MYRModel Year Report

2012 Ford Focus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Ford Focus
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
3,766
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2012: 3,766 complaints 2012 3,766 2013: 2,111 complaints 2014: 2,601 complaints 2015: 1,019 complaints 2016: 1,181 complaints 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2007 2008: 250 complaints 2009: 229 complaints 2009 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2012: 3,766 complaints 2012 3,766 2013: 2,111 complaints 2014: 2,601 complaints 2015: 1,019 complaints 2015 2016: 1,181 complaints 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2000 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2004 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2006 2007: 391 complaints 2007 2008: 250 complaints 2008 2009: 229 complaints 2009 2010: 287 complaints 2010 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2012 3,766 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2014: 2,601 complaints 2014 2015: 1,019 complaints 2015 2016: 1,181 complaints 2016 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints 2018

2012: 3,766 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199911
20003,686
20011,761
2002939
2003977
2004387
2005441
2006205
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123,766
20132,111
20142,601
20151,019
20161,181
2017896
2018833

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

39% · 1,459 reports

Most commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and automatic transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2018-02-16

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, 2012-07-10

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

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, 2012-05-02

Steering

25% · 928 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The TCU/TCM has been going in and out of control. Sometimes it will work then others it will shut off. Speedometer won’t work, power steering won’t work, cruise control won’t work, etc.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-25

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Engine

13% · 475 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2024-03-09

Also filed under Exterior lighting and fuel/propulsion system

On XXX I received email from CARFAX regarding my vehicle recall "26S40 PCM REPROGRAMMING FOR FUEL TANK DEFORMATION”.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-11

Electrical system

9% · 355 reports

Most commonly citing horn and software.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Structure

9% · 334 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 3,766 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2012-05-21Visibility12V149000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2012-10-15Equipment12E035000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-08-16Exterior lighting13V335000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2016-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2016-10-29 Door Latch Failure
  6. R
    2017-01-27Latches/locks/linkages16V643000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2019-07-29Fuel system, gasoline19V515000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-08-19Fuel system, gasoline18V735000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2019-12-19Recall queryClosed 2022-02-07 Door Latch Failures
  10. R
    2020-07-27Latches/locks/linkages20V331000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2023-09-15Recall queryClosed 2024-12-20 Loss of Motive Power
  12. R
    Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline26V369000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 1,459 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 928 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 475 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V369000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 12V149000 · Visibility
  • Recall 12E035000 · Equipment
  • Recall 13V335000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16V643000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 19V515000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 18V735000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 20V331000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Ford Focus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Ford Focus is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Focus?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Focus have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.