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 vehicle has had repeated issues over the past 7 years of ownership. The vehicle has shuddered upon acceleration for many years. A transmission recall supposedly fixed the problem, however, the vehicle has continued to shudder and also struggled going uphill. I took the vehicle into the local Ford dealership, as it was becoming difficult to drive safely. The vehicle would not accelerate when going up even a moderate incline and would begin to shudder and "rev up". I was traveling on the highway up an incline when the vehicle struggled to accelerate, began shuddering, and the engine became loud. I had to move over into the far right lane and slowly make my way up the incline traveling well below the posted speed limit. The Ford dealership determined that it was the clutch that needed replaced. When I questioned if this was related to all of the other shuddering problems and transmission problems I have had over the years, I was told that this was not associated with that and told that I would be responsible for paying the full amount of the repairs. A secondary auto shop suggested that I reach out to the Ford dealership, as they believed that the need for the clutch replacement and problems could easily be related to previous transmission issues. The Ford corporation was contacted and refused to do anything about the situation, other than documenting the incident in my file.
The transmission is under class action lawsuit. Having trouble with since buying in 2012, still waiting on outcome of that. Today. March 27, 2019, "steering wheel assist- service needed". steering out wheel will not turn. I work I need a car. I will be calling Ford today. My Ford Focus SE is no longer under warranty, over 140,000 miles on it. I was not able to leave home for work today. Sometimes when I turn the car off the time changes I then turn it back on and it goes back to the correct time. Also in the past sometimes in would not start. I would wait a while and then it would start. It has not done that since I bought the car in 2012. This car has a lot of problems.
Over the last 4 months my Ford Focus has completely ran like [xxx] the car bogs out cuts off due to the fuel and cluster jam and it's caused my clutch or transmission to throw codes. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Bought 11/9/2012 six months later rec'd emission recall, 1yr later would not start, dead in grocery parking, dealer said emission again, 2nd yr radio went out, 3rd yr catalylict converter need to be changed, 5/16/2017 was charged $1805.72, said not emission but it was doing the same thing as before, dead had to be towed again to dealer, dealer said, "codes PO420, po7A3 tested, found converter stopped up, shift actuator faulty, removed transmission replaced clutch actuatorsand clutch, removed & replaced manifold/coverter assembly. Now twice so far engine malfunction light, no power, goes 5 miles....... when turned off in about 45-1 hr, starts.... all this while driving or parked in a parking lot.
- New Orleans, LA, USA
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Had just turned onto our rural street, doing approximately 10 mph, when I heard a loud pop/explosion. The left front tire had blown out. Removing the tire, 1/3-1/2 of the sidewall next to the rim had blown out in a line around the tire. There is a recall on the dextero tires, on just this type of blow out, but not on this specific size, which is a 195-65R15. Researching I have found others to have the same problem. These should be on a recall as well. I can only imagine the turnout of this had it happened driving 75 mph, as we do everyday on the highway. These tires are on a 2012 Ford Focus. Because of what happened and then seeing the recall with the exact same problem with many of the dextero tires, I feel it is in our best interest to replace all 4 tires. This should be at their expense! we do have pictures, and can send them to you if needed.
After I put fuel in the fuel tank and try to start the car hesitates like it wants to quit. I just got it away from the dealership where they replaced fuel pump, fuel tank, and did a software update to the PCM. And also replaced the purge valve. After fueling the car is the only time the hesitation is noticed after that it starts fine until the next fuel is put in. The 2nd thing that is happening is there is water in the trunk under the spare tire. It has been raining for 2 days now and the water is even with the spare. What I was told by the dealership was that Ford has basically washed their hands of me and my car since I settled with them about the class action. I am having an independent repair shop to try and find what is causing the problems. But I do think Ford should be held responsible for making such a lemon. I still owe over $8,000 on this vehicle now I am having to do repairs on it also.
There was recall I'm my transmission which my local Ford dealer have claimed to fixed but I have still been having problems with it and they seem unable to fix after me taking it back twice.now I'm the problem is here again and my car won't back up and my transmission light keep coming on and it drives like a stick shift.I hope that it can be fixed without cost cause this is my only means of transportation.im still making monthly payments
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.
When going about 55 mph my car starts to get very loud, nothing seems to be wrong it's as if there's a leaf blower inside the vehicle. As I slow down, use the brakes, the sound slowly gets more quiet.
I was driving home and the door unlatched on it's own and became cracked open in the middle of rush hour. I had to stop and hurry up and get out to open and close the door again. My daughter was sitting in her car seat on that side. Please fix this problem. This problem happened to me about 2 times yesterday.
Open hood warning light comes on, at random times, while being driven. The hood is closed securely. Alarm system goes off, several times at night while the vehicle is parked and engine is off. Low battery warning light comes on when the car engine is on. Battery has been checked, is good!
I almost got into a car accident due to the deafening noises coming out from the speakers while I was driving. It sounded like firecracker going off next to my ears. I was startled and trying to get off the freeway to fix the problem. Due to the distraction from the noises, neither did I flick the turning signal nor did I hear the honking from the vehicles behind me. Dealer unable to fix the problem, and asking for $783 to replace the radio. There are lot similar complaints like this, they need to make a recall on all digital signal processor module.
The horn quit working at 90xxx miles. I checked the relay, and the relay was not the issue. I luckily purchased an extended warranty that paid for the horn. But I think there should be a recalled issued about this because a lot of people with the same make and model are having this issues, from what I have found online.
When placing pressure on the brakes to slow down or stop you hear/feel a crunching sound. It never did that before now it does it every time you use the brakes. I have taken it to 3 different garages to be checked and got back that my brakes was fine. One garage said it could be the ABS system making the noise. No power to climb a hill or if you get up the hill the engine/motor does not shift like it suppose to. This all took place in August of 2018.
The trunk lid opens randomly. It opens whenever the car is started or turned off(while the keys are taken out), when shifting between gears, and when the car is first set into motion. It has not opened while driving at full speed but worried that it could happen.
Im having problems with my transmission I have been having problems with it since 2016 there was a recall on it I took it back a control module was put on it, than I took it back the end 2017 a clutch was suppose to have been put in it. Now its 2018 and its back acting up again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Scottsdale, AZ, USA