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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.

7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
47,150 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (16 reports)
  2. new clutch parts (6 reports)
  3. transmission repair recall (4 reports)
2012 Ford Focus transmission problems

transmission problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Sep 242019

Focus SE 2.0L I4 Gdi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,343 miles

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

Contacted Ford Motor Company National Headquarters. Dealt with a Mike and found him to be very insulting. In describing the issue and wanting them to repair the vehicle he stated - "What do you expect, it is a 7 year old car."

We bought this vehicle brand new in November 2011. This is my wife's vehicle and has only 67,343 miles. Ford obviously does not care about the consumer and loyal Ford owners. We cannot afford to get this vehicle fixed as we are being told that it would be well over $4,000 by more than one establishment to include the Ford Dealership where we purchased it. Mike, at Corporate, in addition to his rudeness did not record the call for the dealership to review. He offered us $600 credit on the repair of the car. Certainly not even close to the $4,000 plus it will cost to repair.

We are retired and live on social security and by the end of each month have no money. This has been a crushing blow to our home. My wife and I are at edge with each other not knowing what to do. Ford needs to live up to the product they sell. We will NEVER by a Ford product again, never! 67,343 miles is nothing and the transmission is going out. Ford you stink. Definitely unAmerican.

- Robert W., Orlando, FL, US

problem #25

May 202015

Focus Titanium

  • CVT transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Honestly, I love my focus. It is so fun to drive and it really is a comfortable ride. Unfortunately, as much as I love it, I also hate it. I bough this car used in 2014 in Chatanooga from the BMW dealer with 24k miles on it. Within a few months I had issues. The sync system would freeze up or it would show service needed and my car would refuse to start. I had to replace the battery a few times in that same year. 2015 was no better. I had my first issue with the TCM. I was heading home from work and the car began to stutter almost like it was losing power. I would push the gas and it would rev and literally not shift out of first. I could get it to shift a time or so but immediately downshift. I believe the end of summer of 2017 I experienced the same issue only this time I could shift into drive but the car wouldn't move at all. Once again, TCM issue. Finally, just a few weeks ago on May 25th, I had to call Ford due to no steering assist. I had the light come on for the last year or so but it would go away if I turned the car off and back on. This time it didn't go away. Turns out after having it towed in on a Friday, the following Monday I get a call stating that the steering gear/rack and pinion assembly needed replaced and reprogrammed. This visit cost me almost 1,800 in repairs. I've noticed the steering issue is very common in this year. Why has ford not covered this issue? Needless to say, my car is sitting just now at 88k miles. I have had 3 major issues surrounding the drivability making this car unreliable. I wouldn't recommend this model to anyone.

- Sarah B., Cottondale, US

problem #24

Oct 232013

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,366 miles

This would be the first of many times I brought my car in for this exact problem. It has been the bane of my existence ever since.

- Dave W., Decatur, IL, US

problem #23

Apr 012014

Focus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

Ford replaced the clutch, but the problem persists.

- Woo H., Houston, TX, US

problem #22

Jul 012015

Focus SEL 2.0L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

I am fearful that the transmission will go completely out, and would like to see a recall and get it repaired. it is bad enough that passengers can feel it, and question if I think it will fail.

- Betty S., Coldwater, US

problem #21

May 182017

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,411 miles

The car had been doing this for awhile and the first time I took it in they told me they couldn't even diagnose the issue until I had another unrelated issue fixed on the car. The car was/is constantly getting stuck in gears when switching from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Clutch was replaced on 5/25/17 and is STILL hesitating. I called the dealership and they claim there is a 1500 mile "break in" period for the new parts. They also told me to try another dealership next time. I have never been so disgusted with a car in all my life. I will never buy a Ford again.

- Krisha C., Norwich, US

problem #20

May 092016

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

car stalled on the highway, my daughter and I almost got run over by a truck. When called Ford they said there was a sever recall on it. We never got a call or emial or text nothing because it was second hand. But they can still call me for promotions and offers on my sh*t car but not a recall that almost killed my daughter and me!

- lolad87, Montreal, QC, Canada

problem #19

Feb 202017

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

I bought the car at Midway Auto and the day I drove it off of the lot when I began to accelerate it hesitated and bucked. This continued to be a problem until 4 days ago when the engine light came on and the car almost would not accelerate. I pulled forward to back in to a parking space and it would not move. Would not move forward or backwards. I had to have it towed. In searching this site I see that there have been many complaints for the same problem.

- Elizabeth H., Hanover, US

problem #18

Mar 012017

Focus 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

Can't wait to get rid of this lemon...car is nothing but problems since I bought it in 2014. Feels like I'm driving in "L" and then all of a sudden it will kick up a gear...very weird!

- Maryann R., Arlington, MA, US

problem #17

Jun 112015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,010 miles

Since 1 month after buying this car every time I stop driving and start driving, it hesitates. Sometimes when I stop, it just keeps shaking. I never reported the issue because some people say it stops. It has been 1 year and 2 months and it has officially gotten worse. At times when I turn the car on it takes some time to start up. Can some one help me please?

- Margarita R., Kissimmee, FL, US

problem #16

Jan 052016

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

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

This problem was not fixed by extended warranty. It was fixed by recall! Almost did not make the recall cutoff. The recall was for cars under 100,000 miles. I had 99,000+. Got lucky I guess.

- beatricep, Selma, CA, US

problem #15

Jun 082015

Focus SE

  • Manual transmission
  • 25,800 miles

Although I am reporting this in July of 2016; I have been noticing this problem since last year. It has been getting increasingly worse and worse. This year the car hesitates so badly and has such low torque, people behind me honk their horns for me to go. It is worse if I am on a hill. I can floor the accelerator pedal and still roll back a little. I asked about it at a Ford Dealership about 3 months ago and was basically told nothing was wrong with the car after they checked it out.

- Tarra C., Annnandale, VA, US

problem #14

Sep 282015

Focus SEL 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

I'm sick off it! Five Star repaired it, but two weeks later same exact problem with it so hesitant it stalls out! Too many recalls on the Focus!

- Helen J., Richardson, TX, US

problem #13

Nov 012011

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30 miles

Started within the first 30 miles of owning the car: it shudders in lower gears as it transitions upwards. Took it back to Ford to have it checked out and they found nothing. At 100 miles I had another additional problem of the transmission not engaging when I pressed the gas (corrects itself when you release and repress the pedal) and also repeated my complaint of the shuddering. They duplicated the shuddering but not the non-engagement of the transmission. I was told I needed to give the transmission "time to learn" my driving habits. Fast forward to today, I have mentioned 5 other times over the years about the shuddering and been told it was due to the car having a new "learning transmission" that "learns' how you drive and if you are inconsistent in your driving habits, you would see the shuddering.

Did not get the recall notice from last year, but I have it now and will be getting it fixed. Clearly it was NOT supposed to be occurring as Ford suggested. I will be taking it in to get it fixed with the recall...it shouldn't have had to wait years for a recall.

- R D., Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #12

Sep 212015

Focus SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,129 miles

Hesistates in low gears, amongst everything else it does. I'll file eight now. Such bs FORD. REPLACE THIS POS

- Brittany M., Greenleaf, ID, US

problem #11

Aug 012013

Focus SFE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

OBVIOUSLY the biggest problem with the 2012 Focus is the hesitation in lower gears. The car makes an awful noise when speeding up. This has been going on since I bought the thing and every time I took it to the dealership they said "that's just how the new transmissions are made". I call bull. Even the recalls and computer resets did NOTHING.

- Julia K., Douglasville, GA, US

problem #10

Jun 192015

Focus Titanium 2,0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,900 miles

Took the Ford Focus to the dealer on June 22 after experiencing problems June 19,20,21 with the car slipping in first gear. Nearly got rear ended twice and angry drivers honking at me. Stalled once at an intersection.

I took the car to my local dealer in Glendora, CA. They replaced the trans control module but the problem stills existed after mechanic drove the car for a 23 mile test drive. I was asked by the service adviser to call Ford Corporate Service Representative. April, with Ford, said this is a known problem and that there is an extended warranty which my car was covered under. She did not understand why the dealer could not honor the extended warranty labeled 14MO-1. The dealer said it did not qualify because there were no leaky seals but the fix was to change out the clutches which is exactly what my problem is. So I called Ford Customer Service Corporate again. They put in all the notes and said I should talk to the dealer.

This time I spoke with the Service Manager who said he would check on this with his regional director. It has been two days and I still haven't heard from the dealer. When I asked the service adviser what are my options, he said, "You can pay the full price for the replacement of the clutches or file a lawsuit." That is bad advise on a problem Ford is well aware of.

I love this car, but now dealing with the dealer and corporate, they are giving me the run around. No wonder many people are buying foreign products. Ford has a moral obligation and should go out of their way to help customers like me. They will wind up with customers for life instead of being forced to buy foreign made products and services.

- lavalamp302, La Verne, CA, US

problem #9

Jun 072014

Focus SE 2.2L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

I understand that there are issues occasionally. I understand parts malfunction and can go out or that there is a bad batch. As annoyed as I was during the issues I had during summer/early fall (yes it lasted that long) of 2014, it's nothing compared to how aggravated I am now. That less than a year after having almost a total rebuild of my trans, it's happening again!

I don't trust my car, I travel frequently and pay lot of money to have this new car, and this is ridiculous. At first I thought I'd blame the dealership service center, thinking they didn't do something right and that led to the final result of the "rebuild", but now that it worked for many months and now isn't again. I can't wait to replace it. I will NEVER buy another Focus.

- kellciblake, Mineral wells, TX, US

problem #8

May 042015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,224 miles

I was driving to work and the car started pulling like a stick shift and started stalling. Then the warning flashed across the screen that said "Transmission Malfunction. Service Now". I pulled over and turned the car off. And when I turned it back on, it was still pulling and I continued to drive it another block or two to get closer to a friend's house. Once I parked it and turned it off again. I turned it back on to find it wouldn't reverse AT ALL. Once getting it towed to the nearest dealer, the next day I was diagnosed as needing a clutch pack. Then to find out, this is nationwide problem and it's on back order for 12 weeks!! After doing some research online, I found a class action lawsuit filed in 2012 against Ford Motor Company for the same thing!! Then I found a 122 page forum of other owners with the same issues. Some owners saying the dealer has fixed the problem only for it to happen again. Some owners saying they haven't received any help fixing their car at all. The dealer and Ford expect me to be out of car until God knows when!! Shame on Ford! This is a union-built vehicle! What was I thinking??

- Leslee H., Waldorf, MD, US

problem #7

Jun 092014

Focus SE 2.0L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Have taken the car to two dealerships. Prior to the recall notice, the first dealership said they would replace the clutch if we were still having issues. Once the recall notice was issued, Ford established parameters for the shudder / hesitation that stated that they would only pay for repairs if they fell into those parameters. The car is losing MPG as a result of the transmission issue. Down form 34 MPG to 28 MPG. Since our shudder falls outside of established repair parameters, the car remains un-repaired with with the loss of MPG. The last dealership stated that individuals that fell within the parameters would be waiting close to June 2015 for the new clutch parts and that the rest of us were basically SOL until our cars got worse. They said that owners had to just keep bringing their cars in for evaluation of the shudder. SInce our mileage is getting near 50,000, we are looking to trade the vehicle into a Ford dealership for a more reliable replacement.

- osbornoh, Dublin, OH, US

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