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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.

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,415 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 clutch problems

clutch problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #13

Mar 122023

Focus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speed, the engine revved up; however, the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that she continued driving; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission control module (TCM) was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #12

Mar 312023

Focus

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond upon shifting into reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating, the clutch vibrated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: P087A-00 (Clutch Position Sensor) and P287A-00 (Stuck Clutch). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Cummaquid, MA, USA

problem #11

Jul 302022

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while shifting to the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission clutch plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #10

Dec 082016

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2012 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to transmission slippage, sunroof leakage and requests a repurchase. The manufacturer advised due to the age and mileage of the vehicle they would not be able to review the vehicle for repurchase or replacement.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #9

Apr 152015

Focus 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was serviced under a manufacturer recall; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 05/20/16

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #8

Oct 242011

Focus

  • 3,800 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 65 mph, the transmission downshifted and the rpms increased rapidly. The brake pedal was depressed and the transmission responded normally. In addition, when driving at low speeds, the transmission exhibited hesitation and lunged forward unexpectedly. The failure recurred numerous times. The failure became progressively worse over a period of time. After the sixth visit to the dealer, the mechanic confirmed that the clutch assembly would need to be replaced. The required part to perform the repair would not be available until two months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,800.

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 112014

Focus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a manufacturer's recall for the clutch and transmission, which did not provide a permanent remedy to repair the condition of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than five times before notification of the manufacturers recalls and they had not been able to replicate the failure and provide a repair solution after several repairs. The contact continued to experience the clutch failing to change over into third gear and the vehicle had a strong hesitation. The vehicle also randomly stalled and the contact had to make several attempts to get the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Hastings, FL, USA

problem #6

Apr 152015

Focus

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the gear shifter failed to move from park into neutral. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #5

Apr 032013

Focus

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at approximately 5 mph, the vehicle stuttered back and forth. In addition, the clutch made a grinding noise and failed to go into third gear. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #4

Sep 022014

Focus

  • 60,100 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the vehicle shook and jerked. The contact also stated that the vehicle revved and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 60,100. The VIN was not available.

- Hackensack, NJ, USA

problem #3

May 312014

Focus

  • 54,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the contact engaged the accelerator pedal and caused the vehicle to surge forward. The vehicle began to jerk violently. The failure occurred multiple times. The dealer stated that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 042012

Focus

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While accelerating from a traffic light, the vehicle hesitated and then the speed greatly increased on its own. The dealer stated that the clutches in the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

- Shawnee, OK, USA

problem #1

Feb 082012

Focus

  • 6,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the clutch was making an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,500, and the current mileage was 49,000.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

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