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, Mar 30, 2014
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED OUR 2012 FORD FOCUS BACK IN JUNE 2012. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR THERE WAS 28,000 MILES ON IT. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS IN THEIR SHOP DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT TRYING TO SWITCH GEARS CAUSING OUR RPMS TO GO REAL HIGH. THE MECHANICS SAID NOTHINGS WRONG BECAUSE NO LIGHTS WERE ON. SO MONTHS PASS IT WAS RIGHT BACK IN FOR THE SAME THING. WELL THEY SAID THEY PUT A FUEL THROTTLE BOX ON IT AND IT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. SO AFTER THEY "FIXED" THE CAR , WE STILL NOTICED SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT, SO WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR. OUR ENGINE LIGHT KEPT POPPING UP SO WE TOOK IT TO THE CAR LOT ONCE AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT COULD POSSIBLY BE AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM. WELL JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS ACTING REAL FUNNY, IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO INTO DRIVE, AND KEPT STALLING. SO ON MY WAY HOME I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE, AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER (LUCKILY I WAS ON MY EXIT RAMP). IT SAID TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, SO I PULLED OVER, AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I GOT THE CAR TO START AGAIN WHEN IN DRIVE IT WANTED TO GO IN REVERSE. HAD TO TURN IT OFF THEN RESTART BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. THIS IS A BIG ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX. IF I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON MY EXIT RAMP I MAY NOT BE HERE TYPING THIS RIGHT NOW. I REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. IT IS NOT SAFE !!! I HAVE TWO SMALL KIDS AND THEY WILL NOT BE BACK IN THAT CAR !! WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS CAR EVERY SINCE WE GOT IT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Service brakes, Mar 29, 2014
BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ,CHECKED AND FLUID LOW IN BRAKE FLUID CONTAINER. THIS IS JUST AFTER I MONTH OIL AND SERVICE DONE ON THE CAR. FILLED IT AND TOW DAYS LATER COME ON AGAIN.TOOK TO FORD DEALER IN MY TOWN AND THEY SAID IT WAS A LEAK AROUND THE BREAK PUMPING AREA. THEY WONTED ME TO DRIVE THE CAR TILL THE PARK CAME IN . I INSISTED THE GIVE ME A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.. . AT THE TIME I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A SMALL JERKING AFTER I BRAKE AND TAKE OFF AGAIN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BREAK THIN WHERE RELATED . BUT THEY WHERE NOT. CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE JUMPING HAS BEEN GOING ON ALMOST WITHIN A MOUTH OF PURCHASING THE CAR. ON MARCH 24 THEY WORKED ON IT AND SAID THEY HAD TO REPROGRAM THE GEARING IN THE TRANS MISSION. PICKED THE CAR UP AND IT IS BETTER WITH THE JERKING BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT 5 DAYS LATER NOW .SO NOW I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THEM AGAIN AND FIXED RIGHT OR I SHOULD BE GIVEN A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION,MJS. I ALSO HAND A WEATHER STRIPING REPAIRED ON REAR PASSENGER WINDOW AT THE SAME TIME THEY WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION. AND I NOVEMBER 2013 THE CRUSE STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO BE FIXED . I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 6 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD ALL THIS TROUBLE. *TR
Power train, Mar 28, 2014
CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2013 WITH 38000 MILES ON IT. ONE PREVIOUS OWNER PRIOR TO MYSELF. THE CAR BEGAN JERKING BACKWARDS WHEN PARKING ON AN INCLINE. BY THE TIME I HAD 40000 MILES ON THE CAR, I BEGAN NOTICING THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN DRIVING, THIS WAS ESPECIALLY A CONCERN WHEN PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. THEN BY THE TIME THE CAR HIT 42000 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN GOING UPHILL FROM A STOP. THE CAR WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED AND CLUTCH REPLACED. I NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS SO EARLY. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS/ CONCERNS. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 27, 2014
DURING A TIGHT TURN ON A BENDY ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. AS IF SOMEONE TURNED THEY KEY OFF. LIGHTS, INFOTAINMENT, STEERING, BRAKES, EVERYTHING WAS EFFECTED. LUCKILY STEERING DOESN'T LOCKUP ON A FORD FOCUS. AND CAN BE STEERED BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. ONCE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR COULD BE RESTARTED WITH NO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ON, AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A METAL TO METAL RATTLING NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITH HESITATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHEN DRIVING ON AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE WHERE EACH TIME THE COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Mar 27, 2014
EXITING FREEWAY TRANSMISSION MADE LOUD CLUNK AND WARNING SCREEN POPPED UP SAYING "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION - SERVICE NOW". PULLED INTO NEARBY SHOP CENTER PARKING LOT. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF TRANSMISSION FAILED AT FREEWAY SPEED? COULD I HAVE CONTROLLED THE CAR??? *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2014
TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. CAR ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. FORD , THE DEALER ARE ALL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE IT IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM ON THIS CAR NOBODY WANTS TO FIX IT. AM BEING TOLD NOTHING WRONG. THE PART EXISTS TO FIX JUST WILL NOT DO . WITHOUT RECALL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 25, 2014
STARTED NOTICING HESITATION AND FRONT END SHUTTERING ON ACCELERATION WITH A GRINDING NOISE FROM FRONT END. BETWEEN 10 -25 MPH THE CAR SHUTTERS, DECELERATES 5-10 MPH THEN ACCELERATES BACK UP TO SPEED. EVEN WORSE WHILE TURNING AND ON SLOPES. ALMOST CAUSED ME TWO ACCIDENTS WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Mar 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,758.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2014
VEHICLE SHUTTERS SHAKES AND LACKS ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE THAT HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. IN FEBRUARY 2014, I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET TO DRIVE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND WE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SKAGIT FORD DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE FRONT AXLE SNAPPED WHERE IT GOES INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A FORD DEFECT BY THE SERVICE A ADVISER AND HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN IN HIS 30 YEARS. I NOTIFIED FORD SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE SHIFTING ISSUES AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE UPDATES AND NEW CLUTCH. THEY ARE ALSO AWARE OF THE METAL AXLE SNAPPING AND ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING REGARDING THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE. I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH FORD AND THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT FORD IS TAKING THIS INCIDENT SERIOUSLY. IF I HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY WHEN THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED I WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE WRITING THIS LETTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Mar 22, 2014
THIS TRANSMISSION SUCKS! IT STARTED WITH A LOT OF SHUDDERING DURING ACCELERATION. I TOOK IT TO ME DEALER WHERE THEY CLAIMED TO FIX IT BUT I HAVE PHOTOS PROVING OTHERWISE. TOOK IT TO THE NEXT DEALER TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND IT SEEMED TO BE FIXED. NOW IT'S DOING T AGAIN, 6K MILES LATER. AND NOW IT TENDS TO ROLL BACK ON EVEN SLIGHT HILLS. TODAY I WAS AT A RED LIGHT WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE ANTICIPATING THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. IT ROLLED BACK ABOUT 3-4 WHEN I THEN REAPPLIED THE BRAKES. I WAS LITERALLY A COUPLE INCHES FROM HITTING SOMEONE BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T STAY STILL EVEN IN DRIVE. SO I PRESSED THE GAS BEFORE I LET GO OF THE BRAKE TO ENSURE I WOULDN'T ROLL BACK MORE. WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE, THERE WAS A POP AND THE CAR JUMPED. NOT SAFE AND I'M NOW TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANY LAWS WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO BUY IT BACK. *TR
Air bags, Mar 18, 2014, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT WHERE MY FOCUS RECEIVED REAR, SIDE, AND FRONT IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION AND SCRAPE ON THE HEAD FROM HITTING THE SIDE OF THE DOOR FRAME (WHERE THE SEAT BELT ADJUSTER IS LOCATED). THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY CRUISE SET AT 68 MPH WHEN A CAR 4 CARS AHEAD OF ME ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN THE LEFT LANE. THE 3 CARS IN FRONT OF ME ENDED UP COLLIDING. I SLOWED TO ALMOST A STOP AND DROVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS TRAVELING AT APRX 50-60 MPH. MY FOCUS WAS PUSHED INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN, COLLIDING ALONG THE WAY WITH 2 OF OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. VERY CONCERNED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Mar 18, 2014
I HAVE A 2012 FORD FOCUS SEL WITH 30K MILES. THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THIS VEHICLE IN SNOW IS HORRIBLE! WHEN THE CAR IS IN LIGHT SNOW THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS ON AND THE CAR LOSES POWER.. I HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE WHEELS WILL NOT MOVE! I HAVE TO GO AND TURN OFF THE TC IN THE SETTINGS JUST TO GET POWER.. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL!!! *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2014
WHILE TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY WHILE STILL MILDLY ACCELERATING A VEHICLE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AS I DECELERATED AND TURNED TO AVOID A COLLISION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AFTER THE ON COMING VEHICLE HAD CHANGED ITS PATH. AFTER TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVVED. THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE IN AN UPSHIFT POSITION PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND WOULD NOT RE ENGAGE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST FULLY STOPPED. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THIS COULD POSE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM HAD I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE TO CHANGE LANES TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHUDDER AT TIMES AND HAS HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. I DID NOT YET CONTACT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A 2.0 L ENGINE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE AND NOT IN SPORT MODE. *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2014
TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS, JUMPS, MAKES RATTLING NOISE. DEALER REPROGRAMMED IT IN OCT. 2013. DID BETTER FOR A WHILE. NOW IT IS WORSE, AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION. TOOK IN ON MARCH 15TH, AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL. IT PERFORMED OK THE FIRST YEAR. NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Air bags, Mar 14, 2014, crash
FRONT END COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. DRIVER AND SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE HIT HEAD DURING THE INCIDENT RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION. DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE AS A PRECAUTION. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION. MILEAGE WAS 39040 AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Mar 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DOWN SHIFTED AND VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE REGAINED SPEED AS THE CONTACT COASTED ALONG THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARD WHENEVER STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AND WOULD BEGIN SHAKING, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,685. UPDATED 4/22/14*CN UPDATED 04/25/2014 *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Feb 27, 2014
TO DATE 8/20/2013 THE CAR HAS DIED 8 TIMES AND 4 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THE SEQUENCE I USE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN IS AFTER THE SSN WARNING, PULL OVER, TURN INGITION OFF, OPEN DOOR, CLOSE DOOR, LOCK CAR, UNLOCK CAR, PRESS START. IT ONLY STARTED TO HAPPEN AFTER THE UPDATE WAS DONE. IT HAPPENS OVER BUMPS, ON THE FREEWAY, IN A PARKING LOT AND HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND HAPPENS RANDOMLY. FORTUNATELY IT HAS NOT YET CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT IT EASILY CAN ESPECIALLY IF IN THE FAST LANE ON THE FREEWAY OR IN AN INTERSECTION.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 26, 2014
DRIVING ON FREEWAY. LOSS POWER ON "SPEED" IT FELT AS THOUGH I WAS ON NEUTRAL, SO PULLED OVER BECUZ I DIDN'T WANT TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WOULD NOT START AFTER I TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND I NOTICED ALTHOUGH VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. MY MENU KEPT STATING IT WAS IN "DRIVE" POSITION. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2014
2012 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2013, THE CONSUMER STATED SHE STARTED HEARING LOUD GRATED SOUNDS, WHEN SHE TURNED CORNERS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SOUND. HE STATED THE SOUND HE DID HEAR, WAS NORMAL FOR THAT TYPE OF VEHICLE, BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF TRANSMISSION THAT WAS IN NEW CARS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE THE SOUND, UNTIL NOVEMBER 12TH, WHEN IT BECAME WORSE THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO FOUND A FAULTY CLUTCH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SO THEY PROVIDED HER WITH A LOANER, AND INFORMED HER IT WOULD BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE PART ARRIVED. THE PARTS ARRIVED TWO MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER.
Power train, Feb 25, 2014
JERKING AND HESITATION ON ACCELERATION, SURGING, DRIFTING , GRINDING NOISES, RATTLING NOISE, CONTACTED SELLING DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER 2 TIMES, AND ANOTHER FORD DEALER RESET IT ONCE. EACH TIME IT SEEMED TO WORK BETTER FOR LESS THAN 20 MILES. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 22, 2014, crash
I HAVE A 2012 FORD FOCUS SE WHICH IS STILL COVERED UNDER MY 70,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WHILE TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING LOT. MY REAR BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO BECOME STRANDED DURING A SNOW STORM. I WAS STRANDED FOR 5 HOURS BEFORE ABANDONING MY CAR AND FINDING A RIDE HOME FROM A COMPLETE STRANGER. THE NEXT DAY I HAD MY CAR TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. A DAY LATER I RECEIVED A CALL SAYING THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND THAT THE ISSUE WAS EXTERNAL, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE NO ONE HAS EVER DONE ANY WORK ON THE CAR OTHER THAN A FEW OIL CHANGES. THEY RELEASED THE BRAKES AND I PICKED MY CAR UP ONLY TO FIND THAT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN FIXED. THAT SAME DAY WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY WIFE THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN, CAUSING MY CAR TO FISH-TAIL AND IMPACT A WALL. THE DAMAGES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR, BUT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND NOW MY CAR IS INOPERABLE. I KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY THE MALFUNCTIONING TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2014
STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT ON HILL IN COLUMBIA SC. WENT TO MOVE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, WAS IN DRIVE. TURNED OFF TO SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK, THEN IT WOULDN'T START. THIS WAS ON BUSY ROAD AT NIGHT. DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS ALREADY LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WITH TRANSMISSION STUTTERS AND LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD SHORTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC VERSION HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ALSO. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 19, 2014
SHUTTERING AND STALLING UPON ACCELERATION.CAR TENDS TO ROLL BACKWARDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON SLIGHT INCLINE. SPEED ACCELERATION AND SPEED DECELERATION AT RANDOM TIMES. CAR HESITATES BADLY WHEN ACCELERATING ON TO ON RAMP TO MERGE WITH INTERSTATE TRAFFIC OR TO PASS A VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT'S LUCK OF THE DAY IF YOU ACCELERATE AND ACTUALLY LIVE OR GET HIT WHEN CAR SHUTTERS AND HESITATES. GOOD LUCK FOCUS OWNERS. *TR