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, Jul 2, 2014
CAR IS A DEATH TRAP! GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND IT JUST LOSES ALL POWER AND DIES! THAT WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REBUILT THE CLUTCH. THIS DID NOT FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT ALL. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED A WEEK LATER WHEN I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, AND WE WERE MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND JUST DIED. HOW WE DID NOT ALL END UP SMASHED TO BITS IS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD HIMSELF. IT IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW WITH THEM SAYING IT'S THE TCM MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION. I CAME ONLINE TO INVESTIGATE ONLY TO FIND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR AND IT'S TOTAL PIECE OF CRAP TRANSMISSION. I NOW HAVE ZERO FAITH THAT THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE, AND I CAN NO LONGER TRUST THIS CAR AT ALL. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN TO. I AM FILING COMPLAINTS WITHIN EVERY AVENUE I CAN FIND. *TR
Power train, Jul 2, 2014
I STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY FOCUS AFTER WHAT WOULD NORMALLY BE CONSIDERED THE END OF THE BREAK IN PERIOD, WHICH WAS AROUND 8,000 MILES. THE CAR WOULD STALL, SHUDDER, AND SHAKE DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, AT LOW SPEED DRIVING, AND GOT NOTABLY WORSE THE LONGER I DROVE ESPECIALLY ON HOT/HUMID DAYS. I FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AS OUTLINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND EACH TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE I DISCUSSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION WITH SERVICE PERSONNEL AND RECEIVED THE "CORPORATE" ANSWER EACH TIME "YOUR TRANSMISSION IS OPERATING WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS", THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO AT THIS TIME. ON 27 JUNE 2014 AS I WAS APPROACHING THE MAIN GATE OF THE BASE I WORK ON, MY CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT AND DISPLAYED THE ALERT "PARKING ASSIST MALFUNCTION MAINTENANCE REQUIRED". THE HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WOULD NOT SHIFT TO PARK, AND THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO FUNCTION. I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH 5 MIN EARLIER, BECAUSE I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND EITHER KILLED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. THE FOLLOWING PARTS WERE REPLACED IN ORDER TO RETURN MY CAR TO FULL OPERATION: - PCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND LEAKING SEALS - REPROGRAMMED TRANSMISSION IAW LATEST TECH BULLETIN THIS IS A COMMON THEME AMONG ALL FOCUS OWNERS AT THE MOMENT WHO'VE PURCHASED VEHICLES SINCE 2012. IT'S OBVIOUS TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE FOCUS TRANSMISSIONS HAVE DESIGN FLAWS AND FORD NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS OF THESE VEHICLES. FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC I URGE YOU TO MANDATE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS IN ALL AFFECTED FORD MODELS BEFORE FORD MAKES THE SAME MISTAKES GM HAS AND PEOPLE ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME. *TR
Power train, Jul 1, 2014
SHUDDER VIBRATION AND ACCELERATION LAG IS PRESENT WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2012 FORD FOCUS. SHUDDERS ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY WHILE ACCELERATING OR REVERSING FROM A FULL STOP, AND ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. FEELS AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING DURING SHIFT, ALMOST FEELS AS IF A STALL IS IMMINENT ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING UP STEEP HILLS. *TR
Power train, Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Jun 30, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING A NEARLY BRAND NEW 2012 FORD FOCUS AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING AT LEAST EQUIVALENT IF NOT HIGHER SPEED. I SAW THE OTHER CAR ATTEMPTING PULLING IN FRONT OF ME AFTER FAILING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY BRAKING, BUT THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP IN TIME. I T-BONED THE OTHER CAR AND MY CAR WAS DRAGGED BY THE OTHER CAR AND RESTED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, MY CAR WAS TOTALED. ON THE POLICE REPORT, THE POLICE INDICATED THE CRASH WAS MODERATE. THE WATER PUMP, BUMPER AND OTHER STUFF CAME OFF THE CAR, BUT THE AIRBAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED. I SUSTAINED HEAD AND CERVICAL SPINAL INJURIES. *TR
Power train, Jun 30, 2014
JERKING AND SHUDDERING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, DUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, AND THE ISSUE STARTED AGAIN 3 WEEKS OUT OF SERVICE. *TR
Power train, Jun 30, 2014
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED ON JUNE 25, 2014. ON JUNE 28, 2014 WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CAR SEEMED TO SLIP OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR. I NEARLY HAD A VERY BAD WRECK TRYING TO GET THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL. ONCE I WAS STOPPED I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP, IT STARTED UP JUST FINE AND DROVE JUST FINE FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF HOURS. THEN IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN, THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE CAR NO LONGER WANTS TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. I TOOK IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT FIX IT FOR ME WITHOUT ANY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT ACTUALLY ISSUED A RECALL. THESE CARS ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE! *TR
Steering, Jun 29, 2014
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS SHARP METAL EDGES PROTRUDING FROM THE TOP OF THE WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I SLICED MY FINGER ON THE EDGE. NOT A MAJOR INCIDENT... BUT UPON REVIEWING THE INTERNET THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THE METAL EDGES CAN SLICE THE AIRBAG UPON DEPLOYMENT. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS TRUE BUT FOR THE SAKE OF MY SLICED FINGER AND MY AIR BAG I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE! MY HOPE IS THAT FORD WILL REPAIR OR REPLACE THE METAL ON THE WHEEL SO IT IS NO LONGER A DANGER WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Power train, Jun 29, 2014
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL. ONE WEEK AFTER GETTING IT, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION "SHUTTERING" BEFORE SHIFTING. TOOK IT IN AND HAD IT FIXED. SEVERAL OTHER THINGS MESSED UP ON THIS CAR SUCH AS THE MY TOUCH SYSTEM, "AUTO" UP/DOWN, AS WELL AS OTHER MINOR THINGS. AFTER WEEKLY GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER, I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS "SHUTTERING" AGAIN WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ALSO WHEN BACKING UP, THE CAR JERKS. TOOK THE CAR BACK IN AGAIN. TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THREE DAYS LATER, THERE IS ANOTHER MINOR DEFECT IN THE CAR. ITS LIKE THE CAR IS FALLING TO PIECES RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES. TRANSMISSION IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE AND THE HESITATION (SHUTTERING) OF GOING INTO PASSING GEAR COULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY DISASTER. THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER'S BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Jun 27, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION IS OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT 4 TIMES TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS, BOTH DID REPAIRS THE FIRST TIME IN, WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK WITH SAME ISSUES BOTH DEALERSHIPS SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE CAR SHUDDERS, STALLS, THE BRAKES GRIND AND SOMETIMES HAVE TO BE SHOVED TO THE FLOOR TO WORK EVEN GOING AT A SLOW SPEED. THE CAR STALLS UP HILL AT TIMES AND GRINDS AS YOU ACCELERATES. I KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH AN ISSUE WITH A 2012 FOCUS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, SOMEONE NEEDS TO GO ABOVE THE DEALERSHIPS HEAD AND FORCE THEM TO FIX THE ISSUE. MY CAR IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY STILL ONLY HAS 22K MILEAGE BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING AFTER ONE TIME, THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. *TR
Power train, Jun 26, 2014
CAR JERKS/HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION; SHIFTING IS JERKY; WHEN YOU GO TO ACCELERATE THE CAR DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR; FRONT LEFT VIBRATES/RATTLES UPON ACCELERATION; CAR WILL BOG DOWN WHEN YOU GO TO ACCELERATE. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I GO TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WILL NOT GO. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN I CROSSED AN INTERSECTION AND THEN WENT TO ACCELERATE, BUT MY CAR DID NOT GO INTO GEAR. WHEN I AM ON THE INTERSTATE AND IN TRAFFIC, IF I NEED TO GET AROUND A CAR QUICKLY I CANNOT DUE TO THE HESITATION IN THE SHIFTING. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE FILED A CASE WITH FORD AND AM TOLD THIS IS HOW THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE. *TR
Seat belts, Jun 26, 2014
REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAS BEEN EXTENDED WHILE PLACING ON CHILD AND WILL NOT GO BACK IN. *TR
Power train, Jun 26, 2014
THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC WITH A STANDARD TRANSMISSION. STARTED MAKING "CLUNKING" NOISES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEAL AND THEY PUT A "PACKAGE" ON IT ISSUED BY FORD. SAID THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION BUT THE NOISE WOULD CLEAR UP. TOOK IT BACK A MONTH LATER STILL MAKING NOISE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. TO THIS DAY IS STILL MAKING THE NOISE AND RECENTLY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. SCHEDULED AN APPT FOR NEXT MONTH FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. NOW I AM NOTICING THAT SOMETIMES IT WILL SOUND LIKE IT IS IN ONE GEAR BUT THE TACHOMETER IS RACING UPWARDS. MY DAUGHTER HAS SAME CAR JUST A 2013 AND HAS BEEN HAVING SAME ISSUES WITH IT AND HAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH SAME ANSWERS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE OWNED THESE CARS AND THEY TRADED BECAUSE OF SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Jun 25, 2014
ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION SLUGGISHNESS, SLOW ACCELERATION DUE TO GEAR SLIPPING, AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION. NOT ALWAYS, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. I CHALKED IT UP TO THE NATURE OF THE DTC AS THE DEALER INSISTED THAT IS HOW THE TRANS WORKS. AFTER SEVERAL MORE MONTHS I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR TRANS PROBLEMS. HAD TRANS REPROGRAMMED. AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS, ALL PROBLEMS RETURNED ALONG WITH A GRINDING SOUND WHEN IN LOWER GEARS. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REGULAR 7500 MILE CHECK AND SPOKE AT LENGTH WITH TECHNICIAN. HE HAS SAME CAR AND STATED THAT MY CLUTCH PLATES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER HARDWARE. UNFORTUNATELY, TRANS TECH WAS BOOKED FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND A HALF. MADE APPT AT OTHER DEALER AND AFTER THEY CHECKED THE CAR, STATED THAT ALL I NEEDED WAS TO HAVE THE TRANS REPROGRAMMED, GOING SO FAR AS TO TELL ME THAT THE NEW PROGRAMMING WOULD "LEARN" MY DRIVING STYLE AND ADJUST AFTER A TWO WEEK PERIOD. CAR SEEMED OK FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND THEN ALL PROBLEMS RETURNED AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR ESP SERVICE THIS EVENING AND ASKED FOR THE TRANS TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN. TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE BOOKED FOR OVER 2 WEEKS FOR TRANS WORK, AND 80% OF THAT WORK IS ON THE FOCUS AND FIESTA MODELS. TECH ALSO SHARED THAT AS OF 3/1/14, FORD INSTRUCTED ALL DEALERS TO STOP REPLACING THE CLUTCH PLATES AND SIMPLY REPROGRAM THE TRANS. TECH STATED THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING THE CLUTCH PLATES; ANYWHERE FROM $1800 - $2100. HE ALSO STATED THAT INTERNALLY, FORD CORPORATE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS TRANS IS A FAILURE. IN ORDER TO GET NEW CLUTCH PLATES, TECH STATED THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE TRANS REPROGRAMMED AND THEN DRIVE FOR 2 WEEKS. THEN RETURN TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. TECH STATED THAT FORD WILL ONLY REPLACE CLUTCH PLATE IF SLIPPING OCCURS AT OVER 2100 RPM. FEARFUL FOR SAFETY AS TRANS PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME! *TR
Power train, Jun 24, 2014
TRANSMISSION SLIPS / LOSS OF POWER. SOMETIMES FROM A DEAD STOP AND OTHER TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS FLOORED AND NEEDED FOR PASSING AT SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ITS NOT GOING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE 3RD TIME ON 6/30/2014 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION LOOKS AT AGAIN. ITS HAD TWO PRIOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS AND ITS NOW FAILING THE SAME WAY AGAIN. IF A TRANSMISSION IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE POWER RELIABLY WHEN NEEDED ITS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED AS A RESULT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 23, 2014
I HAD MY FORD FOCUS FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. BOUGHT USED FROM THE DEALER. I STARTED TO TAKE OFF FROM WALMART PARKING LOT AND THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND STALLED. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A FAULTY CLUTCH. AFTER REPAIR MY CAR HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT ROLLS BACKWARDS ON HILLS IN AUTOMATIC. GRINDS GEARS WHEN IT TRIES TO SHIFT OUT ON HILLS. AND STILL JERKS TERRIBLY WHEN TAKING OFF. THE SHOP TELLS ME ITS BECAUSE ITS BUILT LIKE A MANUAL FOR EXCELLENT GAS MILEAGE. NOTE NO MANUAL SHIFT IVE EVER DROVE "GRINDS OR JERKS" IF IT IS SHIFT RIGHT. THIS CAR IS TERRIBLY DANGEROUS
Power train, Jun 23, 2014
WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN THE DTC TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HAVE A HARD TIME GOING INTO GEAR AND A LARGE LURCH FOLLOWED THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS AROUND IDLE. ONCE AT IDLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY ALLOW ME TO REV THE ENGINE WITH THE TRANS IN DRIVE. I HAD IT FIXED ALREADY DUE TO TRANS OIL LEAKING INTO THE CLUTCH AREA. 500-1000 MILES LATER SAME ISSUE AWAITING TO GET IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jun 20, 2014
CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO A CRAWL. AFTER SITTING AWHILE IT STARTED UP AGAIN ONLY TO LOOSE POWER AGAIN. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COMPUTER, THEN THE BATTERY, THEN THE TRANSMISSION. NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TCM VOLTAGE BEING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS SAID THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE CARS REQUIRING THIS PART. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME RECALLS ON MANY OF THESE MODELS. IN FACT THERE IS A RECALL FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON MANY OF THEM BUT NOT MINE. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL IF THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. *TR
Power train, Jun 19, 2014
WHEN I START TO GO FROM A STOP. MOTOR HESITATES, AND THEN A VERY MAJOR SHUTTER THROUGH OUT THE CAR. ALSO COMING FROM A STOP ON A HILL CAR WILL ROLL BACK. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME ITS JUST THE WAY IT IS AND THAT IT COULD BE I AM NOT AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH ON TAKE OFF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 18, 2014
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2014 FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT, THE "ENGINE" INDICATOR CAME ON AND CAR BEGIN TO HESITATE, WHEN SHE GOT ON THE HIGHWAY SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 40 MPH AND THE TACHOMETER WAS FLIPPING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE DIAL TO THE OTHER. SHE MANAGED TO THE DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND IT DROVE "NORMAL". I COULD FEEL THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT HESITATION AND A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHEN IDLING. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, HE SPOKE WITH SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED WHATEVER THE PROBLEM WAS, IT SELF-CORRECTED ITSELF; BUT TO BRING IT IN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I AM PARTICULARLY UPSET BECAUSE I PURCHASED THIS AS AN UPGRADE FROM THE CHEVY COBALT. MY DAUGHTER AND SON WILL BE DRIVING THIS CAR TO COLLEGE IN THE FALL WHICH IS A 3 1/2 HOUR DRIVE ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA OVER VERY BUSY INTERSTATES. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF THIS CAR ACTS UP ON THE INTERSTATE. WHAT ARE YOU ALL GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM... WAIT FOR FATALITIES?????? *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 18, 2014
ON-GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SHUDDERING/SHIFTING PROBLEMS THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WERE "NORMAL" AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ADJUSTMENT PERIOD. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD SMOOTH OUT ONCE IT GOT USED TO MY DRIVING PATTERN. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO GET USED TO MY ACCELERATION. DURING ONE OF THE VISITS THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND SEVERAL SEALS. THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS BADLY, ON TAKE OFF, AND HAS BOGGED DOWN TO THE POINT THAT I FEEL UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE. I AM COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Jun 18, 2014, fire
I BOUGHT A 2012 FORD FOCUS FROM LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 14,2012. IT HAD 25 MILES ONLY. I'M PAYING A VERY HIGH INTEREST RATE ON $20000+ LOAN FOR VEHICLE. I'M ALSO PAYING EXTRA $2500.00 FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE TRANSMISSION FAILED. MILEAGE WAS 10,192. IN JULY, 2013 ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAD TO FIX TRANSMISSION AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES THAT TIME. ON 5/23/2014 CAR SHOWED MAJOR FAILURE WITH OCM COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION AGAIN. WOULD NOT CRANK. NOW AT APPROXIMATELY 63000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FIXED ON 06/17/2014 AND I PICKED IT UP AROUND 2PM.. I IMMEDIATELY WENT WORKING WITH THE CAR AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY A LITTLE OVER 100 MILES. AS I WAS RETURNING HOME, ACCELERATING UPHILL ABOUT 45 MPH THE CAR LOST ALL GEARS. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF, IT WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN. THIS IS SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN GETTING SATISFACTION IN HELPING FORD OWN UP TO A MAJOR ISSUES KNOWN EVEN WITH THEIR OWN TECHNICIANS. IT IS ALSO A FLEX FUEL SEDAN. I FEEL ROBBED BY HIGH INTEREST LOAN AND A NEW CAR WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX. *TR
Power train, Jun 16, 2014
THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, HESITATES, AND LURCHES WHEN STARTING OUT OR ACCELERATING. IT CAN TEMPORARILY STRAND THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGE THE VEHICLE AHEAD FROM A STOP AND I AM CONCERNED OVER THE POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ALL PASSENGERS AND ALL DRIVERS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. IT HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE INITIAL BRAND-NEW DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE (I AM NOW OVER 20,000 MILES). ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED THE DEALER, DESCRIBED THE SYMPTOMS, AND ASKED FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. HE STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, IS EXPECTED IN THIS UNIQUE TYPE OF TRANSMISSION, AND I NEED TO ACCEPT IT. HE DID NOT FEEL I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR A SERVICE EVALUATION BUT I PERSISTED AND BROUGHT IT IN. WHEN I ARRIVED I WAS GIVEN A PRINTED HANDOUT REGARDING THIS VEHICLE TRANSMISSION THAT AGAIN SUGGESTED THIS BEHAVIOR WAS EXPECTED AND "NORMAL" AND IMPLIED THAT I NEEDED TO ACCEPT IT. INSTEAD OF THE USUAL SERVICE EVALUATION, HE HAD ME DRIVE THE CAR WITH A DEALER REPRESENTATIVE WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYMPTOMS, THAT THIS IS A KNOWN, WIDESPREAD ISSUE AND THAT IT IS EXPECTED BEHAVIOR WITH THIS UNIQUE TRANSMISSION. I WAS SENT HOME WITHOUT FURTHER EVALUATION AND IT WAS IMPLIED THAT I SHOULD NOT BRING BACK THE CAR FOR THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES OVER MANY DECADES AND HAVE NEVER, EVER EXPERIENCED SUCH UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE IN A TRANSMISSION AND I AM GENUINELY WORRIED THAT MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WILL BE PUT IN A DANGEROUS POSITION DUE TO THE "EXPECTED" BEHAVIOR OF THIS TRANSMISSION. I AM ASKING FOR A FORMAL REVIEW AND REPLACEMENT WITH A UNIT THAT PERFORMS ON PAR WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS. I FEEL FORD WILL NOT ENTERTAIN FURTHER DISCUSSION AND APPEAL TO NHTSA. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2014
APPROACHED STOP LIGHT ON A ROAD WITH STEEP INCLINE. CAME TO COMPLETE STOP BEHIND SEVERAL CARS WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT WHEN PRESSED GAS TO MOVE AT GREEN LIGHT, GEAR (DESPITE BEING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) SLIPPED AND STAYED IN NEUTRAL, REVVING BUT NOT ENGAGING. CAR BEGAN QUICKLY ROLLING BACKWARDS. I WAS ABLE TO YANK EMERGENCY BRAKE JUST BEFORE HITTING THE CAR APPROACHING MINE FROM BEHIND. SIMILAR INCIDENCES HAVE OCCURRED WITH REGARD TO INCORRECT/ DANGEROUS AUTOMATIC GEAR CHANGES -- SUDDEN LOSS OF NEEDED GEAR CHANGE TO ENTER HIGHWAY FROM RAMP (FLAT LAND) AND ALL KINDS OF GEAR CHANGING PROBLEMS (STUCK IN GEAR SEVERAL GEARS TOO LOW OR TOO HIGH) IN HILLY TERRAIN. THIS CAN RESULT IN LURCHING AS WELL. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NORMAL OPERATION AND SAYS THE CAR ISN'T GENERATING HELPFUL CODES AS A RESULT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 16, 2014
THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE, THERE IS AN ERROR MESSAGE, STEERING ASSIST FAULT. IT HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND IT WOULD TURN. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT THERE WOULD BE TIMES WHEN THE A/C FAN WOULD ADJUST ITSELF, BY GOING HIGHER OR LOWER AND THE RADIO VOLUME WOULD INCREASE OR DECREASES WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM ME. THIS PARTICULAR TIME IT WOULD NOT MOVE AND I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE IT IN A PARKING GARAGE OVERNIGHT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET IT TO WORK BY TURNING THE OFF AND ON THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, SUGGESTING THE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY IF I WERE DRIVING THE CAR. WELL, THE CAR SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN AND STARTED TO TRY TO TURN ITSELF ON WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. AFTER WHICH IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED IN AND OF COURSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Engine, Jun 15, 2014
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN FAST LANE AT 60 MPH, PRESSED FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE REVVED BUT DID NOT INCREASE SPEED. IN FACT, SLOWED DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PUT HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND GET TO RIGHT SHOULDER (COASTING, NO ACCELERATION POWER AT ALL). ENGINE NEVER DIED. TOWED TO DEALER.(WE HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY). THEY HAD IT 4 DAYS COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SINCE NO PROBLEM FOUND WE HAD TO PAY FOR OUR RENTAL AND THEIR DIAGNOSTIC FEES. AFTER RETURNING CAR TO US, SAME THING 2 DAYS LATER. BARELY AVOIDED BEING REAR-ENDED IN INTERSECTION THIS TIME. AFTER THIS 2ND INCIDENT, ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. 2ND TRIP TO DEALER, SINCE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THEY WERE ABLE TO ADJUST SOMETHING IN COMPUTER. CAR DID OK NEXT 10 DAYS. THEN STARTED DOING THE 'REVVING ACCELERATOR' BUT NO INCREASE IN SPEED AGAIN--TWICE ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. TODAY, 5TH EPISODE IN 5TH WEEK, CAR HESITATED, ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, VERY LOUD 'BOOM' OR 'THUD' IN ENGINE. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SHOULDER. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY HAVE A LIGHT THEY CAN FIX VIA WHAT A COMPUTER TELLS THEM. *JS