Home · 2012 Ford Focus RS · Complaints

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 77 of 152

Feb 8, 2017Body & structureEngine

THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR MY DOOR LATCH. MY DOOR HAS NOW STOPPED LATCHING. I CALLED THE DEALER WHEN I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THIS WAS 4 MONTHS AGO. NOW THAT MY DOOR WILL NOT LATCH I AM TOLD THAT I CAN BRING IT IN, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS, CANNOT GUARANTEE A LOANER, AND THAT I HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER STATING I WILL PAY $180 FOR AN INSPECTION IF IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND UNWILLING TO POSSIBLY PAY FOR THEM TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. ONCE MY CAR STILL SHOWED IN DRIVE, BUT WAS IN NEUTRAL WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WITH CARS BEHIND ME. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PLACE THE CAR IN PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD 2 SIMILAR INCIDENTS SINCE THEN, THOUGH THE CAR STILL WORKED, BUT FELT LIKE I WAS GRINDING MY GEARS. ALL WERE ON CITY STREETS, LUCKILY NOT THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 10950238

Feb 8, 2017SteeringTransmission & drivetrainBrakesCrash

I GOT IN MY CAR, BUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE WHEN MY SUDDENLY CAR LOST POWER. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT STEER OR STOP MY CAR FROM GOING BACKWARDS AND I HIT A PARKED CAR IN THE PARKING DECK AT SCHOOL AS A RESULT. THE CODE ON MY DASH WAS (I) STEERING ASSIST FAIL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL AND BREAK RELEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AGAIN. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 2 WEEKS IT HAS DONE THIS (JAN 28, FEB 2 AND FEB 8). ALL THREE TIMES THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION AND IN REVERSE GEAR. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE OFFICES AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNLESS THE CAR DUPLICATES THE PROBLEM IN THEIR PRESENCE.

NHTSA ODI 10950343

Feb 7, 2017Steering

ON 2 SEPERATE OCCASSIONS WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED AFTER HOURS OF NON USE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE INDICATOR MESSAGE IN THE CAR STATES NO STEERING ASSIST. THE CAR COULD BE MANUALLY STEERED WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY.THE CAR WAS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, SO IT COULD BE MANUEVERED SAFELY AND PARKED. WHEN TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AFTER THE FIRST EVENT, NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. ONE WEEK LATER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS TAKEN BACK FOR SERVICE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10950202

Feb 4, 2017SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE CAR NEEDS NOW A REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THE PRICE IS OVER $1500. THE CAR DIDN'T LET ME TURN RIGHT OR LEFT AND I JUST BOUGHT IT AT A CERTIFIED CARMAN FORD DEALERSHIP. IT SHOWED PROBLEMS AT 117650 MILES. THIS IS A SCAM, I PAID FOR INSURANCE AND I BROUGHT THE CAR TO CHANGE THE OIL EARLIER ANS THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY DEFECT. NOW, I CANT USE MY CAR. I WAS IN MOTION, THE CAR SEEMED TO MOVE TO ONE SIDE, THEN AT HOME WHILE STATIONED, I COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR AT ALL. NO EVEN RIGHT OR LEFT.

NHTSA ODI 10949547

Feb 4, 2017AirbagsBody & structureWheelsCrash

MY SON GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 2012 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK AND HIS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NONE WHATSOEVER HE ENDED UP WITH BRUISE SHOULDERS HIS FRIEND WITH A SCRAPED KNEE HIS CAR A TOTAL LOSS BUT NONE OF HIS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 10949541

Feb 4, 2017Steering

I BOUGHT MY CAR LAST YEAR AT CARMAN FORD, WITH ABOUT 91,905 MILES IN AN "AS IT IS" CONTRACT. I ALSO PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL GUARANTEE FOR UP TO 24,000M. I TOOK THE CAR TO REGULAR INSPECTIONS TO THE DEALER, NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED. THEN, I HIT 117,609 MILES, AND MY STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY, AND I HAD NO GUARANTEE. A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, WHILE DRIVING, I FELT THAT THE WHEEL WAS MOVED SLIGHTLY TO ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD (HIGHWAY). I ASKED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER AFTER AN OIL INSPECTION; THEY SAID THAT PROBABLY IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. RECENTLY, THEY SAID NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED BEFORE. "STEERING WHEEL ASSISTANCE REQUIRED" APPEARED ON THE SCREEN. WHILE DRIVING TO THE SHOP, IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN EITHER WAY. IT WAS VERY HARD TO DRIVE. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY DID NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM EARLIER. HOWEVER, IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO DO A RECALL OR SOMETHING. I THINK THAT THE CAR IS NOT SUPER OLD AND MOST OF THE MILEAGE WAS BECAUSE I HAVE A LONG COMMUTE, I DRIVE MOSTLY ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS ODD THAT A 2012 CAR HAS SUCH A PROBLEM. COULDN'T GO TO WORK, SCHOOL, SINCE SUDDENLY THE CAR STOPPED WORKING ON FRIDAY 02/03/17. I HAD TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET ANOTHER CAR. OVERALL, SO MUCH LOSS AND DRAMA INVOLVED WITH THIS INCIDENT AND I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR THAT THIS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND IS NOT SUPER OLD.

NHTSA ODI 10949571

Feb 2, 2017Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE. AS I HAVE FOUND OUT THIS IS HAPPENING TO THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS TOO. YOU GO TO THE DEALER AND YOU MAY GET CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOW ISSUE. WHY DO WE HAVE TO PAY ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 10948975

Feb 1, 2017Steering

THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT ON MY VEHICLE AND THE REPAIR COST IS VERY HIGH. OTHER VEHICLES WERE RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MINE HAS NOT ALSO BEEN RECALLED. IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10948806

Jan 30, 2017Steering

THE CAR RANDOMLY LOOSES POWER STEERING FUNCTION AND BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER, EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS FINE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME BUT USUALLY WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR AND CAN SELF RESOLVE IN A FEW SECONDS OR NOT AT ALL. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I'M PRETTY STRONG AND A BIG GUY AND I STILL STRUGGLE TO KEEP THIS THING ON THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI 10948382

Jan 30, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED. CARD ROLLS BACKWARD ON ANY TYPE OF HILL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND WAS PASSING A VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE ROAD AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGE AND NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS TO GET BACK INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN MULTIPLE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION WORK. THE TCM AND AUTOMATIC CLUTCH REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FAULTY TCM & AUTOMATIC CLUTCH. THIS MODEL OF TRANSMISSION IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10948421

Jan 30, 2017Steering

FOR A FEW WEEKS WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE THE POWER STEERING (EPS) DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY WORK. AFTER A MINUTE IT ENGAGES AND WORKS. HOWEVER, IT CURRENTLY IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. I TURNED THE CAR ON AND RECEIVED THE WARNING "STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND THEN HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES HOME ON CITY STREETS WITH NO POWER STEERING. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. MY CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10948570

Jan 29, 2017Steering

WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THRE IS NO POWER STEERING. LUCKILY WAS TRAVELING AT A MINIMAL SPPED. HAD MY DAUGHTER AND 2 SMALL GRANDCHILDREN. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED PAID TO PUT THE CAR ON THE COMPUTER AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP 45 MINUTES AWAY. WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10948338

Jan 29, 2017Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH 83244 MILES ON INTERSTATE 81 SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THE MESSAGE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT APPEARED ON THE DASH IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS BUT I PULLED OVER IN A REST AREA AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY HOUSE I CALLED FORD DEALER HOPING THE IT HAS SAFETY RECALL BUT THE PERSON I TALKED TO AT FORD SERVICE SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR POWER STEERING FAULT . NOW I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT . I HOP FORD ISSUES A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM .... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10948370

Jan 28, 2017SteeringElectrical systemBrakesCrash

I STARTED MY CAR THIS MORNING, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR LOCKED UP AND LOST POWER. I COULD NOT STEER OR BRAKE AND THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT MY GARAGE AND STOPPED. THE LIGHTS CAME ON MY DASH READ "(I) STEERING ASSIST FAULT". I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND GAIN FULL CONTROL OF MY CAR AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALER IN KANNAPOLIS, NC (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR) AND THEY SAID THE CAR WOULD NEED TO "DUPLICATE THE ERROR" BEFORE THEY COULD DIAGNOSE IT. I EXPLAINED THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE IN MOTION FOR THAT TO HAPPEN AND I CANNOT STOP THE CAR IF THAT HAPPENS AGAIN. I DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AND I AM PETRIFIED THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM ON THE ROAD AND HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE TECH SAID THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LOSS OF STEERING POWER ON THESE FORDS, BUT THAT UNTIL FORD ISSUES AN OFFICIAL RECALL THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS A SOFTWARE UPDATE.

NHTSA ODI 10948117

Jan 27, 2017Steering

ELECTRONIC RACK AND PINION FAILURE AFTER 91,000 MILES. MAKING STEERING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. WHY WAS THIS NOT INCLUDED IN THE OTHER ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RECALLS FROM FORD? EVERYTHING I HAVE SEEN IS THE RACK IS BEING EXPOSED TO TOO MUCH HEAT AND FAILING PREMATURELY

NHTSA ODI 10948042

Jan 26, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 10947720

Jan 26, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

I'VE HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH ISSUES AND IT CONTINUES NO MATTER WHAT TEMPORARY FIX FORD GIVES. I'VE HAD 2 CLUTCHES PUT IN AND MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SHAKING AND THE CAR JERKING AND ALSO THE CAR WONT SHIFT SOMETIMES AND ACCELERATES OUT OF NOWHERE. TODAY, AND THE REASON I'M COMPLAINING, MY TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP AND THEN MY "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" LIGHT CAME ON AND AND THE CAR JERKED AND WOULDNT SHIFT AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. I INLY HAVE ONE PICTURE BUT HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS

NHTSA ODI 10947885

Jan 25, 2017Body & structure

I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL ON DOOR LATCHES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT ALSO STATED THAT A REIMBURSMENT FOR A REPLACEMENT IS ALSO INCLUDED AND WILL TAKE 60 DAYS TO PROCESS. ONCE I RECEIVED MY LETTER I SENT IN THE PAPERWORK FOR REIMBURSMENT OF A LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE MY CHECK FOR THE WORK DONE. IT IS NOW 30 DAYS OVER THE DATE THAT THE DOCUMENTS WERE MAILED IN ON OCTOBER 20TH, 2016. [XXX] *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI 10947527

Jan 25, 2017Steering

LOSS OF STEERING POWER ASSIST ,VIOLENT LANE CHANGING ON FREEWAY

NHTSA ODI 10947675

Jan 24, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE DISENGAGES AND LEAVES YOU STRANDED RIGHT WHERE YOU SET, NO MATTER IF THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN DRIVE, PARK, REVERSE, OR SPORT IT DISENGAGES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES. ONCE, PULLED INTO GAS STATION TO GET GAS AND PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK, GOT OUT, FILLED TANK THEN GOT BACK INTO CAR AND PUT INTO DRIVE AND, NOTHING. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. ANOTHER TIME, DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND SAME THING, DISENGAGES THEN WOULD LUNGE THEN DISENGAGE COMPLETELY, STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER TIME, AND THIS HAS HAPPEN SO MUCH THAT NOW I TRY TO TIME MYSELF WHILE APPROACHING TRAFFIC SIGNALS AS TO PREPARE MYSELF AS IF IT WHERE GOING TO LOSE POWER EVERY TIME. THESE TIMES YOU WILL BE SETTING IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT OR JUST RUSH HOUR BUMPER TO BUMPER AND THE LIGHT CHANGES OR TRAFFIC STARTS TO MOVE AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION, DISENGAGES. STRANDED, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I AM SURPRISED WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT I SEE EVERYONE IS HAVING WITH THESE VEHICLES PERTAINING TO THE TRANSMISSIONS, SOMEONE HASN'T BEEN KILLED. THIS PROBLEM ISN'T A SECRET ANYMORE. JUST GOOGLE FORD FOCUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! THE NHTSA NEEDS TO "(AS A FEDERAL AGENCY, NHTSA REGULATES THE SAFETY OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT)" DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE CONSUMER. CALL FORD MOTOR OUT ON THIS ISSUE AND MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT THAT ARE SELLING. GO TO HTTP://WLOS.COM/NEWS/NEWS-13-INVESTIGATES/FORD-SUED-OVER-FAULTY-TRANSMISSIONS-IN-SOME-FOCUS-FEISTAS THIS PRETTY MUCH EXPLAINS IT. THIS IS WHY FORD STOPPED USING THIS TRANSMISSION IN END OF 2015. THERE IS NO FIXING IT! IT IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ISSUE AND THEY KNOW IT. AND AS FAR AS THE WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN BOX AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE, THESE AREN'T ISOLATED INCIDENTS, THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND TO MOST PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE CARS MANUFACTURED WITH THIS TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 2011-2015. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10947459

Jan 23, 2017Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureLatches & locksCrash

I PURCHASED MY 2012 FORD FOCUS IN JULY OF 2016 WITH 29,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN PURCHASED. HOWEVER WAS NOT NOTIFY ABOUT MY DOOR LATCHES UNABLE TO CLOSE. APPARENTLY OCTOBER 3, 2016 FORD DECIDED TO SEND OUT A RECALL LETTER CLAIMING THAT MY DOORS WON'T CLOSE WHILE DRIVING OR JUST WON'T CLOSE. ASKED ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED. MY BACK DRIVER DOOR JUST STOPPED CLOSING COMPLETELY, I DAMAGED MY SIDE OF THE DOOR FROM STOPPING THE DOOR FROM COMING OPEN. MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE FOR MY CAR AND THAT I'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO GET MY CAR FIXED. I BEGGED THEM TO DO AT LEAST SOMETHING TO KEEP MY CAR DOORS CLOSE AND THEY TIED MY SEATBELT TO MY BACK CAR DOOR TO PREVENT THE DOOR FROM OPENING. HOWEVER MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR STILL OPENED AND STAYED OPEN RANDOMLY WHICH CAUSE A FEW OF MY FRIENDS TO FALL OUT OF IT! MY CAR WAS LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. THEN THEY FINALLY "FIXED" IT BY PUTTING REPLACEMENT PARTS ON IT UNTIL THE ACTUAL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE SOMETIME THIS YEAR. MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS EVEN WORST THAN BEFORE. USUALLY IT TAKES ME SLAMMING THE DOOR THREE TIMES BEFORE IT CLOSED, BUT NOW IT TAKES MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND I HAVE TO SLAM HARDER!!! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF DEALING WITH THIS CAR, I THINK IT SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT WHEN IT WAS ALMOST NEW!!!! ALSO THEY STILL WON'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE "PARTS" WHICH I THINK THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY PARTS. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I PURCHASED, IF MY TRANSMISSION DOESN'T WORK OR MY DOORS DON'T CLOSE HOW CAN ANYONE CONSIDERING THIS A CAR?!?! WHAT DID I BUY?!?! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!! I DON'T KNOW IF ONE DAY IF MY FRONT DRIVING DOOR WILL COME OPEN AND I'LL BE FLYING OUT SOMEWHERE DEAD ON THE HIGHWAY. I JUST DON'T FEEL SAFE AND I WISH SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10947120

Jan 23, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL IN DRIVE; ENGINE STILL RUNNING FINE, TRANSMISSION IS NOT. MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN; HIGHWAY, CITY STREET, TURNING, THE TRANSMISSIONS SIMPLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. YIKES.. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER, YET ENGINE STILL RUNNING. LIKE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL BUT STILL IN DRIVE. ALSO, TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AND DID IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10947122

Jan 22, 2017

THE BACK DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THE OUTSIDE HANDLE ON THE BACK DOOR IS BROKEN AN THE DOOR WONT SHUT. THE OUTSIDE HANDLE TO THE DOOR IS NOT BROKEN. ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. AFTER I TOOK THE DOOR PANIEL OF WERE THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN. THE TRACKER THAT LETS THE WINDOW DOWN BYE THE LATCH WERE OPEN THE A PEACE OF THE WHITE PLASTIC HANDLE IS BROKEN RIGHT BYE THE CHILDREN'S SAFTY LATCHES ON THE DOOR. MS. VIRGINIA HALTOM

NHTSA ODI 10946907

Jan 22, 2017Steering

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. CAR DRIVES LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. SO FAR IT HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER CAR HAS BEEN TURNED ON AND NOT WHILE IN MOTION. THE PROBLEM SOUNDS COMMON BASED ON ONLINE SEARCHES.

NHTSA ODI 10946902

Jan 20, 2017AirbagsCrash3 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR AND SUBFRAME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BRUISED NECK, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIGHT FEMUR. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI 10946604

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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 →