2012 Ford Focus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 Ford Focus
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 3755 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1999	11
2000	3686
2001	1761
2002	939
2003	977
2004	387
2005	440
2006	204
2007	391
2008	250
2009	229
2010	287
2011	113
2012	3755
2013	2103
2014	2586
2015	1007
2016	1174
2017	882
2018	821

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 37%

37% of complaints: power train — 1384 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180216

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120710

WHILE IN DRIVE, THE AUTO TRANSMISSION ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL BACKWARD AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE HILL WAS FAIRLY STEEP AS IT WAS AN OFF RAMP FROM FREEWAY AT STOP LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120502

STEERING 25%

25% of complaints: steering — 923 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 472 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Se acelera y desacelera repentinamente Quiero acelerar para llegar a la mismas velocidad del trafico y no lo hace y eso hase que ponga en peligro la vidad mia y de mi familia por que otro carro puede chocarme.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240309

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 344 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 293 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 3755

R 20120521 — visibility

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 MI

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND AS NECESSARY, CLEAN AND PROPERLY SEAL THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR CONNECTOR. ANY INOPERATIVE WIPER MOTORS WILL BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL

Campaign 12V149000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20121015 — 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

Remedy: Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focu

Campaign 12E035000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130816 — 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 Foc

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-4

Campaign 13V335000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20160116 — PE (closed 20161029)

Door Latch Failure

R 20170127 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Campaign 16V643000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190729 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed.

Campaign 19V515000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190819 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed.

Campaign 18V735000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20191219 — RQ (closed 20220207)

Door Latch Failures

R 20200727 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 20V331000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230915 — RQ (closed 20241220)

Loss of Motive Power

R Date not on file — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40.

Campaign 26V369000 — check if this car was fixed