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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:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,385 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Jan 032024

Focus

  • miles

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

Se acelera y desacelera repentinamente Quiero acelerar para llegar a la mismas velocidad del trafico y no lo hace y eso hase que ponga en peligro la vidad mia y de mi familia por que otro carro puede chocarme. Cuando sucedio eso se activo el CHECK, lo apago por completo y los parabrisas se activan repentinamente, todo esto es muy raro y no es bueno para

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #24

Feb 112024

Focus

  • miles
I have reported before my vehicle is and has been cyber attacked. This time around my horn has been disable. They turn on the radio, they turn on the light lights of the vehicle, they turn on the radio, they turn on the ac/heat control. If I take it in again, they are going to tell me nothing is wrong. This is very dangerous for me as a driver. I cannot drive a vehicle without a horn. I NEVER heard from you guys on the last report I made. Not sure how this one is going to help. This Ford vehicle is dangerous! If you can please assist, I would appreciate it. Thank you!

- Oak Park, IL, USA

problem #23

May 292020

Focus

  • 176,000 miles
I began to notice my vehicle having lighting issues, including dimmer inside dome lights, flickering license plate lights, and it was pointed out to me that my back up lights weren't functional at all. I was parked parallel with other vehicles in a parking lot. Then after starting my vehicle, I shifted my automatic transmission into reverse going only about 2 mph when the vehicle began to beep, along with a warning that my luggage compartment door was open. In the situation, the beeping was very distracting and could have increased the risk of crashing. I immediately re-parked my vehicle so that I could investigate. I opened, then firmly closed all 4 of my doors, then tired to open the trunk, only to find that my trunk wouldn't open. The beeping persisted until I pressed the ok button on my steering wheel. I was able to drive my vehicle home safely, although the warning remained on my display the entire drive home. My trunk wouldn't open when pressing on the trunk release button on my smart-key either. I drove the vehicle in that condition for approximately 3 months before I was able to located the source of the problem. After doing ample research on other 2012 Ford Focus drivers that complained of the same symptoms. So I accessed my trunk by folding my back seats down, then pulling the emergency trunk release lever. I then located the faulty wires that were causing all of my symptoms. I had the wires repaired by a professional. That solution worked for about 3 months before reoccurring.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #22

Sep 272020

Focus 4-cyl

  • 106,275 miles

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

#01. The panel light are not working in my 2012 Ford Focus hatchback SE - the fuel warning light does not work either way - stationary or in motion, the low fuel warning light does not come on. I need further assistance in troubleshooting for this vehicle. To inspect my vehicle and check why the lights are not coming on. #2 the positive battery cable is very corroded. #3. I'mnotable to properlyopencar front door from outside onpassengerside. I can open the door but exerting a greater force when I pull to open this door than the rest of the doors.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #21

Aug 252019

Focus

  • 119,286 miles
When you go to pull out the car wants to jump an stall then U be going down the road some an the engine light will come on an the transmission dont want to go out of gear the way it should I have a 7 month old grand baby an it scares me to drive something thats so defective. Please respond to this. Had it check at fors an they still ant fixed

- Williamsburg, KY, USA

problem #20

Jul 232019

Focus

  • 89,000 miles
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 #19

Mar 182019

Focus

  • 117,000 miles

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

Transmission was not shifting into gears, then the reverse went out..talked to 3 different Ford dealers..asked about my warranty then said no recalls on this and out of warranty would be out of pocket..so I did have an outside warranty for repairs but they said nothing was covered..so I paid aamco to fix it..3500.00 and 2 months later I am at another aamaco (because of their warranty) the new aamaco place says transmission shot need a new one..about 5 grand..so..no we drove it back home and put her to pasture..I have all paperwork on all work done..and not done..but we travel for my husband's job..so my paperwork is home in tx..we are now in tn..for a few weeks.my car acted up badly, hot transmission, had to stop several times just to get it to the shop.. also..would be great if it at least had a dip stick to check your fluids. Also on first transmission work..we had to rent our motel room for 3 extra days waiting on the car repair to be completed. This after he had it a week already..I also have phone numbers and quotes from 2other people that would have worked on my car if they had the tools to work on a dual transmission.

- Broaddus, TX, USA

problem #18

May 012019

Focus

  • miles
Headlight on the right side did not work. The error message was low beam dip. I had the socket replaced three weeks ago. The headlight worked for about two weeks.

- Westampton, NJ, USA

problem #17

May 012019

Focus

  • miles
I keep receiving a brake light error message. I had it repaired at the same time as the headlight. It is out again. The message comes on when I start the vehicle and periodically while driving.

- Mount Holly, NJ, USA

problem #16

May 202019

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
The rear tail lights are subject to a "brake lamp bulb fault" due to the shoddy wiring and wiring harness that affixes the wires to the trunk lid. After many open and close iterations of the trunk lid, wires become brittle and fray, and eventually fault. The problem is widespread throughout the forums with many individuals resorting to cutting the cables and resoldering or reattaching them with reduced wire tension. This is a major problem and can cause potential rear end accidents when the brake and tail lights fail to illuminate. The fault appears as soon as the car turns on, and can sporadically go away when driving. As sporadically as it disappears, it reappears and remains. This is absolutely a design flaw with wiring not shielded in any way and simply wrapped in tape.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #15

Mar 312019

Focus

  • 70,000 miles

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

The headlight housing socket melted in November 2018, causing the lamp to fail and the replacement of the housing. After replacing the socket and bulb, the same thing just happened (March 31, 2019). The headlamp is unusable unless housing and bulb are completely replaced. There is fear of a fire occurring.

- Panama City Beach, FL, USA

problem #14

Mar 062019

Focus

  • 110,000 miles
Off and on for the past 2 months go out to start the car put it in reverse attempt to back up and the steering wheel becomes stuck it will not turn at all you have to give it 1 min and then try again and then it resumes normal, last summer was driving down the main highway the right headlight went out the next morning start the car and appears in screen default on the L lighting open the hood to see all electrical wires to the headlights were burnt where the bulb connects to the wire areas had to have all wiring redone and also new complete headlights, also 2 years ago was driving down the highway car stalls out I drift to the edge of the highway attempted several restarts would not restart had it towed and had to replace the fuel pump and relay switch

- Madison Heights, VA, USA

problem #13

Jan 152019

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
Takata recall. First the headlights stopped working with no way to fix it. They randomly cut off at night while driving. Next, the car will shutter and cut off while driving. The car will no longer start. All the incidents were on a highway in valdosta Georgia.

- Lakeland, GA, USA

problem #12

Oct 112018

Focus

  • 105,458 miles
While driving dashboard lights and gauges turn off radio turns on and off and unable to operate or turn off it stays on with extremely loud static.cars turns off while in motion on a highway and street. We pushed it to safety then attempted to turn it back on and it did. Today we took it to a Ford dealer the rep hooked it up to the diagnostic machine no problem was was found. Then later that day it did it again. We took it back now they say its the computer system that controls computer programming for the car. Granted they had not hooked it up to the diagnostic machine and the cost would $800. This car is not even 6 years old this is a big concern /liability when you have the dash lights and gauges, the radio turning off and on. The car is shutting off in mid motion. I called Ford today the rep said nothing we can do no other reports about those symptoms have been reported. Yes the rep said symptoms. But other reports have been made on blog chats. Same or similar issues. I have major concerns when a car is shutting down whe driving that is definitely something to worry about. 2012 Ford Focus cost $21000 6 years old needing minor repairs wear and tear understandable tire $50 windshield wipers $30 etc electrical computer programming major repair big problem since potentially your car can shut down in the middle of a highway and you a can cause an accident or worse die. $800 is a lot of money to get a repair done for 6 year old car.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #11

Jan 242018

Focus

  • 68,000 miles
The vehicle dip beam bulb (low beam headlights) burn out, on average every three to four months. We have replaced said bulbs (both left low beam and right low beam) at least six times in the approximate two plus years we have owned said vehicle. Most recent event, Wednesday, January 24, 2018

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Dec 022017

Focus

  • 84,000 miles
Left side headlight has an intermittent issue where it works and doesn't work. Changed the bulb and the problem still occurs. Discovered the plug in the wiring harness that goes to the bulb looks cracked. The bulb tests ok. There has not been any damage to this vehicle related to the headlight according to the dealership. There is a dipped beam fault coming up on the car.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #9

Jun 282017

Focus

  • 92,000 miles
Started with horn and tail light intermittently not working. Then intermittently as you are driving the car shuts off with no warning. This is a major safety issue! everything locks up and you attempt to make it safely to the side of the road. All dash lights work but car won't start. Found same complaints on internet and youtube but no recall. Took to local Ford dealer and they cannot find the issue. The diagnostic machine did not issue a code. I explained in detail the issue and asked for documentation of the issue. The paper they gave me said runs rough when ac is on. I said that is not the issue. They said don't worry the ticket is still open in the system. I asked if they could put a reader on the car while driven to catch the diagnostic code and they said no. So I am in same situation as other owners where my safety and others are at stake each time this car shuts off. Also dealer said they H horn with a screwdriver to make it work for now. So no horn, tail light and car shutting off intermittently are serious safety issues. Ford needs to recall this problem and fix it!

- Quinby, VA, USA

problem #8

Aug 222016

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the low beam headlamps failed. The contact stated that the headlamp bulbs were replaced however, the failure immediately recurred. The contact stated that the headlamp wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Paron, AR, USA

problem #7

Jun 242016

Focus

  • miles
2012 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle headlights will not switch to bright. The consumer stated the headlights remained on dim and she was unable to switch them off and they would come on, when the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer repeatedly for the defect. On the last occasions, the vehicle functioned normally for a few days, but returned to its original problem within a few days. Additionally, there were two incidents, where the headlights simply ceased to work while driving at night.

- Gilbert, WV, USA

problem #6

Feb 242016

Focus

  • 31,000 miles
I've already had problems with the transmission (recall issue) that causes the grinding and jerking of the vehicle...and still have to address these. But just this week my blinkers started coming on (when I turned off my motor), and some alarm started sounding until I started up the car. Really, really concerned at this point! not a safe vehicle. My second Ford Focus (my 2003 was a dream!)...wondering what went wrong in the factory!

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

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