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.
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.
- Visalia, CA, USA
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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.
Car was running fine then turned it off and 10 minutes later would not crank. Car will not start.you can jump start it and it starts. Now cut it off want crank
I went to get my oil changed someplace other than my Ford dealership and since, the car has been running oddly. Mostly issues with accelerating after sitting at a red light on roads where the speed is anywhere from 35 to 45 mph. It doesn't happen all the time, but I noticed it about a week after the oil change. The other issue, that is more cause for alarm, is that the doors will not close completely. First it was the passenger front door, then the passenger rear door and finally the driver rear door. All while stationary, thank goodness. Since then, all but the driver's side front door have been secured with bungee cords for the last few weeks, because I did not have the funds to replace the door latches. One of which had been replaced only last year and cost me nearly $500 because the part hadn't been on recall! I then found out today that there is a recall on said parts that began in January 2017 but I have yet to be notified by my dealership! I only noticed because I wanted to see -if- there had been a recall due to hearing about a few other people having this same type of issue. See photos of bungee corded doors. This is extremely dangerous and those who own this same model of car should be notified immediately of a recall, not when parts are available. I would never have known had I not thought of doing my own research. I may never had known if I was waiting on my dealership to notify me... I may have been seriously injured or worse if I had waited on them.
I have had the car back to the dealer twice for it studdering and not shifting right. It has still shuddered once in a while while going forward coasting and turning but not as bad as when I took it in. I love my Focus but am so upset that it now has a major transmission problem that may not be covered under my extended warranty. I don't have that kind of money and I take good care of my car, getting oil changes ect when due. Ganley Ford in barberton now has it and is taking it apart to see what the issue is. Should not happen on a car this new. It started making a loud noise when pushing on the gas and driving at about 40-50mph. The noise was loud like a race car, vibration noise. I took it in to Ford the following day and was told it was not safe to drive. I mostly drive on street, not on the highway. It was in drive going forward that the noise issue occured, getting louder the warmer the car was.
Having problems maintaining speed ! when I excelerated it doesn't want to pick up speed then suddenly it picks up speed after pressing the pedal to the floor. Very dangerous. I saw this very same complaint from another Focus owner dated in March 2016. Very scary!
Incident description: Engine stopped and without warning while the transmission was in drive. Engine light came on as the engine ceased running. It happened while the car was in motion, thankfully approaching stop sign. Understand that this also results in the loss of power steering. The car is regularly serviced, well-maintained, and has approx. 94,000 miles. Verdict from Ford dealership mechanic: Vacuum purge valve was stuck in the open position. The vacuum force that resulted damaged/warped fuel tank, and damaged the fuel pump. The purge valve, fuel tank, and fuel pump all must be replaced. Cost: The cost of repairs is over $2000, plus towing the car, and the need for my family to get a rental vehicle for a week. Misc: There is no recall for this item and this could prove exceptionally dangerous if it occurred on a highway especially since you lose power steering when the engine dies suddenly.
When accelerating the vehicle is extremely hesitant to drive on a flat road. This issue gets worst when on a upward hill. Once the vehicle gets going, it shakes and shudders until it picks up enough speed to go. There sounds like there is something scraping or rattling inside the engine. This is a hazard when making any type of turns in the vehicle or even driving.
There is a current recall for my door latch. My door has now stopped latching. I called the dealer when I received my recall notice and was told there were no parts available and that I would receive a call when the parts were available. This was 4 months ago. Now that my door will not latch I am told that I can bring it in, but they do not have parts, cannot guarantee a loaner, and that I have to sign a waiver stating I will pay $180 for an inspection if it is not part of the recall. I am very disappointed and unwilling to possibly pay for them to inspect my vehicle. I also have an issue with my transmission while driving. Once my car still showed in drive, but was in neutral while I was driving at 40 mph with cars behind me. I had to pull to the side of the road and place the car in park and back into drive. I have had 2 similar incidents since then, though the car still worked, but felt like I was grinding my gears. All were on city streets, luckily not the highway.
"takata recall" I have a 2012 Ford Focus, that is knocking loud, I don't know what happen, the delearship did transmission work on it earlier 2016, one morning, when I got into the car, the oil light came on and it knocking, so my husband check to see if, there is oil in there and it was, so I was going to take to have a oil change, but he said, we need to see what's going on first. I will take to delarship this week to see what needs to be done. But would like Ford to take care of repair. My Focus was bought new and I have had at least 4 recalls on it so far.
Takata recall so I was told after having multiple problems with my vehicle after bob lowth Ford selling me it that some parts are on recall and I have small children I don't want to put in risk if anything happens during the winter weather here in mn for insistence my engine light came on and it started feeling like it wanted to die out on us early morning around 7:30 am central time so I always try to make sure that my small children have blankets in case we die out in -20 weather.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to physically push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in a previous recall for the power train, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The recall details were not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 73,366.
Car at stop engine revs from low to high, if you press on the accelerator the engine will die even when you are in motion. Sometimes the engine will just die when you press on the accelerator. In traffic on highways this is extremely dangerous. The cost to repair this default in design was $889.18 at the Ford dealership where the car was purchased new. That is an egregious charge for a common complaint about this care. Per the internet research we have done. Ford says the car is out of warranty and take it up with nhsta so that is what I am doing.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Madison Heights, VA, USA