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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 5 of 67)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1259

Aug 132022

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 stopped in traffic, the vehicle lost motive and electrical power. The contact stated that the Transmission Failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was not available.

- Carmel, NY, USA

problem #1258

Aug 292022

Focus

  • miles
I bought the car in 2019. Up until recently I have had no problems with it. One day I went to leave home and noticed a studdar when I pressed on the gas. It only did it at take off from a stop. Then today I went to back out of the driveway and now the car won-€™t go in reveres. A red light popped up and told me the transmission is overheating turn off car and wait 5 minutes. I waited 15 minutes, started my car back up and it said transmission malfunction..

- Liberty, KY, USA

problem #1257

Nov 022011

Focus

  • miles
TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE I called for and they now claim my vechile cant be covered because it's out of this stated warranty by a few months. We hThe car has been in for service regarding the transmission on this car multiple times. We have broguht in for service as well as call for many years, over and over again, we've been told there is nothing wrong with the car. even though it has a warning for tranmission malfunction service now. ave been trying to get this resolved since my dad bought the car in 2012! weve been turned away. I need to have this fixed.

- Monroe, OH, USA

problem #1256

Aug 152022

Focus

  • 129,475 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 10 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced and resealed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 129,475.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #1255

Jul 012021

Focus

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to shudder and the transmission independently shifted to neutral(N). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the input control to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Corinna, ME, USA

problem #1254

Aug 192022

Focus

  • miles
The transmission is shuddering and making noise on 1st gear and changing to 2nd gear. The reverse gear is also making noise. There are class actions and recalls for this model but I didn-€™t see recalls on my car.

- Williamsburg , VA, USA

problem #1253

Mar 012022

Focus

  • 70,000 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 speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the traction control and check engine warning lights were intermittently illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The mechanic called the dealer and was informed that parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Canton, IL, USA

problem #1252

Jun 292022

Focus

  • miles
My daughter was leaving work at the DSM hospital and heading back to college/campus at ISU and her check engine light came on and the vehicle RPMs would increase but wouldn't go. She was able to get pulled off on the side of the road and called for help. She was stranded and had to get a tow back to the nearest shop near Johnston. I live 2 hours away and she was unable to get back to college/work. We had her vehicle towed to the nearest repair shop(All Pro Service-515-278-2059) and was diagnosed to be the transmission control. The shop stated there was a recall on the Focus for this and advised us to contact Ford. I have had her vehicle at the shop now since being towed there on 6/29/22 and the shop is still waiting on the part to come in. She is without a vehicle and as I mentioned I live 2 hours away and commute to work daily and can't be without my vehicle either. I rented a car and let her use my vehicle for 2 weeks as Ford told the shop the part was to be in July 8th. I returned the rental on 7/13 and was told Ford said the part was on back order and unsure of ship but that would be covered by recall since her vehicle is under 150k. It has now been 7 weeks and still no part and having to rent a vehicle at $300/week or arrange rides for my college/night shift working student from 2 hours away! I am asking for the Ford Focus transmission control recall to this vehicle to cover the part and make this horrible situation right with us!! She has had this car for 2 years and it has 145kI have been trying to get ahold of Ford Motor Company/dealership to speak with someone regarding my complaint/recall and for 7 weeks now I get "lines are busy due to high call volume, please try again later". My daughter is now back in school and works nights and is in need of her vehicle. To say I am frustrated/upset with Ford is an understatement. I am looking to trade off our truck and another car and will not use Ford after this!

- Center Point, IA, USA

problem #1251

Aug 102022

Focus

  • miles
The car shutters and vibrates so hard when starting at times. When driving in stop and go traffic, the car lurches forward because of the clutch and transmission. It struggles to get into the next gear because of Ford putting a manual transmission in an automatic car. The car needs a new clutch and seal/harware kit

- Minnetrista, MN, USA

problem #1250

Aug 022022

Focus

  • miles
Purchased car, there was no known recalls on car, after driving for several miles. The clutch failed in the car. Looked up recalls of ford focuses within my cars year and found that the exact part that-€™s dialing on my car had a recall/ settlement but when I called ford about the car they said they can-€™t do anything for me because my vin number isn-€™t under the recall. But the exact party is failing and faulty in my car and I can no longer drive it.

- Crystal, MN, USA

problem #1249

Aug 022022

Focus

  • miles

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

-Loss of power from the pedal, not able to accelerate from a stop. RPM rides high until it shifts. "Transmission Malfunction. Service Now" notice. -Unaffected by other traffic but not able to properly maneuver traffic. -Problem has re-occurred but not taken to a service center. -No inspection conducted yet. - No warning lamps appeared until issue occurred a few times.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #1248

Jul 142022

Focus

  • miles
The vehicle needs PCM and TCM replacement. Stalls while braking or apply pressure to gas peddle while driving, faulty gear changing mechanism has issues switching to proper gear due to the underlying problems above. It has turned off while driving on the interstate without warning. May instantly stop while applying minor pressure to brakes. Has been inspected by mechanic and AutoZone employees confirming the issues. It is unsafe due to the instant stopping or applying to breaks behind another driver almost hitting them or causing someone to hit from behind. Furthermore, inaccurate gear changing causes an increase rapidly in speed or very slow in speed which could lead to accidents.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #1247

Jul 282022

Focus

  • miles
I bought this car in February of this year, and the problems were present at purchase, I have brought it in and had them looked at but unable to determine what was wrong. The car sometimes stalls out whenever parked, or idling. Every time i put gas in, then start it, the vehicle will start then immediately stall. I have to start it and push the gas to keep it from stalling and quickly put into drive and his the gas to get it from stalling when i try to drive away. While starting the car the RPMS go very high and reves as if someone was pushing the gas. The hood display on the dash always says the Hood is open. This has been present since start.

- Cambridge, WI, USA

problem #1246

May 152022

Focus

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure was intermittent; however, occasionally the failure caused the contact to be stranded. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the failure occurred whenever the transmission became overheated. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 132,000.

- El Dorado, CA, USA

problem #1245

May 262022

Focus

  • miles
The cars transmission computer says it needs service now, the car won-€™t shift gears and has no power I have replaced many parts but it has only gotten worst, these transmissions are terrible and it caused me to almost get killed because of this faulty transmission problem I need this transmission fixed

- Hixson , TN, USA

problem #1244

Nov 222021

Focus

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. A message indicating that the transmission was faulty was displayed and the traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle within three minutes. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but no issues were found. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage Campaign Number: 14M02 because no issues were found. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the Ford dealer who informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under Ford Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage Campaign Number: 14M02 as the mileage of the vehicle had exceeded 150,000. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA

problem #1243

May 272022

Focus

  • miles
The Transmission Control Module went out on my vehicle in late May of this year. It's been nearly two months since I sent my car to the dealership and as of yesterday they have no ETA as to when the part may come in. I asked for a loaner and was denied. I asked for rental assistance and was denied. Now because I have no other option I'm having to purchase a new vehicle because I need one for work. This part has been the subject of many recalls and lawsuits but because I never had an issue with it until this year it appears I have no recourse. They're blaming covid and the supply chain but this issue has been ongoing since before covid was a thing. I want to be very clear, I do not blame the dealership in the slightest for this issue. This is a Ford issue 100% of the way. Do I have any recourse" Is there anything I can do to recoup my losses"

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #1242

Jul 182022

Focus

  • miles
While driving at 35 - 45 mph the car just jumps out of gear and will not go back to drive. This has happened several time over the last months. If this were to happen on an interstate it could be life threatening causing wrecks due to being unable to accelerate. It give no warning at all before just stopping.

- South Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #1241

Jun 242022

Focus

  • miles
Major transmission problems, shutters, want go in gear, no power, stalls when you gain speed, have done major repairs to the transmission and the problems are temporarily fixed

- Hixson , TN, USA

problem #1240

Jun 112022

Focus

  • miles
The transmission has given trouble since the beginning of owning this 2012 Ford Focus and now it is in the shop as of 6-11-2022 and the Transmission Module Control is on back order. They say they reset it and my daughter could drive it but if it goes out again then it will be her bill bc the warranty will be out

- Zachary, LA, USA

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