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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.

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$0
Average Mileage:
26,400 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
2012 Ford Focus engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #4

Mar 292016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

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

As I was slowly making a turn my engine made a weird slip with the acceleration. The hill assist failure light came on as well as the Check Engine light. When I pressed the gas pedal it only revved the engine giving no power to the car. I had to put the car into park turn the car off and re-start the car in order for me to get moving again. This happened shortly again crossing an intersection. I then did the same thing and kept moving on. As I was driving on the highway going 70mph it slipped again and (thankfully) I could get over to the side before rolling to a stop. I did the same procedure and I was able to get it working again so I could get to work.

I read that it could possibly be an air and oil filter problem so i took it to get an oil change after work and had them change the air filter as well. The problem happened one last time when picking my brother up from work, but this time I wasn't even moving. My car was just at a standstill turned on. I turned the car off to try the same thing as before, only to not have the car even attempt to turn over or click.

This problem is highly unsafe and I find it hard that Ford does not know about problems like this. I will be taking my car to the shop tomorrow after getting it towed there to see if they can fix it. I can only imagine this will not be cheap. The car is only 4 years old and I bought it brand new. This shouldn't be an issue for a new car. I could have easily gotten into a major accident on the highway.

- Joshua K., Fairfax, VA, US

problem #3

Sep 272012

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,750 miles

My boyfriend and I Bought a slightly used ( we found out later it was a rental car) 2012 Ford Focus SE Hatchback on 09-01-12. After driving the car for a couple of days my boyfriend mentioned that that the transmission was not right but he thought it was just because we were new to the car. Then, when driving to work, I noticed that when I stopped on any incline street between taking the foot off the brake and placing it on the accelerator, the car rolled back quite quickly to the point that I almost hit the car behind me. Days later, I started to feel that the steering required both hands at all times. It was constantly wandering and shaky specially during turns. To top it off, on 09-27-12 something unexpected happened. I was in the drive way, I shifted from reverse to drive and the car took off at a lurch. The car accelerated so rapidly even with my foot on the brake pedal. I lost complete control of the vehicle. The car failed to slow down hitting two other cars and tearing down a fence. I could finally stopped the car when I quickly shifted to park. To my surprise I was researching and I found out in many different sites hundreds of complaints from customers who have addressed the same issue. I do not understand how Ford sells this car with all these problems risking people's lives. This is a serious issue. How many fatalities are they waiting for? Are they going to do something ever about these malfunctions? This is ridiculous if I have know all these issues with this car, I would have never bought it for sure. This is what you get for supporting a national product.

- sonyjames29, Huntington Beach, CA, US

problem #2

Jun 042012

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

I have the same problem as above. The transmission will not go smoothly into 2nd and the engine light is on. This is a rental car to use till my 2008 Dodge Avenger gets fixed. Lol I can't believe this crap. Lol I went back to Enterprise and they were closed. I called and they wanted me to drive 40 miles for a replacement and pay for the gas. Lol I said no I'll drive it home and let the damn thing blow up. Lol Nice car too. I do not trust new design transmissions. My other car is the same way, Too many glitches.

- Susan K., Meriden, CT, US

problem #1

Dec 142011

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,800 miles

I purchased this vehicle in August 2012. The date of this problem was December 2012. The car only has 1800 miles. This is the type of problem that is either an unadvertised recall or the car is SIMPLY a LEMON! I am not sure what Ford is going to say or do regarding this problem but whatever they come will not satisfy me. My confidence in this vehicle is always going to be questionable. I can understand a 10 year old vehicle having a transmission issue but a 4 month old care, there is no excuse for this problem. I will keep you informed on what the outcome of this issue.

- jpjhd, Bayside, NY, US

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