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)

1,455 of 3,789 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 58 of 59

Jun 25, 2012SteeringBrakesTransmission & drivetrain

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I STARTED IT UP AND BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND BEGAN MOVING FORWARD. AFTER GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET THE "I" SIGN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE MESSAGE "STEERING MALFUNCTION, NEEDS SERVICE" CAME ON, ALONG WITH THE ALARM JINGLE. I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVE LANE AND MANAGED TO GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE, BUT THE STEERING WAS PRACTICALLY FROZEN. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND LOOKED FOR ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS OF TROUBLE, BUT COULD FIND NONE. AFTER READING THROUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND CHECKING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I RESTARTED THE CAR (ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER I SHUT IT OFF) AND NO WARNING SIGN CAME ON. I TEST DROVE IT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR A MINUTE TO SEE IF THE STEERING WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THEN DROVE HOME AND EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD AUTOWAY DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS STEMMING FROM AN ABS "CORRUPTED" PROGRAM. THEY TOLD ME THE EPAS GETS IT POWER THROUGH THE ABS. THEY REBOOTED THE ABS PROGRAM AND I'VE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10462989

Jun 18, 2012Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

WAS TOLD THIS CAR HAD "AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION". AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES ON IT, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED SPORADICALLY AND WITH NO PREDICTION. ENGINE SHUDDERED, CAR LOST POWER AND WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE KEY HERE IS NO PREDICTION AS TO HOW THE CAR WILL REACT WHEN UNDER ACCELERATION. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD "THIS ISN'T AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - IT'S A COMPUTER- CONTROLLED MANUAL THAT HAS TO LEARN HOW YOU DRIVE". DEALER UPLOADED A COMPUTER UPDATE FROM FORD. THE NEXT HUNDRED MILES OF DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS DUE TO LACK OF ACCELERATION AND UNEVEN PERFORMANCE. 6/4/2012 I TRIED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND CAR REFUSED TO SPEED UP. I ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT, BUT NUMEROUS DRIVERS SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND/OR SWERVED AND AVERTED MULTIPLE COLLISIONS. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER 6/5/2012 AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. WAS TOLD BY HEAD TECH "IT JUST HAS TO GET USED TO HOW YOU DRIVE". I TOLD HIM THERE WERE THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE DRIVING THIS FOCUS. HE SAID WE CAN'T, BECAUSE THAT WOULD JUST END UP TOTALLY "CONFUSING" THE COMPUTER. AS THE CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, IT IS STILL AT THE DEALER. MILES ON VEHICLE ARE UNDER 800.

NHTSA ODI 10462649

Jun 17, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

POOR SHIFT QUALITY 6 SPEED DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10462008

Jun 14, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE AS THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS THE VEHICLE FINALLY ACCELERATED, IT JERKED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR AN UPDATE TO THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI 10461718

Jun 9, 2012Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY FOCUS. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE FOCUS'S AUTOMATIC DSG TRANSMISSION (IN D) WILL QUICKLY SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR IN AN EFFORT TO MINIMIZE FUEL CONSUMPTION. DURING A STOPPED TURN AT A INTERSECTION THIS LEADS TO A UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE COMMANDED ACCELERATION TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO HAPPEN. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS LIKE THIS: THE CAR ACCELERATES AT A STOP SIGN OR PARKING LOT. THE CAR ACCELERATES TO 10-15 MILES PER HOUR. THE DRIVER LETS OFF THE GAS DURING THE "TURN" PART. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO SECOND OR A HIGHER GEAR. THE DRIVER THEN COMMANDS A LARGE ACCELERATION - SAY DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC - AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS IS BECAUSE THE DSG TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO SHIFT SEQUENTIALLY INTO FIRST AND THIS TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS. ALSO IT APPEARS THAT THE POWERTRAIN IS DISCONNECTED WHILE THIS SHIFTING TAKES PLACE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY SELECTS FIRST THE ACCELERATION CAN BE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND I BELIEVE IT IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IT CAN BE AVOIDED BY MANUALLY SELECTING FIRST - THEN SHIFTING TO D WHEN THE TURN IS COMPLETE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10461106

Jun 4, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED THE PCM, TCM AND ABS ON MAY 21, 2012. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN ROUGHLY WITH A JERKING MOTION FOLLOWING THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARD WHEN STOPPED ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,549. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 5, 2012 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/09/12 THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10460535

May 29, 2012Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

I JUST BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2012 FORD FOCUS AND I NOTICED SHUDDER OR VIBRATION WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE. I LOOKED AT THE INTERNET AND FOUND A THIS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG FORD FOCUS OWNERS. PLEASE HELP US IN COMPELING FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10459921

May 25, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. WILL NOT DOWN SHIFT WHEN NEEDED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. CAR WILL ALSO ROLL BACK WHEN YOU STOP IF ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THERE IS A VOLUNTARY RECALL BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE REMEDIES DO NOT WORK. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THESE REMEDIES PERFORMED ON MY CAR OVER A YEAR AGO. THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OVER A YEAR AGO BUT FORD HAS TAKEN THE STANCE AS TO IGNORE THEM. FORD HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND OTHER PROBLEMS ON THESE CARS BEFORE THEY WERE EVEN INTRODUCED TO THE PUBLIC. FORD CHOSE TO PUT SALES BEFORE CONSUMER SAFETY. THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THE NHTSA FOR THEM TO MAKE THIS A INVOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL, PEOPLE GETTING KILLED? I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR NEITHER SHOULD ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10459652

May 16, 2012Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemVisibility & wipersLatches & locks

2012 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, DRIVE SHAFT AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD, HESITATE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR FAST ENOUGH WHEN CHANGING LANES. THE RIGHT PASSENGER POWER WINDOW WAS SLOWER THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY. UPDATED 05/25/12

NHTSA ODI 10458408

May 3, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT FORD INSTALLED IN THE 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CAR SHUDDERS AND HESITATES ON TAKE OFF TO THE POINT OF IT STALLING. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES NOW. AT THIS POINT FORD IS INSTALLING NEW CLUTCHES AND I WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 1,000 MILES UNTIL THESE NEW CLUTCHES BRAKES IN TO SEE IF THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I HAVE READ IN FORUMS AND ARTICLES THAT IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THESE ISSUES. PLEASE HELP IN ANY WAY YOU CAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10457254

May 2, 2012Transmission & drivetrainCrash

WHILE IN DRIVE, THE AUTO TRANSMISSION ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL BACKWARD AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE HILL WAS FAIRLY STEEP AS IT WAS AN OFF RAMP FROM FREEWAY AT STOP LIGHT. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I AM TOLD IT IS A NORMAL CONDITION. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10457145

Apr 9, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE DAY WE PURCHASED THIS CAR, WE WERE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ROAD HAD SOME UNEVEN SURFACES. TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS FROM THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHUTTERING AS WE CAME TO A STOP. I WAS CONCERNED BUT WE WERE LATE AND COULD NOT GO BACK TO THE DEALER. WELL THE CAR DID IT MANY TIMES AFTER THAT, SOMETIMES ON ACCELERATION AND OTHER TIMES WHILE COMING TO A STOP. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR AS I ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY (IT HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE) AND IT WOULD SHUTTER ALL THE WAY UP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY RAN AN UPDATE FROM FORD. THIS HELPED SOME, BUT IT IS STILL SHIFTING FUNNY AND MAKING A FUNNY NOISE WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND. IT SHIFTS WAY TOO SOON AND IS GENERALLY IN THE WRONG GEAR. IF YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THERE IS A HUGE DELAY. THE CAR SEEMS TO WAIT WAY TOO LONG BEFORE GOING DOWN INTO A GEAR THAT WILL ALLOW THIS TO NOT BE UNSAFE! I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WAS GIVEN A 2012 FOCUS AS A LOANER, THE LOANER IS PERFECT! IT EXHIBITS NONE OF THE PROBLEMS MY CAR DOES. THIS TELLS ME THIS IS NOT A NORMAL ISSUE. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER, BUT I AM SURE THE SONG AND DANCE ABOUT MY CAR IS NORMAL AND MY ISSUES ARE NORMAL ARE COMING. I AM NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THIS EXPLANATION! I NOW KNOW HOW THIS CAR SHOULD DRIVE AND MINE IS NOT DRIVING NORMAL. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE DEALING WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM.THAT MEANS IT IS NOT JUST MY CAR. I WANT FORD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE AND FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10454481

Mar 30, 2012Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainSpeed control

I BOUGHT A 2012 FORD FOCUS SEDAN A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED SLOW JERKY SHUTTERING ACCERLERATION WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP THEN TRYING TO ACCLERATE. I DID NOT THINK OF ANYTHING WAS WRONG UNTIL I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE FINDING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND NOW THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CURRENTLY HAVE IT. NEXT THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING SOUNDS AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE METAL TO METAL ON THE BRAKES IS THE SOUND AND LAST LOOSE MIRROR WHEN LIFTING THE TAB DOWN TO LOOK AT MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT THE WHOLE MIRROR GOES DOWN ISTEAD OF SLIGHTLY MOVING. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10453625

Mar 9, 2012Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

MY FORD FOCUS SEL 2012 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SHUDDERING FEELINGS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP. IT FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO STALL AND THEN IT KICKS BACK UP AND JOLTS MY CARS BACK AND FORTH FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL SPEED AFTER 10 MPH. THESE SEVERAL SECONDS ARE VITAL WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH FAST TRAFFIC IN CALIFORNIA OR ANYWHERE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. THIS CREATED A DELAY IN THE ACCELERATION TIME, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE CONTACT SEVERAL FORD OFFICIALS ABOUT THIS AND THEY KEEP SAYING THAT IT IS NORMAL AND THAT THERE IS A BREAK IN PERIOD. WHY WAS I NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD IS JUST EXCUSING IT UNTIL MY WARRANTY PERIOD IS UP. TWO OF MY FRIENDS BOUGHT THE SAME CAR AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PROPER ACTION FROM FORD TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PROFESSIONALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10451028

Mar 1, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS 5,800 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL AND HAVING TO RELEASE THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACK WARDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NATURAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO DO THAT. THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ODI 10449924

Feb 24, 2012BrakesTransmission & drivetrain

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL POTENTIALLY FATAL OCCURRENCES RELATED TO LEFT FOOT BRAKING AND THE BRAKE OVER THROTTLE OVERRIDE SOFTWARE INSTALLED IN MY 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHEN BRAKING WITH THE LEFT FOOT AND IN A TURN WHILE FEATHERING THE THROTTLE WITH THE RIGHT FOOT, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV WITHOUT GOING INTO ANY GEAR. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED NO LESS THAN 22 TIMES. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN BUT THE NEXT WAS A LEFT HAND TURN. ALTHOUGH THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED CROSSING ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC, I WOULD NOT LIKE THIS CONDITION TO OCCUR CROSSING 2 OR 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND BECOMING A FATALITY. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO BRAKES USING THE LEFT FOOT. NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE, I CAN DUPLICATE IT EVEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED AND IN A STRAIGHT LINE. CAR HAS BEEN TO FORD AND HAD FLASHES OF THE COMPUTER INSTALLED WITH NO CHANGE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THROUGH EMAILS FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS FIX FOR THE SO CALLED TOYOTA FLOOR MAT PROBLEM HAS CREATED AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY OF ALL THINGS BRAKING WITH THE LEFT FOOT. AT THE LEAST , I SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO OVERRIDE THE BRAKE OVER THROTTLE PORTION OF THE SOFTWARE BY TURNING IT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10449278

Feb 21, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHILE CHANGING GEARS. ALSO, WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE VHEICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE INSTEAD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSED A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI 10448834

Feb 18, 2012Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSeat belts

WHILE STOPPED BEHIND RED LIGHT ALL SCREEN SYSTEM, SYNC SYSTEM, RADIO INCLUDING SOUND SYSTEM WENT BLACK. DID NOT START OVER TILL NEXT DAY IN THE MORNING AND AS SOON AS START THE CAR ERRORS AFTER ERROR CAME UP FOR NAV SYSTEM, PHONE CONNECTION. HAD TO RESET EVERY THING. THESE ERRORS ARE COMING UP EVERY DAY. THERE WILL BE RISK OF LOSING OTHER SYSTEM INCLUDING AIR BAG, POWER STEERING, BREAK AND OTHER IMPORTANT SYSTEM WHILE THIS SYSTEM GOING OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND SERVICE TRAINED SPECIALIST TOLD ME THAT IS MY PHONE PROBLEM!!! AFTER LONG DRIVE WHEN TRYING TO TAKE OFF CAR IS SHAKING, THERE IS BIG SAFETY ISSUE WITH SEAT BELT. WHILE DRIVING, IF FOR ANY REASON UNLOCK THE SEAT BELT THERE WILL BE NO WARNING LIGHT OR WARNING SOUND THAT SEAT BELT IS OFF. IF CAR IS RUNNING AND LEAVE THE CAR WHEN YOU ARE BACK AND START DRIVING THERE WILL BE NO WARNING LIGHT AND SOUND THAT SEAT BELT IS NOT IN USE AND CAN DRIVE ALL YOU WANT. AFTER LONG DRIVE WHILE TRYING TO TAKE OFF CAR IS SHAKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10448401

Feb 12, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

FAILURE CAUSED CAR TO DROP SPEED AND POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. FORD CODE P0850:62-28-IPC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10447658

Feb 4, 2012Transmission & drivetrainSeat belts

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FORD FOCUS SE 2012 IN JULY 2011 AND THE DAY AFTER THAT I FELT AND HEARD WEIRD NOISES AND VIBRATION WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGED GEARS. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS OPERATING WITHIN FORD SPECIFICATION SO IT WAS NORMAL AND AFTER A FEW MILES IT WILL DESAPEAR. IT CONTINUE GETTING WORSE. AT 2500 MILES I WENT TO THE DEALER AGAIN BUT THEY SAID AGAIN THAT THE CAR WAS OPERATING WITHIN FORD SPECIFICATION. AT 6500 MILES THE WEIRD NOISES AND VIBRATION WERE STILL THERE AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON SUDDENLY AND THE GEARS DIDN'T SHIFT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER DIDN'T RECORD ANY ERROR OR PROBLEM AND THAT THE CAR WAS OPERATING WITHIN FORD SPECIFICATIONS. AFTER SOME DELAY THEY CHANGED THE DUAL CLUTCH IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT WAS WORSE. AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD THE SAME WEIRD NOISES AND VIBRATIONS AND SHAKES A LOT WHILE IDLING. I APPLIED LEMON LAW AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TESTED THE CAR AND SAW AND FELT THE PROBLEM. I WENT TO THE ARBITRATION IN BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THEY TESTED THE CAR TOO AND SAW AND FELT THE PROBLEM. THE PERSON FROM FORD DIDN'T GO TO THE ARBITRATION, THEY WERE ON THE PHONE. I WON THE CASE AND THIS NEXT MONDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2012 I HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE MY MONEY BACK AND RETURN THE CAR. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND I APPLIED LEMON LAW IN THIS CAR. THIS FORD FOCUS SE 2012 IS A LEMON CAR. ABOUT THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM, WHEN I'M DRIVING, IF I UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T LIGHT ON UNTIL ABOUT 1 MILE LATER. ALSO AFTER I FIRST START THE CAR, IF I WAIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED, THE WARNING LIGHT TURN OF AND IF I DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED, WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T LIGHT ON FOR ABOUT 1 MILE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM TOO. GBYA :) *KB

NHTSA ODI 10446685

Dec 30, 2011Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500.

NHTSA ODI 10441740

Oct 24, 2011Transmission & drivetrain

AT BETWEEN 8000 - 9000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, CAR STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, CAR WOULD REACH APPROX. 8 MPH AND INSTEAD OF SHIFTING UP TO NEXT GEAR, WENT INTO NEUTRAL FOR 3-5 SECONDS, THEN PROCEEDED TO UPSHIFT AND TAKE OFF AT A LURCH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I STOPPED, THE REVERSE GEAR WAS ALSO LIKE BEING IN NEUTRAL. NOW IT IS SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CAR HAS HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY FORD ( HAS SPENT NEARLY 10 WEEKS AT FORD SERVICE). SINCE THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION, THE CAR DOESN'T "FALL OUT OF GEAR", BUT NOW WHEN STOPPING AND STARTING THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL OUT. THIS BEHAVIOR IS DISCONCERTING GIVEN THE HISTORY OF "FALLING OUT OF GEAR" WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND MERGE IN TO TRAFFIC. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10432654

Oct 21, 2011SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

I PURCHASED A 2012 FORD FOCUS HATCH. AS SOON AS WE DROVE THE CAR WE NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE SALES MAN SAID HE DIDN'T FEEL IT AND THAT THE CAR HAD TO LEARN OUR DRIVING HABITS. DON'T THINK A CAR LEARNS 2 DIFFERENT DRIVING HABITS AS THERE ARE 2 OF US DRIVING IT. BUT AT LOW SPEEDS EITHER ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING THE CAR SHUTTERS AND SHIMMIES WAY TOO MUCH FOR OUR COMFORT. IT SEEMS THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM BUT WE THOUGHT WE'D BRING IT IN TO HAVE A TRAINED TECH LOOK AT IT. THE FIRST ATTEMPT WAS A NEW MODULE AND THAT SHOULD FIX IT.... IT DIDN'T... SO IN A SECOND TIME FOR A REMAPPING OF THE COMPUTER...DIDN'T HELP. ....IN FOR A THIRD TIME AND THE TECH SAYS FORD IS NOT ALLOWING ANY FIXES ON THIS CAR... WE HAVE TO WAIT! REALLY? WAIT? I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW $21,000 CAR...... AN AUTOMATIC CAR! I BEEN TOLD IT HAS TO LEARN HOW I DRIVE... I'VE BEEN TOLD IT NEEDS BROKE IN...IT HAS 5000 MILES ON IT NOW HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BREAK IN? I'M TOLD THAT IT'S AS IF I AM DRIVING A MANUAL AND THIS IS NORMAL.........HELLO!!!!! NOT A MANUAL. I'M TOLD THIS IS JUST HOW THIS TRANSMISSION REACTS... AND ALONG WITH THE SHUTTERING IS THE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATING THAT COULD COST ME MY LIFE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY............... THE REMOTE KEY LOCK HAS CONFUSION ISSUES. IT DOESN'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THE SIGNAL AND IT HAS TO BE OPENED OR LOCKED MANUALLY. ALL I WANT IS A FIX AND IF THERE IS NO FIX I WANT TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE LEMON LAW ON THIS CAR........ I EXPECTED MORE FROM FORD FOR MY 30 PLUS YEARS OF LOYALTY. AFTER ALL ISN'T THAT WHAT HAS KEPT FORD GOING? ALL OF US LOYAL CUSTOMERS THAT STAYED WITH THEM THRU THE HARD TIMES? MY FAMILY HAS BOUGHT OVER $100,000 IN NEW FORD CARS AND TRUCKS AND PLENTY OF USED ONES AS WELL. I REALLY AM SAD THAT FORD HASN'T STEPPED UP ON THIS ONE AND I AM SO SURE I AM NOT ALONE. LISTEN FORD EXECS..... WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION!!! THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10432411

Oct 15, 2011Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

AFTER A WEEK OF PURCHASING OUR BRAND NEW FOCUS STARTED NOTICING THE AUTOMATIC TRANNY SURGES AND SLIPS. LIKE ITS BUCKING FEELING. SOMETIMES IT SURGES ALMOST HARD ENOUGH TO PUT YOU ON THE DASH. KINDA SCARY IN TRAFFIC. CAR HAS ONLY 4500 MILES ON IT AND NOW HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN DASH AND UPON GOING DOWN THE ROAD YOU WILL VIBRATIONS LIKE A BENT AXEL OR WORN BEARING. ITS A NEW CAR!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10430337

Sep 29, 2011Transmission & drivetrain

WHENEVER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A SHUDDER IN THE POWER TRAIN AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. AFTER SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR THE CARS MOVES AND SHIFTS SMOOTHER. POSSIBLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING INTO HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. *TT

NHTSA ODI 10427899

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