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

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)

475 of 3,789 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 11 of 19

Jul 11, 2017Electrical systemLightsEngine

STARTED WITH HORN AND TAIL LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING. THEN INTERMITTENTLY AS YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! EVERYTHING LOCKS UP AND YOU ATTEMPT TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL DASH LIGHTS WORK BUT CAR WON'T START. FOUND SAME COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET AND YOUTUBE BUT NO RECALL. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE ISSUE. THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE DID NOT ISSUE A CODE. I EXPLAINED IN DETAIL THE ISSUE AND ASKED FOR DOCUMENTATION OF THE ISSUE. THE PAPER THEY GAVE ME SAID RUNS ROUGH WHEN AC IS ON. I SAID THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. THEY SAID DON'T WORRY THE TICKET IS STILL OPEN IN THE SYSTEM. I ASKED IF THEY COULD PUT A READER ON THE CAR WHILE DRIVEN TO CATCH THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE AND THEY SAID NO. SO I AM IN SAME SITUATION AS OTHER OWNERS WHERE MY SAFETY AND OTHERS ARE AT STAKE EACH TIME THIS CAR SHUTS OFF. ALSO DEALER SAID THEY H HORN WITH A SCREWDRIVER TO MAKE IT WORK FOR NOW. SO NO HORN, TAIL LIGHT AND CAR SHUTTING OFF INTERMITTENTLY ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT!

NHTSA ODI 11004651

Jun 15, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

DRIVING (STRAIGHT) ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55. CAR SLOWS DOWN TO CRAWL, MAKING GRINDING NOISE, ERROR MESSAGE APPEARS "PARKING AID MALFUNCTION". WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD, PUT IN PARK AND CUT OFF IGNITION. WOULD NOT RESTART. DASHBOARD STILL SAYS CAR IS IN DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 10995275

Jun 8, 2017Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

CAR WAS RUNNING FINE THEN TURNED IT OFF AND 10 MINUTES LATER WOULD NOT CRANK. CAR WILL NOT START.YOU CAN JUMP START IT AND IT STARTS. NOW CUT IT OFF WANT CRANK

NHTSA ODI 10994040

May 25, 2017Body & structureEngine

I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED SOMEPLACE OTHER THAN MY FORD DEALERSHIP AND SINCE, THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ODDLY. MOSTLY ISSUES WITH ACCELERATING AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON ROADS WHERE THE SPEED IS ANYWHERE FROM 35 TO 45 MPH. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT I NOTICED IT ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE OIL CHANGE. THE OTHER ISSUE, THAT IS MORE CAUSE FOR ALARM, IS THAT THE DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. FIRST IT WAS THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR, THEN THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR AND FINALLY THE DRIVER REAR DOOR. ALL WHILE STATIONARY, THANK GOODNESS. SINCE THEN, ALL BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR HAVE BEEN SECURED WITH BUNGEE CORDS FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS, BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPLACE THE DOOR LATCHES. ONE OF WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED ONLY LAST YEAR AND COST ME NEARLY $500 BECAUSE THE PART HADN'T BEEN ON RECALL! I THEN FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON SAID PARTS THAT BEGAN IN JANUARY 2017 BUT I HAVE YET TO BE NOTIFIED BY MY DEALERSHIP! I ONLY NOTICED BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE -IF- THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL DUE TO HEARING ABOUT A FEW OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME TYPE OF ISSUE. SEE PHOTOS OF BUNGEE CORDED DOORS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THOSE WHO OWN THIS SAME MODEL OF CAR SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF A RECALL, NOT WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN HAD I NOT THOUGHT OF DOING MY OWN RESEARCH. I MAY NEVER HAD KNOWN IF I WAS WAITING ON MY DEALERSHIP TO NOTIFY ME... I MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE IF I HAD WAITED ON THEM.

NHTSA ODI 10991711

Apr 25, 2017Engine

I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR IT STUDDERING AND NOT SHIFTING RIGHT. IT HAS STILL SHUDDERED ONCE IN A WHILE WHILE GOING FORWARD COASTING AND TURNING BUT NOT AS BAD AS WHEN I TOOK IT IN. I LOVE MY FOCUS BUT AM SO UPSET THAT IT NOW HAS A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT MAY NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, GETTING OIL CHANGES ECT WHEN DUE. GANLEY FORD IN BARBERTON NOW HAS IT AND IS TAKING IT APART TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR THIS NEW. IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS AND DRIVING AT ABOUT 40-50MPH. THE NOISE WAS LOUD LIKE A RACE CAR, VIBRATION NOISE. I TOOK IT IN TO FORD THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I MOSTLY DRIVE ON STREET, NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS IN DRIVE GOING FORWARD THAT THE NOISE ISSUE OCCURED, GETTING LOUDER THE WARMER THE CAR WAS.

NHTSA ODI 10980501

Apr 12, 2017Speed controlEngineFuel system

HAVING PROBLEMS MAINTAINING SPEED ! WHEN I EXCELERATED IT DOESN'T WANT TO PICK UP SPEED THEN SUDDENLY IT PICKS UP SPEED AFTER PRESSING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. VERY DANGEROUS. I SAW THIS VERY SAME COMPLAINT FROM ANOTHER FOCUS OWNER DATED IN MARCH 2016 . VERY SCARY!

NHTSA ODI 10972135

Mar 6, 2017EngineFuel system

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: ENGINE STOPPED AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE ENGINE CEASED RUNNING. IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THANKFULLY APPROACHING STOP SIGN. UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ALSO RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICED, WELL-MAINTAINED, AND HAS APPROX. 94,000 MILES. VERDICT FROM FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC: VACUUM PURGE VALVE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE VACUUM FORCE THAT RESULTED DAMAGED/WARPED FUEL TANK, AND DAMAGED THE FUEL PUMP. THE PURGE VALVE, FUEL TANK, AND FUEL PUMP ALL MUST BE REPLACED. COST: THE COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER $2000, PLUS TOWING THE CAR, AND THE NEED FOR MY FAMILY TO GET A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. MISC: THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ITEM AND THIS COULD PROVE EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU LOSE POWER STEERING WHEN THE ENGINE DIES SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ODI 10958854

Feb 15, 2017Engine

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HESITANT TO DRIVE ON A FLAT ROAD. THIS ISSUE GETS WORST WHEN ON A UPWARD HILL. ONCE THE VEHICLE GETS GOING, IT SHAKES AND SHUDDERS UNTIL IT PICKS UP ENOUGH SPEED TO GO. THERE SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING SCRAPING OR RATTLING INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS IS A HAZARD WHEN MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURNS IN THE VEHICLE OR EVEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 10954785

Feb 8, 2017Body & structureEngine

THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR MY DOOR LATCH. MY DOOR HAS NOW STOPPED LATCHING. I CALLED THE DEALER WHEN I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THIS WAS 4 MONTHS AGO. NOW THAT MY DOOR WILL NOT LATCH I AM TOLD THAT I CAN BRING IT IN, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS, CANNOT GUARANTEE A LOANER, AND THAT I HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER STATING I WILL PAY $180 FOR AN INSPECTION IF IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND UNWILLING TO POSSIBLY PAY FOR THEM TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. ONCE MY CAR STILL SHOWED IN DRIVE, BUT WAS IN NEUTRAL WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WITH CARS BEHIND ME. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PLACE THE CAR IN PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD 2 SIMILAR INCIDENTS SINCE THEN, THOUGH THE CAR STILL WORKED, BUT FELT LIKE I WAS GRINDING MY GEARS. ALL WERE ON CITY STREETS, LUCKILY NOT THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 10950238

Jan 19, 2017Engine

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A 2012 FORD FOCUS, THAT IS KNOCKING LOUD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN, THE DELEARSHIP DID TRANSMISSION WORK ON IT EARLIER 2016, ONE MORNING, WHEN I GOT INTO THE CAR, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND IT KNOCKING, SO MY HUSBAND CHECK TO SEE IF, THERE IS OIL IN THERE AND IT WAS, SO I WAS GOING TO TAKE TO HAVE A OIL CHANGE, BUT HE SAID, WE NEED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON FIRST. I WILL TAKE TO DELARSHIP THIS WEEK TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. BUT WOULD LIKE FORD TO TAKE CARE OF REPAIR. MY FOCUS WAS BOUGHT NEW AND I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 4 RECALLS ON IT SO FAR.

NHTSA ODI 10946474

Jan 10, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

TAKATA RECALL SO I WAS TOLD AFTER HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE AFTER BOB LOWTH FORD SELLING ME IT THAT SOME PARTS ARE ON RECALL AND I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN I DON'T WANT TO PUT IN RISK IF ANYTHING HAPPENS DURING THE WINTER WEATHER HERE IN MN FOR INSISTENCE MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STARTED FEELING LIKE IT WANTED TO DIE OUT ON US EARLY MORNING AROUND 7:30 AM CENTRAL TIME SO I ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT MY SMALL CHILDREN HAVE BLANKETS IN CASE WE DIE OUT IN -20 WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10944059

Jan 9, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE POWER TRAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,366.

NHTSA ODI 10943844

Dec 28, 2016EngineFuel system

CAR AT STOP ENGINE REVS FROM LOW TO HIGH, IF YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE WILL DIE EVEN WHEN YOU ARE IN MOTION. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL JUST DIE WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. IN TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAYS THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DEFAULT IN DESIGN WAS $889.18 AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THAT IS AN EGREGIOUS CHARGE FOR A COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS CARE. PER THE INTERNET RESEARCH WE HAVE DONE. FORD SAYS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TAKE IT UP WITH NHSTA SO THAT IS WHAT I AM DOING.

NHTSA ODI 10937983

Dec 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

MY CAR IS IN THE FOURTH TIME FOR TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES. ALSO THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BILL BROWN FORD IN LIVONIA MI DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILING CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUS, BUT FORD HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'VE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON LINE AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID FORD IS QUITE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TWO YEARS AGO I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF GEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHED A WARNING. FORD REPLACED THE TCU. THE CAR IS NOW HESITATING AGAIN ALONG WITH SHUTTERING WHEN ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ODI 10933814

Nov 28, 2016Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

SINCE PURCHASING MY FOCUS IN NOVEMBER OF 2013, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION THAT HAVE CAUSED ME TO FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS THEY HAVE RESULTED IN MULTIPLE NEAR-ACCIDENTS. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT WITHIN THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS FOUND, I THEN TOOK THE CAR BACK IN WHEN SYMPTOMS PERSISTED AND GOT THE CLUTCH REPLACED WITHIN ROUGHLY A YEAR OF BUYING. THE SYMPTOMS SUBSIDED FOR A WHILE, BUT HAVE RETURNED AND ARE STILL AN ISSUE TO DATE. ISSUES ARE DETAILED BELOW: THE CAR OFTEN CHUGS WHEN IN MOTION, ESPECIALLY DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY REFUSE TO ACCELERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHILE MOVING AROUND 20-40MPH AND ALSO WHEN COMING FROM A STOPPED POSITION - SAY WAITING AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN WAITING TO TURN LEFT AT A BUSY CITY INTERSECTION. THIS IS TERRIFYING AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND WHEN IT WILL NOT - AT LEAST TWICE IN RECENT HISTORY I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION, HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, BUT THE CAR STRUGGLED AND FINALLY MADE IT THROUGH TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT. OTHER TIMES, THE RPMS SEEM TO REV UP FOR NO REASON, AND THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY QUICKLY THOUGH THE PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL HAS NOT CHANGED. THOUGH THE HAS HAPPENED WITH LESS FREQUENCY, IT IS ALMOST MORE FRIGHTENING AS I FEEL LIKE I AM NOT IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLES SPEED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. TYPICALLY THIS HAPPENS WHEN COMING FROM A STOPPED POSITION AS WELL. ADDITIONAL ISSUES I'VE HAD INCLUDE IT ROLLING BACKWARD ON SMALL INCLINES - SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS SUFFICIENTLY DEPRESSED AND EVEN MOMENTARILY WHEN IN DRIVE AND GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10928300

Nov 17, 2016Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ODI 10926671

Nov 14, 2016EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI 10925970

Nov 8, 2016Electrical systemEngine

TAKATA RECALL. THE CAR WILL DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. DOESN'T MATTER THE SPEED YOU ARE GOING THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL LIGHT UP AND YOU CANT ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE THE CAR WILL JUST DIE.

NHTSA ODI 10925110

Oct 30, 2016Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine

RECALLED VEHICLE FOR COMPUTER SYSTEM. DEFECT CAUSES BREAKS TO WEAR EARLY, SHUDDERING IN TRANSMISSION, AND EVENTUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AS I SEE FROM MANY OTHER INTERNET COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI 10920068

Oct 26, 2016AirbagsEngine1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, STALLED, AND THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 10918977

Oct 16, 2016SteeringEngine

POWER STEER ASSIST SYSTEM WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I WAS DRIVING AND TOOK A TURN AND THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FAILED AND CANT STEER THE CAR AT ALL. SITTING IN DRIVEWAY UNDRIVABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10916320

Sep 19, 2016Engine

MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND MY CAR DRIVERS REALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHEN I GOT IT

NHTSA ODI 10908041

Sep 17, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

MY WIFE TRADED IN HER 2009 TAURUS FOR A NEW 2012 FOCUS SEDAN BACK IN APRIL 2012 AT GREEN FORD. A MONTH OR SO AFTER GETTING THE FOCUS, IT HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. GREEN FORD FIXED THE PROBLEM. IN MID-2015 WE STARTED TO NOTICE TRANSMISSION ISSUES LIKE ERRATICALLY SHIFTING IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, VERY SLUGGISH SHIFT BETWEEN LOW GEARS AND THAT THE UPSHIFT BAGS DOWN LIKE THE VEHICLE MIGHT STALL, BUCKING, KICKING, JERKING, HARSH ENGAGEMENT, DELAYED ACCELERATION AND LURCHING FORWARD INTO INTERSECTIONS AT RED LIGHTS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THEIR BRAKING EFFORTS TO STOP THE CAR. WE TOOK IT TO GREEN FORD ON 9/18/2015. THEY STATING THAT IT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. HOWEVER, FOR A PRECAUTION, THEY SAID THEY REPROGRAMMED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM). HOWEVER, IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR THAT STATED PROBLEM/S. IN THE OFFICIAL SERVICE HISTORY FOR THE FORD OWNER'S RECORDS, THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE SAFETY RECALL DONE ON MY FOCUS, JUST THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND A MILEAGE OF OVER 96,000 MILES ON THE FOCUS AT THE TIME. JUMP FORWARD TO A YEAR LATER, ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, 2016, AT 2PM, MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING IN A 45 MPH SPEED ZONE WHEN THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME. SECONDS LATER, THE FORD STARTED TO STALL AND HAVE POWER ISSUES, CAUSING HER TO FIND THE NEXT SIDE ROAD TO PULL OVER. THE CAR COMPLETED STALLED AND COULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER 2 TOWING EVENTS, FROM THE BREAKDOWN LOCATION TO THOMAS TIRE, THOMAS TO STEARNS FORD, AND SITTING OVER THE WEEKEND, ON SEPT. 9, WE FOUND OUT IT WAS THE RECALL TCM THAT BROKE. THE TCM WAS IN BACK ORDER UNTIL OCTOBER 28, 2016. STEARNS FORD SENT ME TO ENTERPRISE WHERE THEY PAID FOR A FORD RENTAL. THE ONLY FORD ON THE RENTAL LOT WAS THE TRANSIT 250 OR 350 VAN (VERY LOW MPG). I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE DAILY. AFTER THE 3RD DAY, I BORROWED A FAMILY MEMBER'S CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10907322

Sep 3, 2016Engine

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65MPH ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART VIOLENT SHAKING. TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. NOT DIAGNOSED YET AFTER 2 DAYS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. HAD TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES REPLACED TWICE. HAD TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED WHEN IT FAILED. HAVE CONTINUOUS WHEEL BEARING NOISE THAT WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY NEVER SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10903465

Aug 30, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE DIED SUDDENLY, AND SHE WAS FORCED TO "GLIDE" INTO THE MEDIAN. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THE TRANS MODULE IS ON A "REPLACEMENT PROGRAM", AND THAT THE MODULE IS ON BACK ORDER. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD RENT A CAR BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING I COULD DO. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN I REMINDED THE GENTLEMAN THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, I WAS TOLD THAT ITS REALLY NOT A CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 10899582

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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 RS verdict →