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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 81 of 152

Nov 15, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STUTTER WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO INCREASE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,468.

NHTSA ODI 10926095

Nov 14, 2016SteeringTransmission & drivetrainCrash

ON A WET PAVEMENT IN THE RAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN OR RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED INTO AN ISLAND CURB BREAKING OFF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAUSING OVER $4,300.00 IN DAMAGE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP DURING WET WEATHER WAS CONFIRMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP. FORD MOTOR COMPANY (CUSTOMER SERVICE) WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE IS ONGOING AS EVERYONE WHO DRIVES THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE STEERING LOCKING UP DURING WET CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A SHUDDERING ISSUE WHERE THE VEHILCLE BUCKS WHEN MOVING FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI 10925757

Nov 14, 2016EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI 10925970

Nov 13, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)

VERY ROUGH IDLING OF ENGINE WHILE PROCEEDING FORWARD AT START OF ACCELERATION. THE "HILL ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL CAME ON, WHILE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO TRANSFER ITSELF FROM A DRIVE POSITION TO A NEUTRAL POSITION. THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE USING THE FOOT PEDAL. AT THAT POINT, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR BACK INTO A DRIVE GEAR POSITION. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING "HILL ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" MESSAGE, A SECOND WARNING LIGHT "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, SERVICE NOW" CAME ON. DURING THIS MOMENT, AN ADDITIONAL RED EXCLAMATION LIGHT ENGAGED. WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL, MY FOCUS'S RPM IDLE QUICKLY INCREASED CAUSING THE FOCUS TO LUNGE FORWARD A FEW FEET INTO AN ACTIVE TRAFFIC INTERSECTION. AS I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL DISPLAYED NO WARNING SIGNS, THEN SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON AS THE RPM IDLE WENT FROM 2,200 TO 5,500 RPM IN A NEUTRAL GEAR STATE. AT THIS MOMENT, I WAS NERVOUS, AS MY MIND WAS RACING WITH THOUGHTS OF AN ACCIDENT; SUCH AS, THE TRANSMISSION COULD RE-ENGAGE TO A DRIVE POSITION AT SUCH A HIGH RPM RATE, FORCING VEHICLE TO THRUST FORWARD AT AN UNCONTROLLABLE HIGH SPEED, OR THE ENGINE COULD PERHAPS OVERHEAT AND/OR THE ENGINE BLOCK COULD CRACK. THE WARNING PANEL SPORADICALLY TURNED WARNING MESSAGES ON AND OFF AS IT AFFECTED THE POWERTRAIN/TRANSMISSION CONTROL. THE WANING LIGHT DISPLAYS "HILL ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" EVERY TIME THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO A NEUTRAL POSITION, WHILE THE GEAR IS PHYSICALLY IN ITS "D" (DRIVE) POSITION. THIS FOCUS LEAVES ME WARY WHILE BEHIND ITS WHEEL. WILL THIS CAR EVENTUALLY INJURE ME OR ANOTHER PERSON (S) WHILE THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY ACCELERATES ONCE AGAIN, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT?

NHTSA ODI 10925660

Nov 12, 2016Steering

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL, BUT HAS ON OTHER MODELS WITH SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM YOU CAN FIND ONLINE, EVEN NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT THIS HAPPENING WITH THIS MODEL. EVEN THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS AT THE FORD DEALER KNEW OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10925584

Nov 11, 2016Steering

WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON AND STATIONARY, IT WILL DISPLAY "STEERING ASSIST FAULT," AND THE POWER STEERING WILL NOT TURN ON, GREATLY REDUCING THE CAPACITY TO STEER. UPON TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING RE-ENGAGES. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR NOW.

NHTSA ODI 10925473

Nov 11, 2016Steering

CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT. WENT TO START UP AND THE "FAULTY STEERING ASSIST" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID TO CHECK THE BATTERY. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING GEAR AND RACK AND PINION. TOTAL COST $2500.

NHTSA ODI 10925503

Nov 10, 2016Body & structureLatches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT

NHTSA ODI 10925340

Nov 10, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I PURCHASED THE FOCUS IN AUG. 2016, TOOK CAR TO DEALER RIGHT AWAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I GET A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION WITH WHICH I WAS HAVING ISSUES. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED AND GAVE WARNING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHO NOW SAYS NEEDS TRANSMISSION WORK WORTH 2,200 DOLLARS. WHEN CHECKING, FOUND OUT PREVIOUS OWNERS HAD THE COMPLETE CLUTCH SYSTEM REPLACED ON NOVEMBER, 2ND. 2015, EXACTLY A YEAR AGO. I AM TRYING TO GET APPLE FORD OF COLUMBIA, MA FIX THE VEHICLE AS THE OTHERWISE KNOWN ISSUE OF FORD FOCUS FROM 2011 ON HAS NOT BEEN TOTALLY RESOLVED ON MY VEHICLE. AT THE PRESENT, THE CAR IS WITH SHEEHY FORD IN SPRINGFIELD, VA WAITING RESPONSE FROM APPLE FORD. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE I CAN GET SO MY DAUGHTER CAN HAVE HER CAR BACK SO SHE CAN PURSUE HER COLLEGE COURSES W/T HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT HER TRANSPORTATION. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI 10925388

Nov 8, 2016Steering

A FEW DAYS BEFORE INCIDENT THE CAR DEVELOPED A RUBBING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND MY FIANCE STATED THAT THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THINKING IT WAS A POWER STEERING ISSUE - A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED AND I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER HOURS. THE DISTANCE IS APPROXIMATELY 13 MILES. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES THE DASH DISPLAY INDICATED A YELLOW DISPLAY STATING "SERVICE STEERING SYSTEM SOON". I CONTINUED TO DEALERSHIP AND ARRIVED JUST BEFORE 7:00 PM. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE NEAR SERVICE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND BECAME IMMOVABLE AND CAR DISPLAY STATED A RED WARNING BOX " TOTAL STEERING FAILURE - STOP SAFELY" THIS IS THE CONDITION THE SERVICE MANAGER FOUND THE NEXT MORNING. THE CAUSE IS A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS PART IS $2000 AFTER WHICH TIME THE DEALER CAN DIAGNOSE "ANY OF THE OTHER THREE COMMON CAUSES OF STEERING LOSS."

NHTSA ODI 10925788

Nov 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrainVisibility & wipersLatches & locks

THE CAR ROLLS FORWARD/BACKWARD WHEN IN PARK. THE CAR SHUDDERS AND SHAKES WHEN YOU TAKE OFF OR WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN AND THE ACCELERATE. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH WORKED, REPLACED AND HAD THE REPLACEMENT'S SOFTWARE UPDATED. IT BEHAVES LIKE IT DID WHEN IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AND I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR LIKE I STOLE IT WHEN TAKING OFF AND ACCELERATING. I SPEAK THE TRUTH WHEN I TELL YOU THAT....EXACT WORDS...DRIVE IT LIKE I STOLE IT. I HAVE MODIFIED MY DRIVING HABITS BUT IT HAS NOT HELPED AND I FEEL THOSE HABITS ARE DANGEROUS. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS IN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL NOT ROLL UP WHEN ROLLED DOWN. THE DOOR LATCH MAY TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS TO BE FIXED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS AND THE CLUTCH STILL STUTTERS AND SHUDDERS AROUND CORNERS AND SLOW SPEED TAKE OFFS. UPDATED 12/29/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10924999

Nov 8, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

THE CAR FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILING WHICH IS UNDER REPLACEMENT RECALL. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIR WITHOUT REPLACING THE LOCKED SHIFTER. I EXPLAINED THAT THE SHIFTER ELECTRONICALLY LOCKED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THAT I DID NOT WANT IT REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY REFUSED TO CONTINUE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER FOR $535.00 I WAS FORCED TO AGREE AS THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEEDED IT FIXED. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET INCLUDING BY MANY FORD TECHNICIANS THAT A SIDE EFFECT OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILING IS THAT THE SHIFTER ELECTRONICALLY LOCKS IN PLACE, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE DASH NO LONGER SHOWS WHAT POSITION IT IS IN. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A COMPLETELY ISOLATED INCIDENT THAT THE SHIFTER "BROKE" IE WONT SHIFT, AT THE EXACT SAME TIME THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MY OPTIONS REGARDING RECOVERING MY MONEY FOR A COVERED RECALL. FORD HAS HAD MY CAR FOR JUST SHY OF 60 DAYS DURING THE LENGTH OF OWNERSHIP. OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR INCLUDE THE FAN DOES NOT WORK, THE BACK DOOR SENSOR IS BROKEN, THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS FAILED, THE HORN FAILED, AND NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI 10925075

Nov 8, 2016Electrical systemEngine

TAKATA RECALL. THE CAR WILL DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. DOESN'T MATTER THE SPEED YOU ARE GOING THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL LIGHT UP AND YOU CANT ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE THE CAR WILL JUST DIE.

NHTSA ODI 10925110

Nov 7, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I OWN A 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH THE MANUAL/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DCT THE CAR NOW HAS 184K HIGHWAY MILES ON IT FORD REPLACED ONE CLUTCH OUT OF THREE REVISIONS. THE CAR SHUDDERS BADLY AND I'M TOLD I NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR REPAIR OF A KNOW ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. COST OF THE NEW CLUTCH AND SEALS WOULD BE @ $1000.00 I'M BEING MONETARILY PUNISHED FOR USING THEIR PRODUCT. THE SHUDDERING WHILE ANNOYING STILL ALLOWS ME TO DRIVE THE CAR FROM A TO B. HOWEVER, NOW THE TCM MODULE IS BAD PER THE DEALER AND WILL REQUIRE $650 TO GET THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD... I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. ONE OFF THE ROAD I SELECTED ALL AVAILABLE GEARS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I TRIED SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. SO, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. NOW ON TO THE MIND SCRAMBLE... I WAS TOLD THERE ARE 41000 TCM'S CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER AND THE WAIT TIME IS 3 TO 4 MONTHS! THEY EXPECT ME TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALER PUSHED TO THE BACK OF THEIR LOT AND STORED FOR 3 TO 4 MONTH. OF COURSE THEY DID OFFER TO TAKE MY CAR IN ON A TRADE! DOESN'T THIS SEEM LIKE A NICE WAY TO INCREASE CAR SELLS!? WHAT WOULD THEY EVEN GIVE ME ON TRADE FOR A BROKEN DOWN CAR? THIS IS PATHETICALLY LAUGHABLE. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT A CAR THAT HAS HAD THREE RELATED TRANSMISSION "UPGRADES" WITH SEALS AND CLUTCHES, EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THOSE THAT RARELY DRIVE, AND NOW A TCM REPROGRAMMING AND WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 150K IS A PROBLEMATIC RELEASE AND SHOULD BE A FORCED RECALL! AS IS, MY ONLY REMEDY IS TO SUE FORD IN A CLASS ACTION IN ORDER TO GET AROUND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT "FEELING MY PAIN". TO GIVE A CONSUMER NO BETTER ANSWER TO A PROVEN FORD RELATED ENGINEERING PROBLEM THAN WAIT FOUR MONTHS OR TRADE UP FOR ANOTHER PIECE OF FORD JUNK SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI 10924639

Nov 7, 2016Steering

MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN SILVER LAKE, CA WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO FREEZE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BUT WAS DEFINITELY SHAKEN AS I ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS. I KNOW THAT IF MY YOUNGER SISTER WAS DRIVING SHE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. AFTER RESEARCH AND REALIZING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 FOCUS NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AND DO NOT HAVE THE ESTIMATED $2,000 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 10924698

Nov 7, 2016Steering

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT MY STEERING MALFUNCTION ON MY FOCUS HAS GONE OUT...I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME MODEL AND YEAR ON THIS AND IT'S A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY CHILDREN AND IT WAS VERY SCARY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS SO HARD TO STEER IT. THIS IS AN URGENT MATTER THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 10924788

Nov 7, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG HESITATION AND DELAY UPON APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10924817

Nov 7, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PLATE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 10924874

Nov 7, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

MY 2012 FORD FOCUS SELECTSHIFT TRANSMISSION STILL HAS PROBLEMS. FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR SELECT FORD FOCUSES AND FIESTA WITH NO FIX. THEY EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR 10 YEARS ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS BUT REPLACE WITH FAULTY PARTS. MY CAR HAS HAD TRANSMISSION WORK DONE TO IT AND EACH TIME I GET IT BACK THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. IT'S A HUGE KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD ISN'T WILLING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO. WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION REFUSED TO FIND A GEAR AND KEPT SLIPPING MAKING ME GO 30 MPH MAXIMUM WHEN THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 55MPH THROUGH A VERY BUSY TOWN. NOW IT HUNTS FOR GEARS AND SHOT UP THE RPM'S THEN SHOT DOWN AND DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT HAS NEAR THE POWER AFTER THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10924873

Nov 4, 2016Steering

AUBURN, ME - WHILE REVERSING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE "AUTO STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED AND I LOST POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE, STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. LEFT CAR FOR THE EVENING AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN IN THE MORNING. WARNING MESSAGE DID NOT APPEAR AND POWER STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE RETURNED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE OR REPRODUCE IT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR THREE DAYS. SITED THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF OR SEEN ANY ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING FAILURES WITH OTHER FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE HAS 130K (APRX) MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10924193

Nov 3, 2016Steering

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER STEERING OCCURRED. A "STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CHECKED AT A FACTORY DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH APPEARED INTERMITTENTLY AND NO APPARENT PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE EPAS SYSTEM IS NOW DISABLED FULL TIME AND THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 26K MILES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD IS AWARE OF FAULTY COMPONENTS/ENGINEERING REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL. A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES AND LOSS OF LIFE. COSTLY REPAIRS WOULD NOT SOLVE THE INHERENT PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM AS IT WOULD BE PRONE TO FAIL AGAIN. PLEASE TAKE ACTION

NHTSA ODI 10924140

Nov 2, 2016Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE: 215/55R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE OTHER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, REAR DRIVER SIDE, AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ALL HAD BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALLS. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES AND THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 10923815

Nov 2, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS AND ACCELERATING FROM THE STOP POSITION, THE CONTACT HEARD LOUD NOISES. THE VEHICLE JERKED EACH TIME THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN IN PARK AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND MADE A GRINDING CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,116.

NHTSA ODI 10923824

Nov 2, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,050.

NHTSA ODI 10923883

Nov 1, 2016Latches & locksSeats

2012 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE 16V-643 AND REAR SEATS MOVED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *SMD

NHTSA ODI 10920656

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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 →