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.
Power train, Sep 13, 2014
IT DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. SLOW AND SLUGGISH TO SHIFT. VERY JERKY. ESPECIALLY AT LOWER GEARS. JERKS FORWARD WHEN NOT EXPECTING IT. HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE. HAD A NEW CLUTCH PUT IN. WAS GOOD FOR A DAY OR TWO. DOING IT AGAIN!!!! THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED & RETURNED TO OWNERS ONLY WHEN THIS IS FIXED. FORD KNOWS THIS EXPERIMENT DID NOT WORK & IT IS TIME TO MAKE IT RIGHT. I WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY & THIS EXPERIENCE HAS LEFT ME VERY UNHAPPY. I WAS SOOO HAPPY TO GET A NEW CAR. NOW I AM LEFT WITH THIS. AS A SINGLE WORKING MOTHER, I WAS APPALLED THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION BEING MANUAL HYBRID UNTIL I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. THIS IS FRAUDULENT SALEMANSHIP FROM FORD. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2014
ON AUGUST 24TH, WHEN DRIVING ON A MAJOR HOUSTON HIGHWAY AT 64MPH, I LOST ALL DRIVE-TRAIN POWER. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DRIVE STATUS INDICATOR IMMEDIATELY STARTED BLINKING, AND I HAD NO RESPONSE FROM MY THROTTLE. I WAS SIMPLY COASTING. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY TAKE AN EXIT RAMP AND PULL INTO A RELATIVELY SAFE LOCATION OFF THE MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAITED SOME TIME WITH THE CAR SHUT OFF, AND AFTER STARTING IT BACK UP, THE CEL CLEARED ITSELF AND CAR WAS FUNCTIONAL AGAIN AFTER LEAVING MY CAR AT TOMBALL FORD FOR A WEEK, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, AND FOUND NO RECORD OF THE CEL IN THE SYSTEM. I WAS FORCED TO PICK THE CAR BACK UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND UPON REPEATED INQUIRIES FROM MY WIFE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS WOULD NOT TELL HER IT WAS SAFE. ON SEPTEMBER 7TH, ONLY A FEW SHORT DAYS AFTER PICKING THE CAR BACK UP, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN DURING BUSY WEEKEND TRAFFIC WITH MY PREGNANT WIFE AND BABY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED (IT WAS A SUNDAY). UPON STARTING THE CAR LATER THAT DAY IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE CEL AGAIN, CLEARED ITSELF. I DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME, THAT ONCE AGAIN, THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THIS CAR HAS NOW SHUT-DOWN TWICE ON ME, WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, ON VERY BUSY HOUSTON HIGHWAYS. I FEEL INCREDIBLY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AND QUESTION MY DEALERSHIP'S ABILITY TO FIX THE ISSUE AFTER THEY WILLINGLY ADMITTED THEY'VE "NEVER SEEN THIS FAILURE BEFORE." I MANAGED TO RECORD THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON VIDEO, WHICH CAN BE SEEN HERE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JHXELGQMK1M. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 11, 2014
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN A LIGHT MESSAGE ON MY DASH CAME ON SAYING "HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" AND THE CAR LOST COMPLETE POWER TO THE WHEELS, MOTOR REVVED BUT I WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE. I TRIED PUTTING IN A SPORT MODE TO SEE IF COULD SHIFT VIA TOGGLE SWITCH, BUT STILL NO GEARS. I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON. I SHUT THE CAR OFF HOPING IT WOULD RESET SOMETHING, BUT ONCE DID THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START, I HAD POWER AND ALL BUT WHEN TURNED KEY TO START NOTHING HAPPENED. IT'S SITTING AT THE DEALER NOW. I CHECK SOME MARK II FOCUS FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND WHEN TAKING TO DEALERSHIP NOTHING IS BEING DONE. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2014
DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION APPARENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO SHIFT LEVEL ACTION [SHIFTING FROM 'DRIVE' TO 'SPORT' MODES]. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, AND WAITING A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED AND THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY. THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS. ON THE THIRD DAY, THE SAME FAILURE. AFTER RESTARTING, I TURNED AROUND AND IT FAILED AGAIN [200 YARDS FROM THE PREVIOUS FAILURE]. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND IS WAITING FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2014
MY CAR SHUDDERS VERY BAD TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND ALMOST COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN TAKES OF LIKE YOU HAVE JERKED IT INTO GEAR ITS MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS UNTIL YOU LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A LONG TIME. ITS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE BUY FORD AND NOW THERE TELLING ME THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DUE FOR ME BECAUSE ITS IN SPEC. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2014
I TURN THE KEY AND THE FOCUS DOESN'T START. AT FIRST THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE KEY - THEY WERE RECEIVING AN ERROR MESSAGE. THE SECOND TIME, THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE PART THAT READ THE KEY AND THEY REPLACED IT. THE THIRD TIME THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SOMETIMES I CAN HOLD THE KEY 2-4 SECONDS AND THE FOCUS WILL START. OTHER TIMES AFTER HOLDING THE KEY A FEW SECONDS, I RELEASE THE KEY AND THE FOCUS STARTS. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2014
FORD FOCUS TITANIUM HATCHBACK (2012) HAS TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH PROBLEMS. FORD SERVICE DEPT. HAS "FIXED" OVER THREE TIMES WITH NO RESULT. LEAK BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALS LEAK. AT ONE POINT THE SERVICE CHANGE WAS PUT ON HOLD DUE TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE RENTAL CAR OR AND EXTRAS TO HELP WITH THE INCONVENIENCE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Sep 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC GLAZE ON THE WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM THE GLASS, WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. ALSO, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND MADE A BUCKING MOTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Power train, Sep 5, 2014
MULTIPLE INSTANCE HAVE OCCURRED STARTING IN 2013 REGARDING SHUDDERING WITH THE CAR ON ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR EVEN JUST TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS CAUSED SOME DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE PERSON BEHIND ME WAS REALLY UPSET ABOUT IT AND STARTED TAILGATING ME. HE WAS SO CLOSE WE COULD HAVE REACHED OUT AND TOUCHED HIS CAR. I COULD NOT GO FASTER, AS HARD AS I TRIED BY PUSHING ON THE GAS. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET UP TO SPEED, THE CAR CONTINUED TO FOLLOW ME WAY TOO CLOSELY FOR SEVERAL MILES BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF THE FREEWAY. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ON MY CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE FOR TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES. THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN ( APRIL 2014), I WAS TOLD THAT THE SHUDDERING IS OCCURRING BUT DOES NOT FALL IN THE PARAMETERS SET OUT BY FORD, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY SAID IF IT GOT WORSE, TO BRING IT BACK. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN, IT HAS BEEN A HASSLE AND VERY STRESSFUL FOR OUR FAMILY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 5, 2014
I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH COMPUTER INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AT LEAST 5 TIMES. ON THE MOST RECENT OCCASION NOTED HERE, THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP 4 OR 5 DAYS PREVIOUS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT BOTH THE ORIGINAL PSCM AND THE REPLACEMENT PSCM WERE PART OF THE SAME BATCH THAT WERE APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY HAVING YET ANOTHER PSCM INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IF FORD IS AWARE OF A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF PSCMS, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE FIRST OUTAGE OF THE ORIGINAL PSCM TOOK ROUGHLY 2 YEARS TO MANIFEST, WHILE THE SECOND PSCM WENT OUT IN LESS THAN A WEEK. I AM NOT SURE IF THAT INDICATES A BROADER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, OR WAS SIMPLY A COINCIDENCE THAT THE SECOND PSCM WENT OUT THAT SOON AFTER REPLACEMENT. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON ONE OF OUR FIRST TRIPS (400 MILES) IN THE WINTER OF 2012 IN SOUTH DAKOTA INTERSTATE 90. THERE WAS SNOW AND ICE PATCHES ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WAS EASY TO SLIGHTLY TURN ONE DIRECTION, BUT HARDER TO SLIGHTLY TURN THE OTHER DIRECTION. TRUCKS AND OR WIND ALWAYS MAKES A CAR MOVE AND A PERSON'S STEERING MAKES A CORRECTION FOR THIS. THIS CAR'S STEERING WAS EASY ONE WAY AND NOT AS EASY THE OTHER WAY. VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THIS WAY. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING VEHICLES FOR 60 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE BEFORE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND HE SAID THAT FORD DID HAVE SOME RECALLS ON THIS STEERING BEHAVIOR , BUT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. HE DID DRIVE IT AND SAID IT WASN'T PERFECT, BUT OKAY AS IT WAS ELECTRONICALLY MADE THIS WAY. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY SENT ME BACK A LETTER TELLING ME TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER. I GUESS THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND MY LETTER AS I HAD ALREADY TALKED TO THE DEALER AND HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT WE CAN TRADE IT OFF BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT SOME DAY. PROBABLY NOT ANOTHER FORD! I ALSO QUESTION WHY THIS STEERING BEHAVIOR WASN'T BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NHTSA? THERE WERE RECALLS BEFORE ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR PATIENCE, I WAS DRIVING. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2014
SHUTTERS/ GRINDING NOISE/ TUGS AND JOLTS AT LOW SPEEDS AND UP HILLS. WHEN IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC MESSAGE ON DASH, OVERHEATING TRANSMISSION PULL OVER WAIT 8 MINUTES. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2014
FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL WHILE SLOWING DOWN. AFTER TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP IT SHIFTS HARD OR SHAKES AND SOMETIMES MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. *TR
Power train, Sep 4, 2014
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED STATING THE "HILL ASSIST" IS NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I GAVE IT GAS THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE ENGINE RPM RAN UP. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE, REVERSE OR STANDARD. I TURNED THE CAR ENGINE OFF THINKING IT MIGHT RESET ITSELF. INSTEAD, WHEN I TURNED THE KEY NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WOULD ALSO NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC IN THE ONLY LANE OPEN TO ALLOW CARS TO PROCEED STRAIGHT. THE RIGHT LANE WAS CLOSED DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND I WAS BLOCKING THAT ROAD CREW. SEVERAL TIMES I NEARED RECEIVING A REAR END COLLISION. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP TELLS ME THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONS AND NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1300.00. I FIND THAT CURIOUS AS THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND THERE WAS RECALL ISSUES ON THAT MODULE FOR OTHER 2012 FOCUS. THAT RECALL SIMPLY INVOLVED FORD RE-PROGRAMMING THE MODULE. *TR
Steering, Sep 2, 2014
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY A TOW DRIVER WAS BY ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO STEER TRAFFIC AWAY FROM ME AND HE HELPED ME MOVE MY CAR TO SAFETY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 2, 2014
HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHAKING, SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY, AND BEING UNABLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 40-35 MPH. I WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AND IT WOULD OPERATE AS THOUGH IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN KICK IN AND REV UP TO 6-7000 RPM AND STILL NOT ACCELERATE. THEN IT WOULD FINALLY FEEL AS THOUGH IT HAD DOWNSHIFTED BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 40 MPH. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY APPLIED THE LATEST COMPUTER UPDATES AND CHECKED FLUIDS. THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE HAD A SHIFTING FORK CODE (DCT), AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED- YET THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE AFTER THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. IF THERE WAS A SHIFTING FORK ISSUE, THEN IT WOULDN'T MAGICALLY DISAPPEAR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER A COMPUTER UPDATE AND COME RIGHT BACK. THE VEHICLE OPERATED FINE FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH NO ISSUES. THEN I FELT THE TRANSMISSION 'HITCH', AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. I WAS LITERALLY 2 BLOCKS FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO EARLIER THAT DAY, SO I TOOK IT BACK IN. THEY SAID THE SAME CODES APPEARED, BUT THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT THE COMPUTER UPDATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE AGAIN SEEMED TO WORK FINE. THEN I WAS DRIVING ON A BACKROAD HIGHWAY DUE TO MY FEAR OF THE VEHICLE ACTING UP WHILE ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY AND HAVING MY SMALL CHILDREN WITH ME. THE CAR AGAIN ACTED UP AND WENT FROM 65 TO 35 RAPIDLY AND REFUSING TO ACCELERATE AND ACTING AS THOUGH IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD OCCASIONALLY CATCH, BUT WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 35 MPH IN A 65 MPH AREA. THIS COULD CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT, AND I CANT HELP BUT WONDER IF THERE AREN'T ANY FATAL ACCIDENTS THAT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS. I SEE THAT MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME EXACT ISSUE I HAVE. *TR
Engine, Sep 1, 2014
ENGINE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. THE ENGINE THEN SHUTOFF, LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I COASTED TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. FIRST INCIDENT WAS EIGHT DAYS PRIOR. DEALER STATED IT WAS FIXED, BUT EVIDENTLY NOT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 31, 2014
THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 1-95 IN NEW JERSEY AT RUSH HOUR . I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, RESUMED DRIVING AND THE CAR REPEATED THIS OVER THE NEXT DAY. AFTER A SERVICE BY A FORD DEALER, THE CAR RAN SMOOTHLY FOR 10 MILES THEN THE PROBLEM RE OCCURRED AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT BACK ON. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. DEFINITELY WAS NOT FIXED. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE CONSTANT SPUTTERING AND CHUGGING WHEN I ACCELERATE. BUT COMING TO A DEAD STOP ON I95 IN NEW JERSEY TRAFFIC WAS TERRIFYING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 29, 2014
I WAS TRAVELING FROM THE ROUTE 128 HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP ONTO THE INTERSTATE 95 GOING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH, AS I ROUNDED THE TOP OF THE RAMP I WENT TO ACCELERATE ONTO I-95 WHEN I FOUND I WAS SLOWING IN SPEED/DECELERATING AND FOUND THAT I HAD NO PICK UP WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS ACTUALLY COASTING ,THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE ON BUT I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. AS I COASTED TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON. I SAT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-7 MINUTES, THE CAR DID RE-START. DUE TO WHAT APPEARED TO BE A DANGEROUS SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY I ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE DRIVING TOWARDS AN EXIT. APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY ( I TRAVELED AT 50 MPH IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE) THE CAR AGAIN, STOPPED ACCELERATING WAS DECELERATING, I WAS PUMPING THE GAS PETAL WITHOUT SUCCESS AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO RODMAN FORD IN FOXBORO MA. THE SERVICE ADVISOR IS TELLING ME THE DIAGNOSTIC SHOWS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. HE ALSO REPORTS EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON TWICE THEIR IS NO INDICATION OF THE COMPUTER REGISTERING ANY TYPE OF FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014
CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND BOG DOWN AS I MOVED FORWARD. THEN SLIPPED GOING INTO 2ND. WHEN GIVEN A GOOD AMOUNT OF GAS THE CAR HESITATED AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014
MY WIFE PURCHASED OUR FOCUS AUGUST 2012. SHORTLY THERE AFTER WE NOTICED THE CAR SHAKING AND SHUTTERING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES EACH TIME IT WAS PUT ON A COMPUTER AND GIVEN BACK TO US. THE SECOND TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT'S HOW FORD MADE THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT COULD BE DONE.(WOODY SANDERS FORD). THE CAR ONLY HAS 9000 MILES ON IT AND STILL DRIVES LIKE CRAP. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014
ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, EVEN AFTER 3 "FIXES" AT A FORD SERVICE CENTER. TRANSMISSION HESITATES, JERKS, AND SHUDDERS IN GEARS 1 THROUGH 3 PRIMARILY, SOMETIMES HARD ENOUGH TO SPILL A DRINK. SLOW SPEEDS AND STOP AND GO SPEEDS RESULT IN HORRIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS AS THE JERKS/SHUDDERS GET WORSE. IT FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FOR EXAMPLE, I'LL BE PREPARING FOR A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC (WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO TAKE THIS TURN), AND THE HESITATION WILL BE SO BAD THAT IT'S UNCLEAR IF I'LL MAKE THE LEFT OR GET HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC FIRST. TRANSMISSION HAS NOW MOVED ON TO A GRINDING SOUND, JERKING MOTION, SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING'S GETTING STUCK. EACH TIME I'VE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE SHOP, IT RUNS WELL FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THEN STARTS THE SHAKING AND HESITATING AGAIN. SLOWLY THE RESULTS COME BACK, AT FIRST SUBTLE SO YOU DON'T THINK TO RUSH TO THE SHOP TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AGAIN (IT COSTS MONEY EACH TIME YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT), AND COME A COUPLE MONTHS THE CAR IS BACK TO HEAVY JERKING AND GRINDING. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE, IT'S UNCLEAR IF I'LL MAKE IT PROPERLY ACROSS TRAFFIC AT TIMES, OR BE ABLE TO MAKE TO DESTINATIONS ON LOG CAR RIDES. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2014, crash
VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD WHILE AT A STOP, I DID NOT REALIZE I WAS ROLLING AND BUMPED THE CAR BEHIND ME WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. GRADE AT STOP LIGHT IS 99% LEVEL GROUND. HAS CONSISTENTLY ATTEMPTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AT ALL STOPS THEREAFTER, DEALER HAS SERVICED ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESULT. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2014
OUR 2012 FORD FOCUS SHUT OFF AT 70 MPH, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY LOSING PWR STR, PWR BRK, & ILLUMINATING ALL INST PANEL ICONS AS IN (KEY ON-ENG OFF). THEN WHILE COASTING TO COMPLETE STOP, CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL OPS & WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY, NEVER TOUCHING THE IGN KEY SWITCH. FORD DEALER CLEARED MULTIPLE CODES, WHICH THEY WOULD NOT REVEAL. THEY DID TELL ME THERE WAS A PCM COMMUNICATION FAILURE IN HISTORY, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR IT. THEY ALSO PERFORMED MULTIPOINT INSPECTION, WITH NO ISSUES FOUND. 1 MONTH PRIOR TO INCIDENT THE AUTOMATIC CLUTCH-OIL SEAL RECALL WAS PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. (CLUTCH & INNER INPUT SHAFT SEAL WAS REPLACED). CAR HAS BEEN OK SINCE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Aug 28, 2014, crash
I TURNED ONTO A TWO LANE STREET (ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION). THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED DUE A RED LIGHT. AN SUV PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT BETWEEN TWO OF THE CARS WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN AND TRIED TO CUT ACROSS MY LANE ALSO, BUT HIT MY CAR INSTEAD. I DRIVE A FORD FOCUS, A SMALL CAR. I WAS HIT ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT FENDER AND DOOR. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND MIRROR WERE TORN COMPLETELY OFF OF THE CAR. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DAMAGED, AND SOMETHING WAS BENT, SO THAT THE TIRE COULD NO LONGER BE SET IN A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE HOOD WAS BENT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS HANGING FROM THE CAR. THE INTERIOR PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOOT WELL CAVED INWARD AND HIT MY LEGS. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS HIT SO HARD THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, AND I HAD TO UNTANGLE MY FEET, AND EXIT THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY TINY CAR WAS HIT BY AN SUV THAT HAD "PUNCHED" THE GAS TO TRY AND CROSS IN FRONT OF ME- BUT HIT MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR INSTEAD. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR, BUT MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I'VE HEARD OF AIRBAGS GOING OFF WHEN SOMEONE BARELY HIT SOMETHING WITH THEIR BUMPER, YET I GOT HIT DIRECTLY IN MY DOOR, AT A DECENT RATE OF SPEED BY AN AUTOMOBILE TWICE THE SIZE OF MINE, AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NOT MY FRONT AIRBAG, NOR MY SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS IS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT. *TR