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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,871 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2012 Ford Focus accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Oct 242016

Focus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches, locks, linkages); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #19

Nov 012016

Focus

  • miles
2012 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regards to recall notice 16V-643 and rear seats moved forward when the brakes were applied.

- Falls Of Rough, KY, USA

problem #18

Aug 012016

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The dealer was unable to determine when the parts would be supplied to schedule the recall repair. The recall notice indicated that the parts would be available the second quarter of 2017. In addition, the contact stated that two of the four tires had low air constantly. The contact was to check with the manufacturer to determine the failure and when the recall repair would be scheduled. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #17

Aug 012016

Focus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. Upon coming to a stop, the gear shift randomly shifted from drive to neutral without warning at any rate of speed. The contact checked the gear selector several times, which indicated that the gear was in drive; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages), which indicated that the parts may become available in the second quarter of 2017. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #16

Oct 062016

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Lynn, MA, USA

problem #15

Sep 252016

Focus

  • 65,630 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated the front driver side door would close or open independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,630.

- Bakersville, CA, USA

problem #14

Jul 212016

Focus

  • 51,000 miles

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

The rear door latch to our 2012 Ford Focus has broken under normal use and the door will not latch. Fortunately we were not driving the car when the latch broke. We are now forced to use rope and bungy cords to keep the door closed. The car is unsafe in this condition and is susceptible to theft because it cannot be securely locked. Ford has told us our vehicle is not included in the recent (August 4, 2016) recall notice of 830,000 cars and we are forced to pay over $600 to get the repair made. This is a serious safety issue and all I am getting from Ford motors is a willingness to refund any money I pay to fix the car in the event the car is included in the recall. I do not want to have to chase after my money nor do I want to drive an unsafe car because of a technicality Ford is relying on to avoid stepping up to make this repair. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 032016

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear passenger side door failed to close. The contact mentioned that the door had to be tied in order to remain secured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000....updated 09/12/16

- Sun Valley, NV, USA

problem #12

May 092016

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,100 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the driver's side door latch failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the driver's side latch system failing to engage was not caused by a manufacturer defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V085000 latches/locks/linkages). The approximate failure mileage was 50,100...updated 07/12/16

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #11

Apr 042016

Focus

  • 69,817 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 30 mph, the doors on the vehicle locked and unlocked automatically and the tcm light illuminated. The contact stated that the failures occurred after the vehicle was repaired under a manufacturer recall for a system update. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,817.

- Eufaula, OK, USA

problem #10

Mar 102014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the transmission began to hesitate in a jerking motion and the vehicle stalled without warning. After waiting ten minutes, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was repaired under the manufacturer's customer satisfaction program where the transmission control module was replaced; however, the transmission continued to exhibit hesitation after the remedy was performed. The contact mentioned that the rear exterior passenger side door failed to unlock until after numerous attempts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 04/08/16 the consumer on a regular basis, while the vehicle was running, passenger had a difficult time exiting the vehicle. The door locks were difficult to unlock. The consumer had to press the door lock repeatedly before they would unlock. The consumer also stated the vehicle would stall at times at intersections. Updated 04/14/16

- Afton, NY, USA

problem #9

Nov 012015

Focus

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear driver side door lock system failed. The rear driver side door lock became unlocked and caused the door to open while driving 35 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Duncanville, TX, USA

problem #8

Jul 012015

Focus

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 55 mph, the driver side door unlocked and opened and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer system needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact inquired about returning the vehicle. The dealer was not willing to repurchase the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000. Updated 04/14/16

- Acton, MA, USA

problem #7

Oct 042014

Focus

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the driver side door opened independently and failed to shut properly. The dealer stated that the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

- Yuma, AZ, USA

problem #6

Aug 222014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
Drivers door latch failed to latch closed. Parts were unavailable in inventory. We were told that the part was not under factory warranty and no safety recall issued. Three weeks later rear door on drivers side failed. Door will not latch closed. Car is at dealer awaiting repairs. We were given the same information, the parts are not under factory warranty.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #5

Jun 182014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 37,939 miles
I own a company with a fleet of vehicles, two of which are a 2012 Ford Focus. Both Ford vehicles have had multiple door latches fail. I will submit a separate entry for the other vehicle to provide the VIN# and details. The vehicle referenced in this document with the VIN# above has now experienced two separate incidents in which a door latch has failed between June and July of 2014. Each incident was a different door latch failing. This is a safety concern for my employee's out in the field because the door could swing open while they are operating the vehicle and cause an accident or an occupant of the vehicle to be ejected.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jun 052014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 29,823 miles
I own a company with a fleet of vehicles, two of which are a 2012 Ford Focus. Both Ford vehicles have had multiple door latches fail. I will submit a separate entry for the other vehicle to provide the VIN# and details. The vehicle referenced in this document with the VIN# above has now experienced three separate incidents in which a door latch has failed between may and August of 2014. Each incident was a different door latch failing. This is a safety concern for my employee's out in the field because the door could swing open while they are operating the vehicle and cause an accident or an occupant of the vehicle to be ejected.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #3

Jun 182012

Focus

  • 3,100 miles
Vehicle central locking system locked the car while parked with the keys in the ignition. Locksmith was called to force entry. Alarm did not activate when door was opened.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #2

Feb 142012

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,917 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact started the vehicle and the vehicle accelerated rapidly even with the brake pedal engaged. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into a cement wall. There were no personal injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. In addition, the manufacturer issued a customer satisfaction program under reference number 123B7 (transmission control module) and after the recall repair was performed, the vehicle rolled away with the gear in park. In order for the vehicle to remain stationary, a block was placed against the two rear tires. Also, a strong antifreeze odor emitted inside of the vehicle and an oil leak was visible on the ground. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 12,917. Updated 08/23/12 updated 09/24/2012

- Portersville, PA, USA

problem #1

May 062012

Focus 4-cyl

  • 3,475 miles
I turned onto a residential street that has a steep grade. As I accelerated uphill, the trunk opened without any input from myself (driver and sole occupant of the vehicle). The doors and trunk were locked at the time of occurrence. There were a few items in the trunk when the incident took place, none of which exited the trunk.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

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