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 while driving, and turning the steering wheel in either direction, there was a clicking sound coming from the steering. Additionally, on several occasions the horn failed to function as designed. The vehicle was taken to auto park Ford located at 1825 centerville rd, sturgis, mi 49091, who indicated that the steering rack was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The check engine light comes on and the car will shudder. Have had times where the car had trouble pulling through a not so steep driveway. Have driven it on streets and highways (not very long). Sometimes it is on for a few days then the next day the light will turn off and drive alright. Was told the tcm (total control module needs to be replaced). Have had issues with the clutch assembly which I needed to completely replace as it was falling apart.
We have a 2012 Focus. From day 1, we have had problems with the battery going dead, within just a day. We have had it in numerous dealerships, with no resolve of the problem. After having had enough, we took it to a specialist who hooked it up to a diagnostic machine. The problem was the stereo system draining the battery. But we felt it wasn't our responsibility to have to pay for a new stereo, so we just had it disconnected. Fixed the problem. But the check engine light never goes off. And now it's making a funny noise in the engine and when you come to a stop and accelerate, it sometimes acts like it wants to cut off. I feel like Ford ought to replace the stereo free. We have had it in on other numerous occasions for other problems too. Had to have a new dash twice!
The horn doesn't work all the time along with the doors not always locking or unlocking. The horn concerns me deeply. I don't have a radio haven't had one in a couple of months I filed a complaint a couple months ago. I'm a Ford person and I really wish Ford were take care if these issues. A horn is a pretty important safety issue with the car.
- Spearville, KS, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Vehicle makes extremely loud static sounds, cracking, popping. Radio cannot be controlled. First time this happened, I almost crashed from the erratic and sudden noise. Radio does not work as of now, mileage is 80,000 approx. This needs to be fixed.
The vehicle just shuts down on the expressway without warning while in traffic. The transmission has been overheating without any unusual acceleration. If driving over 25 mph the transmission overheats and will not accelerate. The vehicle radio comes on without the key in the ignition. The vehicle engine light and transmission light continues to come on without warning.
I was driving at a speed of 65mph and my Ford Focus displayed a yellow wrench and a stop safely now triangle, the car lost power and the steering wheel locked up. I was almost rear ended and fought with the car to coast to the side of the road
I was on the freeway when my door (driver side) open by it self, I pulled over and checked that the door lock stopped locking.now my car is parked on the street with the driver's door open.
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
My radio pops cracks and whatever else the noises are it can make. Works for a little while then pops like I've been shot. Very loud bang. This happens if my car is running and if it's not. It can be parked in my driveway and I walk out of my house and I can hear the static it pops and cracks real loud. Today it sounded like it was off air but made a whistling noise like I was in a tunnel. It's scary not knowing if it's gonna start a fire in my car. I never smell anything like melting wires. Ive had it looked at and my mechanic can't find a problem. The fuses are good and have been changed. This problems occurs when the vehicle is running, when it's parked it really doesn't matter. I didn't file a complaint earlier because I thought the radio was going out, when I looked on the Ford site I see that others have had this same problem with their 2012 Ford Focus.
While driving at approximately 50mph on a country road the vehicle suddenly became unresponsive and numerous warning lights illuminated. A transmission failure warning appeared and the car immediately stopped accelerating. The electric steering became inoperative and steered the vehicle into oncoming traffic. Avoidance and stopping on the side of the road required an estimated 60-80lbs of force to regain minimal steering and bring the car to a stop. Once stopped numerous electrical systems on the car including lights, wipers, and other electrical components began to activate and deactivate in a seemingly random fashion. This car is absolutely unsafe!
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was pushed into a nearby gas station to be diagnosed. The driver was informed that the fuel gauge was inoperable. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). Additionally, on another occasion while moving the vehicle from a parking space, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to maneuver. Metro Ford Chicago located at 6455 S western ave, Chicago, il 60636, (888)667-9088 was contacted by phone. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall or a warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 62,100.
The radio on the stock Focus is dangerous. The random static and loud noises coming from the radio is a safety hazard it can sound like an explosion. I got anxiety so bad I had to remove my stock radio harness from the back of the radio.
The car stalled while driving. The engine shut off and unable to restart. Had it towed to autonation in tustin and are refusing to fix it because part of the power module is broken. They are trying to say it has been tampered with. Reprogramming the power module is part of the recall. We have been without a vehicle for 3 weeks now, as this happened on 11/22. It stopped while driving on the highway which could have caused an accident. The car is not drivable.
On my 2012 Ford Focus fuel consumption has decreased also once the car gets passed a half tank the fuel volume gauge is not correct the car actually runs out of fuel what's the last quarter of a mark which appears to still have fuel, also front end drivetrain makes loud noise when turning corners, engine will not crank at times and makes funny sounds under the hood electrical sounds. Battery positive lead wiring gets hot. Car will not start, blower fan doesn't work and car runs hot, after being replaced 12/05/2019.
We took the car in to get fixed because the check engine light was on. When I turn on the car and start driving the car feels like it loses its speed and it feels like the car is being pulled back every time its driven forward. The car feels as if its being forced to drive and it happens every time the car is being driven. We took it in to star Ford Lincoln glendale on 1101 S brand blvd glendale, ca 91204, phone number (818)502-1901 where they told us they fixed the car but the car remained with the same problems with no evidence of fixed difference. When we picked up the car after dropping it of at star Ford Lincoln we had to jump start the car because it no longer turned even though the car would turn on before we dropped it off. The car also started leaking water from the radiator even though that was not one of the reasons we left the car there. After picking up the car fro there it has been remained park because we can not move it.
I recently submitted a complaint and received a purge valve recall from Ford. The vehicle was taken in on Sept 6 and repaired. On Sept 11th I went to start the vehicle and it hesitated to start. I tried again it started and a notification came on stating transmission malfunction service now. I had my transmission fixed in October 2018 and still have had constant issues. The car still stalls and goes in and out of gears. The car hesitates when turning or pressing on gas to accelerate. After a recent oil change the employee tried to change my headlight as it went out and 4 bulbs later he determined the wiring on the vehicle is horrible.on Nov 2nd my car hesitates to start and check engine light returns stating transmission malfunction. I brought the car into a shop and they thought to change the battery and pulled a code showing clutch position sensor in transmission. The passenger rear seat belt also has a malfunction. Im still paying on this vehicle and still have 11000 to go. Every year there is a constant issue. Im not covered under the warranty and when I was at the dealership stated the car didn't need work and wouldn't repair it. My biggest fear is driving with my children and the car stalls while turning and someone getting hurt. Ive spent thousands of dollars on this vehicle for the same issues within this transmission and Ford doesn't want to fix it.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving, the contact heard an abnormal winding noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to uptown Ford Lincoln (2111 N mayfair rd, milwaukee, wi 53226, (414) 771-9000) where it was diagnosed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: [xxx]. the failure mileage was 94,000. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Just a week after buying my car, the stereo started to make a very loud scratching and popping noise and then it would cut off and no sound would work. I tried to master reset it a few times and it is still having the issue. Now the noise it has been making is so loud and piercing that it makes me feel like my ears are going to bleed. I have looked up ways to stop this problem and I noticed that many people with the same care as me, have reported this exact same issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Howe, IN, USA