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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO RUSTYECK FORD LOCATED IN WICHITA, KS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MOTOR OF THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11011667

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE, FIRST INDICATION OF ISSUE HAPPENED TWO DAYS AGO AT APPROXIMATELY 104,000 MILES. CLEARED ITS SELF WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO GEAR, SECOND INDICATION WAS IN DRIVE WAY AND A RESTART CLEARED PROBLEM. ISSUE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE DAILY. I'M NOT RISKING MY FAMILY DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL I TALK TO THE DEALER. THIS IS A KNOWN SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THE BUYERS OF THIS CAR DESERVE TO BE WARNED AND COMPENSATED WITH A FIX. INNOCENT PERSONS WILL DIE FROM THIS WHILE FORD IS APPARENTLY SILENT OR WAITING ON THEIR SUPPLIER TO STEP UP. NHTSA STEP IT UP NOW!!!

NHTSA ODI 11011877

STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING UP AT SLOW SPEEDS. ELECTRONIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING. RECENTLY, HAD THE TRANSMISSION RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. SOON AFTER THE STEERING STARTED LOCKING UP WHEN I WOULD LEAVE A PARKING LOT AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE.

NHTSA ODI 11011476

GOT CAR ON 05/15//17, DRIVING CAR STOPPED CAR GEARS WOULDN'T WORK CAR WOULDN'T MOVE, HAD CAR IN FOR THIS REPROGRAMMED MODULE, CAR DID THE SAME THING. CAR HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT CAN'T BE FIXED. I TOLD MY BROTHER IF I AND MY DAD END UP DEAD IN IT HE'S TO SUE FORD.

NHTSA ODI 11010920

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY 70MPH AND ON CITY ROADS AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR WILL JUST LOSE POWER AND SHUT DOWN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FUEL PRESSURE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT ALL COME ON WHEN THE CAR DIES. ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED AFTER GETTING THE CAR RESTARTED. AND WILL TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER IN AMERICAN FORK UTAH TODAY AND WE RECEIVED THE CODE TSB 1600 6 TO WHICH THEY SAY MEANS THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AS WELL AS THE GASKETS IN TUBES AND SENSORS. IT WILL COST ABOUT $2,000 TO REPLACE. WE ARE NOT HAVING THEM FIX IT AT THIS TIME SINCE WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. THIS COMES JUST A WEEK AFTER THEY HAD OUR CAR FOR TWO WEEKS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

NHTSA ODI 11010966

TRANSMISSION STALLS. VEHICLE.JERKS & GRINDS.WONT SHIFT INTO REVERSE.CAUSED MY WIFE TO ALMOST HAVE ACCIDENT ON FREEWAY. CLASS ACTION IN PROGRESS.WIFE HAS CANSER & CANT GET TO DR.

NHTSA ODI 11011003

THE POWER STEERING ('EPAS' - ELECTRIC POWER-ASSISTED STEERING) SYSTEM FAILED IN MY 2012 FORD FOCUS ON 7/15/2016. THE POWER LOSS WAS INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED AT FIRST, RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF UPON VEHICLE START-UP, OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE POWER STEERING EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCED FULL FAILURE ON JULY 15TH, 2016 AND REMAINS INOPERABLE TO THIS DAY, LEAVING ME TO DEAL WITH COMPLETE MANUAL STEERING ONLY. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, STEERING EFFORT HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY DURING STATIONARY AND LOW SPEED MANEUVERING. IT ALSO MAKES CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE UNDER BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS TROUBLESOME AT ALL SPEEDS, AS WELL AS AVOIDING LANE DRIFT AT ALL SPEEDS. THE MOST CONCERNING RESULT OF THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE IS DEALING WITH BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS, INCLUDING POTHOLES, WHICH CAN JERK THE STEERING WHEEL FROM MY GRIP AT TIMES AND VEER THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER LANE, OR WORSE, AN OPPOSING LANE OF TRAFFIC. THIS HAS AT TIMES CAUSED MILD INJURY TO MY WRISTS AND OCCASIONALLY STRAIN IN MY ELBOWS WHEN DEALING WITH SUDDEN JERKS AS WELL AS THE IMMENSE EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN STATIONARY OR LOW-SPEED MANEUVERING SITUATIONS. I AM A HEALTHY AND PHYSICALLY FIT YOUNG MAN, & EVEN I HAVE TROUBLE DEALING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN THESE SITUATIONS. DUE TO THE ENORMOUS COST OF REPAIR, WHICH CAN COST UPWARDS OF $2000, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIR THE STEERING, WHICH HAS BEEN INOPERABLE FOR OVER A YEAR. THE NHTSA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE 2011-13 FORD TAURUS AND FLEX, 2011-13 LINCOLN MKS AND MKT, 2011-12 FORD FUSION AND LINCOLN MKZ, AND 2011 MERCURY MILAN FOR THE SAME EPAS STEERING FAILURE, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE FOR THE FOCUS YET. I WORRY THIS ISSUE WILL POTENTIALLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO ME OR MY LOVED ONES.

NHTSA ODI 11011111

WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 40MPH OR EVEN STAYING IDLE WHILE USING AC THE ENGINE STARTS TO OVERHEAT AND AN ALERT POPS UP ON THE DASH STATING THAT THE ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED. ONCE AC IS TURNED OFF TEMPERATURE RETURNS TO NORMAL AND NO ISSUES REMAIN. NO OVERHEATING HAS OCCURRED WHILE ON HIGHWAY AS OF YET.

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TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHARLIE HENDERSON FORD LOCATED AT: 105 US-90, WAVELAND, MS 39576, (228) 467-9005, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A DEFECTIVE PURGE VALVE CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO COLLAPSE THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL CANISTER, PURGE VALVE, FUEL PUMP, AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 08/31/17*LJ INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11010698

5/4/16 CAR WOULD NOT START IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED FAULTY TCM FSA 14M02 7/22/17 WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY CAR ABRUPTLY JERKED, RPMS SHOT UP FROM ABOUT 2500 TO 5000 LOSS OF POWER. HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, PUT CAR IN PARK AND THEN BACK IN DRIVE, & TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGED. 7/24/17 WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON EXPRESSWAY CAR ABRUPTLY JERKED, RPMS SHOT UP AGAIN. LOSS OF POWER. PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, PUT CAR IN PARK AND BACK IN DRIVE, NO RE-ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION, PUT CAR BACK IN PARKED, TURNED IT OFF, RESTARTED CAR, TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGED. 7/25/17 DROVE TO DEALER, WHILE DRIVING SHIFTING BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD/HARSH, SHIFTING BECAME MORE DELAYED AS WELL. DEALER REPORTED FAULTY TCM AND DAMAGED CLUTCH. BOTH ARE TO BE REPLACED ON 7/26/17 FSA 14M01 FSA 14M02

NHTSA ODI 11010746

TRANSMISSION SHUTTERING DRIVING UP AN INCLINE OR FROM A STOP. BEGAN AS A SHUTTER WHICH THEN EVOLVED INTO GRINDING AND VIOLENT SHUTTER BEFORE REPLACING FAULTY CLUTCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES IN THE LAST CALENDAR YEAR FOR THE SAME REPAIR WITHOUT IT BEING RESOLVED. VEHICLE WILL SLIP AND SHUTTER CONSISTENTLY FROM STOP, INCLINE, OR HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH ENGINE RPM AROUND 1200 - 1800 RPM.

NHTSA ODI 11010808

STEERING RACK FAILURE, VEHICLE IS AT 62,000 MILES. DAUGHTER LOST WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS POWER STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING THRU A SOMEWHAT BUSY SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD. UPON DRIVING TO A SAFE PLACE, IT WAS HARDER TO STEER THAN THE TRADITIONAL OLD SCHOOL NON-POWER STEERING CARS. WAS $1800 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11010452

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KOONS FALLS CHURCH FORD 1051 E BROAD ST, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22044 (703) 241-7200, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE FUEL TANK SHRUNK AND WAS NOT GETTING PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK AND PURGE VALVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER MADE HIM AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11010547

IN JANUARY, 2017 I HAD MY 2012 FOCUS HATCHBACK CHECKED OUT FOR AN ONGOING GRINDING NOISE ONLY PRESENT WHEN TURNING. MY LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THIS AS A FAILING RACK AND PINION WHICH NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT TO AVOID A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. A $1700 REPAIR FOR A MAJOR COMPONENT ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY ~40K MILES. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD, CURRENTLY LOOKING AT OTHER BRANDS FOR A NEW PURCHASE.

NHTSA ODI 11010555

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11010622

POWER STEERING GEAR. MY COLLEGE STUDENT HAD THE CHECK STEERING MESSAGE. WE TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $1900. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR NEW ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING THAT RESULTED IN RECALLS ON THE FUSION, TAURUS, AND MLZS BUT THE FOCUS IS NOT RECALLED. I DECLINED THE REPAIR AND TOOK IT A LOCAL SHOP I USE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN'T GET THE PART BECAUSE......FORD IS PURCHASING EVERY LAST ONE. THERE IS A 2-3 MONTH WAIT FOR THE BACKORDER. THEY ALSO TOLD THAT THE PART COMES WITH A 15% SURCHARGE SO ANY SAVING THAT I WOULD GET NOT SERVICING AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD BE LOST AS THEIR PRICE WAS ALSO $1900. I DID CALL IN MY COMPLAINT TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HAVE A CASE NUMBER WHICH I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE, THAT WAS 48 HOURS AGO. THE REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE NET VALUE OF THE CAR. FOR A PROBLEM THAT NHTSA DINGED THEM ON FOR THE SAME SYSTEM IN OTHER MODELS. THIS IS WRONG. AS AN OWNER OF AN F150, LINCOLN TOWN CAR, AND THE FOCUS AND A LOYAL FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER, I AM QUESTIONING MY DECISION MAKING!!!

NHTSA ODI 11006738

CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. LOW FUEL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING CLOSE TO EMPTY BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. WHEN STARTED AT GARAGE THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON, BUT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES. I THINK, AND THE MECHANIC AGREED, THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. I FEEL UNSAFE NOW WHEN DRIVING FOR EXTENDED LENGTHS OF TIME, AND AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IF THE VEHICLE STOPS IN TRAFFIC THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR FATALITY.

NHTSA ODI 11006759

AFTER STARTING THE FOCUS I WOULD GET A POWER STEERING FAULT ALARM. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. NOW IT STAYS OFF NO MATTER WHAT. THIS MAKES MANEUVERING EXTREMELY HARD AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 11006150

ON WAY TO LOCAL STORE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. HAVING TO STEER WITH MUCH EFFORT. STOPPED AND TRIED TO TURN IGNITION OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND RESTART, BUT DID NOT WORK. IT INITIALLY WENT OUT WHILE IN MOTION ON WAY TO STORE AFTER ACCELERATING FROM STOP SIGN. NOTICED IT WHEN I HAD TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT NEXT CORNER. AND PANEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI 11006208

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE POWER ASSIST INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (AUTOMAX FORD 3301 E. CENTRAL TEXAS EXPY, KILLEEN, TX, 76543) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT CLEAR ON THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11006249

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 FORD FOCUS ON THE FREEWAY (WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE CAR) AT 65 MPH WHEN SHE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. A MESSAGE APPEARED "STEERING ASSIST FAULT - SERVICE REQUIRED"... NO WARNING, THIS MESSAGED JUST POPPED UP AT TIME OF FAILURE. MY DAUGHTER STRUGGLED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED ME - REFUSING TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF ENDANGERING HER OR HER DAUGHTER. I HAD TO COME GET HER.... I DROVE THE CAR HOME - ALLTHOUGH THERE HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IN THE 2 TIMES I HAVE DRIVEN IT. MY DAUGHTER WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN. I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHERS REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM - INCLUDING A REPORT IN THE NY TIMES. DOES SOMEBODY TO DIE BEFORE THERE IS A RECALL? THE CAR HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11005879

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2016 FOR MY 16 YR OLD DAUGHTER. IN THE MONTH OF JUNE 2017 THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT AND MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ON JULY 11, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AND I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN CHESTERFIELD, MO. THE DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATED TO ME THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF POWER STEERING ISSUES WITH THIS CARE WHICH IS QUITE DISAPPOINTING SINCE THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CONTENT ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS ISSUE. THE DIAGNOSIS IS FAULTY POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY AND WILL COST ME $2200 TO FIX. I AM DISAPPOINTED FORD IS NOT TAKING THIS ISSUE MORE SERIOUSLY. I AM LUCKY MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11005935

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPRADLEY FORD (LOCATED AT 2828 U.S. 50 PUEBLO, CO 81088 719-545-0192) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,258.

NHTSA ODI 11005997

PURCHASED CAR USED AND FINANCED IT AND THE SECOND DAY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHUDDERING,GETTING STUCK IN LOW GEAR AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WOULDNT GO.TOOK CAR BACK AND HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND THE CAR DOES THE EXACT SAME THINGS IT DID BEFORE GOING OUT FIRST TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11005437

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER.

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