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.
Bought 2012 Ford Focus on 3/2016. 5/2016 took back to dealership for stuck window D/T bad motor and reprogramming of transmission control module. 7/2016 car would not start at all, completely stalled out. Took to Ford dealership again...transmission computer/module replaced. 12/2018 car stalled yet again and steering would not work nor would shifter...transmission garage stated they fixed issue. 8 hours later, the car would not run at all. Transmission place refused to touch the car again. Called original dealership and ofcourse, they replaced the transmission control module. And expect us to pay for it again this time! plus the dealership will not replace car until most recent recall is fixed on it. Like hell will I put my 2 children and husband back in this car with the chance of it to stall again and crash. We reside 40 miles away from work so a total of a 1/2 tank of gas at one time is not feasible in western New York weather. 5 transmission problems and how many recalls later and Ford Motor Company will not do anything to make their wrongs right
A loud abrupt thump(s) and/or high pitched screeching sounds come from the sound system speakers. This occurs with the radio in the "on" or "off" position and may last a few seconds up to minutes. The sound is very loud and uncontrollable. The radio is unresponsive during and after the noise (usually requiring an engine restart). This is dangerous when operating the vehicle. The noise level and suddeness causes an immediate defensive posture just as if I had been struck from out of nowhere. Not only that, it is abusive. It really rattles the nerves. The only sure way to control it is to disconnect the radio.
Whether the car is on or off the speakers will make a high frequency pitch sound and a loud popping sound even when the radio is turned off. Over the last two days this is done this three times while I'm driving it's very distracting I almost ran off the road. I am now to the point I have to wear earplugs just to drive my car, so I won't damage my ears. I have to video recordings of the car making the sound one when the car is on and one when it is off. However the format I have these videos is not accepted for me to upload to your site I will be happy to send it to you anyway I can.
For a few months now my power steering has been not working when I turn the car on sporadically. To fix this I have been just turning the car off then back on a few times and that seems to fix the problem. However, now it won't reset and I do not have power steering at all. I had it towed to the dealer and after they charged me 140 they tols me that it needs a new rack and pin and it would cost 2400!!! Ford issued a recall on several different cars for this same issue. How many more people have to be hurt or die before they issue one for this? I just had the transmission control module replaced under warranty and received a letter in the mail informing me that a recall was issued due to the fuel system causing major problems.
Radio made a very loud static and popping noise that sounded like my car was being shot at and the windows were breaking while I was on the highway doing 60mph on my way to work. I was lucky it was very early in the morning and not many cars were on the road because the sudden sound caused me to swerve into the next 2 lanes. I took the car to 2 different auto mechanic shops and was informed that this has been an ongoing issue with the Ford Focus for years, and that the radio electrical system would have to be replaced.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that there had been no failures until weeks after the vehicle was serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was repaired by champion Ford Lincoln (140 southtown blvd, owensboro, ky 42303, (270) 684-1441). The contact heard an abnormal noise in the area of the instrument panel and radio. In addition, the doors failed to lock. The contact felt that the recall repair failed to provide a permanent remedy. The vehicle was not repaired and the dealer indicated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the part was not available. The contact called to verify if field service action numbers: 14M01 (transmission clutch shudder/transmission input shaft seal) warranty extension and 14M02 (transmission control module) extended warranty coverage were serviced by the dealer with the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
As I was driving my car driver side door open the latch does not work anymore and my car stalls I cannot tell how much gas I have because the gauges don't work it puts its doors open I'll be on 75 it just shut off I need to go to red lights is shift so far they go to stop sign I should solve the radio also just goes out and I have so loud starch sound screeching noise very loud and annoying my car also kranks when I want to create battery died quick.
Electronic power steering failure light keeps going on and no power steering is available. Does reset upon restarting car. There are over 10000 online forum complaints about same issue. Ford was aware of issue and continued to sell the vehicle with this issue and the transmission control fault.
My electrical system was fixed by local Ford dealer when I thought my transmission was the problem.they suppose to fix it but weeks after my dashboard went haywire and my radio stop working.I had to pay them close to $200 for the repairs.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was started, the gear shifter would not engage into reverse or drive. While driving at different speeds, the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to randall reed's park cities Ford of dallas (3333 inwood rd, dallas, tx 75235) where it was diagnosed that there was a transmission and electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,078.
I started engine today and got notification that "steering assist" needs attention. I just recently took my car to dealer for recalls on door latches, windshield wiper motor, and transmission. They kept it 2 weeks and I had to pay $393 for repair of broken motor mount and wiring diagnostic because linkage to computer failed due to short. I have attached the dealer invoice for these services. On seeing problem with power steering assist I looked on internet and see that Ford has issued recalls for motor mounts, steering assist problems, and faulty wiring issues on other Ford models but not for the Focus. I have not received recall info for the motor mount, steering assist problem, or wiring issues for my Focus. Should they not be required to do so if they have issued recalls for other Ford products with the same issues?
While driving, would hear loud popping sound from speakers and radio would cut out completely. Would have to restart car to get radio to work. Popping sound is so sudden and so loud it literally scares me while I'm on the road. This is a potential hazard as I could easily cause an accident from being startled by the sound these speakers make. Several other Ford drivers have expressed having this same issue.
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.
After numerous times going to the dealership my check engine light keeps coming on my car doesn't accelerate, it stalls and has a burning odor. I have been stuck on expressways with my 3 month old twins, twice and it is scary. Ford knows of these transmission pronlems, ..tmc, pmc are terrible in these cars, and then they want you to pay ridiculous prices for mistakes.
The car cuts off while in motion. At times it will shut off at stop lights, in the middle of traffic or just stop accelerating. It may start back after restarting the car.
Power steering has been going "in and out" for about 1-2 years. Resolved temporarily typically by restarting engine. However, power steering permanently failed 9/9/18. Took my car in multiple times prior to this with no resolution. Looking at a $2100 bill to replace whole steering gear. Multiple electrical issues with cars computer. Called customer care stating Ford knew about the issue (2017 dismissed lawsuit)-- but warranty was relied to get out of the cost responsibility. Mileage around 94-96,000.
While sitting still my gas hand went from 1/2 a tank of gas to the full mark. Filled it up even though the gas hand was on full mark. It took $20 to fill it up and for it to kick off. Then when I started to start my car I hand to turn the key twice to get the motor started and then after I took my hand off the key it kept on cranking as if trying to start although it was already running. I drove it to lexington and could feel it revving the motor up without me doing anything. I turned around and drove back to frankfort and took it to big O's. they put a handheld tester on it and said it was either the oxygen sensor or converter for the engine light that was on. I informed them that I had replaced the O2 sensor just 3 weeks ago. He test drove it and said it revved up on him also which he said something was going wrong in the transmission. When I left from there the lights came on by themselves, the check engine light was on, and the gas hand was still past the full mark. On 9/7/2018 although it said the tank was full my fuel light came on. It also quit on me on 9/7/2018 going down a hill and I had to pull over for a while before it would start back up so I could get home. There was a recall on the tcm valve which has been replaced twice and the clutches in the transmission which has been replaced twice.
Ran out of fuel in this vehicle, once when my daughter was driving on a highway, even though the fuel gauge would say there was between 75-100 miles before empty. The last time this happened the interior of the vehicle had a strong smell of gas. I then proceeded to take it to the dealership and after diagnosis the service manager said some valve remained open causing the gas tank to crack and in turn gas flowed back into the intake manifold. The cost to fix would be approximately $3100. The problem has been a known issue with this vehicle for quite some time, but Ford refuses to recall or even pay for the work. I even had an extended warranty and they wouldn't cover it either.
When entering the car I hear a static sound, check radio and it's off. When I turn off motor and go out and then come back in as a static sound from the radio like it's
Most of the entertainment console has stopped working. There is also a static noise that comes around whenever it wants. I can use the menu button and when it's pressed the other two things that show are the clock menu and the display menu. I can not use any other functions on the console, I can put in and take out a cd but I can not play anything on the cd because nothing happens when I press the cd button. I looked online and it seems to be happening to a lot of people. Checked the battery and the fuse that is associated with it based on the owners manual and the problem got worse. It now makes the static noise even when I turn off the car and take out the keys. Goes away once I close the door. I do not know what is happening but I would like it to be fix please.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Warsaw, NY, USA