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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.

6.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$50
Average Mileage:
75,150 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. performed module adjustment (1 reports)
2012 Ford Focus electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #7

Dec 022021

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,453 miles

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

bought this car used. Extremely disappointed in ford. First the windshield wipers went had to replace the motor, 600 dollars. The battery light is on all the time even with a new battery in it. Brake lights are flickering. Windshield wipers are now out for the second time less than a year before the last repair. Radio doesn't work at all. 12V charger does not work at all. Water leaks into the car. The Engine coolant leaks all the time even with a brand new tank in there brand new connections. This will be the last American car I buy.

- Alex C., Leominster, MA, US

problem #6

Oct 252020

Focus SEL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,906 miles

I am experiencing problems with auto brake control and anti traction controls due to rodent damage of electrical wiring associated with the systems in the engine compartment. The fact that the electrical wiring harness has soy based insulation which attracts the rodents.

- cscharles, Pompano Beach, US

problem #5

Mar 012018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,250 miles

The radio does NOT WORK. Get "crackling/popping/humming" noises out of the speakers. Hazard lights work only when they want to. Can not reset computer after oil change because of these problems.

- rick4h9ma, Framingham, MA, US

problem #4

Sep 012013

Focus S 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

There have been a pattern of electrical failures with the vehicle. So far none of them have been critical though they could be safety hazards. The first problem occurred when the car was about a year old and the speakers would pop and crack loudly. Loudly enough to sound like a gunshot and make a driver jump. It was very random.

After a couple years of this behavior the stereo (radio/cd) stopped working completely. Two years later it popped and cracked again and the radio worked for about 10 seconds. It has been dead again for about a year now. When the car was about three years old the passenger side window stopped working.

I took it in for repair and was told nothing was wrong with it. The "fix" was to wiggle the switch some. I limped along like this for about a year and now it doesn't work at all. It is annoying to haul trash in the trunk and not be able to roll down both the windows. It is dangerous to think about not being able to operate the window at all if i needed to escape through the window in an emergency.

The car is now worth maybe $4500 without deducting for the electrical problems. I'm guessing I can take another $1200-$1500 off the value of the car. This is the only Ford I've ever owned. I bought it new and take care of my vehicles (except for now using the Focus to haul trash; the trunk is huge!:). It is very disappointing.

- fleabite80, McCaysville, US

problem #3

Nov 162015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,185 miles

Hazard lights were not functioning. Radio, CD and sound systems not functioning. They repaired, and said that the unit had been removed prior. (It had been serviced by them prior). They wanted to charge me a full service call price of 90.00, but I argued that they had performed the maintenance on it prior and that was probably why it was removed. They denied this, even though I have record of their service, but argued them down to half price on the service and paid $45.00.

- Dave W., Decatur, IL, US

problem #2

Mar 292016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

my car was towed. I had to bay another car because ford company did not want to pay for the problem. I had it with this car. thank you sofia costa

- Sofia C., New Bedford, US

problem #1

Aug 282012

Focus ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I purchased a 2012 Ford Focus SEL in August 2012. Brand new car with no mileage. After a few weeks of having the car, it happened, your worst nightmare....MAJOR manufactured Ford Motor Company parts just failed and caused me a world of spending time-off from work, commuting back and forth, and just a very stressful time dealing with car issue after car issue daily and weekly, and on a "NEW" car!! Every year from 2012-2016 I have had "MAJOR" mechanical, technological, and Ford Motor Company manufactured parts issues! How is this fair to your customers? How can Ford Motor Company "NOT" help to resolve these issues rightfully with the customer? What ever happened to "Ethics" and "Morals", doing the RIGHT thing by your customer? The Executive Chair states in their Website, “I believe the purpose of a company is to make people’s lives better,” he says. “That is how we became great in the past and it is how we will become even greater in the future.” This is a false statement. Many consumer lives have been turned upside down, inside out, and damaged due to Ford Motor Company!! This is not acceptable customer service! Ford Motor Company has not created any "ETHICAL & RIGHT" strategy or plan to "HELP" their customers with car issues due to Ford Motor Company "FAULT". They are making us pay for Ford Motor Company mistakes! What ever happened to Customer Care?? Legal action is a must now!!! We have to be heard and taken care of rightfully!!!

- twilliams9302016, Durham, NC, US

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