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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 51 of 152

Feb 22, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) REGARDING THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS VALID AND TO HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD OF UNIONTOWN (1 SUPERIOR WAY, UNIONTOWN, PA 15401, (724) 425-5980) WHERE IT WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. AFTER WAITING THREE WEEKS, THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT NEED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REMOVED THE VIN FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11182019

Feb 22, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND LOST POWER ON OCCASION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD (704-557-0596, LOCATED AT 5401 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28212) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CANISTER CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11182032

Feb 21, 2019Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

CAR HAS 60000 MILES AND HAS EXACT SAME ISSUES AS EVERYONE ELSE IS POSTING. SHUTTERING, SLOW STARTS, LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAYS! HOW IS THIS NOT ON A RECALL LIST BY NOW OR DO WE WAIT FOR FATALITIES? THESE CARS ARE UNSAFE FOR THE ROADS! I JUST HAD CLUTCH REPLACED AND I AM EVEN SCARED TO GET THE DANG CAR BACK AND DRIVE IT. RIDICULOUS SOMETHING ISNT BEING DONE BY FORD. WONT BE BUYING THEM ANYMORE UNLESS WE GET SOME HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11181568

Feb 21, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT

NHTSA ODI 11181592

Feb 20, 2019Speed controlEngineFuel system

TAKATA RECALL I'LL BE DRIVING AND MY CAR STALLED OFTEN AND HAS CUT OFF ON TWO OCCASION .THEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.I WAS DRIVING HAPPEN TO BE AT A STOP SIGN AND THE AND CUT OFF AND ROLLED HAD TO RESTART.WHEN EVER I STOP THE CAR IT TAKE TIME BEFORE IT SPEEDS UP.

NHTSA ODI 11181275

Feb 20, 2019Fuel system

FUEL TANK COLLAPSE, HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH CAR AT TIMES NOT STARTING AND EVEN STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. FORD DEALER SAID THE TANK HAS COLLAPSED AND NEEDS NEW FUEL TANK , FUEL PUMP AND VALVE. DEALER CHARGED $119.00 TO TELL THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WOULD COST 1,200.00 TO REPAIR, SO WHY ISN'T MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? MY 19 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO DRIVES CAR FOR SCHOOL, HAS BEEN FORCED TO WALK OR FIND RIDE TO GET TO HER DESTINATION. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME, THIS CAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF, MONDAY WE FINALLY FOUND OUT THE REASON. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE FORD ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11181484

Feb 19, 2019Steering

TAKARA RECALL, WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO MAKE A TURN. WHEN TURNING, SUDDENLY THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I WAS FORCED TO STOP THE CAR. I GOT THE MESSAGE "STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION". THIS WAS VERY SCARING BECAUSE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND AN ACCIDENT COULD'VE HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11181130

Feb 19, 2019Steering

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK ANY MORE WITHOUT A HOLE LOT OF MUSCLE POWER. THE CAR WAS PARKED'.

NHTSA ODI 11181250

Feb 17, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING: SOMETIMES WHEN I START MY CAR AN ERROR MESSAGE WILL SAY "POWER STEERING FAILURE", AND THE POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN RESTART IT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT GOES AWAY. IT STARTED DOING THIS WITHIN A MONTH OF WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, AND BECAUSE THE ERROR ISN'T PRESENT WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAVE COMPLAINED MULTIPLE TIMES TO THEM, AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS RANDOMLY FOR YEARS NOW, AND AFTER BRINGING IN MY CAR TO HAVE THE CLUTCH LOOKED AT AGAIN (I'VE HAD IT REPLACED 5 TIMES NOW) IT HAD THE POWER STEERING ERROR MESSAGE SHOW UP AND THE TECHS WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE. THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, AND EVEN THOUGH IT HAS DONE THIS FROM THE START I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI 11180660

Feb 17, 2019AirbagsCrash

AIR BAG LIGHT: OUR CAR WAS PARKED, AND GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THIS DAMAGED THE FRAME, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T ENGAGE. AFTER THE MECHANIC FIXED OUR CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF, AND THE DEALERSHIP HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO CLEAR IT OUT. WE HAVE ASKED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THEM TO FIX IT, AND THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. I DON'T KNOW IF MY AIR BAGS WILL WORK, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 5 YEARS NOW, AND EVERY TIME I BRING MY CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP IGNORES THE AIR BAG LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11180665

Feb 16, 2019Steering

MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE. MY CAR HAS ONLY 90K MILES AND THERE HAS BEEN TONS OF RECALLS IN GENERAL FOR THIS CAR ALREADY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND RISK AND I BELIEVE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE COME ACROSS THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11180549

Feb 15, 2019EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, IT SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM ONEAL FORD (516 S. INDIANA AVE, SELLERSBURG, IN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK VALVE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND THE FUEL TANK VALVE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11180221

Feb 15, 2019EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION FORD LINCOLN UNION CITY AT (770) 686-7733 (LOCATED AT 4355 JONESBORO RD A, UNION CITY, GA 30291) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11180266

Feb 15, 2019Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET GOING HOME AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED 'STEERING ASSIST FAULT - SERVICE REQUIRED'. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. WILL BE SCHEDULING WITH MEL HAMBELTON FORD TO INVESTIGATE THE CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI 11180409

Feb 15, 2019SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMITION OF MY 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH 100K MILES HAD HESITATION AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING DUE TO THE TRANSMITION FAIL (IT HAPPEN TOO OFTEN DRIVIND IN THE CITY), AFTER I PAID $ 2,200 TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED ( THEY CHANGED CLUTCHS AND COMPUTER MODULE). THE STEERING WHEELS STARTED TO FAIL, IT SUDDENLY GETS TOO HARD TO TURN, THEN IT GETS NORMAL AND THEN FAILS AGAIN. JUST WHEN I WAS TURNING ON A CORNER THE STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD TO TURN AND THE CAR WAS GOING OUT OF THE ROAD (STRAIGHT). LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TOO HARD TO CONTROL IT. FORD WANT TO CHARGE $2,400 TO FIX THE PROBLEM (RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT) . I THINK THERE SHOULD BE RECALLS FOR THOSE DANGEROUS ISSUES. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI 11180426

Feb 14, 2019Engine

I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF AND DEALING WITH A ENGINE/TRANSMISSION ISSUE SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD SEVERAL TIMES BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS JUST THE TYPE OF GAS SIPPING ENGINE THE CAR HAS AND IT IS NORMAL. I AM 50 YEARS OLD AND NEVER HAD A CAR THAT RESPONDED AS POORLY THIS ONE HAS BUT ALSO NEVER HAD A CAR WITH SPECIAL TYPE OF ENGINE. IT HAS STALLED WHILE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION A COUPLE OF TIMES, LACKS PICK UP SOMETIMES OR JOLTS (LIKE TRANSMISSION ISSUES) WHEN GOING FROM STOPPED POSITION. IT WILL SOMETIMES JOLTS GOING UP HILLS WHILE CAR IS SWITCHING GEARS AS WELL AT A NORMAL BACK ROAD SPEED. AN ENGINE RECALL WAS PUT OUT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WITH NO REMEDY YET. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON SOMETIMES (AFTER JUST HAVING THE CAR SERVICED AND GONE THROUGH FOR FLUIDS, ETC). MY CAR HAS 50K MILES ON IT ONLY AND IS BEING DRIVEN BY MY SON NOW. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY BUT DON'T WANT TO SELL IT WITH OPEN RECALLS AND THE LEMON LAWS HERE IN MA. I FEEL LIKE I AM STUCK WITH A LEMON MYSELF. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TIMEFRAME THEY WILL BE GIVEN TO COME UP WITH A FIX BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED?

NHTSA ODI 11180107

Feb 12, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL, LOST POWER, AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11176545

Feb 11, 2019Latches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. THE CONTACT CALLED PIONEER FORD (150 US-27, BREMEN, GA 30110, (770) 537-3673), BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2011. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 11176144

Feb 11, 2019Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WAS MAKING VERY LOUD CRACKING NOISES AS IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY RADIO. WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE IT WAS STILL MAKING THE LOUD STATIC POPPING NOISES EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RADIO OFF. WHEN THE STOCK RADIO WAS REMOVED IT WAS VERY HOT AND SEEMED AS IF IT WAS ON THE VERGE OF STARTING A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11176220

Feb 11, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SILL-TERHAR MOTORS (303-469-1801, LOCATED AT 150 ALTER ST, BROOMFIELD, CO 80020) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11176289

Feb 11, 2019SteeringFuel system

I HAD THIS CAR ABOUT FOUR YEARS I PUT A TWO NEW BATTERY, NEW START, NEW RADIO, NEW RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT THE ARMS AND ROD REPLACE NOW I GOT THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT GOING ON IN MY CAR I GET WIRED PUT MONEY ON TO IT !

NHTSA ODI 11176365

Feb 10, 2019Body & structure

TAKE A RECALL WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY DOOR JUST FLUNG OPEN AND I HAVE TO HOLD IT SHUT IT WAS IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI 11176048

Feb 10, 2019Steering

DRIVING TO WORK STEERING STARTED TO GET HARD TO STEER ON THE HIGH WAY AND MAKING TURNS. THEN AFTER WORK PUT IN KEY TURN KEY ON SAYS STEERING LOST STOP. AT THIS TIME THE STEERING WAS LOCKED UP MY SON WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING TO WHERE HE COULD GET IT HIM BUT VERY HARD TO DO I COULDN'T BUDGET IT. THE WAY IT ACTED ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD STOP WORKING CAUSE IT WAS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11176024

Feb 7, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING ALWAYS TAKES AWHILE TO START WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, NOW IT HAS GONE OUT COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ODI 11174987

Feb 6, 2019Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED OFTEN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND THE RPMS SEIZED. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS CALLED AND THEY INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO DISCONNECT THE MAIN NEGATIVE TERMINAL UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC, BUT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE AN UNKNOWN FORD PART WAS NEEDED. HARRIS FORD (3710 VAN DYKE RD, NEWPORT, AR 72112, (870) 523-5559) WAS CONTACTED, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11174770

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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 →