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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)

Newest first · 3,789 complaints · page 40 of 152

Aug 13, 2019

MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN WORKED ON 3 TIMES NOW. IT'S BEEN A BURNT CLUTCH TWICE AND THE THIRD WAS A RECALL THEY FIXED ON THE TRANSMISSION. AND NOW FOR A 4TH TIME, I NEED TO TAKE MY CAR IN TO BE WORKED ON BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR WON'T GO IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES IT WILL BEGIN TO GO FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE FROM PARK, I CAN HEAR THE GEARS GRIND. THE CAR SHUDDERS AND JERKS LIKE IT USUALLY DOES. BUT INSTEAD OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT COMING LIKE IT DID THE FIRST THREE TIMES, NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON BUT I KNOW THIS IS THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE. EACH TIME MY CAR HAS BROKE DOWN BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION, I WAS ON POPULATED ROADS AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11243442

Aug 12, 2019Steering

FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING (EPAS). THE SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3K. THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED MAKING DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE. THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN GOING IN AN OUT OF SERVICE. UPON START UP IT WOULD NOT WORK AND THEN BEGIN WORKING A SHORT TIME LATER. FINALLY IT HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. THE FORD DEALER SAYS THAT ALTHOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT, IT IS NOT BEING RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11243191

Aug 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

FOUR TRANSMISSION FIXES FOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DUE TO SHUDDERING AND ONE COMPLETE BREAKDOWN. ONE FIX FOR LOSING ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING LEFT AT TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11243266

Aug 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

2012 FOCUS TRANSMISSION - LOSS OF ENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING ON TO FREEWAY, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT TOWED IN 3 TIMES FOR REPAIRS - AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION - FILED TWO CLAIMS WITH FORD MOTOR CO -THE LETTER WE RECEIVED AT TIME OF PURCHASE DATED AUGUST 2014 STATED " WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING HIGH QUALITY, DEPENDABLE PRODUCTS". THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND FORD IS DENYING ANY ASSISTANCE! OUR FOCUS IS CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND HAS BEEN AT LARRY MILLER FORD FOR 8 MONTHS. PLEASE HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE AND ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11243308

Aug 10, 2019Engine

MY TRANSMISSION ORE SLIPPING IN FIRST GARE, I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES, AFTER ABOUT THREE MONTHS IT START SLIPPING AGAIN. IT'S DOING IT NOW. PLEASE CHECK FOR ALL OF MY RECALL ARE COMPLETE.

NHTSA ODI 11242952

Aug 8, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATT BOWERS FORD (LOCATED AT 3724 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70002, (504) 887-8410) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11242649

Aug 7, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING GETS VERY STIFF WHEN STARTING CAR. WAS INTERMITTENT BUT RECENTLY MORE FREQUENT.

NHTSA ODI 11242193

Aug 7, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND FREQUENTLY DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND HAS EVEN FAILED TO APPLY POWER WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC RISKING A COLLISION BY NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO FAILED ONCE WHILE ON A HILL CAUSING ME TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. AFTER I HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP THE REARWARD ROLL, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN PRESENT FROM DAY ONE OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE BUT THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD INSISTED THAT THIS WAS HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO FUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI 11242289

Aug 7, 2019Fuel system

MY CAR WAS A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF FULL WITH GAS, WENT TO FILL IT UP BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MIN AWAY. AFTER I FILLED IT UP, TRIED TO START CAR AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. TOOK SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR OUT OF TOWN, CAME BACK AND IT TURNED ON FINE. THEN EVERYTIME I WOULD GET GAS, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS. LIVE WHERE I HAD TO PARK ON A HILL, ONCE I TRIED TO START THE CAR, WOULD NOT START. THE GAS WAS LOW, BUT NOT EMPTY. I HAD ENOUGH FOR THE CAR TO START BUT IT WON'T. SAW THERE WAS A RECALL WITH THESE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS BUT SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT EFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI 11242337

Aug 6, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V515000 (POWER TRAIN) REGARDING A STUCK CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT IN TWO WEEKS WITH TASCA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (1300 PONTIAC AVE, CRANSTON, RI 02920, (800) 788-2114). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11242003

Aug 6, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHENEVER WEATHER IS ABOVE 75 DEGREES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTS GOING UP AND DOWN IN RPM, USUALLY GOING DOWN TO 500 RPM WHILE STATIONARY. AT RANDOM TIMES, IT WOULD GO UP TO 4000 RPM WITH JUST A SHORT ACCELERATION WHILE IN AN INTERSECTION. DURING ONE HOT DAY LAST SATURDAY (8/27/19), IT WAS ABOVE 85 DEGREES AND THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN REVERSE WHEN I WAS AT A DEAD END OF BERKELEY. I HAD TO WAIT FOR MY CAR TO COOL DOWN BEFORE IT EVENTUALLY STARTED REVERSING AGAIN. I ALREADY HAD MY CLUTCH REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO DUE TO ANOTHER RECALL ON THE CAR, BUT NOW THIS CLUTCH HAS FAILED ME. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND AFTER THEIR REPAIR SPECIALIST INSPECTED MY CAR (WHICH WILL COST ME $200), THEY CONFIRMED THE CLUTCH IS NO LONGER WORKING. MY 2012 FORD FOCUS IS OUT OF ITS 7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO THEY QUOTED ME $3,300 TO HAVE THIS CLUTCH REPLACED. I REFUSED TO PAY THIS AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-800-392-3673. THEY SAID I CAN COMPLAIN, BUT THEY LIKELY WILL NOT HELP ME. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE BEEN AT THIS DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND THE OTHER 3 TIMES WAS DUE TO A RECALL ISSUE. I SPOKE WITH THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CANNOT REPAIR THIS CLUTCH FOR FREE SINCE ITS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. WHAT THE CUSTOMER REP (APRIL) SUGGESTED TO DO WAS TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIR AND HOPEFULLY FORD MIGHT COME WITH A RECALL WHERE THEY CAN REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS. I WANTED TO ESCALATE MY COMPLAINT, BUT THEY SAID THEY WILL JUST TELL ME THE SAME RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI 11242029

Aug 5, 2019Steering

STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING AND POWER STEERING LOCKS UP. CAR LEFT ME STRANDED WITH MY 2 KIDS. AFTER STARTING THE CAR, POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT POPS UP AND STEERING IS LOCKED. RESTARTED AND IT FIXED. WENT TO MY NEXT LOCATION AND STARTED THE CAR AND NO STEERING WHATSOEVER. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT. FORD SHOULD BE OBLIGATED TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11241704

Aug 5, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK, RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. LATER THE SAME DAY, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V212000 (POWER TRAIN) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF DAYTON (LOCATED AT 1777 LYONS RD, DAYTON, OH 45458, (937) 438-7455), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 11241760

Aug 3, 2019

AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MINUTES WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THAT TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. FORD SAYS IT'S THE COMPUTER BUT WILL NOT FIX THIS. THIS WAS ON A CITY STREET GOING 50 MPH. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE IF SHE HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 2012 FORD FOCUS, 117,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11241422

Aug 3, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE IS A DPS6 DUEL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION MADE BY FORD. IT HAS BEEN PULLING CODES FOR FORK POSITION A I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR 2 TIMES IN THREE WEEKS LAST TIME I GOT VEHICLE BACK IT PULLED 4 TRANSMISSION CODES WITHIN 1 HOUR OF GETTING CAR BACK AND NOW WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND WHEN IT DOES AND YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP YOU HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOU CAN DRIVE FORWARD AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT THEY SAID THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING FORD HAS TOLD THEM TO DO, I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND COMPLAINED AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR MY CHILD AND I TO BE IN. IT HAS BEEN PARKED AND NONE RUNNING SINCE 5/29/19.

NHTSA ODI 11241427

Aug 3, 2019SteeringTransmission & drivetrainLights

1) WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. NEVER WORKED AGAIN AFTER THAT. 2) WHILE DRIVING IN CITY AND HIGHWAY POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTING GENERALLY FIXES THIS ISSUE. 3) WHILE DRIVING IN CITY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND GAVE NOTICE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS SAFELY POSSIBLE AS TRANSMISSION IS OVERHEATING. WAS STUCK ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR 30 MINUTES AFTER STOPPING VEHICLE AND SHUTTING OFF BEFORE COULD START AND COMPLETE DRIVE TO WORK. AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE NOW AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES BEFORE THAT. CLUTCH WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY AND IS INCLUDED IN THE FORD TRANSMISSION CLASS ACTION.

NHTSA ODI 11241545

Aug 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. TRANSMISSION WAS WORKED ON UNDER WARRANTY BUT CONTINUES TO BE SLUGGISH AND UNRELIABLE ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE JERKS AND SHUTTERS. CLUTCH HAS NOW GONE OUT PER THE DEALER AND FORD REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT. CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE AT NO FAULT OF OURS. FILED A CASE WITH FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT OUR ONLY RECOURSE WAS IF NHSTA PUT OUT A NEW RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL OWNERS TO HAVE VEHICLES REPAIRED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. WE HAVE CONTACTED MULTIPLE NON-FORD REPAIR SHOPS WHO REFUSE TO WORK ON THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR DUE TO THE KNOWN ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH.

NHTSA ODI 11241315

Aug 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

11/13/17 MY TRANSMISSION STALLED, MAKING LOUD SHUDDER NOISES AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. FORD REPLACED THE TCM AND REPROGRAMMED THE CLUTCH. THERE WAS RECALL FOR SAFETY LATCHES ON THE DOORS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. 10/24/18 VEHICLE STARTED AND WOULD CUT OFF. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT BUT THEN THE CAR DIED IN THE DRIVE WAY. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. REPLACED FUEL PUMP MODULE AND GASKETS. TOTAL OF $810.96 NOT INCLUDING TOWING FEE. THE VERY SAME NIGHT I PICKED MY CAR UP AFTER IT BEING FIXED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILURE. FORD REFUSED TO REFUND MY MONEY AND INSISTED THAT SINCE THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT AFFECTED IT WAS NOT RELATED. I HAD TO GO BACK TO FORD 10/3018 TO HAVE FUEL VAPOR AND SEALS REPLACED. SO 2/3 PARTS NEEDED REPLACING OF WHICH COST ME. 5/4/19 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, BRAKE OR DOWNSHIFT. I WAS STUCK AT 60MPH. I HAD TO ALLOW THE CAR TO COAST HOME. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED THREE SEPEARTE TIMES DURING THIS EVENT. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND POWERTRAIN INCLUDES ALL INTERNALLY LUBED PARTS. FORD TOLD ME THAT THE ONE SPECIFIC PART THAT NEEDED REPLACING INSIDE MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS INTERNALLY LUBED WAS NOT COVERED. THIS REPAIR INCLUDING TOWING COST ME $2,400.00 NOW THERE IS ANOTHER 2 RECALLS OUT ON MY VERY CAR FOR TCM/ TRANSMISSION REPLACE/SHUDDER. THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND I'M SHELLING OUT HUNDREDS AND NOW THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A CAR I AM STILL PAYING ON.

NHTSA ODI 11241355

Aug 1, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS/VIBRATES WHEN TAKING OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I UNDERSTAND THAT MOST OF THE FORD FOCUS AND FIESTAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11240986

Aug 1, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE CARS TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF WACK. IT DOES NOT SHIFT OR ACCELERATE PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI 11241001

Aug 1, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V515000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11241021

Aug 1, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I AM THE SINGLE OWNER OF MY 2012 FORD FOCUS. I ONLY HAVE 54K MILES ON THE VEHICLE BUT IT SHUDDERS, JERKS AND FEELS LIKE IT FALLS OUT OF GEAR AT TIMES. IT HAS BEHAVED THIS WAY SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I THOUGHT THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT WAS. I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AS MY SON NOW DRIVES THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11241122

Aug 1, 2019Engine

I PURCHASE 2012 FORD FOCUS SE JANUARY 21, 2019 FROM FAYETTEVILLE AUTO BROKERS, FAYETTEVILLE, NC. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS UNTIL I TOOK CAR TO BE SERVICED AT LAFAYETTE FORD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC ON 07/07/2019 LATER AND THERE WAS A CLUTCH RECALL. IT HAD 112,000 MILES AT THE TIME SO THAT PUT ME OUT OF WARRANTY WHICH SHOULD OF BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE PURCHASE. THEREFORE I WAS NOT FORWARNED NOR WAS I AWARE OF ISSUES WITH CLUTCH. NOW I AND STUCK WITH PAYMENTS AS WELL AS HIGH REPAIR BILL. THEN I FIND THIS ARTICLE LATE STATING REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY CLUTCH AT NO COST THAT WAS NOT FORWARDED OR MADE AWARE TO ME. MY CAR IS ALSO DEEMED UNSAFE DUE TO RECALL AND THE REPAIR SHOULD BE MANDATED AT NO COST BASED ON DECEPTION THAT STARTED THE DAY OF CREATION. IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT THIS WRONG IS CORRECTED.

NHTSA ODI 11241204

Jul 31, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH DUAL CLUTCH, DPS-6 TRANSMISSION HAS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS UNCLUTCHED THE TRANSMISSION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS A BUSY ROAD. THE UNEXPECTED LACK OF ACCELERATION DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING TO TRANSMIT POWER TO THE WHEELS HAS NEARLY CAUSED MY WIFE AND I TO BE HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC DESPITE STARTING THE TURN WITH ADEQUATE ROOM TO CROSS TRAFFIC AND ACCELERATE. THANKFULLY, ADEQUATE SPACE AND REACTION BY ONCOMING DRIVERS HAS PREVENTED A WRECK. FORD HAS, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, FLASHED THE COMPUTER AND REPLACED PARTS AND DID EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION SLIGHTLY. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIGHTLY NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH FAILING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN VIOLENTLY SLAMMING INTO GEAR. FORD HAS REFUSED TO COVER FURTHER REPAIR OF THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION DESPITE CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THE CONTINUED DEFECTIVENESS OF THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 11240764

Jul 31, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

COMPLAINT #1 THE CAR OVERHEATED DURING A TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY,HAD TO DETOUR ...A HOSE WAS SPEWING WATER HAVE A PICTURE..I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS!! COMPLAINT #2 VERY SERIOUS, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THE CAR JERKED VERY HARD AND THEN LOST POWER.THERE WAS NO ROOM TO PULL OVER,IT WAS GRASS AND A SLIGHT DITCH,LATE AT NIGHT NO STREET LAMPS...THE CAR WOULD NOT START THE FUEL LEFT TO E WAS 78 MILES.I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE...SEMI TRUCK SWERVED TO MISS US AND EVERY OTHER SEMI AND VEHICLE HAD TO CROSS OVER THE YELLOW LINES TO AVOID SMASHING INTO THE STALLED CAR.MY DAUGHTER AND I SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, THE HOUR WAS 11:00 PM. COMPLAINT #3 THE CAR SPUTTERS INTO GEAR TAKING OFF .. BY THE WAY IT WAS A ONE LANE HIGHWAY. FAR FROM ANY TOWN..

NHTSA ODI 11240769

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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 →