10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 9 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 60,060 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Loss of power steering while driving, my speed was 60mph, no warning all of sudden I couldn't turn or maneuver the steering wheel. Very dangerous
- Mckinney, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that, for some time, the radio made a loud static noise. The noise began loudly noise and caused the radio and bluetooth to turn off. The contact stated that the noise prevented her from concentrating while driving. When the vehicle was turned off with the key removed from the ignition, the failure continued. The contact believed the noise was coming from the speakers. The contact was concerned for her safety and took the vehicle to bommarito Ford (675 dunn rd, hazelwood, mo 63042, (314) 895-0600). The dealer diagnosed that the audio control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: Cas-24624323. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
- St Charles, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stopped and the 'service malfunction engine" indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to legacy Ford Lincoln (606-528-1904, located at 13305 us-25E scenic, corbin, ky 40701) where it was diagnosed that unknown wires (codes: P060D and P02138) needed to be replaced. The technician replaced the wires, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
- London, KY, USA
We bought our daughter a 2012 Ford Focus and the power windows worked intermittently for awhile before they completely stopped working. I did some online research wondering if there has been a recall and noticed several complaints about the same issue. We did buy the car used and it's out of warranty but the power windows should not be malfunctioning on a car that is 7 years old. She can't even use a drive through or escape from her window if she needed to in an emergency! there were complaints of this issue from owners who brought the car new and were still under warranty as well. I am going to write to Ford as well about the issue because it seems to be a faulty part from what I've gathered. This should not be a repair the owner should have to pay for when there is evidence that this issue has been a problem since the car left the assembly lines.
- Ellenwood, GA, USA
Three weeks after buying my brand new 2012 Ford Focus, the car began to hesitate on the highway. I complained to the dealer who said it was a Ford problem and not theirs. The following month, I almost died in the car. A regional manager from Ford came to the dealership to speak with me, resolved nothing. I followed lemon law protocol and documented everything through the service dept. More than 12 visits. Four visits before the near fatal crash and the remainder afterwards. Ford ran out the statute of limitations on my vehicle so they did not have to pay me. The vehicle has a propensity of turning off when accelerating to 65 mph. When making a turn or U-turn the car hesitates. Ford admitted to manufacturer defect and still would not put me in my original position which has left me with disc displacements beneath my brain stem. I have chronic neck pain every day of my life. I was making a left hand turn and had plenty of time to turn. A white utility van flew out of the lane to try to beat the light as I was turning. The car turned off and I had to brace for impact. The car would not start. Two additional malfunctions caused the car to veer left and crash into curbs. Last week, I had to make a U-turn. I had plenty of time. While turning, the car hesitated, and the car was stopping, the way it did in 2012. I was almost killed by an 18-wheeler who thought I was initiating road rage. He then followed me and ran me off the road coming one inch to the side of my vehicle. I tried to take pictures, but my hand was trembling. Ford needs to replace my vehicle at the replacement value from July of 2012 and obey the va lemon law statute. Ford offered me a buy out of $8,000 in December 2018. I had to lay out $14,000 for a new vehicle. They should have credited all of my car payments $17K, and provided a settlement for permanent spine and neck injuries. Accountability is demanded.
- Duluth, GA, USA
My car turns off while driving
- Dickson, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The vehicle stopped abruptly while driving and lost electrical function the contact was almost involved in a crash when the vehicle became immobile the contact was concerned for her safety while driving at 70 mph, the transmission not in park warning light illuminated and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The contact also stated that the vehicle lost all electrical function. The vehicle was towed to knox Ford located at 461 S dixie blvd, radcliff, ky 40160, (888) 433-4805 to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
- Radcliff, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the instrument panel lighting turned off and the battery saving warning message illuminated. Shortly after, the check engine and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle seized in the middle of the street and was unable to be driven. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the part was not available. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 155,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Goodhue, MN, USA
Radio has went out and now lights have become dim on the dashboard. Radio is completely off but still hearing static noise through the speakers.
- Pensacola, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Beaverton, OR, USA
Most ability to steer. Wheel locked while driving.
- Queens, NY, USA
I bought my vehicle in 2015. 2 months after I bought the car I was driving on the highway and the car shuts off. It was towed and fixed by Ford stating there was a recall for the computer system. As time went on the vehicle would stall and jerk switching out of gears. When I took it to Ford they stated I needed a new transmission but it wasn't the part covered under the warranty. In October I was driving and the indicator comes on stating transmission hot. The car from there would not reverse. I was in a different state on vacation and had to take the vehicle to a local shop due to Ford not being able to see the car for a week. It was stated the vehicles transmission was gone and I would need a new one. I spent over $1900 on a rebuilt transmission only for the car to still be slipping in and out of gears. If I am making a turn the car stalls and jerks before it picks up.
- Gastonia, NC, USA
The transmission feels like it slipping. And it rakes time to change gears sometime the car blinks hill start assistance unavailable and it keeps reseating the mpg millage and trip timer. This morning when I locked my car it was like a door was open but I checked all the doors and they was locked
- Newport, TN, USA
Steering wheel wouldn't turn after starting up my 2012 Ford Focus SE. I turned the car off and back on again, and the steering wheel turned as it should. However, the next day it did it again. I immediately took it into the dealership and was informed the electronic rack and pinion needed to be replaced. This is apparently a very common issue (there are hundreds of complaints on the NHTSA website), yet no recall from Ford. Discouraging.
- Tomball, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the contact was attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to shift into park, restart the vehicle, and drive to her destination. Later the same day, while driving up a hill, the vehicle began to hesitate. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V212000 (power train) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V614000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to Lexus of dayton (located at 1777 lyons rd, dayton, oh 45458, (937) 438-7455), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 42,000.
- Centerville, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 15 mph, the horn failed to sound. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the key fob failed to work. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 99,500.
- Brea, CA, USA
My car wont start, radio, locks, lights all work. But upon turning key, wont start. No noises. Sometimes the remote start will work. If it does not start, it will keep trying to start it over and over without me even touching the remote again.it will start about 1 out of every 10 times.keep trying and sooner or later it starts. 2012 Ford Focus, might be ignition switch ?
- Niagara Falls, NY, USA
Loss of power steering on public road. Power steering assist failure
- West Monroe, LA, USA
I had my car at the dealer 5 times for transmission problems under warranty. 2 months ago I had to pay over $2500 to have repaired out of warranty by an independent repair shop. The purge valve is also bad, they sent a recall bot cancelled it. My gas gauge has not worked in over 3 years, the sound system also has not worked in over 3 years. The dealer said there has been multiple complaints. The fan for the heat/cool only works on high(4). The ignition also is a problem, my mechanic said that he knows of many ignition problems on the Focus and other Ford models. I did receive a lemon law settlement a few years ago which wwas nothing compared to all the problems and expenses.
- Warren, MI, USA
- Boise, ID, USA