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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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,170 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 8 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #134

Feb 222018

Focus

  • 151,000 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 vehicle shut off and lost power on occasion. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was taken to town and country Ford (704-557-0596, located at 5401 E independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28212) where the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that the canister converter was not replaced and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #133

Dec 012018

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #132

Feb 182019

Focus

  • 65,647 miles
Fuel tank collapse, have been having trouble with car at times not starting and even stop running while driving. Ford dealer said the tank has collapsed and needs new fuel tank, fuel pump and valve. Dealer charged $119 to tell the problem and said it would cost $1,200 to repair, so why isn't my car included in the recall? my 19 year old granddaughter, who drives car for school, has been forced to walk or find ride to get to her destination. I hope you can help me, this car problem has been going on about a year and half, Monday we finally found out the reason. What can I do to make Ford accountable.

- Gering, NE, USA

problem #131

Feb 192019

Focus

  • 119,000 miles

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

Takata recall I'll be driving and my car stalled often and has cut off on two occasion.then my engine light came on.I was driving happen to be at a stop sign and the and cut off and rolled had to restart.when ever I stop the car it take time before it speeds up.

- Elgin, SC, USA

problem #130

Nov 062018

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While attempting to drive the vehicle, it failed to start and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called autonation Ford Lincoln union city at (770) 686-7733 (located at 4355 jonesboro rd a, union city, ga 30291) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #129

Dec 012018

Focus

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was stopped in traffic at a red light, it suddenly shut off on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to jim oneal Ford (516 S. Indiana ave, sellersburg, in) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank valve was faulty. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system) and the fuel tank valve was replaced, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 106,000.

- Starlight, IN, USA

problem #128

Feb 162015

Focus

  • 75,000 miles

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

I had this car about four years I put a two new battery, new start, new radio, new radiator, thermostat the arms and rod replace now I got the steering assist fault going on in my car I get wired put money on to it !

- Scottsburg, IN, USA

problem #127

Jan 012019

Focus

  • 987,038 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not increase in speed. The contact also heard an abnormal popping noise coming from the fuel tank. The contact also mentioned that the gear shifter was stuck and would not shift into the correct gear. The vehicle was towed to capital Ford (3660 S carson St, carson city, nv 89701, (775) 882-5353) where it was diagnosed that the control module needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they were not authorizing any rental vehicles. The failure mileage was 987,038.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #126

Jan 012012

Focus

  • 0 miles
I need my 2012 Ford Focus repaired per manufacturer recall number 18S32 and NHTSA recall number 18V735.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #125

Jan 152019

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
Takata recall. First the headlights stopped working with no way to fix it. They randomly cut off at night while driving. Next, the car will shutter and cut off while driving. The car will no longer start. All the incidents were on a highway in valdosta Georgia.

- Lakeland, GA, USA

problem #124

Jan 252018

Focus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 55 mph, a fuel odor entered the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to lance cummingham Ford (4101 East clinton highway, knoxville, tn 37912. 866-591-3943) where it was diagnosed that the fuel neck had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: Cas-16784641. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Seymour, TN, USA

problem #123

Oct 222018

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part was not available for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Jersey Village, TX, USA

problem #122

Sep 062016

Focus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that there had been no failures until weeks after the vehicle was serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was repaired by champion Ford Lincoln (140 southtown blvd, owensboro, ky 42303, (270) 684-1441). The contact heard an abnormal noise in the area of the instrument panel and radio. In addition, the doors failed to lock. The contact felt that the recall repair failed to provide a permanent remedy. The vehicle was not repaired and the dealer indicated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the part was not available. The contact called to verify if field service action numbers: 14M01 (transmission clutch shudder/transmission input shaft seal) warranty extension and 14M02 (transmission control module) extended warranty coverage were serviced by the dealer with the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Hartford, KY, USA

problem #121

Dec 192018

Focus

  • miles
As I was driving my car driver side door open the latch does not work anymore and my car stalls I cannot tell how much gas I have because the gauges don't work it puts its doors open I'll be on 75 it just shut off I need to go to red lights is shift so far they go to stop sign I should solve the radio also just goes out and I have so loud starch sound screeching noise very loud and annoying my car also kranks when I want to create battery died quick.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #120

Dec 142018

Focus

  • 84,310 miles
Ford Focus 2012 safety recall notice 18S32 / NHTSA recall 18V-735 hello, on October 24, 2018 I was driving my car to work and stopped at a stop sign. My car acted as if it was trying to turn off like a rough idle. When I tried to pull off from the stop sign, my car would move slow. The RPM was rising but barely any movement. After about 30 seconds, my car jerked and started driving normal. A light came on after. When I got off, my car was having difficulty starting. The rough idling started again while I was just sitting in my car. Right after that, I took my car to the Ford dealership that I got my car from. My car was there for 2 days. So October 28, 2019, I paid $819.64. Today December 14, 2018 I received a letter in the mail stating my car has a recall. The recall is for a stuck canister valve within the fuel vapor system. I noticed that I had just repaired my car over a month ago for the canister purge valve. So I when to the Ford that I got my car repaired at and showed them the paper that I got in the mail. I advised them that I already paid for the replacement. The service guy told me that they will not be able to reimburse my money because I need an original receipt. I dont understand why if they reprint me my receipt showing me that I paid for the repair. So basically my repair is in the system of Ford. And I paid for the repair on October 26, 2018. The recall came about on October 22, 2018. But was not mailed to me until December.

- Southaven, MS, USA

problem #119

Dec 132018

Focus

  • 245,000 miles
Check engine light illuminated while driving to work. The light was solid not flashing. Fuel gauge was at 1/2 tank. Its a 50 mile drive to work. Fuel gauge indicated 1/4 tank when I arrived at work. On the drive back from work heading straight to the dealer ship, fuel gauge was dropping quickly. Stopped to get fuel. Filled tank. Vehicle would not start. After waiting several minutes between attempted starts, on the fifth attempt it started very roughly. The drive to the dealer ship the car did not run correctly.

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

problem #118

Dec 082018

Focus

  • 130,000 miles
My car stalls and shakes badly. When I have to put gas in my car, it takes 10mins for my car to start after words. It can have a full tank or half or under a half tank of gas and it does all this. My car has shut off on me while turning on a road. My car has stalled really badly while stopped at a red light. My car has stalled while trying to take off from a stop sign, red light or any thing that I have to slow down for. My gas needle will be at 3/4 of a tank and it will shoot up pass and over a full tank of gas. I have had to rent multiple cars from my local enterprise to take my daughter and grandma to dr appointments out of my local area. I have had my car towed to a shop cause it shut off and wouldn't start back with 50miles to go till gas was needed. My car has been broke down on the side of the road 2 times due to the gas needle. Now I have to drive this car around even longer until they can get the part for my car. Which will be 2 weeks from now. And then another 2-3 days for them to do the work.

- Live Oak, FL, USA

problem #117

Aug 212018

Focus

  • 69,011 miles
I began having problems with this vehicle in 2016 with taking off from a stopped position, accelerating, sputtering and random stalling while driving....without warning. After the car abruptly stalled on a busy highway with me and my son, I took it to the local dealer for testing. However, they were not able to find a problem that would cause the stalling. I continued to drive the vehicle sparingly and cautiously in 2017 around my community, experiencing random issues with dropping dead at a light or stop sign. In May 2018, increasingly more concerned, I took the car to a different dealer, who was unable to find a problem either. A couple of months later, in August 2018, the car abruptly dropped dead again in the middle of an intersection coming even closer to causing an accident. Unlike previous instances, the check engine light along with an error message appeared; not allowing the car to startup requiring it to be pushed out of traffic until towed. The problems experienced with this car has put me and my child in many unsafe situations causing tremendous stress and anxiety not knowing when or where the car would abruptly stall again. We've taken it the dealer numerous times for the same problem and was not diagnosed and fixed until the last trip in August 2018. The dealer indicated the fuel tank had collapsed and had to be replaced. My husband spoke to the general manager, Ford and many others who refused to acknowledge a wide spread issue with this particular vehicle. After multiple calls and complaints to Ford we were left with no choice, but to pay the $1,300 repair cost since we needed the vehicle that sat at the dealer from August 22, 2018 through October 16, 2018. It is very disconcerting to know Ford is and was aware of this problem and the safety hazards it caused at the time of our complaint and refused to do the right thing to ensue consumers safety.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #116

Jan 012015

Focus

  • 97,000 miles
My 2012 Ford Focus sel has turned off completely while driving multiple times on the highway and freeway, I have been stranded multiple times during the day and night due to it shutting off randomly. I have been stranded in parking lots multiple times due to the car not allowing me to go in reverse. I have replaced the car battery multiple times! my gas cap has popped off while putting in gas, I have faulty windshield nozzles washing system no longer spray water, I have a faulty back light I have replaced the bulbs multiple times every few months. The heating and air conditioner will sometimes work. The color lighting in the car no longer works, on the sun visor the mirror cover has popped off on its own. The cause of all these problems are unknown I believe the car was entirely built poorly with no thought process what so ever. I have never driven a car with so many problems let alone such a dangerous deadly car. These issues continue till this day and I am still stuck paying for a car that is completely not worth my money or my life.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #115

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

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