What 3,789 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Focus Bev

Tread wore away

NHTSA ODI 11422385

Transmission continually is slipping. The dual clutch transmission is the problem. Ford settled a class action law suit regarding this type of vehicle. I was never notified.

NHTSA ODI 11422312

My transmission was fixed by a recall and it's still hesitating and shattering when I drive.

NHTSA ODI 11422382

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle overheated. Additionally, the contact stated while accelerating the vehicle shakes and shutters. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the air conditioner, transmission module, thermostat sensor, and control fan module needed to be replaced. The contact was informed the head gasket was leaking oil. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 41,260. VIN invalid

NHTSA ODI 11422037

I had bought this car a little over a week ago and it has shown zero issues until yesterday June 17 2021, I was driving home when the car forced its self into neutral and the screen said transmission malfunction service now. I’ve called Ford and talked to them about the 14M02 recall/ campaign that was posted for this car and they said they’re unable to do anything because it’s out of the required parameters. I spent all my savings on this vehicle and now am out of a ride for work and I can’t even have a problem I didn’t create fixed? When they knew it was an issue.

NHTSA ODI 11421432

Several times, now, I have started the car and the none of the readouts were working (odometer, fuel level, etc.); the cruise control would not engage. After driving a few minutes they all came on. Today (6-14-2021) I backed out of the driveway and put it in drive. The transmission wouldn't engage. I shut it off and let it sit a couple of minutes and started it and it engage, this time, still no dash readouts. Two miles down the road the readouts came on. I went into town to do my business and when I went to come home, it did the same thing.

NHTSA ODI 11420910

My Ford Focus Hatchback doesn't have much power. Driving down the interstate it lost power and then the transmission failed warning came on. I had to drive along the side of the interstate to limp the car home. This car sputters and jerks when driving. After I bought it I took it back to the dealer and he told me that its normal for this car to act in in that way. Now I know that is not the case that was the transmission starting to go out and they should not have told me it was ok. I see two other complaints like mine. I don't see a recall but I would sure like one to help pay for the repairs. I will have to have the car towed to the service center when they have an opening My phone number is: [XXX] Email is: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11420018

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that after refueling, the vehicle fails to start up after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the residence twice due to the failure. The following day the vehicle failed to start up with the check engine warning light intermittently flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11420019

No warning lights intermittent brake loss called Ford told them what was going on and immediately told me hydraulic control unit the valves may stick open for short period of times then return to normal.but would have to take a look. had brakes replaced and bled ford has had this exact issue with other ford models having the hydraulic control unit a recall was issued for the others. But not all of their cars it lead to a crash by not being able to get stopped doing 40mph in a 40 mph zone issue happened year and half ago went had brakes checked out and re-bled the brakes almost lead to another crash then brakes are normal then no pedal at all

NHTSA ODI 11419595

The first incident occurred at a gas station. I filled my tank, turned my car on and put my car in drive as usual. As I took my foot off the brake, my car started to roll backwards. There was no dashboard lights on at this time. As I was driving home, the check engine light came on. I went home to research places to take my car to be checked. I left back out and when I started my car, the check engine light was no longer on. I restarted my car several times and drove back and forth to see if the light would come back on and it did not. The light did not come back on for about 2 weeks and when it did, my car stopped while I was driving. I was able to restart it but it was scary having my car stop while driving. I filled up my tank this morning and when I tried to start it, it did not start. It did start after a second try.

NHTSA ODI 11419656

The contact owns a 2012 FORD Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, accelerating from an intersection, there was brake loss without warning intermittently. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle in front. No airbags deployed. The contact sustained a fractured right ankle. A police report was filed. Medical attention was required where the contact was taken to the hospital for treatment. The vehicle was towed by the police to a lot where it was awaiting an investigation from the contacts insurance company. The dealer informed the contact that no recalls were under the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 112,000

NHTSA ODI 11418454

I have a 2012 Ford Focus SE that has a severe audio issue which impacts my ability to safely operate the vehicle. I understand radio issues are not technically defined as a safety-related defect. However this issue is so impairing and physically harming to me, I fear for my life and others while driving this car. The issue is a faulty car stereo electronics which create high-decibel thumping, popping, static, and more at random intervals and lengths while the audio system is on or off, with the volume turned all the way down either way. It is like a never-ending audio jump scare. Nothing is plugged into the car like a phone charger or speaker. I have found hundreds of people online with this same issue with their 2012 Ford Focus. In order to safely operate their Focus, many reported completely disconnecting the audio system or replacing their entire car radio/audio transmitter for $800+. This issue has been escalating every drive, short or long distances. On my 40 min commute this morning, with my audio completely off, I was approaching a roundabout to enter when a HUGE audio thump and pop occurred and almost ran into a car in the roundabout. Thankfully they saw me and we avoided a crash. I am terrified of this happening again. I cannot commute to my job without extreme stress and crying. I do not have hundreds of dollars to replace my audio system. This is extremely dangerous. I was able to find a solution to the exact issue on focusfanatics.com, a Ford Focus forum. An electric technician with 40+ years of experience took a look at his son's Ford Focus 2012 PCB and realized the capacitors/electrolytic caps were made of aluminum which is apparently, "notorious for going bad in the electronic repair world." He replaced these and the son has not had an issue since. Another person on the forum reported this electrician's solution worked for them as well. All 2012 Ford Focuses should have this issue repaired in order to have a safe operating vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11417431

Driving 40 MPH around a curvy mountainous road the Power Steering suddenly stopped working making steering almost impossible thankfully there was a pull off spot straight ahead or I would have been in a major accident.

NHTSA ODI 11417359

THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY INDICATED THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN SETTLED REGARDING THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11415834

MY TWO SONS WERE TURNING LEFT WHEN THEY WERE T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY SONS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE RIGHT REAR. THE SIDE AIR BAGS WENT OFF BUT NOT THE TWO FRONTS. ALSO THEIR SEAT BELTS DID NOT TIGHTEN. BC OF THIS BOTH SONS SUFFERED TBI'S, ONE VERY SEVERE AND IS STILL RECOVERING. THE OTHER REQUIRED BRAIN SURGERY. I AM SO UPSET THAT THEIR SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN. I BOUGHT A NEWER FORD THINKING IT WAS GOING TO BE SAFE. PLEASE SOMEONE FIX THIS DEFECT. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS COULD EVER HAPPEN. THEY WERE HIT FROM THE OTHER PERSON GOING 45 MPH SO IT SHOULD HAVE TIGHTENED. SAD MOMMA. LIVES CHANGED FOREVER. :( [XXX]*DT PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11415428

I HAVE HAD THIS SITUATION HAPPEN IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. ESSENTIALLY, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK / REVERSE / NEUTRAL / DRIVE AND THEREFORE I CANNOT SHIFT POSITIONS OR MOVE THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN VEHICLE OVER, I AM PARKED BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT KNOW I AM PARKED (THERE IS P / R / N / D ON DASHBOARD AND USUALLY A GREY BOX INDICATES WHAT POSITION I AM IN. WHEN IT DOESN'T KNOW WHERE I AM, THERE IS NO GREY BOX AT ALL). SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING, THEN I PARK AND SIT IDLE FOR A BIT, THEN TRY TO LEAVE BUT VEHICLE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT POSITION I AM IN. IN THE MOST DANGEROUS SCENARIOS, I WILL BE DRIVING!!!!! THEN THE VEHICLE DOESN'T KNOW I AM IN D AND WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE, I JUST REV ON THE ENGINE AS IF I AM IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS WHEN GOING SLOW. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES (IT WAS NOT WELL KNOWN WHEN I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE). CAR IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP SO I DO NOT HAVE ANY INFO / FEEDBACK FROM FORD.

NHTSA ODI 11415227

I HAD JUST PURCHASED FORD FOCUS USED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME, THAT MY CAUSE RECALL DOES NOT STAND. BECAUSE IT EXCEEDED OVER 100,000 MILES. THEY SAID IT OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME TO PAY $3,400 ESTIMATION TO FIX THE CAR. I TOLD THEM RECALL DON'T EXPIRE. ALSO THAT FORD MANUFACTURES TELL ME UP TO 2012-2017 HAVE RECALLS ON TRANSMISSIONS ISSUES. I'M JUST UPSET THEY DON'T HOLD UP TO THERE STANDARDS WITH FORD AND I LOVE FORD MOTORS. THEY CAR STALLS AND WON'T GO INTO GEAR. IT HAS DIFFICULTY RESPONDING TO GEARS. I BOUGHT IT USED ABS NOTICE THE PROBLEMS. SO I HAULED IT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11415336

WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 FORD FOCUS SE ON 4/28/2021 AT 45MPH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO MOVE ERRATICALLY ON THEIR OWN - AT DIFFERENT SPEED LEVELS. THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO THE LEVER AT ALL. THE WIPERS CONTINUED AFTER IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. AT 7:15AM THE NEXT MORNING OF 4/29/2021 WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RESPONDED TO THE LEVER WHEN TURNED ON AND OFF. HOWEVER AT 10:30A, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH ERRATICALLY AGAIN WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED BY THE LEVER. LATER IN THE AFTER NOON, 5PM WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER IN THE MIDST OF A RAINSTORM. AS OF TODAY, 4/30/2021 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NON-RESPONSIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11414574

AS I GO DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWS A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND LOSSES ALL POWER, THE POWER TRAIN GOES DEATH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SPECIALLY WHEN YOURE TRAVELING ON A PRETTY LOADED HIGHWAY AT 78MPH. THE ONLY GOOD THING IS THAT STEERING WHEEL IS STILL ALIVE AND BRAKES TOO. I HAD 90% OF BATTERY LIFE AND IT WAS A HOT DAY OUT THERE AT 94F DEGREES. I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BUT I HAVE THE MESSAGE I RECEIVED IN MY CELL PHONE.

NHTSA ODI 11414665

WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A PARKING LOT TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC, ACCELERATING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS, OR TAKING A RIGHT ON RED, THE CAR WILL START TO ACCELERATE AND THEN SUDDENLY AS IT TRY'S TO DOWNSHIFT, IT ACTS AS IF ITS STUCK IN NEUTRAL, AND WONT ACCELERATE AT ALL. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY OTHER MOVING VEHICLES. SOME GOING 50 MPH HAVE HAD TO SLAM THEIR BRAKES ON BECAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO FINISH ACCELERATING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. WHEN IT ISN'T DOING THAT, IT HAS JERKY/ ROUGH/ DOWNSHIFTS. IT ALSO VIBRATES WHEN I TRY TO SPEED UP AND SOMETIMES HAS A HESITATION AND THEN WILL KICK IN TO GEAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET HIT BY OTHER CARS IN MOTION MULTIPLE TIMES . ESPECIALLY TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC! I BROUGHT IT TO THE USED DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY DISCOVERED THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION ERROR CODE WITH THE TCM. THEY DID A SYSTEM RESET AND 24 HOURS LATER, IT WAS BACK TO DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND THE RECALL DOES A FREE RESET FOR YOU. WELL, THIS DOES NOT FIX THE SAFETY ISSUE! IT ACTUALLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THEIR NEWER UPDATED MODEL THAT ISN'T DEFECTIVE LIKE THIS ONE. SO, THEIR CURRENT SAFETY RECALL DOES NOTHING. ALSO, OTHER RESEARCH SHOWED ME THAT FORD WENT THROUGH A GIANT LAWSUIT OVER THESE EXACT PROBLEMS IN 2016 AND ONE RESULT WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS OR 150K MILES. THIS DOESN'T HELP THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY OVER THE 150K MILES! THEIR SAFETY ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT! NEXT I'M CONTACTING THE BBB, ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE LOCAL NEW CHANNELS, AND THE GOVERNOR! THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE UPDATED TO GETTING IT REPLACED!!!! NOT JUST RESET!! *RECALL 13V523000 *SOURCES OF MY INFORMATION: HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/ARTICLES/FORD-FOCUS-FIESTA-TRANSMISSION-SETTLEMENT-WHAT-OWNERS-SHOULD-KNOW-420135/

NHTSA ODI 11414191

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT START-UP. THE CONTACT WOULD RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESUME NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000. Consumer stated steering was replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11413427

MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A 2012 FORD FOCUS SEL ABOT 2 WEEKS AGO IN 1 WEEK SHE RAN OUT OF GAS AND FUEL GAUGE WAS MARKING A 1/4 QUATER TANK WE FILLED THE GAS TANK AND IT WAS WORKING FINE ON 4/19/21 SAME THING HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY MARKING 1/4 QUATER TANK BUT IT SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING NO 1 GOT HURT OR NO ACCIDENT 1 TIME IT WAS ON CITY STREET THE OTHER ON THE HIGHWAY AT MIDNIGHT

NHTSA ODI 11413120

I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON MY 2012 FORD FOCUS SE. 3 DAYS AFTER BUYING IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SAID CATALYST COVERTER IS PLUGGED UP. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING UP. IT HAS NEVER ONE TIME PASSED THE EMISSIONS CONTROL TEST SINCE OWNING IT. THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT THIS CAR HASN'T THROW ME A DIFFERENT CODE FROM THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I GOT SCREWED. THE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE IDK HOW MANY TIME MY DAUGHTER AND I HAVE ALMOST GOT HIT BECAUSE OF THE CAR NOT MOVING WHEN GIVING THE GAS TOO IT. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET ALL MY RECALLS DONE AND THEY ONLY DID 1 RECALL AND THAT WAS THE TCM. THEY SAID THAT WOULD FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IM HAVING. WHAT LIES

NHTSA ODI 11408409

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SON WHO OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED HIS SON WAS DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHARLES GABUS FORD (4545 MERLE HAY RD, DES MOINES, IA 50310) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SHIFTED TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.*DT

NHTSA ODI 11407587

WHENEVER IT RAINS AND I'M USING MY WIPERS THEY WILL JUST SHUT OFF RANDOMLY OR THEY DO A VERY INCONVENIENT DELAY AT THE WORST OF TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S RAINING HARD. IT'S DANGEROUS AND YOU CAN'T SEE. ODDLY ENOUGH MY HORN DON'T WORK EITHER. I GOT THE CAR JANUARY 1ST,2020 OF COURSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED I GOT IT FROM A USED CAR DEALER THE HORN WORKED UNTIL I THINK MARCH, 2020. I HIT A BUMP AND IT'S LIKE IT JUST QUIT AFTER THAT THEN A COUPLE WEEK LATER I GOT A BUMP AGAIN AND IT STARTED WORKIN FOR A LITTLE BIT. THEN A COUPLE DAYS WENT BY AND IT JUST STOPPED NEVER TO WORK AGAIN. CHECKED ALL THE FUSES THEY ALL LOOKED GOOD NONE LOOKED BLOWN. IT'S SCARY BECAUSE SO MANY TIMES PEOPLE WILL EITHER PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME LIKE THEY DON'T SEE ME OR ALMOST HIT ME AND I HAVE NO WAY TO ALERT THEM THAT THEY ALMOST HIM ME AND NEED TO PAY ATTENTION. THEN THERE'S THE WHOLE HAVING TO TAKE OFF SLOWLY IF NOT AND YOU TAKE OFF FAST IT THE CAR WILL JERK AND STALL AND IT DOES IT REALLY WHEN SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING AND NOW THE RPM DROP SO LOW WHEN IDLING IT ALMOST DIES. I JUST REPLACE THE MOTOR A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS DOING THIS BEFORE THE NE MOTOR GOT OUT IN JUST NOT AS BAD. AND IT'S LIKE YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND PUSH IT BUT THE CAR. AREN'T BEG JL AND GOES... IT'S SCARY TO ME AND I USUALLY ALWAYS HAVE MY KID WITH ME. IT FREAKS ME OUT BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES IT STALL OR WHATEVER IT'S DOING I HAVE NO HORN TO LET PEOPLE KNOW TO GO AROUND I KNOW A GIRL I WORK WITH HER DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME CAR AS ME AND STALKING HAS GOTTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11407157