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 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.
- Mogadore, OH, USA
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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
Yesterday my car was fine on my way to work I go to leave work light comes on says transmission failure service immediately.the car began to shift out of gears and running rpms up never had any trouble with that until yesterday.you can drive mine as manual or automatic I tried to switch over to manual would not change gears at all
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification in June of 2017. The dealer (roberts motors, 4350 N alby St, alton, il, 62002) was contacted at 855-999-5497 and stated that the earliest schedule for an appointment was April 2, , 2018. The contact stated that was unreasonable, but took the appointment anyway. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure per the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer on a few occasions and was informed that there was an exhaust issue. When the vehicle was diagnosed a second time, it passed the emissions test. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Ford Focus transmission module regulator recall. I have had to take my vehicle to the dealer 5 times for issues that I feel are related to this matter. In April, I was driving when I lost total power of my car and then it lurched forward as the RPM's ran over the top. I drove it approximately 5 miles to my home where I had it picked up and towed to larry hill Ford, cleveland, tn. I had the check engine light on again last week and drove there and they told me it was fine to drive while they ordered a part. Today, I stalled out completely while accelerating on 25th street (on my lunch hour). I had to call a tow for the 2nd time. I believe my safety to be in question as I continue to drive this car and Ford does not fix the issue nor have they offered me any type of buyout or trade or compensation for the constant problems not even related to my safety while driving.
While driving locally at speeds lower than 40mph or even staying idle while using ac the engine starts to overheat and an alert pops up on the dash stating that the engine has overheated. Once ac is turned off temperature returns to normal and no issues remain. No overheating has occurred while on highway as of yet.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into neutral. After several moments and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shifted back into drive. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning indicator illuminated and he was able to drive the vehicle home with no further issues. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the transmission was still under warranty. The contact received a class action settlement notice in the mail. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the spouse was driving at 40 mph, when the check engine light illuminated as the vehicle started to shutter and stalled. The vehicle was towed to koons falls church Ford 1051 E broad St, falls church, va 22044 (703) 241-7200, where it was diagnosed with the fuel tank shrunk and was not getting proper amount of fuel to operate the vehicle. The fuel tank and purge valve needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the dealer informed him that the transmission module was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the manufacturer made him aware that the vehicle has no warranty for the fuel tank. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
My car is having transmission problems, and loses power and has a hard time shifting sometimes. I got a recall notice at one time and lost the paperwork, and the Ford dealership refused to look up the recall and said I needed to have the paperwork to get it looked at.
Started with horn and tail light intermittently not working. Then intermittently as you are driving the car shuts off with no warning. This is a major safety issue! everything locks up and you attempt to make it safely to the side of the road. All dash lights work but car won't start. Found same complaints on internet and youtube but no recall. Took to local Ford dealer and they cannot find the issue. The diagnostic machine did not issue a code. I explained in detail the issue and asked for documentation of the issue. The paper they gave me said runs rough when ac is on. I said that is not the issue. They said don't worry the ticket is still open in the system. I asked if they could put a reader on the car while driven to catch the diagnostic code and they said no. So I am in same situation as other owners where my safety and others are at stake each time this car shuts off. Also dealer said they H horn with a screwdriver to make it work for now. So no horn, tail light and car shutting off intermittently are serious safety issues. Ford needs to recall this problem and fix it!
Driving (straight) on a highway going 55. Car slows down to crawl, making grinding noise, error message appears "parking aid malfunction". was able to pull to side of road, put in park and cut off ignition. Would not restart. Dashboard still says car is in drive.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- College Park, MD, USA