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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:
9 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,378 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #435

May 042023

Focus

  • miles

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

The automatic dual clutch is shaking my steering wheel and whole car.

- Stlouis, MO, USA

problem #434

Jun 062022

Focus

  • miles
transmission control model in the car needs a new one

- Houtzdale, PA, USA

problem #433

Apr 072023

Focus

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started jerking. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Beach Park, IL, USA

problem #432

Mar 052023

Focus

  • miles

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

Vehicle shuddering

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #431

Jul 012022

Focus

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while shifting gear. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a clinking sound detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #430

Mar 252023

Focus

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 75-80 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal went down to the floorboard. The contact then decelerated, and the vehicle began to stall. The contact veered to the side of the road, where the vehicle completely stalled. The contact then parked the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, however, the vehicle stalled while attempting to drive. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The local dealer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number:?19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Haw River, NC, USA

problem #429

Feb 102023

Focus

  • 80,000 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 while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that after shifting the gear shifter and depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to respond immediately. The check engine warning light and the ignition warning light were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Houma, LA, USA

problem #428

Feb 012022

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
Problem: Reoccurring check engine light and ODB2 Code's P0443 & P0444 Repairs made: MAF Sensor Purge Control Valve Reset Computer Air filter Cap less Gas Fill, W0133-2022154 Related Safety recalls: 18S32, 19V515000, 18V735 or 18V735000 I believe the Problem occurs due to an recall that was not performed or performed correctly leaving the problem. I am requesting the recall repair history from form Motor Company Please. Thank You, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #427

Sep 012020

Focus

  • miles
In September 2020 I was on the expressway when my engine failed, I was able to get into the emergency lane after almost causing an accident, after inspecting the car it was concluded that the engine was no longer viable with no explanation of why the engine failed. So I replaced the engine and the car was still not drivable. In March 2022 I was able to get it started when I tried to drive the car the transmission was slipping, the -?? transmission malfunction service now-?? warning came on, and the RPM gauge on the dash was not reading properly. I ran a code after the transmission warning came on, and the code said P0001, I called the Ford dealership to get it serviced when I was told that there was an unknown recall but the part was on back order for a year, so my car wouldn-??t be fixed until the order came in, I searched my Vin number and had a recall for a fuel tank deformation, I also learned that there was a lawsuit against Ford for their 2012 Ford focus transmissions, which could explain the engine failure and the transmission problems.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #426

Jan 012022

Focus

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle and removing the key from the ignition, the vehicle continued to run without warning. The contact stated that the engine eventually turned off after approximately 3-5 minutes. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they informed her that they were unaware of the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was turned in and the consumer has a new vehicle.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #425

Feb 182022

Focus

  • 116,000 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 while driving at undisclosed speed, the vehicle would not accelerate and the vehicle started to shake, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Loxley, AL, USA

problem #424

Sep 272022

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Ford Focus. Consumer writes in regard to illuminated check engine light.

- Amesbury, MA, USA

problem #423

Sep 172022

Focus

  • miles
Transmission over heating stop safely light comes on transmission hot stop wait 5 second I do the restart of the transmission and it keeps doing

- Antioch, TN, USA

problem #422

Jun 012022

Focus 4-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle was running roughly. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was deformed. The contact was informed to keep the fuel above a half tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Brookport, IL, USA

problem #421

Feb 012021

Focus

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was jumpstarted. The contact stated that while driving back to her residence the vehicle was sputtering however, the vehicle had not lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) as a possible cause of failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #420

Dec 202021

Focus

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed 30 miles to empty. The contact stated that she added fuel to the vehicle and the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that after the vehicle was returned to her, she was driving at an undisclosed speed and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure reoccurred with the vehicle running out of fuel and losing motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and returned to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed since the contact had refused to pay the diagnostic test fee. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Isanti, MN, USA

problem #419

Jul 072022

Focus

  • miles
TCM went out in the car the part is on back order

- Houtzdale, PA, USA

problem #418

Mar 012022

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the traction control and check engine warning lights were intermittently illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The mechanic called the dealer and was informed that parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Canton, IL, USA

problem #417

Jan 242022

Focus

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after opening the driver-??s side front door the vehicle independently started without the keys being placed in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unsure of the cause of the failure. The contact was advised to manually manipulate an unknown box under the hood to turn off the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was sold.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #416

Aug 102022

Focus

  • miles
The car shutters and vibrates so hard when starting at times. When driving in stop and go traffic, the car lurches forward because of the clutch and transmission. It struggles to get into the next gear because of Ford putting a manual transmission in an automatic car. The car needs a new clutch and seal/harware kit

- Minnetrista, MN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

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