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.
When you go to start it as soon as you turn the ignition on it starts to crank the car over when I don't have it turn all the way to crank the motor over. As it has a short I been told by Ford but nothing being done they said it should be on the recall list.it cranks over like a dead battery when the battery brand new.but the key switch should never start the engine till ya turn it all the way.it's like if I turn the switch on to hear the radio the car starts cranking over and starting when it shouldnt.Ford has never fix the recalls thats on it now as we told them and they say they arent important when the doors and switch are very important.this starting problem been going on since we bought it from Ford.
This car has had problems since purchasing it as a certified used vehicle for my daughter. The stereo went out completely and had to be replaced. The transmission has been having issues but Ford says the problem is not bad enough when hooked up to the computer for it to be replaced under their extended warranty which Ford has put in place an extended warranty up to 100,000 miles and 7 years. Lastly twice while my daughter was starting to drive the car the steering wheel locked up and brakes stopped working. The second time the car was in reverse and continued to roll forward. Its a good thing she knew to use her emergency brake or she could have been hurt. The car is at the dealership to be diagnosed and repaired. Never buying a Ford again.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. When driving, turning, and switching lanes, the vehicle hesitated and sputtered. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power train control module and clutch failed. The dealer (allan vigil Ford, 6790 mt zion blvd, morrow, ga 30260, (678) 364-3673) stated that they would have to charge to run a diagnostic test to identify the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist. The failure mileage was 121,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed after a complete stop. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact noticed the failure in November of 2017. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,540.
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.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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2012 Ford Focus with 55,000 miles. Driving on interstate at 60 mph and the car suddenly shut down. Weather was sunny and 84. Fortunately, I was not hit and was able to coast to the shoulder of the interstate. Steering and brakes worked fine. Car will not restart. Turning the key is uneventful, no noise or action of any kind. There is electric, as I was able to put the windows down. Waited 3 hours for a tow truck. I lost a days wage, have a tow bill and a car that will not work. Thankful that my teen was not driving at the time.
Takata recall. I went to Tacoma Dodge to purchase my first vehicle. It was pre owned without warranty. This was around October 2016. Not even a year into my first car and it started showing transmission malfunction and has died on me more than five times. Sometimes on the freeway with people going over 60 mph putting me at risk and family members. It's been stationary for almost a year later and the dealership cannot help me with this problem. I went back to the dealership and they printed a list of faults from the previous owner and I was not aware of this the day I signed for the vehicle otherwise I wouldn't have gotten it.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle started shuddering and inadvertently shifted gears. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The dealer (capital Ford of charlotte, 5411 N tryon St, charlotte, nc 28213) stated that they were aware of the failure with an engine module and the warranty was extended to 100,000 miles. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the extended warranty program. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Car was being driven at about 30 mph when it suddenly shut off. Car would not restart. Fuel gauge indicated 71 miles to empty, 2 days after dealer supposedly recalibrated fuel gauge by reprogramming computer. This has happened several times in the past 3 months. Dealer says clutch (in this automatic vehicle) failed "shudder test", and needs $1500 replacement. He says this could explain car shutting off. I cannot risk my pregnant daughter being stranded by this car. Very disappointed inford and this dealer.
The car will cut off once you try to start it up after filling up the gas. It also stalls while you're sitting idle at a light. The gas gauge is also broken. It stays at full and moves around freely.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vacuum line malfunctioned when the vehicle reached half a tank of fuel. The failure resulted in the vehicle being unable to start. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated as the vehicle failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not provided.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact's son was unable to start the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The engine eventually started and the vehicle was driven to tallahassee Ford Lincoln (243 N magnolia dr, tallahassee, fl 32301) where it was diagnosed that the purge valve pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
While driving my transmission/engine will cut out for 1 second causing the car to lurch forward and stall for a brief second, then it resumes driving normal. Other times the engine will shutter/ sound like it's almost going to stall out, especially when slowing down or accelerating from a rolling or stopped position. Often these occur on city streets.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to hawkeye Ford (2027 us-34, red oak, ia 51566) where it was diagnosed with failure codes P144A and P0456. The codes indicated that the evap, purge vent, vent valve, fuel tank, and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
I was driving and the car kept turning of. It happened when I was stopped at a light and multiple times when I was driving. It doesn't shutter and stall, it just shuts off. Engine light came on with P1450 and P0456. It is evidently a known issue. There was a recall for 2010-2011 Ford Fusion for the exact same thing. "some of these vehicles might have a canister purge valve that does not work properly, causing internal pressure changes inside the fuel tank. Repeated pressure changes inside the tank could result in a crack on the top of the tank, possibly allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire." There is no recall for the Ford Focus models affected, even though it is a known issue and not related to normal wear. It is a manufacturer defect. It was a very scary experience and a very costly one to repair. I am under 60,000 miles. I do not understand why there is a recall on one model, but not the other for the exact same manufacturer issue. The estimated repair cost is $1800 from the Ford dealership service department. I was almost hit, because it happened while I was making a turn. It caused me extreme anxiety. This is not the first manufacturer issue I have had with this car. Not long after getting it, I had transmission issues.
Pulling out of daycare on a city street, the engine starting chugging. The transmission/engine light came on. I was able to drive slowly to make it home. Chugging each time I tried to accelerate. Extremely scary especially with 3 kids in the car. I drive on state rd. 82 for work and pick up the kids. Very dangerous. This will be the third or fourth time this has happened. I need it repaired at no cost to me.
The check engine light will not turn off, the door sensors keep ringing, and the transmission does not shift properly amd rools backwards when I apply the brakes
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- Danville, OH, USA