What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 Ford Focus

Typical pattern

6.8% of complaints about the 2012 Ford Focus came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (1437 complaints), typically at 4.7 yr or about 56,150 miles.

Complaints
4,940
Median age at failure
5.1 yr
Median mileage
66,000 n=4016
Crash / fire / tow
7.1% of reports
Safety recalls
8

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
1437 reports · 56,150 mi
4.7 yr
5.8%
Steering
923 reports · 78,000 mi
5.9 yr
6.3%
Engine
470 reports · 62,000 mi
5.8 yr
6.8%
Other
357 reports · 70,000 mi
5.0 yr
4.2%
Electrical system
353 reports · 65,600 mi
5.0 yr
5.9%
Structure
334 reports · 60,000 mi
4.8 yr
6.3%
Fuel / propulsion
284 reports · 80,000 mi
7.3 yr
3.9%
Speed control
162 reports · 51,095 mi
3.3 yr
8%
Latches / locks
134 reports · 68,000 mi
4.8 yr
3.7%
Fuel system
55 reports · 100,541 mi
10.0 yr
20%
Air bags
54 reports · 53,309 mi
4.8 yr
68.5%
Service brakes
53 reports · 50,000 mi
5.3 yr
22.6%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V369000 2026-06-09
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.

An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

20V331000 2020-06-08
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

19V515000 2019-07-05
Fuel system, gasoline:storage

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.

The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

18V735000 2018-10-22
Fuel system, gasoline:storage

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.

The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

16V643000 2016-09-06
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

13V335000 2013-08-01
Exterior lighting

Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

12E035000 2012-10-02
Equipment

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not by Ford. Certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame.

Without proper contact of the rooftop rack clip to the door frame, there is insufficient clamping pressure and friction. The system may slide off the vehicle when loaded with accessories, possibly becoming a road hazard to other vehicles or causing injury to pedestrians.

12V149000 2012-04-05
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FOCUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 2011. A SEAL IN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE MISSING.

WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE CONNECTOR, RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR, REDUCING VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Power train 80 mi 0 mo in service
WHENEVER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A SHUDDER IN THE POWER TRAIN AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. AFTER SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR THE CARS MOVES AND SHIFTS SMOOTHER. POSSIBLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING INTO HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. *TT
Power train 2,500 mi 0 mo in service
AFTER A WEEK OF PURCHASING OUR BRAND NEW FOCUS STARTED NOTICING THE AUTOMATIC TRANNY SURGES AND SLIPS. LIKE ITS BUCKING FEELING. SOMETIMES IT SURGES ALMOST HARD ENOUGH TO PUT YOU ON THE DASH. KINDA SCARY IN TRAFFIC. CAR HAS ONLY 4500 MILES ON IT AND NOW HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN DASH AND UPON GOING DOWN THE ROAD YOU WILL VIBRATIONS LIKE A BENT AXEL OR WORN BEARING. ITS A NEW CAR!!!!!!! *TR
Power train 7,897 mi 5 mo in service
FAILURE CAUSED CAR TO DROP SPEED AND POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. FORD CODE P0850:62-28-IPC. *TR
Steering 248 mi 1 mo in service
THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS I MADE A TURN AT LOW SPEED. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING A POWER STEERING FAILURE. I WAS ABLE, WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW. *TR

Other Focus model years

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

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