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.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle shook without warning. The failure occurred for approximately four years. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 19V515000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the failure continued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
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..
Takata recall everytime I take off in my car it jurks all the time like it was trying to catch to move into next year it jurks as I drive down the road and when I stop at a red light, and a stop sign it jurks and then cuts of so I have to put the car in park to keep it from cutting off I have been on the side of the road 6 times because of this problem the gas meter stop working so I never knew how much gas I had in the car now I can not even drive the car because it has gotten worse want go into gear
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. Whenever the contact placed fuel in the vehicle, the tank would go straight to empty. In addition, fuel would leak from the vehicle and caused it to run out of fuel. On another occasion, after the fuel tank was filled, the contact drove off and the vehicle decelerated on its own. The contact called her boyfriend to help push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,300.
- Corpus Christi, TX, USA
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I had my car at the dealer 5 times for transmission problems under warranty. 2 months ago I had to pay over $2500 to have repaired out of warranty by an independent repair shop. The purge valve is also bad, they sent a recall bot cancelled it. My gas gauge has not worked in over 3 years, the sound system also has not worked in over 3 years. The dealer said there has been multiple complaints. The fan for the heat/cool only works on high(4). The ignition also is a problem, my mechanic said that he knows of many ignition problems on the Focus and other Ford models. I did receive a lemon law settlement a few years ago which wwas nothing compared to all the problems and expenses.
I purchased my 2012 Focus new Nov. 2012. After a few weeks of owning the car, I noticed that the ride was not as 'smooth' as my prior car. I did not think anything of it, as I live in a city and assumed it was due to the stop and go of the city miles I drove as well as the winter season. By June 2013 with less than 8,000 miles, I began to notice that my car would roll backwards on hills when stopped in traffic while moving my foot from the brake to the accelerator and shake at various speeds. I was told by Ford that the issue was deemed 'normal' in 2013. In November 2013, I had 12 months of data to realize the gas mileage was not even close to what the dealership and my car buying research led me to believe. I was getting 16 city mpg and 20 highway mpg. I also began to experience severe shuddering and shaking of my car at low speeds. When accelerating from ~10mph to ~25mph, my car began to lurch forward and also shudder when idle. In Oct. 2014, I took the car for service w/ 12K miles. The service technician noted that there was nothing much that could be done as Ford had not issued a new transmission fix. I was not happy with this answer and took the car back the following week and spoke to the mechanic's supervisor. The supervisor agreed to 'reflash' the transmission, which was the approved fix by Ford at the time although it would worsen gas mileage due to reduction in gas efficiency to reduce the amount of shuddering and lurching I experienced. This fix did not appear to help at all and gas mileage got worse. In July 2017, I had the clutch replaced. The service technician acknowledged that the new clutch should help although it is the transmission causing the issues. Since July 2017, I have not noticed any remarkable improvement to the driving experience. During standard maintenance, Ford has told me there is nothing further that can be done.
Transmission shutters upon takeoff. Struggles to find the right gear on takeoff and downshifting when driving. At times has failed to go into reverse when stationary or overdrive when driving. Engine light goes on and then off. Problem has been going on for years with only minor improvements from dealer fixes.
My car shutters and shakes when I'm accelerating. Going from a dead stop is the worst. I've taken my car in and there is no resolution as of today. Ford knows of all of these issues and knew of them before my car was manufactured. My extended warranty runs out next month and will be on the hook for any future damages to my car.
Almost killed my self when lurched into intersection because clutch acted up, something it has done since night used. I trusted Ford, had no idea of transmission problems. Tranny has been done twice at Ford, no luck still bad. Mad as hell.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that the failure was evident right after the vehicle was refueled or if the fuel in the vehicle was low. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
After receiving recall information, regarding recall 18S32, the vehicle was taken to the dealership for repair in mid-November 2018. The dealership advised that the recall was remedied. In may of 2019 the vehicle displayed signs that the issue was not resolved. For example, using excessive amounts of gasoline and emptying the tank while the gauge was showing fuel was present; also, the vehicle would stop moving while engine was still running. After being diagnosed by two different dealerships, the most present diagnosis is that recall 18S32 is the issue and now Ford is refusing to fix the vehicle. The car had to be towed five hours from the location, due to safety concerns, to a dealership who diagnosed that the recall had not been resolved only to be informed that Ford refused to cover the expense of the recall.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. One year after the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline), the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had not experienced a failure prior to the recall repair. The contact called zeigler Ford plainwell at 269-685-5801 (located at 1260 M-89, plainwell, mi 49080) where the recall repair was performed. The technician informed the contact that it sounded as if the canister in the fuel tank was fractured. The technician stated that the part was already repaired per the recall and would not be covered again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
There was recall 18S32 issued by Ford to fix fuel fuel tank purge valves. My car had stalled for this very reason and I had it towed to dealership to have fixed. Picked it up and problem happened again. Dealership already closed ticket. Brought car back in to have resolved, they spent two weeks advocating to flord for me that the issue could be resolved by replacing fuel tank and problem was a direct relation to recall. Ford denied claim and Ford response to customer was to keep car half full which was a quote they made about the original recall. Fuel tank needs replacement and Ford is refusing to fix the recall on my car and dealership is not taking responsibility for closing the ticket and ensuring the recall was fixed. I opened a claim with Ford yesterday. I don't understand as this is a safety issue and its a matter of time before it gets even worse especially when we are dealing with a serious fuel issue. Ford is telling me to keep it half full just like they said with the original recall and I dont understand why they are not addressing this serious safety issue that is a direct result of the recall. I am attaching the paperwork from the dealership. Please help me as Ford did the same thing with the transmission recall. I brought it in and they never fixed it and refused to address it again. I'm not the only one who is in this situation and Ford issues recalls and takes no responsibility with ensuring that the replacements needed are functional. I cannot afford another car and I am petrified with having a fuel issue or stalling out in a dangerous intersection that has already happened to me twice and I dont know what to do. This all happens while driving the car and it shows I have fuel but I really dont and the car will stall. My car according to the dealership needs a new fuel which is directly a result because of this recall.
Canister purge valve was not replaced during recall. Because a week after I took the car for recall, the canister purge valve was diagnosed to be faulty.
Power steering assist failure warning light upon cranking the car, steering wheel impossible to turn but not locked up. Car hesitates/sputters at acceleration from stop
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the highway and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. When the vehicle was powered off and restarted, the vehicle drove normally. On another occasion, while attempting to drive the vehicle, it failed to start. The vehicle was taken to rogel Ford (located at 26167 ms-27, crystal springs, ms 39059, (601) 892-3673) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Furthermore, the front driver side door failed to close. The vehicle was taken back to rogel Ford where the door was repaired, but not diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that they also reprogrammed the power train module. The contact stated that the fuel gauge would show full when it was supposed to be at half a tank. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that rogel Ford repaired the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Clayton, NC, USA