Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: You should probably steer clear of the 2012 Focus. Otherwise, you might not be able to steer at all.

The 2012 is the first Focus to offer Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS). It's also the first year with massive power steering failure. These things are not mutually exclusive.

And while you wait for your steering to disappear, you'll be greeted with a transmission that shudders, vibrates or won't shift at all.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,831 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ford Focus brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Oct 182014

Focus

  • 85,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine stalled and shutdown while driving with loss of control. Engine also rev'ed up down without acceleration and deceleration while driving and traction warning control light came on. Car was driven to nearby parking lot where it completely shutdown. Car needed to be towed to dealer, as it could not be driven safely. Ford dealer identified the problem as a dtc code U0101 or simply a bad tcm(transmission control module). Tcm was replaced on the transmission and paid by owner, despite this part being recalled by Ford on other Ford Focus models, as follows: Focus power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm, PCM) recall number: 13V523000 recall date: 10/30/2013 problem summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition. Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash. Corrective action: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by late November 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. This recall affects vehicles manufactured between 09/15/2011 and 08/23/2013.

- Bridgewater, NJ, USA

problem #7

Sep 102014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 54,125 miles
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.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 082014

Focus

  • 63,000 miles
I was leaving from the bp gas station from wayne sullivan dr in paducah, ky I had drove from ledbetter which is 10 mins outside of paducah and when I started my car to leave gas station pulling out into busy intersection I went to accelerate and my car would not go any faster than 10mph with oncoming traffic behind me and my 5 year old child in the car with me. I had reported transmission problems before they put computer to adjust it but told me slippage and jerking would be normal due to the type of transmission. My car has always rolled back on steep hills also.

- Ledbetter, KY, USA

problem #5

Mar 042014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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!!!

- Youngstown , OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 212014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
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.

- San Diego , CA, USA

problem #3

Jan 182014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
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.

- Spring City, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 152013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 13,000 miles
Pulling on to a main street in the rain, when I tried to accelerate move along with the speed of traffic the wheels started spinning and the car started a loud banging noise and lurching. I was having difficulty controlling the vehicle and had to release the accelerator quickly to avoid losing control. Traffic had to swerve around me to avoid a collision. The malfunction of the traction/stability control made more difficult to control the car.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #1

Feb 192013

Focus

  • 4,900 miles
I purchased a basic Ford Focus in 02/2012, the car has no ability to turn off the traction control system. This caused me to become stuck in about 2 to 3 inches of snow and subsequently caused me to have my rear bumper damaged when I was pulled out by a good samaritan. I think that this a sever safety issue. I think Ford should have to provide the ability to turn off the traction control system. I could disable it by removing the ABS fuses, but the I lose my ABS system. For a car that cost $17,300 I shouldn't have to not drive my car every time I get 2-3 inches of snow. I called Ford, they thanked me for my input but insisted there was nothing they could do.

- Sault Sainte Marie, MI, USA

Not what you are looking for?