Print this page

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.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,140
Average Mileage:
57,750 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. replace cloth, tcm (1 reports)
2012 Ford Focus transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Ford Focus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #11

Aug 102018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

My husband and I bought the Focus brand new in 2012, we have had to computer modular replaced, clutches cleaned on several occasions, also have had the transmission malfunction light come on twice took it to the dealership on the 2nd time and they are saying it's the input shaft and the speed sensor that are bad, but these are items that are not covered under the FORD warranty. It will cost over $600.00 to replace. What I do not understand is... IF something is inside the transmission and you have to pull the damn thing out of the car to replace it, how in the hell is it not covered? Can someone please explain this to me. I will never buy another FORD ever again with out doing a whole lot of research. FORD SUCKS!!!

- Jennifer A., Youngstown, OH, US

problem #10

Aug 082018

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

I had problems with the transmission in this car, it didn't work the reverse and the check engine light stay on. I went to the dealer FORD MIDWAY in Miami, I checked in the FORD's website and I found that they have two Customer satisfaction Program (14M02 and 14M01) extending the warranty of the TCM (transmission Control Module) and clutch assy, I spoke with the dealer, about my problem and according the description in this two documents my car was over this warranty extension, they said NO, the problem with you transmission is different and you can't use the warranty, then I paid $2,300 usd. I tried to talk with the FORD customer service and they didn't help me..they just said if the dealer's diagnostic is that, we can't do nothing, sorry.

I'm very disappointed with the FORD dealer and FORD headquarters for their customer service, they have a very big problem with this issue and they don't want to deal with the customer, I think so maybe is better start a legal action.

- Wilson V., Miami, US

problem #9

Oct 072015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,386 miles

This time they replaced the TCM, reprogram the TCM/PCM, preformed clutch adaptive learning procedure, cleared DTC's

- Tanya C., Whitby, ON, Canada

problem #8

Mar 302016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,166 miles

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

Nothing new more than you can read and watch by other respected owners about the Transmission of this car since years. May be I still own it because of its high safety rating and compromised retail price. I decided to get rid of this car after 2 transmission malfunctions and replacing the Clutch and TCM within only 4 months. I really do not want this car to stop in the mid of highway during picking up my daughters to or from school. I do not recommend this car anymore! Other owners, good luck :)!

- Ahmed A., Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

problem #7

Feb 092016

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,952 miles

Not happy first was the shuddering now the transmission malfunction it keeps on going.

- susanarroyo, Newcastle, Australia

problem #6

Feb 012016

Focus 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,632 miles

2012 ford focus 67000km transmision fell in neutral. when going on the access ramp to highway RPM went to 5000 and just fell like it was in neutral add to come to a complete stop and would still not go. stop the motor and restart would go forward but no reverse stop again and restart then it was ok. occured another time was showing "Transmision malfunctioning check now! Add a 2008 Ford fusion did the same thing at about 98000 km and they change valve body in the transmision and it was supposed to be fix but trade the car right away didn't get to check if it was fix.I had a really close call with the Fusion and didn't want any of my familly to go trew that so I trade it on the focus at the dealer. Dealer was very concern about the matter gave me a good deal but now it all to go over again and this time it append to my wife and son I will be going to the dealer to see what the probleme but from what I see on the web it my last Ford car I will probably stick to Ford for my truck been driving them since 1985 and still satisfied and good service to but just can't continue to put my familly in danger!! Ford have a serious transmision probleme and they have to fix it before someone died because of it and it probably already happend there is no sign prior it append so if it happend went your are passing a car and it go like it neutral before your able to slow down and go back in if there incoming trafic your in serious probleme I know it happend to me just a luck that the truck I was passing understood what was hapening he slow down to let me in before the upcoming tractor trailer it me.

- Bruno D., Robertville, NB, Canada

problem #5

Jul 242015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

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

Car has been in shop 7 times for transmission problems - each time "Fixed" only to break down again. went fro 60 MPH to nothing on a freeway....... Does Ford care???? NO

- Elaine B., Augusta, GA, US

problem #4

Apr 222015

Focus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Driving my 2012 Race Red SEL in traffic today on the 405 freeway today (for those in California). Had a strange thing happen that's never happened before. I've had many issues with the transmission in this car, but it's never been complete failure (shuddering, replaced a clutch pack, software updates, etc). Took my foot off the brake and eased onto the accelerator, only to experience an engine rev. No actual acceleration at all, like someone is depressing my clutch. Shifted to neutral, then back to drive, nothing, then to sport, nothing still. Had to limp it over to the shoulder of a busy highway to call for a tow. Super. Terrifying. Selling the car as a result

- qbunt, Long Beach, CA, US

problem #3

Nov 212014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,920 miles

In December of 2013, I purchased a used 2012 Ford Focus from Birchwood Ford in Winnipeg, Manitoba at slightly over 50,000kms. There wereI live in Steinbach, Manitoba and drive approximately 200kms/day to travel to and from work which is all highway mileage. In mid-November, 2014 on my way to work one morning, I experienced a jolt when accelerating after stopping at a stop sign and the “transmission malfunction” error message appeared on my dash. I felt the vehicle start to shift on its own so I pulled over and turned the vehicle off. At this point, the vehicle had just over 99,000kms. My husband works in Winnipeg near the Capital Ford Dealership so since I work in a rural area, he brought it into their dealership for me the following day. The work order shows the mileage at being 99,751kms. My husband was told that the shifting and transmission issues were a result of a programming problem. The transmission was re-programmed and my husband was told to drive the vehicle for 2 weeks and if there were any additional problems, to bring it back. My husband drove the vehicle back to Steinbach from Winnipeg. The following day, again on my way to work, the same thing happened where there was a jolt and the “transmission malfunction” error message appeared on my dash. I tried to drive it after and the vehicle would not go into reverse. Once turning it off and back on, the vehicle would not shift out of first gear. After turning it off and back on again, only the engine light remained. I brought the vehicle in to Fairway Ford in Steinbach to have it looked at since it was clearly not safe to be driving. The kilometers were documented at 99,881. I was told by the service person at Fairway Ford that they had to reset the programming 4 times to fix the problem but that it was functioning properly now. I am not sure as to why if the reprogramming had already previously been done at another dealership (which they were told about and I had given them the invoice for) this was required to be done again before realizing that there was clearly a much bigger problem here. It was also very obvious from their knowledge of this problem as well as information found on the internet that Ford is having a VERY big problem regarding the clutches on the Ford Focus and that is why they have extended the warranty. I assumed that my problem had been resolved by the reprogramming since that is what I was told, but I was very mistaken. I continued driving my vehicle which obviously put me over my 100,000km warranty. When the exact same thing happened YET AGAIN and I experienced a jolt and my “transmission malfunction” error message came on, I brought my vehicle back into Fairway Ford. I am now being told that this is somehow a different issue than was it was previously brought in for and that Ford Canada is not covering this under warranty since I am over my kilometers. They are telling me that there is debris in the transmission potentially caused by a worn output shaft. This should have been noticed the first time I brought it in. I should not be penalized as a result of Ford not taking the time to figure out what the problem actually is. After hearing this we went back to the Capital Ford technician who looked at it originally and asked if they check the transmission fluid and he said “No, we do hundreds of these and it’s just a re-program”. Not only if this is a prevalent issue should this have been looked at by Birchwood Ford prior to selling me this vehicle, but it also should have been looked at further by Capital Ford while it was there originally. Furthermore, since I was told to continue driving the vehicle and come back within 2 weeks if the problem persisted (and it was definitely brought back in within that time line) I don’t understand why this is so difficult. It has been the exact same issue all along. I understand there are certain protocols that need to be followed and steps that need to be taken when addressing certain problems, but since this is not unique and seems to be a common problem with the Ford Focus, the clutch and transmission should have been physically looked at rather than just being re-programmed twice. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be in my current situation which is over my warranty and now being charged $5800 to have my transmission replaced when there is absolutely NO REASON this should not be covered since it was an existing problem notated prior to my warranty expiring. It has now been there for over 3 weeks and I am getting absolutely nowhere close to having my problem resolved. I have also been incurring the cost of having a rental vehicle since my vehicle is unsafe to drive if it is not shifting properly. The customer service we have received from Ford Canada has been atrocious and we will continue to pursue an appropriate resolution for this unethical and unreasonable treatment. Now after a month of having my vehicle in the shop with absolutely no work done to it, Fairway Ford gave us two options. Either they would give us a new transmission at the cost of $5800 including parts and labour, plus tax and they would cover 40% which is still $4000 out of pocket for us OR we could trade in the vehicle which they would value at $10,000 (it was purchased 1 year ago at $16,999 and still has over $13,000 owing) less the $6000 they say it would cost to repair even though when they re-sell a vehicle they are not paying for labour and they would be getting the parts at cost. So realistically, they would make at least $3000 off of me and I would be out $9000 in that scenario or I pay the $4000 for a brand new transmission. If this “good will deal” occurred we would have to sign papers saying we are happy with the service we received and would not take this any further. Oh, but they don’t have a new transmission so why that was even an option in the first place is ridiculous. All it has done is delay the issue even longer. We have now informed them that we will take what is the lesser of two evils and have them install a used transmission and we will take this vehicle and trade it in elsewhere so we NEVER have to deal with another Ford dealership ever again. My family members all have Fords and they will be getting rid of theirs as well.

- Melissa A., Steinbach, Manitoba, canada

problem #2

Oct 312014

Focus SEL 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 53,000 miles

I purchased my 2012 Ford Focus in January, 2014. I was getting good service until the vehicle reached about 46,000 miles. At this time the transmission stopped working while I was on the highway and ran as if it were in neutral. I was in a turning lane during morning rush hour in Philadelphia when this happened. I was unable to turn onto the street and other drivers were beeping their horns and cursing at me because I was holding up traffic. After five minutes, the car started to run again but I had my wife and children in this car and they were placed in a dangerous situation as well as myself because the transmission was completely locked and I could not move.

I was towed to the closest dealership and my car was in the shop for almost two weeks; the clutch was replaced and I was initially sent the wrong clutch, that's why it took so long. On top of this, when I got the car back, the tie rods were damaged and I had to return the car 10 minutes after leaving the dealership. The car ran for two months without a problem until Halloween night when I was taking my son to a friend's house and the transmission went out again. This time, half of the car was in my driveway while the other half was in the middle of the street. It sat unable to move for ten minutes then the transmission started to work again. I received a message in red that my transmission was malfunctioning and needed immediate service. This is only two months later.

Also, I received a recall notice regarding the clutch two weeks after the first incident.

- fmahoney, Claymont, DE, US

problem #1

Jun 152014

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,866 miles

Leaving the grocery store today the car rolled backwards down the hill. Got the transmission malfunction error message and car would not go over 10 miles an hour without starting to spit and sputter. Made it home and called Ford Roadside Assistance and had the car towed. Sam Pack 5 Star Ford-big mega dealership here in the DFW Metroplex and has no night drop off available. Car had to be towed to yard and will have to be brought across town tomorrow morning to the shop.

I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA. The fact this issue has been known since 2011 and a recall has not been forced on Ford is ridiculous. To add insult to injury-I just paid the car off.

- Jeri P., Coppell, TX, US

Not what you are looking for?