Home · 2012 Ford Focus Bev · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (3,789)Crash / fire / injury (146)Transmission & drivetrain (1,455)Steering (932)Engine (475)Electrical system (366)Fuel system (340)Body & structure (330)Speed control (169)Latches & locks (133)Visibility & wipers (70)Brakes (61)

Newest first · 3,789 complaints · page 35 of 152

Oct 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

AS MANY OTHERS, NO, RATHER THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE FAULTY DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION OFFERED BY FORD FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD OF SERIOUSLY INJURED ME AND MY 2YR OLD DAUGHTER. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH FOR THE RECALL OF THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT, BEFORE ANYTHING IS ACTUALLY DONE? HOW PADDED ARE THEY MAKING YOUR POCKETS? DO YOUR JOB AND SAVE LIVES.

NHTSA ODI 11268108

Oct 11, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MATT BOWERS FORD (3724 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70002, (504) 887-8410) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,000. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RECALL WAS LINKED TO SEVERAL OTHER FORD VEHICLE'S; HOWEVER, THE FORD FOCUS WAS NOT INCLUDED DESPITE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11267963

Oct 10, 2019Fuel system

MY CAR HAD A SAFETY RECALL ON IT,IT SAID IT NEEDED A FUEL TANK,FUEL PUMP,EVAP CONTROL MODULE AND 2 EVAP CANISTERS,FORD SAID THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND WOULD NOT FIX MY CAR,SO I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC TO GET ALL OF THIS REPLACED AND FORD WILL NOT SELL HIM A FUEL TANK FOR MY CAR BECAUSE IT HAD A RECALL ON THE VIN NUMBER.NOW WHAT DO I DO? HOW CAN I MAKE FORD FIX MY CAR?

NHTSA ODI 11267633

Oct 9, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ALL AMERICAN FORD (3698 U.S. 9, OLD BRIDGE, NJ 08857, (732) 212-6261) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER FORD LINCOLN (1596 NJ-38, LUMBERTON, NJ 08048, (609) 261-7836) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED OUT THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE RE-OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,480. *BF *TP

NHTSA ODI 11267277

Oct 9, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 19V515000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT DISPLAY ACCURATE INFORMATION; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM CLICK FORD LINCOLN (6244 E 22ND ST, TUCSON, AZ 85711, 877-777-9263) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11267288

Oct 9, 2019Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN REVERSE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MANY YEARS. THE FORD SERVICE CENTER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THIS. THE DEALER HAS RECENTLY PROVIDED A LOANER BECAUSE MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT LEGAL SETTLEMENT REGARDING THIS IN LOS ANGELS AND A TRIAL IS SET TO BEGIN IN SAN DIEGO WHERE I RESIDE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED AND A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE OR BE FAIRLY COMPENSATED SO I CAN PURCHASE A NEW CAR AND MOVE ON.

NHTSA ODI 11267362

Oct 8, 2019Engine

2012 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 18S32/ NHTSA RECALL 18V-735. THEY INQUIRE WHEN PARTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR VEHICLE. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REVERSE AND DROVE SLOW WHILE MOVING FORWARD. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11266330

Oct 8, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AND BACKWARDS, AND THEN STALL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,347.

NHTSA ODI 11267106

Oct 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE IS OPERATING LIKE A DRUNKEN SAILOR. STILL HAS MAJOR SHIFTING ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11267150

Oct 7, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON, TRANSMISSION WILL MESS UP, AND THEN CHECK ENGINE WILL GO OFF, CAR WILL DRIVE FINE FOR A WEEK, THEN CONTINUE THE PROBLEM. SENT CAR TO GET LOOKED AT SAID THE COMPUTER WAS GIVING THE CODE FOR SWITCH B CLUTCH, SPENT 365$TO GET IT FIXED AND THEN A LITTLE OVER A WEEK LATER PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN BUT WORSE THAN BEFORE. MY CAR ONLY HAD 76,000 MILES ON IT, SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION YET.

NHTSA ODI 11266721

Oct 7, 2019Fuel system

ON OCT.4, 2019, OUR 2012 FOCUS SUDDENLY HAD A HARD START AND SMELT OF GAS FUMES IN CAR. TOOK CAR IN AND HAD REPAIR DONE WHICH CONSISTED OF SENDER(BV6Z-9H307-AV) AND GASKET(4L3Z-9276-AA) AND PAID OUT OF POCKET. JUST UNDER 2 YEARS AGO, HAD AN ISSUE WHERE FUEL TANK GOT SUCKED UP. TANK(BV6Z-9002-E) WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH SAME SENDER AND GASKET AS LISTED ABOVE PLUS TUBE AS(BV6Z-9D289-B) PAID OUT OF POCKET IN DEC. 2017 BUT WAS JUST RECENTLY REIMBURSED DUE TO A RECALL. I HOPE THIS WILL NOT BE A CONTINUING REPAIR WE NEED TO DO EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE A RECALL 19S22 WAS ISSUED .

NHTSA ODI 11266758

Oct 7, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, "ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST FAULT" AND "SERVICE REQUIRED" APPEARED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PERRY FORD OF NATIONAL CITY (2050 NATIONAL CITY BLVD, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI 11266765

Oct 7, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. YOU MUST SAFELY REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE ROADWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND FORD REFUSES TO HELP BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD ALL OF THE RECALLS FIXED. THIS IS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER. WE ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION AS IT TRIES TO SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEARS DUE TO THE CLUTCH. FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS WELL BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY HAD IT RECALLED. THESE ISSUES ARE SERIOUS AND COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SAFE AND UNRELIABLE. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH THE CUSTOMERS WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11266846

Oct 7, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE AT STARTUP. INITIALLY, THIS WAS INTERMITTENT AND RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE. EVENTUALLY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY DESPITE RESTARTING THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING FAILED ONLY ON STARTUP, NOT WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11266903

Oct 7, 2019EngineFuel system

AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE BEGAN ACTING AS IF IT DID NOT WANT TO GET UP TO SPEED AND WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 35MPH WITHOUT DRAMATICALLY JOLTING FORWARD. IT DID THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE SWERVING A BIT AND FINALLY STALLING COMPLETELY, PRESSING THE GAS WOULD DO NOTHING TO GET THE CAR TO SPEED UP. I DID MANAGE TO GET IT TO A SIDE ROAD BEFORE HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11266913

Oct 5, 2019Speed controlEngineFuel system

WE PURCHASED A 2012 FOCUS FOR OUR 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AS HER FIRST CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR SHUDDERS AS YOU ACCELERATE LIKE ITS SHIFTING GEARS BUT IT'S A VERY AGGRESSIVE JERK. ONCE IT REACHES CERTAIN SPEED IT DRIVES SMOOTHLY BUT IF YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATE AGAIN IT DOES THE SAME THING. THE FAULT CODE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STATES IT'S A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECALL FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE (RECALL 18S32). TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED AND THEY RESET THE PCM BUT TECH TOLD ME THE GAS TANK "PASSED INSPECTION" SO NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE NEEDED. HOWEVER, THE CAR STILL SHUDDERS AT ACCELERATION. I WAS TOLD I'D HAVE TO PAY $135 FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I AM SO AFRAID FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO IS A FAIRLY NEW DRIVER TO BE DRIVING THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. I WILL BE SEARCHING FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AS I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THIS WEBSITE. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THIS CAR TO ANYONE ELSE WITH THESE PROBLEMS EITHER. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE, DIES! THE CAR HAS 101,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11266448

Oct 4, 2019Steering

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING AND HAD FORTUNATELY JUST PULLED OVER AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON LOCKING UP THE STEERING AND MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. WE GOT IT OVER TO QUICK LANE ( A FORD AFFILIATED SERVICE CENTER BY OUR HOME AND AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE DOCUMENTATION ANALYZED THE PROBLEM AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING RACK AND REPROGRAM THE MODULE. THIS COST US $2530.24. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET AND AS YOU ARE AWARE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. WE WERE SURPRISED THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATE TO THIS, AND IF THERE IS I WASN'T AWARE OF OR MADE AWARE OF IT.

NHTSA ODI 11266068

Oct 4, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

MY VEHICLE VIBRATES, SHIMMIES, AND SHAKES ON TAKE OFF AND ON TURNS. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY CROSSING A HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD IT ACCESSED AT MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION INPUT SEALS. THERE IS A PROGRAM OUT 14M01 THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY AND FIELD SERVICE ALERTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THE VEHICLE IS COVERED. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP ENTERED IT IN THE SYSTEM, THE REPAIR WAS DENIED BY FORD. I KNOW THERE IS A LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I NEED HELP TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED BY FORD. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER SHOULD SUBMIT FOR WARRANTY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ARE DENYING THIS REPAIR. I HOPE NOTHING ELSE GOES WRONG WITH THE LEAKING TRANSMISSION SEALS WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE FORD REFUSES THE REPAIR. DRIVING SOMEWHERE WHERE THERE IS A STOP LIGHT ON EVERY CORNER WILL GIVE YOU WHIPLASH. CROSSING HIGHWAYS IS VERY DANGEROUS. YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE NOTHING IS COMING FOR A LONG WAY AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2012. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS NEW. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO FIX. NOW THERE IS A FIX. I TOOK IT THIS LAST TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP 9/23/2019. THERE AARE 41000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ODI 11266136

Oct 3, 2019Fuel system

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AT FREEWAYS SPEEDS (APPROXIMATELY 65MPH), MY CAR'S ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY STALLED AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON, AND BOTH THE ENGINE AND BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. WHILE STILL MOVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR ENGINE TO TURN BACK ON OR GET THE TRANSMISSION TO RE-ENGAGE OUT OF NEUTRAL, AND THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO NOT WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT JAMMED, AS IF THERE WAS A POWER FAILURE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM; I COULD NOT GET THE PEDAL TO MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO COAST WITHOUT POWER TO AN OFF-RAMP (I WAS STILL TRAVELING >45 MPH ON THE OFF-RAMP), AND THEN USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP ONCE ON A SURFACE STREET. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, I TURNED IT BACK ON, AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT RETURN. I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME ON SURFACE STREETS. FOLLOWING UP ON THIS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON; AN AUTO SHOP REPLACED THE EVAP PURGE VALVE ASSEMBLY AND OXYGEN SENSOR (SEE ATTACHED REPAIR INVOICE) AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE, IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR STOPPED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, MAKING THE FUEL/AIR RATIO IN THE ENGINE TOO LEAN. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE BRAKES ALSO STOPPED WORKING. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS OCCURRED AT NIGHT WHEN THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. IF THERE WERE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, THIS WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS I COULD NOT SAFELY ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. THE ENGINE STALLING WAS NOT PRECEDED BY ANY SIGNIFICANT ACCELERATION OR BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI 11265880

Oct 3, 2019Electrical system

WE BOUGHT OUR DAUGHTER A 2012 FORD FOCUS AND THE POWER WINDOWS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY FOR AWHILE BEFORE THEY COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. WE DID BUY THE CAR USED AND IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THE POWER WINDOWS SHOULD NOT BE MALFUNCTIONING ON A CAR THAT IS 7 YEARS OLD. SHE CAN'T EVEN USE A DRIVE THROUGH OR ESCAPE FROM HER WINDOW IF SHE NEEDED TO IN AN EMERGENCY! THERE WERE COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE FROM OWNERS WHO BROUGHT THE CAR NEW AND WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL. I AM GOING TO WRITE TO FORD AS WELL ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY PART FROM WHAT I'VE GATHERED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A REPAIR THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR WHEN THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR LEFT THE ASSEMBLY LINES.

NHTSA ODI 11265893

Oct 3, 2019Steering

INFORMED THAT THE STEERING ASSIST HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING. LUCKILY SO FAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART AND HAVE THE STEERING FUNCTION PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI 11265927

Oct 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION JERKS IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND MOST RECENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI 11265528

Oct 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN DRIVING IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSE THE CAR TO LURCH AND JERK. WHEN TRANSITIONING ONTO FREEWAY, AT TIMES THERE WILL BE MINIMAL POWER AS THE TRANSMISSION REFUSES TO SHIFT AND THE ENGINE STAYS BETWEEN 3500 TO 4500 RPMS. THIS RESULTS IN MERGING INTO 70 MPH TRAFFIC AT 30-40 MPH. WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM FREEWAY TO CITY ROAD, CAR WILL HAVE NO POWER FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS AND THEN MASSIVE POWER LUNGING FORWARD FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS BEFORE LOSING POWER AND ALLOWING FOR BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI 11265678

Oct 2, 2019Steering

WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD: "STEERING ASSIST DISABLED". THE WHEEL BECOMES VERY HARD TO TURN AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. RATHER, I RESTART THE CAR, AND THE MESSAGE GOES AWAY. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY TO GET TO SCHOOL, IT COULD RESULT IN A POTENTIAL CRASH. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA ODI 11265782

Sep 30, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemCrash1 injury

THREE WEEKS AFTER BUYING MY BRAND NEW 2012 FORD FOCUS, THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE ON THE HIGHWAY. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS A FORD PROBLEM AND NOT THEIRS. THE FOLLOWING MONTH, I ALMOST DIED IN THE CAR. A REGIONAL MANAGER FROM FORD CAME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SPEAK WITH ME, RESOLVED NOTHING. I FOLLOWED LEMON LAW PROTOCOL AND DOCUMENTED EVERYTHING THROUGH THE SERVICE DEPT. MORE THAN 12 VISITS. FOUR VISITS BEFORE THE NEAR FATAL CRASH AND THE REMAINDER AFTERWARDS. FORD RAN OUT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON MY VEHICLE SO THEY DID NOT HAVE TO PAY ME. THE VEHICLE HAS A PROPENSITY OF TURNING OFF WHEN ACCELERATING TO 65 MPH. WHEN MAKING A TURN OR U-TURN THE CAR HESITATES. FORD ADMITTED TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND STILL WOULD NOT PUT ME IN MY ORIGINAL POSITION WHICH HAS LEFT ME WITH DISC DISPLACEMENTS BENEATH MY BRAIN STEM. I HAVE CHRONIC NECK PAIN EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE. I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO TURN. A WHITE UTILITY VAN FLEW OUT OF THE LANE TO TRY TO BEAT THE LIGHT AS I WAS TURNING. THE CAR TURNED OFF AND I HAD TO BRACE FOR IMPACT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TWO ADDITIONAL MALFUNCTIONS CAUSED THE CAR TO VEER LEFT AND CRASH INTO CURBS. LAST WEEK, I HAD TO MAKE A U-TURN. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME. WHILE TURNING, THE CAR HESITATED, AND THE CAR WAS STOPPING, THE WAY IT DID IN 2012. I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY AN 18-WHEELER WHO THOUGHT I WAS INITIATING ROAD RAGE. HE THEN FOLLOWED ME AND RAN ME OFF THE ROAD COMING ONE INCH TO THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I TRIED TO TAKE PICTURES, BUT MY HAND WAS TREMBLING. FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE AT THE REPLACEMENT VALUE FROM JULY OF 2012 AND OBEY THE VA LEMON LAW STATUTE. FORD OFFERED ME A BUY OUT OF $8,000 IN DECEMBER 2018. I HAD TO LAY OUT $14,000 FOR A NEW VEHICLE. THEY SHOULD HAVE CREDITED ALL OF MY CAR PAYMENTS $17K, AND PROVIDED A SETTLEMENT FOR PERMANENT SPINE AND NECK INJURIES. ACCOUNTABILITY IS DEMANDED.

NHTSA ODI 11258939

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Ford Focus Bev verdict →