Ford Focus Complaints (2012)

3,803 consumer complaints on file.

#11525355June 5, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The truck opens by itself while I’m driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525260June 4, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
[Two incidents involving the same ABS control module. Early January 2023 and Late May 2023] ABS control module failed while going downhill (valve stuck open). Resulted in the brake pedal going to the floor. Had to stop by downshifting and the using hand brake. Whenever brake pedal is pressed after this, it goes a random distance to the floor with no pressure before applying some brake. Ford quoted me a 1 year lead time on replacing the part (and mentioned this is part of a pending recall. This recall will come out after they redesign a new module). They refused my request for a rental/loaner vehicle until it is fixed. I brought it to an independent garage to get the unit replaced. After that, my brake pedal worked as expected for a few months. Last week, the pedal went to the floor again. I brought it to a Ford dealership, and they confirmed that the new module already experienced the same failure as the original one. It is currently at the dealership, who will not have a part to repair my car again until August. I was refused a loaner vehicle by both the dealership and corporate Ford over this PENDING SAFETY RECALL, where they are unable to fix my car. I was told by they dealership that they won't stop me from driving my car in the mean time if I feel safe doing so. It is not safe, so I am leaving the car at the dealership. I do not have a date for when a new revision module will be made, along with official recall. Ford is refusing to reimburse me for my initial repair until they get around to officially announcing the recall. I also found out from them that they reprogrammed the ABS control module back in March 2013 while they reprogrammed a different module (I only new about the TCM reprogram). This means they knew the ABS module had issues 10 years ago, a month after I bought the car. They did nothing for 10 years despite the Fusions having the exact same issue. This is a blatant disregard for the safety of their customers' safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525263June 4, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
See incident 11525260 for details, as it describes both incidences where the ABS Control module failed. I am logging a second complaint so that the second module failure is recorded. Short version: The ABS control module failed again, leaving me with no brakes. The valve gets stuck open inside the module, making the brake pedal unpredictable and sometimes with no stopping power. Ford is unable to fix my car in a timely manner, and is refusing to provide a vehicle to drive until they fix it 2-3 months from now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524384May 30, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated the front passenger’s side door latch opened independently while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522776May 19, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Causing vehicle to shutter or jerk making the driver lose control for a minute or two when driving. Happens only, when accelerating at from a stop or turn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521813May 13, 2023
POWER TRAIN
I was driving about 45mph when the car tried to downshift then upshift and it stalled in the middle of the road. The transmission light came on right as it stalled along with the traction control light. Which the traction control light it made me swerve into oncoming traffic almost causing an accident. So I got it to the opposite side of the road and went to put it in park and it lunged forward while crooked at the same time almost hitting a passing car. Over a year ago I had called a dealership about the TCM because every great while the car would shudder but nothing severe and was told the 10 yr 150000 mile recal didn't fit my car even though it was still within the 10 yr part but had 180000 on it. I ended up having the car towed to my mechanic since once I restarted it after a half hour wait before it would turn over tellingmy.no key was detected I turned the car around and went about a quarter of a mile down the road and it stalled on me and wouldn't go into park and I rolled down a hill towards kids getting dropped off by the bus after school let out. I ended up being able to turn it without power steering working into an abandoned house driveway. About 100 feet from a kid. Ford wants 400 to even diagnose it if I can get it towed there. The car should have been fixed under warranty last year but ford always finds a way out of fixing their vehicles. I have a 2012 ford focus se.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520873May 8, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
After completing door latch recall there is still an alert the the hatchback is open. And doesn't shut off. The dealer states that I have to pay for replacement since the recall shows complete. Except the instructions did not show anything in regards to this component , in regards to the fuel system, the dealer said I would have to pay for test to determine if the PCM would fix the engine ight after I took in for recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520771May 6, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The automatic dual clutch is shaking my steering wheel and whole car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519779May 1, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Shuddering and vibration while driving. Engine light turn on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519644April 30, 2023
STEERING
On April 29, 2023 our 2012 Ford Focus SE with a 5 speed manual transmission indicated a dashboard warning stating the power steering assist was inoperable. Steering was still able to be done manually, but with much greater input required, especially at low speeds. Being a manual transmission, this is especially problematic as steering regularly has to be performed one handed. Fortunately this incident did not occur while driving, but reviewing many other similar complaints on the NHSTA website, as well as seaching '2012 Ford Focus steering issues' online, it is evident that this loss of assist CAN and HAS occurred to others when the vehicle was in motion. This poses a serious safety risk to not only the driver, but others on the road as well. This is an issue known to Ford Motor Company as they issued a recall (15S18) for similar problems on other Ford vehicles, but not the Focus. I am requesting the NHTSA investigate this situation and take action to compel Ford to fix the Focus as well under a recall to prevent similar situations from causing potential injury or death. I encourage one of your investigators to try driving one of these vehicles without the power assist to see just how dangerous it is, especially in low speed maneuvers. This car is primarily used by my son for his commuting to and from college. He is the one that first saw the warning. I am very thankful this did not happen while he was in motion. I will be contacting my dealer on Monday May 1, 2023 to start the diagnosis/repair process.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519659April 30, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PCM failed dealership didn't replace the recall but cleared it
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519457April 28, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
transmission control model in the car needs a new one
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518754April 24, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started jerking. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518509April 23, 2023
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While stopped and preparing to turn left at yield light, my check engine light suddenly came on followed by several alerts and dings. Not understanding what was occurring in that exact moment, I had an opportunity to safely make the left turn, and intended to address the issue once off the main road. Within moments of releasing the brake my car began violently revving and jolted forward into the intersection, in response I quickly threw on my hazard lights while trying to maintain control of the situation. Following this moment, my car suddenly had zero acceleration or vehicle control- just loud revving and bells and whistles. This left me briefly stranded in the middle of the intersection with oncoming traffic approaching quickly. I threw the car into park, and then back into drive- it never stopped revving, but it finally gave me enough control to lurch the vehicle out of intersection and barely into the entrance of a subdivision. It was utterly terrifying, and as result caused me to have a massive panic attack. Mind you, This car is barely over 100k in miles, and I just purchased it last summer from a used car dealership- so I took to the internet to search the issue while waiting for AAA to arrive. To my unknowing amazement, this car was slated with 2 major safety recalls- one being related to the transmission. I do not understand how this vehicle was allowed to be sold to me with such issues, or without disclosure about the possible recalls. With that aside, I was utterly distraught when my research concluded that Ford KNEW about these issues before they hit the market- they’re also allowed to keep them on the road with sorry assed “band-aid” repairs for the faulty equipment- still knowing full and well that this issue is Guaranteed to happen again! So now, I knowingly have to continue payments on a death trap- that I currently cannot drive. I am losing income I couldn’t afford to lose, and I’m terrified of my car. This is not ok…I’m not ok.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517591April 18, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer and Gordie Boucher Ford of Thiensville (121 N Main St, Thiensville, WI 53092) were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty, and she was responsible to pay out of pocket for the diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 93,490.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516655April 12, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving from a stationary position, the vehicle shuddered while accelerating and would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the powertrain engagement clutch was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the vehicle. The contact stated that the dry clutch packs were previously replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516563April 11, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel valve inside the car is stuck open causing the car to stall I saw recalls for other Ford Focus around the same time as my car with same year and same problem 19s22/18s32 I just don’t get how my car didt make recall list but the ones before and after from the same plant did and I’m still having that problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516167April 9, 2023
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
VEHICLE SHUDDERING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515851April 6, 2023
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond upon shifting into reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating, the clutch vibrated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TCM needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: P087A-00 (Clutch Position Sensor) and P287A-00 (Stuck Clutch). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515518April 5, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while shifting gear. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a clinking sound detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Focus