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

Transmission failure

NHTSA ODI 11472209

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the TCM (Transmission Control Module) was defective; the TCM was repaired under warranty. A week after the repair, the vehicle had failed to accelerate above 30 MPH while hesitating with the accelerator pedal depressed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the TCM had failed again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that the parts for the repair were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,200.

NHTSA ODI 11471705

I have had P1450 code combined with P144A. The P1450 was a recall item for my year and model of car but my VIN is not included. I think it is the same problem as the others.

NHTSA ODI 11471816

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, a message stated that the transmission was overheated and to pull over and let the engine cool down was displayed. The contact also stated that the automatic clutch was slipping, and the vehicle was difficult to start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 162,500.

NHTSA ODI 11471530

The contact called on behalf of the son who owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the driver was driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle began to downshift and the reverse gear was inoperable. There was a check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over safely and then drove the vehicle to AutoZone. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155, 547.

NHTSA ODI 11471632

The contact called on behalf of his grandmother who owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his grandmother was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle erroneously shifted in and out of gear. The driver safely pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was defective and needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471312

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly lose automotive power and stall. During the failure the message "system in park" would display. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 161,541.

NHTSA ODI 11470802

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving and shifting gears the vehicle stalled. The contact stated, “Stop Immediately” and “Check Engine” warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, an audible warning chime was heard. The contact restarted the vehicle and the brake and power steering functionality were available. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was recurring and the contact had stopped driving the vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,888.

NHTSA ODI 11470903

Transmission does engage and slips. Eventually transmission warning light comes stating transmission is overheated. After you pull over for several minutes to let it cool down then trying to restart the car is very difficult. Pulling out into the road car is not safe. Transmission slips and will not engage making yourself a target to get hit by another car. Called Ford customer service at the advice of several service advisers because I was told that Ford had put out faulty transmissionson on the Focus and Fiesta"s. So I called Ford and I was told there is nothing Ford will do about this situation. I sent Ford a certified letter requesting for help to fix transmission, I was turned down. I called Ohio state Attorneys General Office, after communication was made Ford stated they will not repair vehicle. That the time given had passed and they will do nothing to repair thier bad transmission issue. The Attorneys Gennerals office told to file a complaint with you NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11470921

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission failed to shift as designed. The contact stated that the transmission malfunction service now warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the warning light was no longer illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact continued to experience the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the transmission malfunction service now warning light was again illuminated. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11470413

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road and was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission software was updated; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the transmission fault message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on back order. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts were not available. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11470214

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the gear shifter failed to shift into reverse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started hesitating. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the repair was no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. Consumer was told by a dealer Car with VIN 1FAHP3E26CL327697 is no longer under the warranty as it ran out 3 months ago. Ford is not willing to make the repair at no cost to us. Case number with Ford is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ODI 11469130

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while his wife was starting the vehicle, the transmission malfunction warning light was illuminated. The driver continued driving to her residence. The contact stated he was unable to shift from park(P) to drive(D). The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission control module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 11468943

I have a 2012 Ford Focus with transmission issues. It shudders when taking off, loses power when shifting and doesn't shift correctly. We have had overheating issues and stalling and not starting issues. It has to do (with my understanding) of the type of transmission they used in these vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11469026

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while stationary at a stop sign and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shaking and jerking forward. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving however, the failure was progressing. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 11468600

Car will not go in reverse. Code shows actuator clutch stuck. Replaced actuator. Repair shop suggested TCM, but was able to reset TCM and reverse worked once, but while in reverse, shifter will slip into N and D with just a tap, and no button depression. It only responded once, and now code is back. Unsafe by not being able to reverse out of harms way, and while in reverse can go into N or D inadvertently.

NHTSA ODI 11467668

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the transmission module service now message displayed on the instrument cluster and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 20 mph and the transmission shifted independently into neutral. The contact stated the ABS and traction control activated independently with the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to exit to a nearby gas station at 5 mph and the hill ascent assist not available message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact depressed the brake pedal and parked the vehicle on the hill. The contact waited 5 minutes before restarting the vehicle and stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were off. The contact continued to drive and while approaching her residence the vehicle began to decelerate again. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The dealer had no appointment availability until 2023. The contact called another local dealer, Ray Skillman Ford (1250 US-31, Greenwood, IN 46143, (317)885-9800) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11467110

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while parked in the driveway when the check engine light illuminated. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle on however the engine only revved. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the crankshaft failed and banded the transmission. The vehicle was involved in a previous recall for the same failure and was remedied previously. The mechanic stated the failure was caused by the same repair as before however the vehicle had not been repaired again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 11466940

Got Error Code P1450 of CPV which falls under the following Recall but Ford Motor Company is stating the VIN does not fall under this recall as they are VIN Specific but the link below states the recall affects the vehicles built from 8/1/2010 to 4/17/17. This vehicle build date according to the door sticker is 3/12 which should fall under the recall See Below Link: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCMN-18V735-0635.pdf

NHTSA ODI 11466978

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 152,038.

NHTSA ODI 11465694

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse the vehicle with the gear shifter in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted or notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included as only the electric models were included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11465727

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered while accelerating from being idle. The vehicle hesitated to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a defective TCM module. The dealer reprogrammed the TCM module however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted and the vehicle had been inoperable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under an extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

NHTSA ODI 11465437

Automatic transmission on 2012 Ford Focus SEL hatchback has been stalling. I drive on heavily traveled highways, leading me to be at risk of a major traffic accident if my car loses power. Transmission also whine and grinds really hard. Dealership is aware of the issue, but refuses to recall these faulty transmissions, leaving several thousands of people at risk of losing power and getting hit. Has been inspected by the dealer and multiple mechanics, all point to transmission issues from a faulty factory clutch system.

NHTSA ODI 11464422

I started feeling the transmission having problems going into 1st or 2nd. started right when I hit 90,000 miles. It would shutter like there wasn't enough power but only in lower gears. I've had the car since 2013 and now I have to be extra careful when I put the car in reverse because if the shifter is hit, it will slide the car into either neutral or drive, depending if the shifter is hit up or down. I was never contacted about a a transmission issue by Ford or my dealership. If this is a problem with Ford Focus 2012-2018 then why are customers not being contacted regarding this safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11463759

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. Upon inspection, the contact noticed there was oil leaking onto the inside of the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463051