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.
Exiting freeway transmission made loud clunk and warning screen popped up saying "transmission malfunction - service now". pulled into nearby shop center parking lot. Afraid to drive car. What would have happened if transmission failed at freeway speed" could I have controlled the car??"
Just purchased a 2012 Focus, loving the car until.....three weeks into ownership while driving home from work, I noticed the gas gauge seemed to be erratic....showing 1/2 tank, fluctuating to full, to 1/4, back up to 3/4, down to 1/2 tank and then without any low fuel warning audible or visual warning.... all instrument panel lights come on, car loses power, stalls, I try to start car, it will not start. I begin to coast out of lane and onto the shoulder, again trying to start car and it will not start. I call for roadside assistance and find that I have run out of fuel. How could this be? I am provided with a gallon of gas, car starts up immediately, I go to nearest gas station to fill up. Gauge reads full, I've driven 100 plus miles without any movement of the gauge I start to suspect the gauge may be faulty. I google this issue and find I am not the first who has experienced this problem. Reading the fordfanatic posts it seems as if dealers make several attempts to resolve issue which leads to several different repairs/replacements before resolution. This is frustrating to the consumer! appears to me, a recall would restore faith in Ford and Ford service.
Vehicle lost power and was not able to safely accelerate while traveling on the highway. The problem happened when I down shifted a gear to pass someone (manual transmission). The vehicle felt like it had about 30% power. I was forced to pull off of highway. Once vehicle was shutoff and turned back on it returned to normal. I had no warning lights on dash or anything. It just happened all of the sudden and was very scary.
The fuel gauge reads much higher levels than are actually in the tank. The gauge will actually go up from three quarters to full in a 20 mile ride. I do have pictures documenting this. The only time the gauge seems to be correct is upon starting the vehicle first thing in the morning.
- Houston, MO, USA
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- Morro Bay, CA, USA