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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 89 of 152

Aug 24, 2016Body & structure

MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE BEING OPERATED AND WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO SHUT IT AND IT WOULD NOT STAY SHUT. I HAD TO FINISH MY DRIVE TO WORK HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT. IM GLAD IT WAS A DOOR THAT I COULD HOLD SHUT BECAUSE HAD IT BEEN ANY OF THE OTHER DOORS, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION. I HAD TO HAVE THE DOOR REPAIRED MYSELF SINCE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTEE. I UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER MODELS WERE RECALLED AND MINE WASN'T BECAUSE A DIFFERENT COMPANY MADE THE SPRING WHICH IS APPARENTLY WHAT FAILED. IM SURE THAT BOTH COMPANIES MADE THE SPRING TO THE SAME SPECIFICATIONS AND THAT THE FAULT IS IN THE DESIGN NOT THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE SPRINGS.

NHTSA ODI 10898216

Aug 24, 2016Body & structure

DOOR LATCH RECALL MY VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY STREET AND WOULD NOT LATCH BACK WHEN ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. THE SAME DAY I RESEARCHED AND FOUND A RECALL THAT WENT INTO AFFECT ON 8/4/16 THAT DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AND COVERS THE EXACT CRITERIA OF THE RECALL TO INCLUDE, MAKE, MODEL, YEAR OF MANUFACTURE AND LOCATION IT WAS MANUFACTURED. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THERE WAS NO ACTIVE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE SO I ESCALATED TO THE MANUFACTURE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH MULTIPLE FORD CUSTOMER CASE ASSOCIATES THEY OPENED A CASE ADVISING ME THAT IT APPEARS MY CAR IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL BUT BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS SO NEW THAT NONE OF THE CONSUMERS VIN NUMBERS HAVE BEEN TIED TO THE RECALL, THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME. THE DEALERSHIP IS ADVISING ME THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR THIS RECALL WORK AND WHEN THEY EVENTUALLY ADD MY VIN TOT HE RECALL THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. I DO NOT FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR OUT OF POCKET DUE TO THE KNOWN RECALL THAT EXISTS. FORD WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH THE RECALL REPAIR AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL SITTING AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 10898259

Aug 23, 2016Body & structure

DRIVERS DOOR OPENED DURING A TURN. DOOR WOULD NO LONGER LATCH CLOSED. THIS CAR WAS IN DALLAS TX TILL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA ODI 10897908

Aug 23, 2016

WE HAVE HAD OUR 2012 FORD FOCUS FOR 3 YEARS. IN THE LAST YEAR, THE DOOR LATCH THAT KEEPS THE DOOR SHUT, HAS BROKEN! THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED JUNE 2015. WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT AND OUR PASSENGER TRIED TO CLOSE HER DOOR (BACK LEFT) AND IT WOULDN'T STAY SHUT. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR UNTIL WE MADE IT HOME SAFELY. WE DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME, WE FIGURED SHE'D PROBABLY SLAMMED IT TOO HARD OR GOT THE SEAT BELT STUCK. WE PURCHASED THE PART FOR $120 AND DECIDED TO FIX IT OURSELVES SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS CHARGING $600! FAST FORWARD TO TWO DAYS AGO. WE WERE ON OUR WAY BACK HOME WHEN MY HUSBAND TURNED LEFT AND THE BACK RIGHT DOOR SWUNG WIDE OPEN! OUR 15 MONTH OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE BACK, AND I FRANTICALLY TOLD MY HUSBAND TO PULL OVER, THINKING THAT MAYBE SOMEHOW HE MIGHT'VE OPENED IT- ALTHOUGH HIS CAR SEAT REAR FACES AND ITS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE HANDLE SINCE HIS CAR SEAT IS IN THE MIDDLE. WE PULLED OVER, AND AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO SHUT IT, WE FINALLY REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON.THE LATCH HAD BROKEN AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME ON A DIFFERENT DOOR! WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON RECALL.THEY WERE ANYTHING BUT HELPFUL OR UNDERSTANDING! I DON'T GET WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE AFTER GOING ONLINE, I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT THE EXACT VEHICLE! THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY! HOW MANY INCIDENTS NEED TO HAPPEN BEFORE IT IS RESOLVED? DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE? I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON A CAR THAT'S ONLY 4 YEARS OLD! NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY HUSBAND AND I WILL NO LONGER BE BUYING A FORD EVER AGAIN AND WILL BE GETTING RID OF OURS, AS WE DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS SAFE FOR OUR FAMILY. NOR DO WE WANT TO STICK AROUND AND HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL FOUR DOOR LATCHES, SHOULD THEY BREAK AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10897927

Aug 23, 2016Body & structure

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT LATCH. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE NOT ONLY IN THE FOCUS BUT IN MANY OTHER FORD MODELS MANY OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. THE CAR WAS LUCKILY STATIONARY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI 10897971

Aug 23, 2016Body & structure

DRIVER DOOR LATCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, SLIGHTLY TURNING RIGHT TO CHANGE LANES. DIVER DOOR OPENED, AND LATCH WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE. DOOR HAD TO BE HELD SHUT UNTIL IT COULD BE SAFELY PARKED, THEN TIED SHUT FROM INSIDE TO TRAVEL TO DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 10898001

Aug 22, 2016

DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN ALMOST HITTING ONCOMING TRUCK WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. FORD DEALER COULD NOT GUARANTEE SAME DAY FIX, LOCAL MECHANIC HAD TO ORDER PART, ENTIRE DOOR MECHANISM PLUS LABOR $450 AND ONE MISSED DAY OF WORK.

NHTSA ODI 10897523

Aug 22, 2016Body & structure

THE DOOR LATCH IS BROKEN, AND THE DOOR WILL NO LONGER CLOSE PROPERLY. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, WE NOTICED THE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE.

NHTSA ODI 10897535

Aug 22, 2016

DRIVER DOOR WON'T CLOSE. CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN DOOR JUST OPEN. IT WILL NOT CLOSE. STAY'S AJAR.

NHTSA ODI 10897774

Aug 22, 2016Body & structure

TODAY I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK AND MY DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED WAY TOO FAST BUT I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT SO I JUST KEPT DRIVING. AS I DROVE OFF THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN ON ME. WELL I STOPPED TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF MY DOORS AND THEN THE BACK DRIVERS DOOR JAMMED ON ME AND WOULDN'T CLOSE. SO I TIED A ROPE TO THE DOOR TO HOLD IT TIGHT AND I HELD THE FONT DRIVERS DOOR AS I DROVE HOME FOR 1 HOUR! I MANAGED TO UNJAM THE BACK DOOR BUT MY CAR IS UNABLE TO CLOSE IN THE FRONT SO NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A DEAD BATTERY IN THE MORNING. WHEN I CALLED FORD THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR WHEN I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT FOR OVER 400,000 FORD FOCUS CARS! I LIVE IN FLORIDA HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO GET TO WORK IN THIS HEAT? HOW AM I TO TRUST FORD IF THEY WONT EVEN HELP ME. I NEED ANSWERS MY CAR IN UNSAFE RIGHT NOW

NHTSA ODI 10897813

Aug 22, 2016

SINCE 1 MONTH AFTER BUYING THIS CAR EVERY TIME I STOP DRIVING AND START DRIVING IT HESITATES. SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP IT JUST KEEPS SHAKING. I NEVER REPORTED THE ISSUE BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE SAY IT STOPS. IT HAS BEEN 1 YEAR AND 2 MONTHS AND IT HAS OFFICIALLY GOTTEN WORSE. AT TIMES WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON IT TAKES SOME TIME TO START UP. CAN SOME ONE HELP ME PLEASE

NHTSA ODI 10897807

Aug 20, 2016Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAPPENED 4-5 TIMES WHEN I START THE CAR. POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK AND I GET A MESSAGE THAT "STEERING ASSIST SERVICE" NEEDED. TURNING THE CAR OFF, RESTARTING USUALLY FIXES THE PROBLEM BUT I WORRY WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF IT FAILS AT 70 MPH IN TRAFFIC. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE ON THE WEB. I AM SURPRISED FORD HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10897377

Aug 19, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION DANGEROUSLY ERRATIC, UNDERPOWERED, BUCKING, LURCHING,FADING OUT ON ACCELERATION FROM STAND STILL. WORSE WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 70 DEGREES F. AMBIENT TEMP. HAVE HAD ALL THE SERVICE DONE AS PER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS FROM FORD. HAVE HAD IT SERVICES FOR TRANSMISSION CHATTER ISSUES AT 46K, 54K, 59K, 77K. AT 59K FORD SERVICE REPLACED CLUTCH WITH "F ASY". CLUTCH WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED AT 30K. DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO SPEED UP TO ENTER TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC CIRCLES, OR AVOID CONTACT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. TURNING CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF SHIFTING VIBRATIONS. REGULAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODE IS LAGGING AND UNRESPONSIVE IN NORMAL DRIVING AND LAGGING IN CITY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. FROM STANDSTILL I HAVE HAD THE CAR LURCH AND BUCK FORWARD. ALSO THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARD IN DRIVE ON A HILL. THIS FORD HAD MARKETED AS A FEATURE TO NOT HAPPEN. FORD ANNOUNCED THE POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION AS " POWERSHIFT WILL DELIVER THE FUEL EFFICIENCY OF A MANUAL GEARBOX WITH THE CONVENIENCE AND EASE OF A PREMIUM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ' THE ANNOUNCEMENT GOES ON TO SAY "POWERSHIFT PROVIDES THE FULL COMFORT OF AN AUTOMATIC WITH A MORE SOPHISTICATED DRIVING DYNAMIC, THANKS TO UNINTERRUPTED TORQUE FROM THE DUAL-CLUTCH TECHNOLOGY, WHICH CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF TWO MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS WORKING IN PARALLEL, EACH WITH ITS OWN INDEPENDENT CLUTCH UNIT. ONE CLUTCH CARRIES THE UNEVEN GEARS ' 1, 3 AND 5 ' WHILE THE OTHER THE EVEN GEARS ' 2, 4 AND 6. SUBSEQUENT GEAR CHANGES ARE COORDINATED BETWEEN BOTH CLUTCHES AS THEY ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE FOR A SEAMLESS DELIVERY OF TORQUE TO THE WHEELS." THE PRODUCT IS THE FURTHEST FROM THE DESCRIPTION AND DANGEROUS ON TOP OF THE RHETORIC. HTTP://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/2009/01/21/FORD-OFFICIALLY-ANNOUNCES-DUAL-CLUTCH-POWERSHIFT-GEARBOX-FOR-201/

NHTSA ODI 10897241

Aug 18, 2016Electrical system

THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING AFTER 31000 MILES, THE RELAY AND FUSE HAVE BOTH BEEN CHECKED AND ARE STILL GOOD. I NOTICED IT WHEN I LOCKED MY CAR, AND THEN WHEN I PRESSED THE PANIC BUTTON THERE WAS NO SOUND AS WELL AS WHEN I PRESSED THE HORN BUTTON. THE HORN SHOULD NOT BE OUT ON ANY CAR AFTER ONLY 30K MILES, THESE CARS SEEM TO BE WIRED BADLY WHICH IS A SHAME.

NHTSA ODI 10896792

Aug 18, 2016Body & structure

THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT ENGAGE. THE LATCH MECHANISM ITSELF WILL NOT STAY IN THE CLOSED POSITION.

NHTSA ODI 10896830

Aug 18, 2016

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, FLEW OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AFFECTED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE PASSENGER WHO WAS IN THE REAR BEHIND THE DRIVER ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. HAD IT NOT BEEN THAT I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, THIS MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. THE SECOND INCIDENT AFFECTED THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHILE ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. NEITHER DOOR LATCHES SHUT, AND I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO THE USE OF BUNGEE CORDS AND CABLES TO SECURE THE DOORS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FOCUS WAS NOT ONE OF THE UNITS RECALLED, EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THAT EXPERIENCED BY FUSION, FIESTA, AND OTHER FORD MODELS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT 8/3/16, AND THE SECOND ON 8/17/16.

NHTSA ODI 10896868

Aug 18, 2016Body & structure

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE DRIVERS DOOR CAME OPEN AND WOULD NOT SHUT OR LATCH.

NHTSA ODI 10896876

Aug 18, 2016Steering

WHEN I AM IN PARK STARTING THE CAR,. THE STEERING WONT WORK. A MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING THE POWER STEERING ASST SYSTEM IS OUT. DOES NOT STEER AT ALL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON ABOUT 3 TIMES THEN IT WENT AWAY THERE IS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR NO PUMP. .I CALLED TO COMPLAIN AND FORD SAYS THERE IS NOT RECALL. THEY DO HOWEVER RECALL OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF..THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS? THE STEERING MOTOR GOES OUT? WHAT IF IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD. THEY ALREADY TOLD ME THEY WONT FIX IT. IT IS CLEARLY A RECALL ISSUE AND THEY WONT FIX THE LESSER MODELS

NHTSA ODI 10896901

Aug 18, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

AT 9829 MILES (11/2013) NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, JERKING, CRUNCHING AND CLUTCH PAC AND SEALS REPLACED AND TCM RECALIBRATED. AT 16839 MILES (8/2014) BROUGHT IN FOR HESITATION AND SHUDDER AND TOLD NOTHING WRONG. AT 29324 MILES (2/2016) BROUGHT IN FOR LOSING POWER AND SURGING FORWARD AND CLUTCH PACK REPLACED AGAIN. AT 33K MILES CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD IN MIDDLE OF STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON CORONADO BRIDGE. FINALLY DID MOVE AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN FLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND DRIVING TERRIBLY. AFRAID TO DRIVE. BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY ARE REPLACING TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT PERIOD. I LIMIT MY DRIVING NOW AND WOULD NEVER TAKE IT ON A LONG DISTANCE DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 10896922

Aug 18, 2016Body & structure

THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY FAILED ON THE DRIVER DOOR, WHERE THE LATCH PAWL AND SPRING HAVE BROKEN, IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUE WITH THE FORD FIESTA & FORD FUSION RECALLS. HAVING WORKED AT FORD, I KNOW THE FIESTA & FUSION ARE NEAR IDENTICAL PLATFORMS THAT IN THE MINDSET OF COMMONALITY OF SIMILAR PARTS OR THE GLOBAL WORLD CAR STRATEGY ESPOUSED BY FORD FOR NEARLY A DECADE NOW, SUCH A DEVICE WOULD IN ALL LIKELIHOOD USE THE EXACT SAME LATCH PALL AND SPRING IN ALL THREE PLATFORMS/VEHICLE MAKE. THE INCIDENT LUCKILY OCCURRED WHILE STATIONARY, BUT WHILE SHOPPING ON 8/17/2016 AND THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OR LOCK. MY WIFE PROCEEDED TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED FOR THE 7 MILE RETURN TRIP HOME THROUGH AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, SHE IS LESS THAN THRILLED. BEING THIS IS A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE, NEED GUIDANCE IN HOW TO FORCE FORD TO CORRECT THEIR OBVIOUS RESPONSIBILITY ON THE ISSUE AS FRANKLY NO CAR OEM SHOULD BE HELD GUILTLESS FOR SUCH A SAFETY DEVICE FAILURE WITHIN 5 YEARS OF MANUFACTURE. SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS A RECALL POTENTIALLY EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE FORD FOCUS COMING SOON, BUT I NEED TO DO SO NOW AS THE COST OF THE ASSEMBLY AND LABOR WILL LIKELY APPROACH $600 OR MORE AS THE ASSEMBLY OEM COST TO RETAIL IS OVER $300 ALONE.

NHTSA ODI 10896935

Aug 18, 2016Fuel system

MY 2012 FORD FOCUS HAS STARTED TO IDLE ROUGH AND STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPED. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE HAD STUCK OPEN CAUSING SUCTION IN THE TANK AND RESULTING IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK TO CAVE IN. THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, PURGE VALVE AND CANISTER REPLACED FOR AROUND $2000. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH A TSB FROM FORD HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL SO I AM FORCED TO PAY THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WITH SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FORD SHOULD OWN UP TO THE DEFECT AND ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10896939

Aug 18, 2016Latches & locks

THE REAR DOOR LATCH TO OUR 2012 FORD FOCUS HAS BROKEN UNDER NORMAL USE AND THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE LATCH BROKE. WE ARE NOW FORCED TO USE ROPE AND BUNGY CORDS TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED. THE CAR IS UNSAFE IN THIS CONDITION AND IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THEFT BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE SECURELY LOCKED. FORD HAS TOLD US OUR VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT (AUGUST 4, 2016) RECALL NOTICE OF 830,000 CARS AND WE ARE FORCED TO PAY OVER $600 TO GET THE REPAIR MADE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL I AM GETTING FROM FORD MOTORS IS A WILLINGNESS TO REFUND ANY MONEY I PAY TO FIX THE CAR IN THE EVENT THE CAR IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO CHASE AFTER MY MONEY NOR DO I WANT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR BECAUSE OF A TECHNICALITY FORD IS RELYING ON TO AVOID STEPPING UP TO MAKE THIS REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10896999

Aug 18, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

FORD HAS A TRANSMISSION WITH DRY CLUTCHES. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS STRANDED MANY PEOPLE IN VERY UNSAFE SITUATIONS. THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE PEOPLE LEFT IN THE TRAFFIC LANES AND THE CARS SIMPLY WILL NOT MOVE. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY, BUT ON THE FEEDER TO THE FREEWAY, AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. THE ENGINE RPM'S DROPPED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THEN THE ENGINE RPMS PICKED UP BUT IT WOULDN'T MOVE. TRIED PUTTING IT IN REVERSE AND STILL WOULDN'T MOVE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TOWED THIS VERY SAME CAR TO THE DEALER 8 MONTHS AGO. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS OF SUCH POOR QUALITY THAT THE VEHICLES ARE IN THE SHOP ON A REGULAR BASIS, COSTING US HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO FIX. I BOUGHT THE CAR 7 MONTHS AGO WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS SHUTTERED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED PRETTY MUCH FROM THE TIME I GOT THE CAR. READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR, SOME FROM BRAND NEW OWNERS IN 2012. REALLY NEED TO RESEARCH THIS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE FOR THAT MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 10897025

Aug 18, 2016Body & structure

MAKING A RIGHT HANDED TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN. AFTER GETTING STOPPED AND TRYING TO CLOSE THE DOOR I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT STAY SHUT. THE DOOR HAS TO BE HELD SHUT WHEN DRIVING, ONLY WAS TO GET IT TO STAY CLOSED IS TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD SO THE AUTO LOCKING TURNS ON AND OPEN AND CLOSE IT SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE DOOR LOCK TO CATCH IT. TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ENNIS, TX ON 08/09/2016 (9DAYS AGO AS OF THIS WRITING) AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAID "AROUND $600" FOR IT. TOM, THE GUY I TALKED TO SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE CARS BUT MY VIN FELL OUT OF THE RANGE AND EVER THOUGH IT WAS THE EXACT SAME CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR SINCE MY VIN HAD NOT BEEN LISTED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH. LAST THING HE STATED WAS THAT SINCE I HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THEY MAY FIX IT UNDER THAT. HOW EVER AFTER DEALING WITH FORD ON A HORN ISSUE I KNOW THAT ANYTHING NOT EXACTLY LISTED UNDER THE WARRANTY DOES NOT FALL UNDER ITS PROTECTION. BEFORE WE GOT OFF THE PHONE HE SAID THAT HE (TOM) WOULD LOOKING INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. OVER A WEEK AGO AND COUNTING.

NHTSA ODI 10897027

Aug 17, 2016Body & structure

OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL. WHILE DRIVING OUR REAR PASSENGER DOOR POPPED OPEN AND WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. WE HAD TO BUNGEE CORD CLOSED IT FOR A MONTH AND A HALF UNTIL THE BACK ORDERED PART CAME IN. NOW WE ARE PAINT $800 TO HAVE IT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 10896503

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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 →