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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 19 of 67)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #979

Jul 232019

Focus

  • 89,000 miles

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

1) while driving in city turn signals stopped working. Never worked again after that. 2) while driving in city and highway power steering goes out intermittently. Shutting off vehicle and restarting generally fixes this issue. 3) while driving in city vehicle stopped accelerating and gave notice to stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible as transmission is overheating. Was stuck on side of road for 30 minutes after stopping vehicle and shutting off before could start and complete drive to work. Afraid to drive vehicle now as the transmission had been having issues before that. Clutch was replaced once already and is included in the Ford transmission class action.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #978

May 282019

Focus

  • 72,160 miles
The transmission in my vehicle is a dps6 duel clutch transmission made by Ford. It has been pulling codes for fork position a I have taken it to a Ford dealership for repair 2 times in three weeks last time I got vehicle back it pulled 4 transmission codes within 1 hour of getting car back and now will not shift out of 1st gear and when it does and you come to a complete stop you have to turn the car off for 15 minutes before you can drive forward again. I have contacted the dealership about it they said they have done everything Ford has told them to do, I have called Ford Motor Company and complained and they have done nothing. My vehicle is unsafe for my child and I to be in. It has been parked and none running since 5/29/19.

- Monticello, IN, USA

problem #977

May 042019

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
11/13/17 my transmission stalled, making loud shudder noises and failed to accelerate. Ford replaced the tcm and reprogrammed the clutch. There was recall for safety latches on the doors to be replaced as well. 10/24/18 vehicle started and would cut off. Attempted to drive it but then the car died in the drive way. Had to have car towed. Replaced fuel pump module and gaskets. Total of $810.96 not including towing fee. The very same night I picked my car up after it being fixed a recall was issued for fuel pump module failure. Ford refused to refund my money and insisted that since the fuel pump was not affected it was not related. I had to go back to Ford 10/3018 to have fuel vapor and seals replaced. So 2/3 parts needed replacing of which cost me. 5/4/19 I was driving down the road and my transmission went out. The car would not accelerate, brake or downshift. I was stuck at 60mph. I had to allow the car to coast home. Had to have it towed three sepearte times during this event. My car was still under warranty and powertrain includes all internally lubed parts. Ford told me that the one specific part that needed replacing inside my transmission, which is internally lubed was not covered. This repair including towing cost me $2,400 now there is another 2 recalls out on my very car for tcm/ transmission replace/shudder. This has been the most dangerous car I've ever owned. Every time I turn around I'm shelling out hundreds and now thousands of dollars for a car I am still paying on.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #976

Aug 022019

Focus

  • 120,000 miles

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

The transmission and clutch have been defective since purchasing the car. Transmission was worked on under warranty but continues to be sluggish and unreliable especially when trying to move forward after a complete stop. Vehicle jerks and shutters. Clutch has now gone out per the dealer and Ford refuses to take responsibility for this known defect. Car is undriveable at no fault of ours. Filed a case with Ford and was told that our only recourse was if nhsta put out a new recall or extended warranty to allow for additional owners to have vehicles repaired at Ford's expense. We have contacted multiple non-Ford repair shops who refuse to work on this make/model/year due to the known issues with transmission and clutch.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #975

Jul 312013

Focus

  • 54,000 miles
I am the single owner of my 2012 Ford Focus. I only have 54K miles on the vehicle but it shudders, jerks and feels like it falls out of gear at times. It has behaved this way since I have owned it. I thought that is just the way it was. I am now very concerned about the these transmission problems as my son now drives the vehicle.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

problem #974

Aug 192018

Focus

  • 82,000 miles
The cars transmission is out of wack. It does not shift or accelerate properly.

- Malone, NY, USA

problem #973

Nov 012018

Focus

  • miles

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

The automatic transmission shudders/vibrates when taking off. I took the vehicle to the service department and they stated that the warranty has expired. I understand that most of the Ford Focus and fiestas have this problem for many years.

- Utuado, PR, USA

problem #972

Jul 152019

Focus

  • 64,000 miles
Transmission excessive shudder, ,,pulling into traffic you dont know if car will stall or go when accelerator is pushed, ,bought car for my daughter, ,,Ford should be ashamed

- Richmond, MO, USA

problem #971

Jun 062019

Focus

  • miles
Complaint #1 the car overheated during a trip on the highway, had to detour...a hose was spewing water have a picture..I only had the car for 2 or 3 days!! complaint #2 very serious, while driving 65 mph on a highway. The car jerked very hard and then lost power.there was no room to pull over, it was grass and a slight ditch, late at night no street lamps...the car would not start the fuel left to E was 78 miles.I called road side assistance...semi truck swerved to miss us and every other semi and vehicle had to cross over the yellow lines to avoid smashing into the stalled car.my daughter and I sitting in the vehicle, the hour was 11:00 pm. Complaint #3 the car sputters into gear taking off.. by the way it was a one lane highway. Far from any town..

- Pratt, KS, USA

problem #970

Jul 012019

Focus

  • 104,000 miles
My 2012 Ford Focus with dual clutch, dps-6 transmission has on multiple occasions unclutched the transmission while attempting to accelerate from a stop to make a left turn across a busy road. The unexpected lack of acceleration due to the transmission failing to transmit power to the wheels has nearly caused my wife and I to be hit by oncoming traffic despite starting the turn with adequate room to cross traffic and accelerate. Thankfully, adequate space and reaction by oncoming drivers has prevented a wreck. Ford has, on multiple occasions, flashed the computer and replaced parts and did extend the warranty on the transmission slightly. However, the transmission is slightly now out of warranty and continues to have the same problems with failing to accelerate and then violently slamming into gear. Ford has refused to cover further repair of the defective transmission despite clear evidence of the continued defectiveness of the transmission.

- Longs, SC, USA

problem #969

Jul 292019

Focus

  • 145,000 miles

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

While driving car jerking, RPM going high, speed slowing down. Warning transmission hot pull over as soon as possible. After sitting on side of road for 30 minutes (car said to do so for 8 minutes) car didn't want to crank, reverse not working and few miles down the road warning again, entire time sputtering and jerking. Very unsafe in traffic and almost rear ended several times due to the vehicle acting awful. This first happened on major 4 lane hwy and again on secondary hwy. After checking on line it states it may be a volunteer recall at Ford. After reading more into it found out Ford does not want to claim problems with transmission although there are over 2600 complaints. Guessing it will take an accident and law suit to make them wake up at Ford. There has been memo's from Ford but they are now saying nope didn't happen. If something happens to my child while driving this rest assure I will be going after Ford. Can't afford to trade it off and sending him to college. Now car is not wanting to crank up and run after sitting several hours. Finally cranked and still jerking and loosing speed with out warning. Almost in wreck again.

- Water Valley, MS, USA

problem #968

Jul 292019

Focus

  • 81,000 miles
My 2012 Ford Focus sel has an issue where a yellow icon will come up on the dash then display another icon saying that there is a steering assist malfunction and that service is needed. The steering wheel will not move and literally takes all of your power to get it to move. After several times of turning the car on and off it will work but always comes up with that icon again. This has even happened while I was driving! this is a major safety issue! I am not trying to die while I drive my car down the road. Ford also replaced the transmission on my car about a year ago for a transmission recall after the car would shutter when going into first gear. Now, a year later the problem is happening again and just as bad. When my husband and I went to Ford they said that the warranty was up and that they couldn't help me. It was either hit the road or pay $1,500 to replace it again! you're telling me that you put in a faulty replacement part and now expect me to pay out of my pocket to replace your mistake? that's hilarious!! when I turn left into my neighborhood while going across oncoming traffic, it's scary when my car shutters into first gear to the point where I stall in the middle of the road and almost get hit. Come on Ford, get your stuff together! if you truly care about the safety of your customers like you say that you do, then protect us. Fix your mess and don't put dangerous cars on the road. Also, when people come back and say they are having problems that have even led to death again I say, fix the issue.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #967

Jul 082014

Focus

  • 42,906 miles
My 2012 Ford Focus is unsafe to drive because of the faulty dps6 transmission. The clutches in it have been replaced 3 times and it's slipping badly, again. Also, the transmission control module failed, and when it did, I was stuck in the middle of the freeway without the ability to move my vehicle. I no longer have warranty coverage for the expensive repairs and I'm stuck with an unsafe lemon. The transmission continues to fail, even after the clutches are replaced, because it is a flawed design that won't work properly. I've only been able to drive the car approx. 50K miles, each time the clutches have been replaced, until it starts slipping badly, again. Even when the clutches aren't slipping badly, the car does not operate as it should. I've almost been involved in traffic collisions multiple times because of it, and Ford still refuses to accept responsibility for their flawed product. There was a recall for the tcm, but not for the transmission. It's unacceptable for Ford to not take complete ownership of this serious safety issue, and I appeal to you for assistance.

- St. George, UT, USA

problem #966

Jul 192019

Focus

  • 125,000 miles
Ford transmission dps6 clutch shudder. I've taken my car to the Ford dealership for regular oil changes since I purchased the vehicle. Numerous times I've complained to them that the clutch shudders and the extended warranty of the input shaft seals needed to be replaced. Each time they told me it was fine. Now that the 100K mile warranty is up (I now have 125K miles), they want to charge me $2.5K to replace the clutch. All because these seals have been bad and wasn't replaced when the warranty was valid. When accelerating from a stop, I have loss of power and is dangerous when voiding to oncoming traffic. I've called Ford and they will not perform the repair themselves stating too many miles and out of warranty. The shudder is intermittent and makes me scared to drive my vehicle now. Ford knows this is a failed part and simply will not cover the work. This should have been replaced under warranty when I first brought up this issue, thus saving this more costly repair shortly after. I even notified the dealership during the July 11-19 window when dealers were "secretly" told to fix these issues. The dealer had my vehicle in their shop from 7/21-7-29 just to confirm the suspicion I've had for 3+ years. I had to pay for the "diagnostic" as well to confirm this. I am now scared of this company and this vehicle. I still have 15mo of payments left.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #965

Jul 282019

Focus

  • 154,000 miles
This Focus has a transmission problem. The car stutters and does not reliably shift. Ford has attempted to send letters to trade the car in for penny's but I cannot afford a new or used vehicle.

- Pikesville, MD, USA

problem #964

Jun 152016

Focus

  • 106,000 miles
Since owning my 2012 Ford Focus, I have had multiple transmission problems.on three separate times the car had transmission malfunctions that caused near miss situations of being rear ended cause of my abrupt change of speed.one time the car would not go faster than 10 mph, another time it was 20mph max, and one time it didn't move at all.my children were in the back seat on two of those occasions.luckily no injuries resulted from this but nearly did cause accidents.one time the dealership covered the cost of repair, second time the dealership covered part of the cost, the third time I was told that I had to pay for the whole $7000 myself.after the replacement a few months later the transmission still acts up by slipping stuttering and jerking.this current problem is very frustrating.Ford knowing that the problem was there continued to manufacture and sell these Ford Focus and fiesta models without concern for the safety of people.

- Hopkins, MN, USA

problem #963

Jun 012011

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission slipped into neutral without warning while driving various speeds. The failure also occurred when placing the vehicle into park. In addition, the vehicle continued to roll while in park and jerked when applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to crest Ford (22675 gibraltar rd, flat rock, mi 48134, (734) 782-2400) where it was diagnosed that the clutch and seals needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failures would not be covered under warranty. The contact found a letter online stating that Ford would cover all transmission defects for the vehicle; however, Ford refused to honor the letter due to the contact not honoring the July 19, 2019 deadline. The contact disputed that claim, stating that she called Ford to make an appointment two weeks prior to the deadline. The contact had an open case with the Ford manufacturer (case number: Cas-22244671-K7C0K9) regarding this issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Rockwood, MI, USA

problem #962

Apr 232019

Focus

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of first gear and failed to start. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The contact called mac haik Ford (R0333 katy fwy, houston, tx 77024, (713) 932-5000). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: Cas-2244251-N1M5D1. The contact was informed about the extended warranty. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #961

Jun 302019

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
My wife purchased her Focus new in 2012. We have raised concerns about transmission issues ever since, always being told there was nothing wrong. Finally, the transmission went out. We had it towed to the dealership and have been told that our car doesn't qualify for the extended warranty because something broke before the covered piece. While thinking over our options, an article came out in the detroit free press related to this very issue. The dealership has asked their local rep to get ahold of me. He has not and is now ignoring voicemail and email messages from the dealership. I have called Ford directly and was told I would get a call back. I have not heard from them after 2 attempts.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #960

Jul 252019

Focus

  • miles
Ford will not repair the transmission clutch for no charge. Drops out of gear, shudders, stalls in motion, city streets, turning and highways. Have asked several times in the past to repair. Needs a recall on vehicles.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

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