBAGS. THIS TRIM IS FLAKING & HAS VERY JAGGED EDGES. MY HUSBAND & I HAVE BOTH CUT OUR FINGERS, DRAWING BLOOD ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WHAT A FEELING IT IS TO FLINCH AFTER BEING NICKED WHILE TURNING INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION, HOW DANGEROUS..HURTS LIKE HELL!!
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2018
TRANSMISSION ISSUES INCLUDING SHUTTERING AND DELAYED FORWARD MOTION WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO SOUNDS LIKE IT IDLES TOO LOW WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT VIBRATES LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. ALL HAPPENS WHEN CITY DRIVING. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THESE ISSUES BEGAN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2018
HORN WAS WORKING ON AND OFF FOR FIRST FEW YEARS I HAD THE CAR. NOW, IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2017
TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH THIS CAR HAS STOPPED RUNNING, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE MOST RECENT TIME, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING BACK TO SCHOOL IN LUBBOCK, TX GOING 80 MPH WHEN IT SHUTDOWN. SHE TRIED TO PULL OVER BUT ALMOST WRECKED DUE TO THE FACT SHE HAD NO POWER BRAKES. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS DOCUMENTING THE SAME THING SHE HAD HAPPEN TO HER. WHEN SHE TOOK IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY OF COURSE COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE AND THEY WOULD NOT GIVE HER A LOANER OR RENTAL CAR DURING THE TIME IT TOOK THEM TO LOOK AT IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD NOT HAVING A FIX. AT THIS POINT, IF I WASN'T UPSIDE DOWN ON THE CAR, I WOULD TRADE IT IN ON SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND IT WOULDN'T BE A FORD. I DIGRESS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2017
I WAS VERIFIYING ON INTERNET IF MY CAR HAD AN OPEN RECALL AND IT APPEARS THAT A DOOR LATCH WITH A FRACTURED PAWL SPRING. APPARENTLY A PREVIOUS OWNER HAD AN ISSUE WITH ONE OF THE DOOR NO CLOSING. NEED TO WORK THIS SITUATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, TRYING TO TRANSPORT MY CAR OVER SEAS IN LESS THAN A MONTH AND THEY WONT DO IT IF THE CAR HACE AN OPEN RECALL.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2017
TAKATA INFLATORS: THIS VEHICLE IN THE "DRIVE GEAR" LUNGES WHEN GAS IS PRESSED AND QUICKLY TAKES OFF AT THE SLIGHTEST PRESS OF GAS MAKING FOR A DANGEROUS TAKE OFF FROM STOP LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC SIGNS WHILE ON MAJOR ROADWAYS. THIS VEHICLE WHEN PLACED IN THE "PARK GEAR" JERKS WHEN PLACED IN PARK AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARKING LOTS OR HOME DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO FORD DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT AND/OR REPAIR AS "SHAKING" AND "SHIMMIES" WHILE DRIVING, TO PREVENT THIS FEELING, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS USED OFTEN. ONCE, THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY ROLLED BACKWARDS IN THE THE "DRIVE" GEAR BUT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A DEFECT AND REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALER. WHEN PLACED IN "DRIVE" AT THAT TIME IT WAS SHOWING ON THE DASH AS IN "PARK". THIS TOO WAS CORRECTED BY FORD DEALER BY REPLACING TCM. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE, IT CONTINUES TO OFTEN SHAKE AND SHIMMY APPEARING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES. AS OWNER, I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE LATEST RECALL PART PRIOR TO MY WARRANTY EXPIRING WHICH MAY HAVE FURTHER RESOLVED SOME OF THE LINGERING ISSUES. TCM HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE CLUTCH REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE,OR TCM REPROGRAMMED DURING MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE FORD DEALER.
Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2017
TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING MY SEAT BELTS LOCK SO TIGHT I HAVE TO UNBUCKLE THEM BECAUSE THEY WON'T COME LOSE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2017
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CAR STOP WORKING
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2017
TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS, AND DRIVER DOOR OPENS UP WHILE DRIVING.17 YEAR OLD SON DRIVES THIS CAR WORRIED ABOUT HIS SAFETY. SCREEN SHOT THIS DOCUMENT! !!!