What 3,788 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Focus

We have had constant problems with the car just randomly not starting. Some days it’ll work fine and then the next it won’t start even if you try to jump it

NHTSA ODI 11651633

Since I have had this vehicle, the message " steering assist fault" for my electronic steering has been popping up in the dash screen since as far back as 2016 when there were recalls on the Ford fusion. However, a simple fix would be to turn off the engine and restart the vehicle, and it was go away, only to return a few weeks, or a month later. I repeated the same steps. Now, it has gone out completely, a few months ago. Back then, they told me it would cost about $800, now they are saying $2500. It has occurred various times going back to 2016 until currently, which it is out. Keep in mind, this message has appeared since 2016 and I believe I have contacted you all, who told me that only the Ford Fusion, which has the same exact electrical steering system, went out and that the recall only covered the Ford Fusions models.

NHTSA ODI 11649585

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The contact called AAA, who jump-started the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the purge valve had failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 10 MPH up a hill and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power and jerked before slamming into first gear. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact received a postcard from the manufacturer for a manufacturer's recall for the canister purge valve (24N07). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11649218

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, there was a puddle of liquid with an abnormal odor underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, and a message was displayed. The message “Stop vehicle immediately to prevent engine damage” was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, waited for the tow truck, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a timing cover assembly failure. The vehicle was repaired under recall. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because it was not under recall after the recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11649309

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated before responding as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the hesitation occurred at various speeds, with an abnormal whirring sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11648666

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine started to shake violently; occasionally, causing the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11648373

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was under warranty and was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with clutch failure. The vehicle was repaired, and the clutch was replaced. On another occasion, the vehicle started to lose motive power and failed to reverse. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clutch had left residue, which caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with clutch failure; however, the contact was informed that the clutch was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11643446

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the trunk latch disengaged, causing the trunk to open unexpectedly. The contact stated that the failure had occurred 3 times within a month. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ODI 11641638

Transmission shudders and struggles to shift gears due to sticking clutch. This causes a dangerous delay in transmission engagement. (Numerous occasions without specific dates.) I have previously had the TCM reprogrammed multiple times.( 8 or 9 times) The car still does not drive properly. I have brought it in to 2 Ford dealerships to have the Ford customer satisfaction program completed. Both dealerships refused to honor the Ford CSP. (Five Star Ford of North Richland Texas and Southwest Ford of Weatherford Texas)

NHTSA ODI 11639942

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact was able to exit the highway and stop the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to regain vehicle functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was not notified of the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer several times and the contact was advised that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact received a postcard from the manufacturer for two manufacturer recalls for the TCM: (14M02) and Canister purge valve (24N07); however, after calling the dealer, the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty for the manufacturer recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639722

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon the depression of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and jerked with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with a defective motor mount. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective transmission. The contact was informed by the independent mechanic that they did not have the tools to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the TCM (Transmission Control Module) was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639055

Vehicle has difficulty starting after refuel. Vehicle stalls randomly to the point that is too much of a danger to drive. All of the symptoms correlate to recall (18S32) yet this particular vehicles vin was not listed in the list of recalled vehicles. The DTC's are as follows,P0420, P0456, P1450. Upon being serviced for the ford customer satisfaction program 24N07 it was noted by a service advisor that the replacement of a fuel tank and fuel pump was necessary which would be a reference to recall (18S32). However due to this vin not falling under recall (18S32) the service for a replacement fuel tank and fuel pump is not covered by warranty. Vehicle has erratic and innacurate fuel gauge indication. Vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic shortly after service was completed. Dealership has no clearance from Ford to address problem because 24N07 makes no mention of components that could be affected by faulty canister purge valve, unlike (18S32) and as such leaves this vehicle to be a hazard on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11637488

I’ve been to several Fords for the Transmission control module TCM, the engine lagging or stalling all lights on my car going on now my whole right side of my car doesn’t work after telling Ford about these problems. They denied to fix my car even though there was a customer care warranty through Ford

NHTSA ODI 11634595

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while attempting to close the doors of the vehicle, the doors failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 300,000.

NHTSA ODI 11634372

Back passenger door fails to latch when closed.

NHTSA ODI 11634193

During some Christmas shopping within the past few weeks, my cars power steering went out completely with no warning or sounds to repair or seek assistance. Not only was my life in danger, but the safety of others in the vehicles surrounding me. I couldn't even turn my wheel if I tried. There have been other instances in other cars where I could strong arm the wheel and be ok, but there was absolutely nothing I could do about turning the wheel whatsoever! When my dad came with power steering fluid, we discovered that these cars don't even have a reservoir for power steering fluid and that this was more than likely a battery or module issue or worse the power steering pump. This is ridiculous that there is no service light or warning that the power steering is going out or losing power. Ford should fix this because it seems like this is an ongoing issue with Fords in general

NHTSA ODI 11633582

Received Steering Assist Fault message. Vehicle has lost power steering ability without warning causing a safety issue

NHTSA ODI 11633590

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping, shuddering, and jerking when attempting to accelerate at various speeds and during the initial start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact researched online and found it to be a known issue with the transmission control module failing, The vehicle was taken to the dealer, approximately 18 times in total, who were unable to diagnose the failure. The control module had been replaced and adjustments had been completed multiple times however the failure had persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 5.

NHTSA ODI 11632178

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate up an incline, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11631818

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while opening the front driver's side door, the engine fan inadvertently turned on without starting the vehicle. The engine fan remained running after the vehicle was turned off, causing the battery to become drained. The contact had to purchase a new battery. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11629270

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the contact's fiancé was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered. The contact's fiancé, who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and diagnosed with purge valve canister failure. The contact was informed that the purge valve canister needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the vehicle sputtered and then lost motive power. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) had expired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA ODI 11628601

My wipers worked, then paused mid windshield and went back down. Now they no longer work. Both fuses have been checked and there is nothing wrong with them. Now my wipers are unusable which makes my car unsafe to drive. Brought it to the mechanic and they said it looks like the same issues that affected this model on a recall a few years ago. However, when I look up recalls it shows that there are none that affect my specific vin.

NHTSA ODI 11627994

Brought into Ford dealership for recalls to be done and when I picked my car up, no recalls were performed

NHTSA ODI 11627241

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred a short distance from the residence. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission clutch assembly failure. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that the transmission clutch assembly had been replaced in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and the repairs were covered under warranty. The contact stated that another Ford dealer had completed the previous repairs. The contact stated that in 2021 after the repair was performed, the contact was provided a discount if the failure reoccurred; however, the discount was not applied during the July 2024 repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 139,164.

NHTSA ODI 11623172

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and shuddered; the vehicle made an abnormal sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch assembly, lever assembly, along several other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 28,139.

NHTSA ODI 11619838