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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
30 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 2
Average Mileage:
59,215 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 16 of 67)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1039

Oct 102019

Focus

  • 71,648 miles

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

The 2012 Ford Focus has 71648 and the transmission is no longer working.that seems too early for a car's transmission to no longer be working. My daughter was driving the vehicle at about 55 mph..and then she stopped and then it would not start up correctly. We had to get far towed.and was told it is the transmission.

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

problem #1038

Oct 102019

Focus

  • 680,000 miles
As many others, no, rather thousands of others have reported that the faulty dual clutch transmission offered by Ford failed and almost cause an accident that could of seriously injured me and my 2yr old daughter. Will it take a death for the recall of this faulty transmission that Ford knew about, before anything is actually done" how padded are they making your pockets" do your job and save lives.

- Ashland, OR, USA

problem #1037

Oct 012019

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
Car suddenly loses power on the highway. Sometimes the transmission gets stuck in reverse. This has been happening for many years. The Ford service center has been unable to resolve the problem. It is my understanding there is a recall involving this. The dealer has recently provided a loaner because my car is unsafe to drive, according to the service manager. I also understand there has been a recent legal settlement regarding this in los angels and a trial is set to begin in san diego where I reside. I would like to have the problem resolved and a safe car to drive or be fairly compensated so I can purchase a new car and move on.

- La Jolla, CA, USA

problem #1036

Oct 082019

Focus

  • 75,000 miles

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

Vehicle is operating like a drunken sailor. Still has major shifting issues.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #1035

Oct 072019

Focus

  • 151,000 miles
While driving on the interstate the vehicles transmission disengages and you are unable to accelerate or control the vehicle. You must safely remove yourself from the roadway. This has happened multiple times and Ford refuses to help because we have had all of the recalls fixed. This is part of the transmission issue with the computer. We are also experiencing the jerking of the transmission as it tries to shift into the correct gears due to the clutch. Ford refuses to fix this problem as well because we have already had it recalled. These issues are serious and could cause a major accident or fatality. These vehicles are not safe and unreliable. Ford needs to stand behind their products and make things right with the customers who own these vehicles.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #1034

Sep 262019

Focus

  • 75,800 miles
Check engine light will randomly come on, transmission will mess up, and then check engine will go off, car will drive fine for a week, then continue the problem. Sent car to get looked at said the computer was giving the code for switch B clutch, spent 365$to get it fixed and then a little over a week later problems started again but worse than before. My car only had 76,000 miles on it, shouldn't have any issues with transmission yet.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #1033

Sep 232019

Focus

  • miles

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

My vehicle vibrates, shimmies, and shakes on take off and on turns. Dangerous to drive especially crossing a highway. I have had it accessed at my Ford dealership and they said to replace the clutch and transmission input seals. There is a program out 14M01 that extends the warranty and field service alerts for this vehicle. Ford customer service said the vehicle is covered. When the dealership entered it in the system, the repair was denied by Ford. I know there is a law suit against Ford for this same problem. I need help to get my vehicle repaired by Ford. The customer service said that the dealership service manager should submit for warranty. I don't understand why there are denying this repair. I hope nothing else goes wrong with the leaking transmission seals while I am driving the vehicle because Ford refuses the repair. Driving somewhere where there is a stop light on every corner will give you whiplash. Crossing highways is very dangerous. You need to make sure nothing is coming for a long way away. This has happened since I bought it new in 2012. At first I thought it was because it was new. When I took it to the Ford dealership, I was told there was no fix. Now there is a fix. I took it this last time to the dealership 9/23/2019. There aare 41000 miles on the vehicle. Please help!

- Millsboro, DE, USA

problem #1032

Oct 012019

Focus

  • 129,490 miles
When driving in stop/go traffic, transmission problems cause the car to lurch and jerk. When transitioning onto freeway, at times there will be minimal power as the transmission refuses to shift and the engine stays between 3500 to 4500 rpms. This results in merging into 70 mph traffic at 30-40 mph. When transitioning from freeway to city road, car will have no power for 3 to 5 seconds and then massive power lunging forward for 2 to 3 seconds before losing power and allowing for braking.

- Owatonna, MN, USA

problem #1031

Oct 012019

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
Transmission jerks in and out of gear and most recently will not shift into drive or reverse.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

problem #1030

Jul 112012

Focus

  • 4,600 miles
Three weeks after buying my brand new 2012 Ford Focus, the car began to hesitate on the highway. I complained to the dealer who said it was a Ford problem and not theirs. The following month, I almost died in the car. A regional manager from Ford came to the dealership to speak with me, resolved nothing. I followed lemon law protocol and documented everything through the service dept. More than 12 visits. Four visits before the near fatal crash and the remainder afterwards. Ford ran out the statute of limitations on my vehicle so they did not have to pay me. The vehicle has a propensity of turning off when accelerating to 65 mph. When making a turn or U-turn the car hesitates. Ford admitted to manufacturer defect and still would not put me in my original position which has left me with disc displacements beneath my brain stem. I have chronic neck pain every day of my life. I was making a left hand turn and had plenty of time to turn. A white utility van flew out of the lane to try to beat the light as I was turning. The car turned off and I had to brace for impact. The car would not start. Two additional malfunctions caused the car to veer left and crash into curbs. Last week, I had to make a U-turn. I had plenty of time. While turning, the car hesitated, and the car was stopping, the way it did in 2012. I was almost killed by an 18-wheeler who thought I was initiating road rage. He then followed me and ran me off the road coming one inch to the side of my vehicle. I tried to take pictures, but my hand was trembling. Ford needs to replace my vehicle at the replacement value from July of 2012 and obey the va lemon law statute. Ford offered me a buy out of $8,000 in December 2018. I had to lay out $14,000 for a new vehicle. They should have credited all of my car payments $17K, and provided a settlement for permanent spine and neck injuries. Accountability is demanded.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #1029

Sep 012014

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving, the vehicle jerked while attempting to accelerate. Also, on several occasions, the vehicle appeared to stall. The cause of the failures was not determined. Ford of kirkland (11651 flater ave ne, kirkland, wa) and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 7,000.

- Redmond, WA, USA

problem #1028

Sep 202019

Focus

  • 83,717 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The vehicle stalled while driving the vehicle operated at reduced speed the contact was concerned that the transmission was defective while driving at 65 mph, without warning, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle operated at reduced speed. Additionally, the reverse gear was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a pepboy's auto care center to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of dtc code: P090C- clutch actuator circuit low. The code was cleared. An appointment was scheduled with friendly Ford, 660 N Decatur blvd, las vegas, nv 89107, (866) 724-9143, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Ford country, 280 N gibson rd, henderson, nv 89014, (888) 360-8509, was also contacted and made aware of the failure. The contact stated that she received recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the VIN tool showed no recall subjected to the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,717.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1027

Mar 092017

Focus

  • 9,664 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 15 mph, the transmission malfunction warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred and the vehicle moved slowly. The contact called ciocca Ford of quakertown (321 S West end blvd, quakertown, pa 18951, (215) 536-8600) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was towed to ciocca Ford where it was diagnosed that the clutch, gasket cylinder, tie rod, in and out lug nuts splash guards, gasket valve cover, lower control arm and bushing, oil pan gasket, pollen filters, air filter element, all four tires, wipers, and the battery cable negative and positive needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,664.

- Bethlehem P, PA, USA

problem #1026

Aug 032019

Focus

  • 160,000 miles
While driving, my car started to stutter when shifting. I was minor at first. And I just assumed I was due for an oil change. I got the oil change and the problem still got worse. I would drive 5 blocks down the road (highway or city street) and my car would tell me that the transmission was over heating and to pull over safely. If I tried to go uphill while driving, my car would just not have enough power to make it and would just roll backwards no matter how much gas I gave it. I took the car in for 2 recalls, thinking maybe one of them was causing the issue. Problem still persisted after those were fixed. I also replaced the tcm and had it programmed to no avail. Now Ford is telling me it's an issue inside my transmission. I believe my car is finally catching up and having the issues all the other Ford Focus/ fiestas with the dct we're having. But of course my car didn't start to have issues until after the warrantied mileage. The Ford dealership has been absolutely no help. Not a single mention of the fact that all Focus' from 2012-2014 or so have had the same issues

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #1025

Sep 202019

Focus

  • 62,000 miles
The Ford Focus transmission/clutch system is dangerous to both the operator and other drivers on the road. All Ford Focus/fiestas with the dps6 transmission systems should be immediately recalled and removed from United States' roadways. The owners of these vehicles should be reimbursed the cost they paid for the vehicles at the expense of Ford Motor Company. The inconsistencies in acceleration and maintaining gear are endangering lives. The longer these models stay on the road, the more likely they are to fail. Since Ford is no longer replacing/repairing these issues, people are being forced to drive defective cars that can fail without any notice. Please do the right thing and recall these vehicles immediately. My vehicle has had the clutch system replaced 5 times in only 62,000 miles. The transmission is now slipping again but Ford refuses to repair it further. I am now driving a vehicle that is considered dangerous.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #1024

Sep 132019

Focus

  • 178,388 miles
19S22 recall. I was driving home from port huron to clinton township. My car went from 70 mph hour on the freeway to 35 mph. Absolutely no warning. I cannot accelerate more than 35 mph. The very next morning I brought my car into the Ford dealership at 9 mile in harper because the same problem had occurred months before in May. I told her that same thing happened before my car is not accelerating my RPM shot up and I cannot go anywhere so she asked me to bring it in I did I asked her about the outstanding recall on the car she told me that her guys forgot to look at it. Ford had my car for a week I lost my job and I also do lift on the side so I'm out $1200 just in the week. They called me, and said itll cost around $2K for the clutch system. That's funny because I don't use the manual side of the car but apparently it's built into the transmission. So again I asked about the recall. It clearly states on your website that if Ford has to do the recall and there's any other repairs that need to be done with for the cause of all of this that the parts and labor are free. They charged my dad's credit card $1938.78. I asked her again but there was a recall down on the car she said oh well we did the recall and that was for the purge valve I said ok well where is that located she told me was in the engine so you didn't do the recall 1st you just went straight for the clutch? then you're telling me that had nothing to do with it well how do we know now after he took the 2000 and even admitted that you didn't do the recall 1st gear went straight to the clutch system so if you wouldn't did the recall 1st I wouldn't have been out $2000 if you just did your job. Then I pick up the car. And the same thing happened again, and the check engine light came on. So again I had to drop it off.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #1023

Sep 102019

Focus

  • 120,000 miles
Still having issues with the transmission, shuddering in lower gears, jerks and lunges. Sometimes the RPM's fluctuate. Also need to bring back in for service for the fuel gauge.

- Porterville,, CA, USA

problem #1022

Sep 152019

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Also, the vehicle hesitated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to Ford of murfreesboro (1550 nw broad St, murfreesboro, tn 37129, (615) 713-1436) for unknown repairs to the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Smyrna, TN, USA

problem #1021

Jun 102015

Focus

  • 48,231 miles
Had a 2012 Ford Focus, that went into world Ford here in pensacola, Florida five times due to the transmission issue. It had staled out on us in the middle of a very busy intersection, with our two grandchildren, seating in the back... they are very dangers cars.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #1020

Sep 252014

Focus

  • 19,214 miles
The transmission shudders while accelerating and once it is hot, the transmission slips really bad and goes into neutral

- Sacramento, CA, USA

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