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

DRIVING DOWN MY PARKING GARAGE AT WORK WHEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY CAUSING ME TO STRUGGLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. NEARLY HIT 3 DIFFERENT CARS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. HAD TO GET TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AS IT WAS NOT WORKING. KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11020968

DRIVERS SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION, BELT DOES NOT LATCH. CAR WAS PARKED WHEN THIS OCCURED.

NHTSA ODI 11020590

DRIVING CAR-- AND DOOR SPRUNG OPEN-- WILL NOT CLOSE. I RECEIVED NOTICE THIS WAS A RECALL BUT SHOP STATES THEY DID NOT HAVE PART AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD COME IN, I AM STILL WAITING, AND SINCE THE DOOR HAS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI 11020651

LOSE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN MOTION, CAUSING INCREASED EFFORT NEEDED FOR STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11020654

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. KEPT SHUTTING CAR DOWN AND RESTARTING BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PREVIOUS DAY WHILE ON THE FREEWAY IN COMMUTER TRAFFIC DAY THE ONGOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT 2 DIFFERENT LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTERS WORKED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE 1ST TIME I WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE FOLLOWING TIMES THEY REPLACE A COMPETENT AND RE-PROGRAMED IT. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE SERVICE CENTER I COULD TELL NOTHING WAS DONE. I CALLED THE SERVICE REP BACK AND HE SAID IT WAS "ADAPTIVE" AND I NEEDED TO ALLOW IT TIME TO ADAPT. I WAS TOLD I HAD A CRACKED MOTOR MOUNT. I TOLD HIM IT HAD TO BE CAUSED BY THE VIOLENT JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ACCELERATING REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. IN STOP AND GO CITY TRAFFIC I HAVE BEEN CLOSE SEVERAL TIMES TO BEING REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF ITS JERKING /HESITATION/ACCELERATION. TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL. VEHICLE FINALLY TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN COVERING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS BUT WAS TOLD THE SAFETY PROBLEM ON THE STEERING WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I'M TOLD TO FORK OVER 2K + TO FIX THE STEERING BEFORE THEY WOULD ATTEMPT SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION. FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND TRANSMISSION BUT FAIL TO CORRECT THEM. THE STEERING HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ABOUT GOING OUT ON DRIVERS AT HIGH RATE OF SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY. FORD IS INTENTIONALLY RISKING THE LIVES OF FOCUS OWNERS AND PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT NOW BY IMMEDIATE RECALL. IT'S OBVIOUS THEY GAVE NO IDEA HOW TO CORRECT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11020708

YESTERDAY MY CAR WAS FINE ON MY WAY TO WORK I GO TO LEAVE WORK LIGHT COMES ON SAYS TRANSMISSION FAILURE SERVICE IMMEDIATELY.THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT OUT OF GEARS AND RUNNING RPMS UP NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THAT UNTIL YESTERDAY.YOU CAN DRIVE MINE AS MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC I TRIED TO SWITCH OVER TO MANUAL WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS AT ALL

NHTSA ODI 11019991

AS I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65MPH ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON WITHOUT ME TELLING THEM TO. THEY CYCLED THROUGH FAST, NORMAL, INTERMITTENT, OFF FOR 60-90 SECONDS PER CYCLE. AFTER THE SECOND CYCLE I DECIDED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND FIND A PLACE TO PARK AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I THEN HEAR A THUD AS I COME TO A LIGHT, 30 SECONDS LATER I SEE SMOKE. I PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SEE LOTS OF SMOKE AND SOME FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I TURN OFF THE CAR AND THE WIPERS KEEP GOING. I GET OUT AND CALL 911 AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES MY CAR IS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 11019506

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. MIKE BASS FORD (LOCATED AT 5050 DETROIT ROAD, VILLAGE OF SHEFFIELD, OH) WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,289.

NHTSA ODI 11019605

WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR GARAGE I NOTICED A STRANGE NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SAME NOISE OCCURRED WHEN I HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENTER THE GARAGE.( MAKES THE NOISE EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE IT NOW.) I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FRIEND CHECK IT AND HE SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND TO DRIVE IT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. THE NEAREST DEALER IS 20+ MILES AWAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND HERE IS THE DIAGNOSES: FOUND THAT THE NOISE IS INTERNAL TO THE EPAS GEAR. STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT AND ALIGNMENT $1596.49 INSTALLED PLUS TAX. I HAD TO PAY A $95 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIND THIS OUT. THE CAR HAS 61094 MILES ON IT, SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE FORD FOCUS HAS NOT HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MANY OTHER FORD MODELS WITH THE SAME STEERING MECHANISM HAVE BEEN RECALLED, WHY NOT THIS ONE! SO NOW IT IS SITTING IN THE GARAGE WAITING ON THE PART TO COME IN SO I CAN TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT, HOPEFULLY FIXED TO BE SAFE. HOPING FOR A RECALL TO GET MY MONEY BACK.

NHTSA ODI 11019157

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO A WATER BOTTLE THAT BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FLOORBOARD. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE LEFT ARM DUE TO THE SEAT BELT SEIZING UPON IMPACT ON THE CONTACT'S ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 11016254

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH THE INSPECTION LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE STATING THE POWER ASSIST HAS FAULTED AND REQUIRES MAINTENANCE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF AT THE NEXT OFF RAMP THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND I ALMOST WENT OF THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET THE CAR HOME.

NHTSA ODI 11015881

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JUNE OF 2017. THE DEALER (ROBERTS MOTORS, 4350 N ALBY ST, ALTON, IL, 62002) WAS CONTACTED AT 855-999-5497 AND STATED THAT THE EARLIEST SCHEDULE FOR AN APPOINTMENT WAS APRIL 2,, 2018. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WAS UNREASONABLE, BUT TOOK THE APPOINTMENT ANYWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE PER THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN EXHAUST ISSUE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED A SECOND TIME, IT PASSED THE EMISSIONS TEST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11015931

POWER STEERING FAILURE, UPON STARTING CAR DASH LIGHTS WARNS OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. AT FIRST WE COULD TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART CAR AND THEN IT WOULD FUNCTION. THIS WAS LAST YEAR WHEN FALL AND WINTER CAME WE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS, AS SUMMER CAME THIS YEAR WITH HIGH HEAT IT WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT ALL NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11015580

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN THE NEXT 15 DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT, DUE TO HER SMALL STATURE, IT WOULD BE UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,450.

NHTSA ODI 11015103

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO KEYSTONE FORD LOCATED IN CHAMBERSBURG, PA WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS UPDATED AND THE CONTROL SWITCH OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,798.

NHTSA ODI 11015232

FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION MODULE REGULATOR RECALL. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR ISSUES THAT I FEEL ARE RELATED TO THIS MATTER. IN APRIL, I WAS DRIVING WHEN I LOST TOTAL POWER OF MY CAR AND THEN IT LURCHED FORWARD AS THE RPM'S RAN OVER THE TOP. I DROVE IT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES TO MY HOME WHERE I HAD IT PICKED UP AND TOWED TO LARRY HILL FORD, CLEVELAND, TN. I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN LAST WEEK AND DROVE THERE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE WHILE THEY ORDERED A PART. TODAY, I STALLED OUT COMPLETELY WHILE ACCELERATING ON 25TH STREET (ON MY LUNCH HOUR). I HAD TO CALL A TOW FOR THE 2ND TIME. I BELIEVE MY SAFETY TO BE IN QUESTION AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND FORD DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE NOR HAVE THEY OFFERED ME ANY TYPE OF BUYOUT OR TRADE OR COMPENSATION FOR THE CONSTANT PROBLEMS NOT EVEN RELATED TO MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11013951

I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FROM FORD IN OCTOBER 2016 (RE: DOOR LATCH). I ATTEMPTED TO GET MY SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS, BUT WHEN THEY HAVE PARTS THEY WOULD CONTACT ME. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (AND SOME OTHER ISSUES) FEB/MARCH. 2017 AND ASKED THAT THEY REPAIR MY VEHICLE FOR THIS SAME RECALL. AGAIN, TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS, BUT WOULD LET US KNOW WHEN THEY DID. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP (AGAIN) FOR AUGUST 2017 TO HAVE VEHICLE LOOKED AT FOR WARRANTY WORK AND HAVE THE RECALL FIXED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE PARTS, BUT SHOULD HAVE THEM NEXT WEEK (CURRENT WEEK) AND WILL CALL WHEN THEY COME IN AND I CAN GET IT FIXED. I HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST 2 LETTERS FROM FORD STATING I NEED TO GET THIS RECALL FIXED; BUT, THE DEALERSHIP (SAME ONE EACH TIME) DOES NOT CALL WHEN PART COMES IN AND HAS FAILED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. DEALERSHIP: MARSHALL FORD IN OFALLON, MO 63366.

NHTSA ODI 11013792

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, JERKING, AND HESITATION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL AMERICAN FORD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS SOFTWARE UPDATES AND THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 128-21707. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,505.

NHTSA ODI 11013462

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ARMS, A BROKEN NOSE, AND BLACK EYES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/18/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED "I'D ONLY HAD THE CAR 3 WEEKS WHEN THE STEERING FROZE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS GOING LEFT WHEN IT HIT THE POLE." NO VIN AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/4/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11013505

MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING UP WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST EVERY DAY. I HAD TO JERK IT BACK BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE OTHER LANE. I WILL TRY AND CHANGE LANES AND IT LOCKS, THEN POPS BACK TO ABLE TO STEER. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS! THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! IT;S BAD ENOUGH I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR....

NHTSA ODI 11013558

STEERING LOCKED AFTER STARTING CAR - INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH "I" TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES FINALLY INDICATOR DISAPPEARED AND NORMAL STEERING RETURNED - LOOKED ON LINE FOR SIMILAR EVENTS AND FOUND OTHER REPORTS FOR SAME EVENTS . HAD CAR TOWED IN TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE EVENT AND INDICATE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE - MAJOR CONCERN THAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE MOVING

NHTSA ODI 11012988

SOMETIMES IT WON'T GO IN REVERSE, IT STUTTERS, SHUDDERS, STALLS (WHICH IS NOT GREAT WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC OR MAKE A TURN) WON'T GO INTO GEAR (SHIFT). BROUGHT IT IN FOR TCM RECALL AND THEY FIXED AND EXTENDED ORIGINAL WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES BUT NOW IT'S PAST THAT, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UP. TOOK IT AGAIN TO DEALER BECAUSE OF TRANS AND THEY WANTED $170.00 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND JUST DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA. I HAD IT "FIXED" BY A MECHANIC FRIEND AT HIS SHOP AND HE SAID THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION! IT HAS NOW BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! FORD NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS!

NHTSA ODI 11012856

THE POWER STEERING IS CURRENTLY NOT WORKING. IT IS LIKE DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING AT ALL. HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN AND MANEUVER THE CAR. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST $1,500 WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE FORD MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BY THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE CAR. CHECKED THE STEERING FLUID TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS NOT LOW OR LEAKING AND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.

NHTSA ODI 11012490

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MATTHEWS FORD (LOCATED AT 100 W. LANCASTER AVENUE, PAOLI, PA 19301, TEL: (610) 644-4700) WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET PROVIDED THE REMEDY PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11012521

WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREET TO HAVE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CHECKED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD GO OUT OF GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP, THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLAM BACK INTO 1ST GEAR MOMENTARILY, THEN SHIFT TO A MUCH LOWER GEAR (3RD?), MOVING AT AN UNSAFE SPEED FOR THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, THEN SLAM BACK INTO 1ST GEAR AGAIN BEFORE STARTING THE WHOLE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. MOVING FROM A STOP, THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. NOR WOULD IT ENGAGE REVERSE TO BACK UP TO PARK; IT WOULD ONLY REV UP. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE! FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS TRANSMISSION ASAP, AT NO COST & PERMANENTLY FIX THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH IT, NOT JUST BANDAID FIXES.

NHTSA ODI 11012610