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.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while stopped at an intersection, a message illuminated to -??Stop Driving Immediately-?? was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Transmission Control Module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that it was difficult to shift into drive(D) or park(P). Additionally, the vehicle was hesitating while shifting into gear. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 Transmission Control Module (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,400.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and shifting gear, the transmission delayed while shifting to the next gear with the "Transmission Failure" message displayed. The contact stopped on the side of the road and shut off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The contact was referred to NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 77,000.
I was driving about 45mph when the car tried to downshift then upshift and it stalled in the middle of the road. The transmission light came on right as it stalled along with the traction control light. Which the traction control light it made me swerve into oncoming traffic almost causing an accident. So I got it to the opposite side of the road and went to put it in park and it lunged forward while crooked at the same time almost hitting a passing car. Over a year ago I had called a dealership about the TCM because every great while the car would shudder but nothing severe and was told the 10 yr 150000 mile recal didn't fit my car even though it was still within the 10 yr part but had 180000 on it. I ended up having the car towed to my mechanic since once I restarted it after a half hour wait before it would turn over tellingmy.no key was detected I turned the car around and went about a quarter of a mile down the road and it stalled on me and wouldn't go into park and I rolled down a hill towards kids getting dropped off by the bus after school let out. I ended up being able to turn it without power steering working into an abandoned house driveway. About 100 feet from a kid. Ford wants 400 to even diagnose it if I can get it towed there. The car should have been fixed under warranty last year but ford always finds a way out of fixing their vehicles. I have a 2012 ford focus se.
While stopped and preparing to turn left at yield light, my check engine light suddenly came on followed by several alerts and dings. Not understanding what was occurring in that exact moment, I had an opportunity to safely make the left turn, and intended to address the issue once off the main road. Within moments of releasing the brake my car began violently revving and jolted forward into the intersection, in response I quickly threw on my hazard lights while trying to maintain control of the situation. Following this moment, my car suddenly had zero acceleration or vehicle control- just loud revving and bells and whistles. This left me briefly stranded in the middle of the intersection with oncoming traffic approaching quickly. I threw the car into park, and then back into drive- it never stopped revving, but it finally gave me enough control to lurch the vehicle out of intersection and barely into the entrance of a subdivision. It was utterly terrifying, and as result caused me to have a massive panic attack. Mind you, This car is barely over 100k in miles, and I just purchased it last summer from a used car dealership- so I took to the internet to search the issue while waiting for AAA to arrive. To my unknowing amazement, this car was slated with 2 major safety recalls- one being related to the transmission. I do not understand how this vehicle was allowed to be sold to me with such issues, or without disclosure about the possible recalls. With that aside, I was utterly distraught when my research concluded that Ford KNEW about these issues before they hit the market- they-??re also allowed to keep them on the road with sorry assed -??band-aid-?? repairs for the faulty equipment- still knowing full and well that this issue is Guaranteed to happen again! So now, I knowingly have to continue payments on a death trap- that I currently cannot drive. I am losing income I couldn-??t afford to lose, and I-??m terrified of my car. This is not ok-??I-??m not ok.
- Saint Charles, MO, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer and Gordie Boucher Ford of Thiensville (121 N Main St, Thiensville, WI 53092) were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty, and she was responsible to pay out of pocket for the diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 93,490.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving from a stationary position, the vehicle shuddered while accelerating and would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the powertrain engagement clutch was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the vehicle. The contact stated that the dry clutch packs were previously replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while shifting gear. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a clinking sound detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the "Transmission Malfunction, Service Now" warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he reset the transmission control module; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I was traveling in heavy traffic on an interstate through Akron, Ohio when my car, which I had in cruise, suddenly shifted in neutral causing the engine to redline since it was in cruise but also resulted in a sudden drop in speed which about caused the person behind me to run into the rear of my car. I had to coast thru traffic to the side of the road to shut the car off and restart it which allowed me to continue, but at a slow speed as the transmission would not shift gears properly. Isn-??t it time to make Ford fix all these Focus cars once and for all? I-??ve already put a new TCM in and now I-??m looking at a second one in hope that it fixes it enough to trade it in, but it will at a loss because dealers know of the problem and won-??t give you anything for them because they can-??t sell them either.
Error codes with the clutch b sensor and clutch b sensor being stuck. When the check engine light comes on the car will not go in reverse. After driving now shift is sporadic and rpm-??s go up and down randomly.
The transmission has a problem, the car jumps and jerks and a lot of noise and vibration. When accelerating in first gear most noticeable. My safety is at risk because it is very distracting and the transmission sounds like it could break down at any minute. A lot of people online have same problem with this specific vehicle. No warning lights or nothing.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the clutch failed to perform properly while shifting gear. Additionally, the transmission made grinding sounds while shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the warranty had expired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage) however, the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking. There was an abnormal humming noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed, the RPM-??s would raise and the engine would rev however, the vehicle would not respond as needed. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal excessively and maneuver the gear shifter for the vehicle to move. The transmission failure warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the recalls were not related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty due to the mileage. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
Only 67867 miles and the transmision is not working. I only drive short distances. Allwise have a problem. Since I buy the car. I never complain because I am very busy. But. know the car stop complete
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced jerking, transmission slipping, independent deceleration, random downshifting, and unintended acceleration while stationary. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 92,000.
The car would not move forward when pedal pressed. Slow speed was obtained with excess RRM to move vehicle. Car was at a light and others could have rearended the vehicle. A hazard was created with slow speed across intersection and to auto garage. Problem has NOT been confirmed at this time. It is at the garage and the dealer said there is another issue but REFUSED to go for a ride on 2-13-2023. The manufacturer, Ford Motor Co. KNOWS this vehcile has powertrain issues as eveidenced in Vargas vs. Ford Motor Co. No prior warning of this incident was present and it occurred only weeks after the Ford dealership completed the last "repair".
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle would not accelerate as needed, with the checking engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to an impendent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty on the vehicle was expired. The failure mileage was 79,498.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Greenleaf, WI, USA