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.
Car will not go in reverse. Code shows actuator clutch stuck. Replaced actuator. Repair shop suggested TCM, but was able to reset TCM and reverse worked once, but while in reverse, shifter will slip into N and D with just a tap, and no button depression. It only responded once, and now code is back. Unsafe by not being able to reverse out of harms way, and while in reverse can go into N or D inadvertently.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the transmission module service now message displayed on the instrument cluster and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 20 mph and the transmission shifted independently into neutral. The contact stated the ABS and traction control activated independently with the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to exit to a nearby gas station at 5 mph and the hill ascent assist not available message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact depressed the brake pedal and parked the vehicle on the hill. The contact waited 5 minutes before restarting the vehicle and stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were off. The contact continued to drive and while approaching her residence the vehicle began to decelerate again. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The dealer had no appointment availability until 2023. The contact called another local dealer, Ray Skillman Ford (1250 US-31, Greenwood, IN 46143, (317)885-9800) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse the vehicle with the gear shifter in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted or notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included as only the electric models were included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
I started feeling the transmission having problems going into 1st or 2nd. started right when I hit 90,000 miles. It would shutter like there wasn't enough power but only in lower gears. I've had the car since 2013 and now I have to be extra careful when I put the car in reverse because if the shifter is hit, it will slide the car into either neutral or drive, depending if the shifter is hit up or down. I was never contacted about a a transmission issue by Ford or my dealership. If this is a problem with Ford Focus 2012-2018 then why are customers not being contacted regarding this safety issue.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was restarted and failed to drive. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM needed to be replaced. However, the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
- Palm Coast, FL, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. Upon inspection, the contact noticed there was oil leaking onto the inside of the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Recently, my 2021 Ford Focus began intermittently shuddering when shifting between first and second gear. Also, the reverse gear intermittently does not enage and will have to physically push the vehicle backwards in order to shift back into first gear.
A check engine light appeared on 5/12/2022 car experienced lack of power from accelerator with transmission slippage pulled off of road and car failed to go into any gears had to turn off engine let car sit and then restart for it to engage. 5/13/2022 car went to local mechanic it was diagnosed that TCM (transmission control module) was bad and we needed to take to ford dealership. 4/20/22 while driving to ford dealership the car would not accelerate or change gears several times during trip. Ford dealership mechanic said that the part TCM was on "indefinite backorder". The car is to dangerous to drive.
transmission control module malfunction was covered under extended warranty and I am 11 months outside the window for repair but think it should be covered for the lifetime of the car
PCM/ECM software inadequate to detect a stuck open canister purge valve(cpv) yes it is available for inspection upon request. After recall service was performed the 2012 Ford Focus SE slipped out of gear.the car stalled.the vehicle stopped completely while driving in traffic. The vehichle shoot had no power.the message center display said engine malfunction, transmission failure and starting system failure. The vehicle was taken back immediately to the Ford certified shop.the vehicle did not have any problems until recall service was performed. Yes the vehicle was inspected again.there werent any warning lamps or messages or any mechanical or electrical or software problems.the symptoms did not begin until after recall service was performed by a Ford certified repair facility.Ford stated if the vehicle exhibited any issues after service was performed to take the vehicle back nto were recall service was performed and the car will be fixed free of charge.this did not happen the car has 55 thousand miles on it.it has sat in my driveway since September of 2019. The door latches could come open on their own.I was told that recall service was performed on my 2012 Ford Focus SE by the Ford certified mechanic facility mike white Ford of cd'a Idaho.in fact they never performed the brepairs or even looked at the doors.after repair work was supposedly done I received a letter stating that service was not done and to take my car back to the same place that destroyed my car in the first place.Ford Motor Company refuses to do as their recall letter stated.Ford Motor Company denies any fault concerning my 20123 Ford Focus.its been almost three years of me trying to get my car repaired.the Ford Motor Company absolutely knew the 2012 Ford Focus had major issues.they chose to sell the car to the consumers any way.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move in reverse. While driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. Additionally, while driving the vehicle stalled. The service transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact previously had the transmission replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission clutch failure. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
While driving the vechicle it has problems accelerating and dies out in traffic to a rolling stop. I had the car diagnosed at a Ford dealership near me and was told it would be worse senario approx. $6500 to repair and that is because part of the transmission is $4000 alone. Despite the transmission issues reported on this vehicle the dealership would not comp any fixes. When in reality my problem is the same as many other owners that reported this issue. The difference is the car is newer to me but was previously owned. This is bad that Ford released a faulty transmission and leaves the owners with the burdon to repair.
For the past few months there has been a grinding type sound when shifting down to third. Then It went to shifting up to second and it doesnt want to shift out of second without jumping forward.
When i got to accelerate car will rev to high rpms and when i let go of the gas pedal it will shift to nxt gear then do it again, i have to let go of the gas pedal for it to shift correctly
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
was driving down the highway at 65 mph and went to accelerate and the transmission dropped out of gear and would not catch could not accelerate all you could hear is car reving in rpm was almost in a accident no warning light came on. Just driving regular speed the car the car with not shift properly and just Rev up in rpm and warning light will come on saying transmission hot pull over and transmission malfunction. When you take off from sitting still it will jerk and take forever to get up to speed.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate at various speeds, the vehicle would shudder and shake, the check engine light would illuminate, and the clutch would become stuck. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the clutch was previously replaced on three separate occasions. The failure mileage was 25,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Midlothian, TX, USA