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.
Structure, Jul 19, 2016
WITH 65300 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH FAILED. THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH .I MUST SECURE THE DOOR WITH A BUNGEE CORD. MY DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL AND THAT THE REPAIR OF THE SINGLE DOOR IS $600. NO ACCOMMODATION OF ANY KIND WAS OFFERED.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2016
2012 FORD FOCUS. DIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH DID NOT SECURE AND CAR DOOR OPENED WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION AND JEAPORDAZIED THE SAFETY OF MY SON. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SECURE DOOR IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ADVISED NO RECALL AT THE MOMENT FOR SUCH ISSUE. CAN ONLY REPLACE LATCH FOR COST OF $640.00 DOLLARS. I MOST RECENTLY TOOK MY 2013 FORD FUSION WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND DOOR LATCH REPLACED,
Structure, Jul 18, 2016
DRIVER DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED. WILL NOT KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED. SAME PROBLEM AS FORD FUSION AND FORD FIESTA. PLEASE MAKE FORD ADD THE FOCUS FOR A DOOR LATCH RECALL. CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN DEFECT OCCURRED. WENT TO CLOSED THE DOOR AND IT WOULD LATCH.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
THE LATCHING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING, AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THERE WERE NO OUTSIDE INFLUENCES, THE MECHANISM SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH.
Steering, Jul 18, 2016
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WONT RESPOND WANTS TO DRIFT INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC.THE STEERING GETS LOOSE AND TIGHT AND WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT FOR LANE DRIFT IT TAKES A SECOND FOR THE STEERING TO RESPOND, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I CALLED FORD AND OF COURSE THEY WONT DO NOTHING OR HELP IN ANYWAY. CAR ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT AND OF COURSE ITS NOT COVERED BUT THEY CAN FIX IT FOR $2000.00. FIRST TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOW THIS.
Structure, Jul 18, 2016
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT LATCH. I HAD TO TIE UP THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND TAPE THE DOOR SHUT FROM THE EXTERIOR. WITH THE DOOR NOT ABLE TO LATCH THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OR THE DOOR WOULD FLY OPEN. I BOUGHT A LATCH FROM FORD AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY.AT A SHOP. TOTAL COST OVER $350. I MAY HAVE PURCHASED THE SAME LATCH THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN ON ANY DOOR. THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN I CAME BACK I NOTICED THE DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT. THEREFORE I TIED IT AND TAPED IT TO GET HOME.
Structure, Jul 18, 2016
DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. WORKED FINE THEN WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSE. THE DOOR NOW WILL SWING OPEN UNLESS HELD IN PLACE.
Structure, Jul 18, 2016
THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH HAS A BROKEN SPRING AND WILL NOT LATCH AT ALL! MY SON WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO LEAVE AND PUT MY GRANDSON IN THE BACK SEAT AND TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND IT WOULDN'T LATCH. HE CALLED FOR SOMEONE TO PICK UP THE 3 YEAR OLD THEN USED HIS BELT TO TIE THE DOOR SHUT AND TOOK IT BILL UTTER FORD. FORD HAS INFORMED US THE PART IS NOT COVERED AND IT IS ON A MAJOR BACK ORDER WITH NO ESTIMATED DATE OF AVAILABILITY. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO GIVE US A LOANER CAR UNTIL PART COMES IN. THE FOCUS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH A BROKEN DOOR LATCH! THIS CAR HAS 70,000 MILES AND WAS A CERTIFIED PREOWNED WHEN WE BOUGHT IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
2 DOOR LATCHES HAVE BROKEN WITHIN THE PAST TEN DAYS. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING, WOULD NOT CLOSE.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 18, 2016
CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN STOPPED. GAS NEEDLE WILL NOT WORK SOMETIMES. ECHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN GAS IT PUT INTO THE VWHICLE.IT
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2016
MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH BROKE. DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND LATCH IS BROKE SPRING MECHANISM IS GONE. FORCED TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.
Steering, Air bags, Jul 16, 2016
AN ALERT COMES UP ON THE DASH BOARD CLAIMING THAT STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE ALTHOUGH THE FASTER I GO THE EASIER IT IS TO STEER' BIT TURNS REMAIN DIFFICULT THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN 2015, POWERING OFF THE CAR WOULD TEMPORARILY FIX IT. THE ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT BUT IS NOW VERY CONSISTENT AND HAPPENING EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR.
Steering, Jul 16, 2016
CANNOT HARDLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT STOP AND WHEN DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN BUSY HIGHWAYS. THE ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON SAYS THAT THE STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. I TOOK IT TO HONOLULU FORD WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY SAID SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY I HAVE TO PAY FOR A RACK AND PINION SYSTEM FOR 2500.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. UNACCEPTABLE FROM A MAJOR COMPANY.
Structure, Jul 16, 2016
REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH STOPPED LATCHING DOOR BOUNCES SHUT AND OPEN AGAIN NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. I HAD TO SECURE IT WITH A CORD ANCHORED TO ANOTHER PART OF THE CAR INTERIOR TO DRIVE HOME. I ALREADY HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER REAR DOOR LATCH. THE CHECK DOOR LIGHT COMES NO AND OF AS DRIVING WHILE THE DOOR IS TIED SHUT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2016
THE DOOR LATCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO LOCK IN AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE CLOSED AT ALL WHENEVER I DROVE OR PARKED THE CAR. IT IS SO DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING AND THE CAR IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE TO BE STOLEN. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD (BERGE FORD, MESA, AZ) DEALER SERVICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT COSTED ME $440.00.
Steering, Jul 15, 2016
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WHEN STARTED DISPLAYED THE EPAS WARNING/SERVICE REQUIRED MESSAGE. NO INJURIES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BUT HAD THE SYSTEM GONE OUT AT SPEED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY MY 24 Y/O SON, AND HIS GENERATION HAVE NO EXPERIENCE DRIVING W/O POWER STEERING. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS HIGHLIGHTED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. EARLY REPAIR COST ESTIMATES PUT THE DOLLAR VALUE BETWEEN $1500 AND $2000.
Steering, Jul 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/20/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2016
LOUD STATIC SOUNDS COMING FROM DASH. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. EXTREMELY LOUD. TODAY CAN SMELL BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE STATIC NOISE SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN CAR IS PARKED OR JUST AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO SECURE THE DOOR SHUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN SHUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2016
DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WON'T LATCH. CAR WAS PARKED AT THE GROCERY STORE, AND I OPENED THE DOOR TO LOAD GROCERIES INTO CAR. WHEN I CLOSED THE DOOR, INSTEAD OF LATCHING, IT BOUNCED BACK OUT. I COULDN'T GET IT TO LATCH AT ALL. MY 17 YEAR OLD CHILD HAD TO SIT IN THE BACK AND HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED TO GET HOME. IT STILL WON'T LATCH, SO I WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT FIXED.
Power train, Jul 14, 2016
I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE START. I'VE HAD THE TRANS CONTROL MODULE REPLACED TWICE. PROBLEMS INCLUDE DELAYED STARTS, SHUTTERING WHEN SHIFTING, REVVING HIGH WHEN ABOUT TO SHIFT, OR STICKING IN GEAR AND NOT SHIFTING WHEN IT SHOULD. I KEPT TAKING IT IN, AND EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND A CODE, SO THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TCM, WHEN MY CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE, DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. I COULDN'T GET IT TO MOVE, SO I SHUT IT OFF, THEN IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. IT TOOK EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO GET ME TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF ALL THE TRAFFIC WHIZZING BY. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED IT, I WAS ON VACATION, AND MY CAR KEPT STICKING IN GEAR, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON THIS TIME SO THEY HAD A CODE TO GO BY.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Power train, Jul 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION LOST POWER. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER WAS PLACED IN THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TRAVERSE A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WERE REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 01/05/17*LJ *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 14, 2016
JUNE 2016 NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN MY AVERAGE MPG. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE PURGE VALVE WAS STUCK OPEN CREATING EXCESSIVE VACUUM ON FUEL TANK CAUSING THE TANK TO WARP AND THE FUEL PUMP TO BEND.