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
3,801 reports, newest first.
Steering, Oct 6, 2014
POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER-STEERING IN VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR OUT BY SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AND TURNING CAR BACK ON, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE IS A SENSOR FAILURE AND ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACED, COST APPROXIMATELY $2,000. MAY BE TWO WEEKS TO REPAIR, NO WORD ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE IN. *TR
Steering, Oct 6, 2014
STEERING LOOSES POWER (NO POWER STEERING). AFTER A RESTART OR TWO POWER STEERING COMES BACK ONLY TO GO OUT AGAIN AFTER A LITTLE WHILE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SLOWLY ON OCCASION. OTHER TIMES, THE RPMS WOULD RACE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER TO INSTALL THE NEW PART AND HAD TO RE-INSTALL THE OLD PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A FOURTH TIME TO HAVE THE NEW PART INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SENSORS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED FOR THE BRAKE ASSIST AND PARKING AIDE. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED INTERMITTENTLY MORE THAN ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CLOCK INTERMITTENTLY SHORTED OUT AND THE TIME DISPLAY WAS INCORRECT. THE DEALER PROVIDED AN INTERIM REMEDY AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT TURN OFF THE GPS. THE INTERIM FIX REMEDIED THE FAILURE AS LONG AS THE CONTACT USED THE FEATURE TO DISABLE THE GPS AUTO CLOCK MANUALLY EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Power train, Engine, Oct 6, 2014
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS I NOTICED SIGNIFICANT SHUTTERING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP INTO LOW GEARS. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, PER WARRANTY EXTENSION PROVIDED BY FORD (FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER 14M01). SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THAT COMPLETED SERVICE, THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON -- AND WAS ON AND OFF OVER A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK. THE CAR ALSO PERIODICALLY JERKED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE ACCELERATING IN LOW GEARS, AND THE SAME UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY WHEN IN REVERSE. I MADE A FOLLOW UP SERVICE APPOINTMENT DURING THIS TIME. THEN TWO DAYS BEFORE THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT, AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR SHUTTERED VIOLENTLY WITH A GREAT DEAL OF NOISE. AFTER CALLING A TOW TRUCK AND RESTING THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE STARTED -- COMMENTING THAT FIRST AND REVERSE GEARS FELT UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE. CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SECOND ROUND OF SERVICE. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ARE YET TO BE DETERMINED. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO SHUT PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2014
WHEN YOU TAKE OFF THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS DURING ACCELERATION. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO PLANO FIVE STAR FORD TWICE NOW AND THEY STILL SAY THEY CANNOT GET IT TO ACT UP. MY HUSBAND DRIVES 150 MILES A DAY IN THIS CAR AND ON SEPTEMBER 26TH WE DID NOT THINK WE WOULD MAKE IT HOME IN IT. HE TOOK IN TO PLANO FIVE STAR FORD ON MONDAY THE 29TH AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE DRIVEN IT 90 MILES THIS WEEK AND CANNOT GET IT TO ACT UP AND TOLD US TO COME AND GET THE CAR. WE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED AUGUST 2014 FROM FORD STATING THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. WE ALREADY HAVE 86,000 PLUS MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER. PLEASE HELP US... [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Oct 3, 2014
SON WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST FAILED, MAKING CAR VERY HARD TO CONTROL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 2, 2014
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLAMMING INTO EVERY GEAR. I WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR REVVING AT APPROXIMATELY 3500 RPM GOING 30 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. THE DAY AFTER I TOOK INTO SPIKES FORD WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS THEN FIXED ON 08-11-14. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DROVE HOME. 2 HOURS LATER AS I'M ENTERING A HIGHWAY TO GO TO WAL-MART, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, RPM'S FLEW WAY ABOVE 6000 AND CAR SPED UP FOR A SECOND THEN SLOWLY DECLINED DOWN TO 30 ON THE HIGHWAY!! THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FELT THE PROBLEM SO THEY TOOK THE CAR YET AGAIN. NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY FIXED IT. ANOTHER 3 HOURS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY REFLASHED IT FOR THE 3RD TIME IN A 4 DAY PERIOD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO BOGGUS FORD. I TOOK IT TO BOGGUS FORD AND WITHIN 3 DAYS THE CAR WAS OUT FROM THE SHOP. ALL WAS WELL UNTIL LATER ON IN THE NIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT ONCE LAST TIME FURIOUS ALREADY WITH THE CAR AND ONCE AGAIN SAID IT WAS FIXED. I DROVE TO SCHOOL AND AS I WAS FINDING A PARKING SPOT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RIGHT AFTER, A MESSAGE SAID, "TRANSMISSION HOT" PULL OVER SAFELY. ANOTHER MESSAGE CAME ON AND SAID, "WAIT 7 MINUTES". EMBARRASSED THAT MY BRAND NEW FOCUS WAS DOING THIS I LET IT COOL OFF. A SALESMAN WE WORKED WITH, WAS KIND ENOUGH TO PICK UP MY CAR AND I FROM SCHOOL. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE WE THEN TALKED TO A SERVICE MANAGER. THE SERVICE MANAGER, LAUGHED ABOUT OUR SITUATION AND SAID AS LONG AS WE DRIVE SLOWLY THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO HEAT UP AND SAID THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS. I TOLD HIM, I ALMOST RAN OVER OTHER STUDENTS, AND HE JUST CONTINUED TO SAY AS LONG AS YOU DRIVE SLOWLY, IT WILL KEEP DOING THAT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF NOW, BUT TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFTS HARD. *TR
Power train, Oct 2, 2014
TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. REBUILT 3 TIMES. SOFTWARE RESET 5 TIMES. TRANSMISSION COMPUTER REPLACED 1X. STILL SHUDDERS, DRIFTS BACK WHEN ON A HILL, JERKS INTO GEAR SUDDENLY. SERVICE STATION ADVISED ME WHEN THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER (NOT UNDER WARRANTY) THAT THE SHUDDER AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS WERE NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS BEGAN WHEN I PURCHASE THE CAR IN SPRING OF 2012 AND IS STILL AN ISSUE NOW AT ABOUT 82,0000 MILES. MOST OF THE WORK WAS DONE WHILE UNDER THE NORMAL WARRANTY. THE LAST SERVICE, WHEN THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER WAS DONE IN SEPTEMBER 2014. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT OPERATING NORMALLY AND SEEMS DANGEROUS AT TIMES WHEN IT JERKS INTO GEAR OR ROLLS BACK WHEN AT A STOP. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 30, 2014
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING LONG DELAY/HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING AND SLOW/DELAYED ACCELERATION. NOTICEABLE SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AND OCCASIONAL HARD, PRONOUNCED SHIFT CHANGES CAUSING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS TO LUNGE. THIS CREATES VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS MAINLY BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DASH STATING 'TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION SERVICE NOW' THIS EVENT OCCURRED THE FIRST WEEK OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP (I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW JANUARY 2012). AT THAT TIME THE DEALER RECALIBRATED THE TRANSMISSION AND IT'S BEEN PERFORMING SATISFACTORILY UNTIL RECENTLY. THIS EVENT HAS NOW OCCURRED ON FOUR OTHER OCCASIONS WITH THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRING ON 9/30/2014. THE 9/30/2014 EVENT WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS AND SEVERE SO THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 29, 2014
ON SEPT 8 2014 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND ONCE I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN AND THE BATTERY AND OIL LIGHT WAS ON THE NEXT THING I KNEW MY CAR SHUT OFF I RESTARTED IT AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ( SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY ) TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND THEY WERE ORDERING THE PART BUT THAT WAS A LIE NOT ONLY DID THEY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE THE CAR RUNS OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS GAS IN THE CAR IT SHUTS OFF AT SLOW SPEEDS AND THE DEALERSHIP BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT A 2 1/2 YEAR CAR IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND TOLD ME ITS GOING TO BE 2000.00 TO FIX IT!! BUT ON THE BRIGHT SIDE IF FORD RECALLS THE PART THEN I COULD GET REIMBURSED REALLY!! *TR
Power train, Sep 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DIFFERENT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A PART KNOWN AS THE "FORK" FELL WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 12/17/14*LJ
Power train, Engine, Sep 27, 2014
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS HORRIBLE WITH EXCESSIVE SHUDDERING AND LURCHING. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2014
THE REFLECTIVE CAP THAT SAYS "FORD" INSIDE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FELL DOWN, DISALLOWING THE HEADLAMP BEAM TO BE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS.
Visibility, Sep 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR CABLE AND MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,761.
Power train, Sep 25, 2014
I PURCHASED A USED 2012 FOCUS RECENTLY AND A FEW DAYS LATER ON 9/22/14 I WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH WHEN THE RPMS JUST SHOT UP. I LET OFF THE GAS AND PRESSED DOWN ON IT AGAIN AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT AGAIN THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND TRIED TO CHANGE THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL, THEN REVERSE, THEN BACK TO DRIVE AND EACH GEAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF I TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE MESSAGE "HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" CAME ON. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED UP AND DROVE FINE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND I HAD TO CROSS THREE LANES OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE THE CAR STARTED BACK UP AND DROVE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON THIS TIME AND STAYED ON. I MANAGED TO GET TO SCHOOL ALTHOUGH A LITTLE LATE. ON MY WAY HOME THE ISSUE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS JERKING FORWARD AND LOOSING THE GEAR AND THEN JERKING FORWARD AGAIN. THE ISSUE OCCURRED A FEW MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT START UP ON MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS LIKE IT HAD PREVIOUSLY. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY THINKING THAT WOULD HELP RESET WHATEVER WAS STUCK BUT WHEN THE BATTERY WAS CONNECTED BACK UP THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. AFTER LOOKING OVER FUSES AND DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES THE CAR FINALLY STARTED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE LAST FEW MILES TO MY HOME. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE CAR HAS ALSO BEEN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS SINCE THE FIRST DAY. *TR
Steering, Sep 25, 2014
POWER STEERING SPORADICALLY COMES IN AND OUT---USUALLY WHEN THE CAR IS JUST STARTED AND WE ATTEMPT TO BACK OUT---THE STEERING HAS NO POWER. *TR IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED----THIS COULD BE BAD.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 22, 2014
CAR STUTTERS AND DOES NOT SHIFT. SEVERE SHAKING AND LOSS OF CRUISE SPEED IS EFFECTED. THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND SEEMS TO LOSE SPEED WHILE DRIVING. I AM SCARED TO LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE THIS CAR AND ONLY HAVE OWNING IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ONCE AND GOING BACK AGAIN. THERE IS NO APPARENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED AND THIS DID NOTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Power train, Engine, Sep 21, 2014
AT A STOP LIGHT CAR IN DRIVE BRAKES LOCK, SHIFT GEAR LOCKS. MESSAGE APPEARS TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK. CAR TAKES AT LEAST 5 TO 10 MINUTES TO TURN BACK OVER TO START UP. CAR STALLS TO GO INTO DIFFERENT SPEEDS, ACCELERATES WHEN TURNING A CORNER. *TR
Engine, Sep 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 19, 2014
DRIVING ON FREEWAY, FRIDAY LIGHT TRAFFIC. ACCELERATING AND CANNOT GO PAST 1000RPM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. LUCKY NO ONE REAR-ENDED ME ON THE FWY. (PREVIOUS TO THIS INCIDENT, CAR ROUTINELY (MANY TIMES A DAY) SHUDDERS UPON ACCELERATION (CAR SHAKES) AND SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS). TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID THEY HAD TO RESET THE COMPUTER, KEPT CAR OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND SUPPOSEDLY ALL FIXED. PICKED CAR UP 9/3/14 AND SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT NIGHT ON WAY HOME FROM WORK. COULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 1000RPM. PULLED OVER, CALLED AAA AND TOWED TO DEALER. AFTER 2 DAYS, DEALER SAID THE MODULAR/COMPONENT IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER KEPT CAR FOR ANOTHER 5 DAYS TO DRIVE AROUND AND SEE IF THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PICKED UP THE CAR 9/11/14. CAR STILL HAS TROUBLE 'SHIFTING' FROM 1000 TO 2000 RPM AND STILL SHUDDERS BUT HAS NOT TOTALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING, I AM IN FEAR EVERYDAY SINCE I DRIVE OVER 100 MILES PER DAY TO/FROM WORK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Sep 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WENT BACK INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR AND SERVICE UPDATES WERE PERFORMED FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. ..UPDATED 10/15/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 4/1/2015 *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 17, 2014
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, SAYING CHECK TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING THE CAR SHAKES OR VIBRATE WHEN THE PEED CHANGE. *TR
Power train, Sep 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND JERKED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REVVED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 16, 2014
AT RANDOM TIMES THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF LEAVING A COASTING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, OR LEAVE YOU STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. IF YOU LEAVE IT SIT FOR 30MIN-1HOUR IT MAY RESTART. IF YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR IT WAS NOT RESPOND. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES THE VEHICLE WILL RECOVER FROM A ROUGH IDLE AND TRY TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK. PROBLEM: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. *TR