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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced rough driving with the Transmission Fault message displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it lost motive power and the mechanic jumpstarted the vehicle. The mechanic related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 14M02-S5 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage) however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The mechanic advised the daughter to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482559

Brakes go to the floor due to a faulty abs module valve constantly bleeding off.

NHTSA ODI 11482585

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed 30 miles to empty. The contact stated that she added fuel to the vehicle and the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that after the vehicle was returned to her, she was driving at an undisclosed speed and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure reoccurred with the vehicle running out of fuel and losing motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and returned to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed since the contact had refused to pay the diagnostic test fee. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482618

Failure of the TCM

NHTSA ODI 11482243

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482028

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the vehicle lost motive and electrical power. The contact stated that the Transmission Failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11482041

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE I called for and they now claim my vechile cant be covered because it's out of this stated warranty by a few months. We hThe car has been in for service regarding the transmission on this car multiple times. We have broguht in for service as well as call for many years, over and over again, we've been told there is nothing wrong with the car. even though it has a warning for tranmission malfunction service now. ave been trying to get this resolved since my dad bought the car in 2012! weve been turned away. I need to have this fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11481781

I bought the car in 2019. Up until recently I have had no problems with it. One day I went to leave home and noticed a studdar when I pressed on the gas. It only did it at take off from a stop. Then today I went to back out of the driveway and now the car won’t go in reveres. A red light popped up and told me the transmission is overheating turn off car and wait 5 minutes. I waited 15 minutes, started my car back up and it said transmission malfunction..

NHTSA ODI 11481870

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced and resealed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 129,475.

NHTSA ODI 11481403

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the traction control and check engine warning lights were intermittently illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The mechanic called the dealer and was informed that parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11481130

The transmission is shuddering and making noise on 1st gear and changing to 2nd gear. The reverse gear is also making noise. There are class actions and recalls for this model but I didn’t see recalls on my car.

NHTSA ODI 11481202

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to shudder and the transmission independently shifted to neutral(N). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the input control to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11481245

TCM went out in the car the part is on back order

NHTSA ODI 11481247

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after opening the driver’s side front door the vehicle independently started without the keys being placed in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unsure of the cause of the failure. The contact was advised to manually manipulate an unknown box under the hood to turn off the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was sold.

NHTSA ODI 11480997

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the transmission failed. The transmission overheating warning light was illuminated and indicated to wait 5 minutes before proceeding. The contact then waited approximately 10 minutes then continued driving to his destination with the transmission was slipping. The contact then experienced the same failure while leaving his destination, and the vehicle lost reverse(R) gear. The contact proceeded to drive 50 MPH and pulled over again safely before the low battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The contact then received assistance while attempting to jump start the vehicle. The vehicle finally restarted and was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the contact related the failure to the transmission dual clutch failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 209,000.

NHTSA ODI 11480815

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the TCM was recently replaced; however, the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to hesitate and then stall during acceleration while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 132,155.

NHTSA ODI 11480153

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while taking the vehicle to routine service at the dealer, the service tech stated that the vehicle needed a new set of lug nuts. The contact was informed that the lug nuts could not properly be tightened and therefore needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 11480017

My daughter was leaving work at the DSM hospital and heading back to college/campus at ISU and her check engine light came on and the vehicle RPMs would increase but wouldn't go. She was able to get pulled off on the side of the road and called for help. She was stranded and had to get a tow back to the nearest shop near Johnston. I live 2 hours away and she was unable to get back to college/work. We had her vehicle towed to the nearest repair shop(All Pro Service-515-278-2059) and was diagnosed to be the transmission control. The shop stated there was a recall on the Focus for this and advised us to contact Ford. I have had her vehicle at the shop now since being towed there on 6/29/22 and the shop is still waiting on the part to come in. She is without a vehicle and as I mentioned I live 2 hours away and commute to work daily and can't be without my vehicle either. I rented a car and let her use my vehicle for 2 weeks as Ford told the shop the part was to be in July 8th. I returned the rental on 7/13 and was told Ford said the part was on back order and unsure of ship but that would be covered by recall since her vehicle is under 150k. It has now been 7 weeks and still no part and having to rent a vehicle at $300/week or arrange rides for my college/night shift working student from 2 hours away! I am asking for the Ford Focus transmission control recall to this vehicle to cover the part and make this horrible situation right with us!! She has had this car for 2 years and it has 145kI have been trying to get ahold of Ford Motor Company/dealership to speak with someone regarding my complaint/recall and for 7 weeks now I get "lines are busy due to high call volume, please try again later". My daughter is now back in school and works nights and is in need of her vehicle. To say I am frustrated/upset with Ford is an understatement. I am looking to trade off our truck and another car and will not use Ford after this!

NHTSA ODI 11479826

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank was suctioned into the frame of the vehicle and that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: (19V515000) Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11479557

Electric power steering assist failed. Vehicle currently has no power steering. Problem confirmed by dealer who says steering rack needs replacement. Fairly common issue per online complaints. Ford issued recall on other models but not the Focus.

NHTSA ODI 11478772

Bought the car may 2020 and 3 months later the gas gauge would say empty when it wasn't. I would run out of gas multiple times and be stranded. I would keep a full gas tank in my trunk just incase because alot of times my kids were with me. The last time this happened the car stalled. I put gas in the car from my gas tank but it would not start anymore.

NHTSA ODI 11478526

The car shutters and vibrates so hard when starting at times. When driving in stop and go traffic, the car lurches forward because of the clutch and transmission. It struggles to get into the next gear because of Ford putting a manual transmission in an automatic car. The car needs a new clutch and seal/harware kit

NHTSA ODI 11478657

Purchased car, there was no known recalls on car, after driving for several miles. The clutch failed in the car. Looked up recalls of ford focuses within my cars year and found that the exact part that’s dialing on my car had a recall/ settlement but when I called ford about the car they said they can’t do anything for me because my vin number isn’t under the recall. But the exact party is failing and faulty in my car and I can no longer drive it.

NHTSA ODI 11478468

My windshield wipers are malfunctioning causing no visibility and battery to die. They will not turn off even after car in turned off and keys are no longer in emmision

NHTSA ODI 11478235

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was not responding. The contact stated that occasionally while in the drive(D) or reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact and employee pushed the vehicle to the local mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed a failure with the transmission and clutch actuator circuit. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with the clutch actuator circuit and transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477787