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 that the vehicle sped up and slowed down independently due to the transmission. The contact stated that there was a hesitation when shifting from one gear to the next. Also, while stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, the engine revved while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to pat milliken Ford (9600 telegraph rd, redford charter twp, mi 48239, (313) 731-6436) where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (tcm) needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the tcm was replaced twice, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Issue with automatic transmission knocking and slipping at low speeds. I was made aware that this is a known issue, acknowledged by Ford, but was told by dealership, my issue was caused by oil from real seal leaking onto trans. Mechanic said transmission knock may have caused oil leak but it is not covered.
While driving down the interstate, the vehicle lost power as if it shifted into neutral the rpms rose and the vehicle stopped powering forward. No warning signals appeared on the control panel of the vehicle. Took vehicle directly to Ford dealership where they stated that there were no recorded faults and therefore they could not do anything to the vehicle.
My car constantly smells like gas when I start it up after filling the gas tank up, the car dies when driving down road I have to pull over to start it because it dies while I am on the road so I have to pull over since last year the fuel reader stopped working causing me to die on side of road because of running out of gas. The car still has transmission issues it jerks from time to time and the half shaft bearing and wheel bearings are currently going out in this car. I bought the car brand new at the Ford dealership. This is car is a lemon I have owned over 15 used cars and never had a problem as much I have had with this new car.
- Ledbetter, KY, USA
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The contact owned a 2012 Ford Focus. While making a left turn at 15 mph, the transmission control module (tcm) warning indicator illuminated, the contact's vehicle stalled and crashed into the side of another vehicle. The contact was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. Star Ford Lincoln (1101 S brand blvd, glendale, ca 91204, (818) 956-0977) was informed of the crash. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V523000 (power train). Additionally, the transmission control module and clutch were replaced on September 5, 2017. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
On multiple occasions my 2012 Ford Focus got stuck in park and would not shift into drive. The steering wheel would not turn. The shift stick would not move from park back into drive. The electrical lights 'P N D S' turned off on the dash. When I pushed on the brake the car would not shift back into drive. Last night it happened in the middle of rush hour traffic at a red light. I turned the car on and off several times. The dash board lights would come on, but 'P N D S' remained unlit and the car would not shift back into drive. After 4 or 5 times of turning car on and off and opening and closing the door (this affects dash board lights some how). The lights came back on and the car would allow me to shift back into drive while pushing on the brake.
Clutch and front seal defective causing transmission fluid to leak out thereby causing transmission bearings to fail. Ford admits to defective front seals and will replace for free but refuses to cover transmission problem that was due to their defective seals.
Transmission went to neutral while driving at 55 mph. Displayed warning that transmission overheated. Pilled on to side of road avoiding being rear ended by semi truck. Turned vehicle off waited 10 min restarted vehicle drove 1/2 mile back to dealership no warning messages. 4th time into dealership for transmission failure.
Driving on a city street when it just would not go after a red light. When I did get it to move off of the city street to a parking lot it was hard to steer. All the lights started flashing. I could not lock the doors with my remote, would not start. I had to have it towed to my house. The next morning I put my code reader on the vehicle and found about 13 fault codes which I reset since then I have had multiple instances of my vehicle shutting down, hard steering and transmission not shifting or going into gear. Displays transmission overheating, transmission malfunction service now. Wont, T go into gear. Horn stopped working and withut doing anything it suddenly started working.
Was driving car and randomly a warning came up ' power steering assist fault service required' then power steering turned off. Turn car off turn back on fix the problem. Then problem came back and has not gone away. I have no power steering. Radio has been acting strange since purchased car
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. On one occasion, while driving 60 mph, the transmission vibrated and the vehicle stalled. The transmission faulty warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to lance cunningham Ford at (866) 591-3943 (4101 clinton hwy, knoxville, tn 37912) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an auto center where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer on several occasions, but was directed to voicemail. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Transmission module recall problem getting worse it has in the shop 3 times, almost caused an accident because the car wouldn't move at a light on a hill.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 35 mph, the transmission became inoperable without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped in traffic. The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into gear, and the forward and reverse gears failed. The vehicle was towed to D & D Ford (13655 E wade hampton blvd, greer, SC 29651, (855) 505-1172) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of dtc code: P0785 (timing solenoid malfunction) and that the clutch actuators and slave cylinder failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the transmission clutch motor #2 was switched to clutch motor #1 and the tcm module was replaced prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 133,230.
Nov 27, 2017. Got in my car after work and steering assist light came on. Put hands on steering wheel and I had no power steering. Called a mechanic he said it would be $1800 to fix it. Same thing has happened to five other people he knows.
I can't drive this vechicle on the road because the transmission overheats and slips. I would be at a stop and it's in drive but does not go anywhere. My vehicle rollas back and almost cause a accident. Due to a faulty powershift dual clutch transmission. There is a class action law suit on Ford but as a consumer I have to wait ten business days to even settle a claim. My life is in danger because I feel like a vechicle will hit me soon in the middle of a intersection. I need help from someone please. Im begging you Ford has made no attempts to help me and I still owe 5,000 to pay it off. Which this vechicle is far to low valued. If anyone can help me with this issue asap.
Ford has issued numerous bulletins related to problems with the Ford Focus transmission. Over the past few years Ford has extended the coverage on certain systems. My car transmission failed, preventing the car from being driven faster than approximately 15 mph (first gear). The dealer completed a software reboot which temporarily addressed the problem but stated that I needed a new "clutch pack" (approximately $1,600). Although the software reboot was covered under one of the warranty extensions, the clutch pack was not. Apparently, the software that tells the system what to do is covered, but the hardware is not? I am very disappointed that Ford refuses to fix the problem in spite of numerous issues that have been identified and documented. The issue/problem that I experienced has been well documented, but Ford refuses to address the fact that faulty design has caused this issue.
Sync module failed. Costing $1000 to fix. A smog part failure resulted in Ford wanting 2000 to repair and replace the fuel tank. The clutch fails to engage on low speed turns creating a loss of control. Ford fixed with the recall. Steering fault detected making it near impossible to steer the car. Recall is available on other models but not Focus. Another 1000 to fix it. Ford is unsafe!
When I start the car initially I can't turn the wheel of the car. I have to tug on it to get it to turn eventually. I'm afraid that I'll be driving in the power steering will go out. Also have been having troubles with the transmission slipping. They say my car has too many miles to qualify for the clutch recall that Ford has put out. I don't see what this has to do with a malfunction saying I've had troubles with it since I bought this car. Both of these issues are safety issues. I have no money to replace this stuff. So I don't understand why Ford won't work with people on this there needs to be a recall on the steering as I seen many others complaining about it. And they need to suck it up and take the expenditure of replacing all of these crutches that they have a recall on regardless of mileage. Sometimes my seatbelt comes loose after I clicked it. I have to latch it while trying to drive. I'm tired of this car. I'll never buy from Ford again. I've been having problems with this car since I bought it. And have informed the dealership that we bought it from and they clean there is nothing wrong with it period after taking it too but it's going to cost me $3,000.
While driving on surface streets @ 25 mph, check engine light came on. Transmission shuddering, rough shifting, overheated and needed to stop driving to cool down. After parked overnight, car won't start. Tried three times and then hold key and car resets and starts. Waited next day, car won't start. Tried three times and then hold key and car resets and starts. Drove car to dealership. Need new clutch, battery in transmission, transmission control module and other parts. Car has only 118K miles on it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Plymouth, MI, USA