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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:
30 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 2
Average Mileage:
59,417 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 26 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #848

Jan 122019

Focus

  • 130,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the power steering was faulty and the steering wheel seized, which made it difficult to turn. Also, when the vehicle was started and the contact shifted into drive, the vehicle automatically went in reverse. The contact had to immediately engage the parking brake. Also, while the vehicle was parked on the street, it rolled backwards due to the parking position. Furthermore, while attempting to reverse, the vehicle stalled. Also, the door latches were loose and in danger of becoming detached. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed multiple times. The vehicle was taken to ted russell Ford (9925 parkside dr, knoxville, tn 37922, (865) 444-6467) and serviced multiple times for each failure; however, each failure remained except for the power steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Sharts Chapple, TN, USA

problem #847

Jan 152019

Focus

  • 107,000 miles
I have had the A/C compressor go bad. I have recently fixed 2 coolant issues repaired. The tcm on transmission repaired yesterday U was almost in a collision when the cars transmission quit. The current problem is I need a transmission clutch now according to Ford but because I am 7000 miles over the extended warranty they refuse to fix. I also have my starter going out now and that fix with Ford is 729.00.

- Summerdale, AL, USA

problem #846

Jan 092019

Focus

  • 195,000 miles
Took to a mechanic and he stated the transmission needs replacing. My vehicle was hesitant while driving

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #845

Nov 292018

Focus

  • 125,000 miles

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

For a few months now my power steering has been not working when I turn the car on sporadically. To fix this I have been just turning the car off then back on a few times and that seems to fix the problem. However, now it won't reset and I do not have power steering at all. I had it towed to the dealer and after they charged me 140 they tols me that it needs a new rack and pin and it would cost 2400!!! Ford issued a recall on several different cars for this same issue. How many more people have to be hurt or die before they issue one for this? I just had the transmission control module replaced under warranty and received a letter in the mail informing me that a recall was issued due to the fuel system causing major problems.

- Fairdale, KY, USA

problem #844

Nov 162018

Focus

  • 20 miles
2012 Ford Focus have transmission problem. My car have problems changing gear I almost got into an accident. Now its stalling and problem starting. Ford say there nothing they can do!

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #843

Jan 012013

Focus

  • 100,078 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was started, the gear shifter would not engage into reverse or drive. While driving at different speeds, the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to randall reed's park cities Ford of dallas (3333 inwood rd, dallas, tx 75235) where it was diagnosed that there was a transmission and electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,078.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #842

Nov 202018

Focus

  • 28 miles

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

Today's date I have called Ford Motor Company and spoke with miss.chris id#2191199 around 10:53 am pst.with the given recent opened number was # cas16420379 to state the said problems and to SE how we could possibly solved the said concerns we have.I have told, I have been denied or refused to have my vehicle to be re-serviced over again for the reoccurring previously fixed and serviced mechanical or electronic PCM related software or the hardware failures today's morning and I was told by one of their service advisor named as frank this vehicle can not be serviced any longer.because, this vehicle record's showing that the vehicle it is branded and/or salvaged and that it will void any kind of mechanical warranties and when I said this vehicle previously was serviced under the same condition and records and why can not be re-serviced over again for said previously fixed at your dealerships service department " when I asked what has been changed from before and until now " he did not give me a sufficient answer for my satisfactions. The transmission was operating in-properly and took the vehicle to the authorized local Ford dealership in the city of costa mesa, ca-92627.checked it in to the service area and registered it with service advisor#7217 to Mr. Ned shortsleeve's cares for the said problems. And that we claimed the said issues we were experiencing.1-the check engine light comes on and stays solid on and when that happened the transmission won't operate properly 2-then they have placed the tcm the side door latch it may break per the manufacturer's safety recall and was asked the dealer to replace the said door component and we were told the part it is not available and needs to be ordered so can be replaced. We will be called when the part is arrived but, we never been called.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #841

Oct 172018

Focus

  • 129,000 miles
In early 2017 I started experiencing issues with the electronic power steering. I would turn my car on some days and it would say power steering malfunction and there was no power steering making it impossible to turn the wheel and drive. Turning it off and back on (sometimes several times) would get rid of the error code and I would be able to drive it like normal. A month ago at 129,000 miles the power steering went out again, but this time it is out for good. No matter how many times I restart the car, the error code will not go away. The cost to repair is outrageous for a car that is not worth much due to the horrible reviews and unending problems that everyone is experiencing. On top of that, I have been dealing with the car shuddering constantly when I drive it. My transmission went completely out a year ago and the Ford dealership replaced it under warranty. I was driving and the car wouldn't shift. I pulled over and I could not get it into reverse or any gear. A few months after it was fixed the shuddering began again while I was driving the car (same symptoms as last time before it completely went out), but Ford says that the car is no longer under the mileage it needs for the recall replacement, so if it goes out again and I know it will in a matter of time, that will be another $2,500 to fix. With the numerous complaints on just the power steering issue and the consistency between reports, I do not understand why there has not been a recall. It is a safety issue.

- Johnstown, CO, USA

problem #840

Nov 012018

Focus

  • 112,000 miles
I have recently bought a 2012 Ford Focus and it has the clutch problem. The problem has a warranty for under 100,000 miles. But does not have a recall for when the problem happens after 90,000 miles. So now I have to pay 1,500 dollars to get it fixed. Ford needs to fix a problem they made

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #839

Nov 082018

Focus

  • 101,149 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 45 mph, the transmission failure indicator illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over and restarted the vehicle, but the indicator illuminated again. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to dean sellers Ford (2600 w maple rd, troy, mi 48084, (888) 452-1292) where it was diagnosed that the clutch; however, the vehicle was not covered under the 100,000 mile warranty. The manufacturer confirmed the dealer's statement and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 101,149.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #838

Jan 012014

Focus

  • 90,000 miles

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

While driving the transmission will slip out of gear and the engine will race and car will stop.

- Campbellsburg, IN, USA

problem #837

Oct 152018

Focus

  • 20,200 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 20 mph, the engine revved, but the vehicle would not move forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,200.

- Key West, FL, USA

problem #836

Oct 102018

Focus

  • 88,000 miles
Takata recall, first off is the driver door comes unlocked while driving, also had a door lock and wasn't able to close. My 2012 Focus feels like it's got no power alot of times or will start to spudder from every stop. Does same when reversing out of a drive way. Sometimes it seems like it wants to stall, I have the automatic. It revs at really high rpms like it needs to shift but doesn't. probably have more issues the longer I keep it, I believe the huffines dealership, the company that financed and Ford knew these things could and did happen to the car I was sold. Single father with a 4 year old son just trying to get this fixed nothing about this is safe.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #835

Oct 232018

Focus

  • 75,000 miles
My car has 75,000 miles on it. I'm 6 months pregnant, driving on the interstate, when the vehicle's transmission starts to slip. During the slip, a "transmission malfunction. Service now" light comes on and my car proceeds to lock up and stall at interstate speeds. Three different cars almost crashed into my own before I could get safely to the shoulder. Why is this happening to a car less than 10 years old, at 75,000 miles?

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #834

Oct 222018

Focus

  • 103,000 miles
When I am starting my car I get a message that says steering assist malfunction service required and I can not turn my steering wheel at all.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #833

Oct 152018

Focus

  • miles
After multiple issues \recalls with the transmission the car still is not running right. It takes sometime for the vehicle to start and once it does it shudders on acceleration. Now I am being told both the fuel pump and the clutch need to be replaced. Based on everything I am reading there are quite a few faulty parts in these vehicles that should be recalled.

- Anthem, AZ, USA

problem #832

Jun 152018

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and the failure recurred while driving down the road. The vehicle was taken to pacifico Ford (located at 6701 essington ave, philadelphia, pa, (267) 233-6945) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #831

Jan 172013

Focus

  • 15,000 miles
My husband and I purchased a brand new 2012 Ford Focus in April 2012. Not even a year after purchasing the transmission started studdering/slipping. When you go to take off it acts as if it doesnt want to switch out of gears. There have been a couple of times we have been just driving down the road and it has completely bogged down and the entire car shuts off. As soon as we realized something was wrong we took it to dealership where we purchased and they informed us of a recall pertaining to the transmission control module. It has been in and out of shop several times for this reason and is still not fixed. We were just recently informed by the dealership that the recall will never be 100% fixed. It will always be an issue. We proceeded to trade car in due to the constant worry of the recall. As we are getting a trade in quote on the car we are informed that the car is worth way less because of the recall which puts us upside down in the car loan so now we have no options to trade in because there is a $4,000 difference in the trade in value vs what the car could be worth if there were no recall. We were basically told that the car is trash due to the recall on the transmission..so now we are stuck with a car that has a serious recall that will never be fixed. Ford doesnt want to make it right. This car was bought brand new and we have had so much trouble with the transmission. No car at 6 years old should have transmission problems. Ford should be liable. We trusted them with purchasing a brand new car. Ford needs to make it right and get us into a safer vehicle.

- Tallassee, AL, USA

problem #830

Mar 172015

Focus

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. When driving, turning, and switching lanes, the vehicle hesitated and sputtered. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power train control module and clutch failed. The dealer (allan vigil Ford, 6790 mt zion blvd, morrow, ga 30260, (678) 364-3673) stated that they would have to charge to run a diagnostic test to identify the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist. The failure mileage was 121,000.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #829

Sep 012018

Focus

  • 105,040 miles
A warning message display while driving on freeway : "transmission malfunctioning, service now". car stops shifting properly. After turning off the engine for 1 hour, it starts back and the warning message disappear. No check engine light. Scary feeling unsafe. This is a dual clutch system (automatic/manual 6 speed).

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

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