10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 30 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 15 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 59,238 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
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch was slipping. The dealer determined that the clutch and the levers needed to be replaced, as per Ford TSB Number: 16-0109. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
- Norfolk, VA, USA
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at high rates of speed, the "Pull Over Transmission Clutch Hot" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective transmission and the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Dayton, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, the "Engine Malfunction, Service Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, the "Parking Aide Malfunction Service Required" message was displayed on the instrument panel when the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R). The vehicle also stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal after coming to a complete stop with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and replaced the battery, starter, and spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission control module (TCM) was defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Slaton, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shudder, prompting the contact to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch, requiring a replacement clutch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 89,000.
- Elyria, OH, USA
The transmission is experiencing intermitnet slipping and hesitation. When attempting to take off at a stop light on an inclined road the car rolled backwards before transmission engaged & I was able to proceed. No warning lights or messages are present.
- Blaine, MN, USA
I have reported before my vehicle is and has been cyber attacked. This time around my horn has been disable. They turn on the radio, they turn on the light lights of the vehicle, they turn on the radio, they turn on the ac/heat control. If I take it in again, they are going to tell me nothing is wrong. This is very dangerous for me as a driver. I cannot drive a vehicle without a horn. I NEVER heard from you guys on the last report I made. Not sure how this one is going to help. This Ford vehicle is dangerous! If you can please assist, I would appreciate it. Thank you!
- Oak Park, IL, USA
Shuttering, shift slipping, wont move
- Big Sandy, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission experienced a loss of motive power, causing the vehicle to decelerate and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. During the failure the message "Transmission Malfunction, Service Now" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
- Cedar Grove, NJ, USA
The transmission module, and Transmission. While on freeway with my family car shut off while driving. Yes, Yes, No there were no warning signs until after the jerking and shaking started after 39 days then the engine light came on. After that a that the sign said transmission over heating pull over and let car cool down. what was most scary is that it shut off while driving.
- Southfield, MI, USA
I was driving my car and received a "stop safely now" message. It was brought to the dealer and the 12v battery was replaced and the condition stopped. One week later, however, it happened again. I was in the middle of an intersection after taking off from a stop light and the "stop safely now" message appeared and the car would no longer work. Dealer indicates it is an issue with the transmission control module- which is under a recall for some other 2012-2014 Ford Focus electric cars... mine does not appear to be included in that recall, but it is exhibiting symptoms exactly like the open recall. Very hazardous situation as the vehicle loses all power- first time was on an Interstate highway and the second was in the middle of the intersection.
- Blue Springs, MO, USA
Jerking on first and second gear shutterings
- Fitchburg, MA, USA
The contact's wife owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission unintendedly shifted gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired approximately 15 times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
- New Hartford, NY, USA
The contact's son owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the transmission started slipping. The vehicle was not shifting into the intended gear as designed. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The engine overheated and pull over safely messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a radiator flush, spark plug replacement, tune up, and a transmission flush needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clutch and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about a buyback and then referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
- Sykesville, MD, USA
Took vehicle to Ford dealership after being seen at transmission shop. Previous transmission shop said TCM was bad as well as clutch. Took car to Ford for TCM recall, they said it wasn't broken and refused to replace it. The did say clutch is broken and needs replacement which Ford is not willing to help with on cost.
- Lees Summit , MO, USA
I received a recall dated June 2023 about my transmission. It is the first one I have ever received. I had it towed to Stanley Ford McGregor and service said that there wasn't anything wrong. I was told I need to pay them $165 for a recall review"??" I don't feel safe driving it as it slips, bucks, jerks, shudders, delay when shifting as well as having difficulty in changing gears causing many "almost accidents." I just found out Ford settled on 2020 judgement and a 2022 judgement. I had no idea. It is plagued with numerous problems and safety concerns. I have written a letter to the General Manager, Mike F at Stanley Ford McGregor as well as sent copies to Jim Farley, CEO of Ford and FMC Customer Relationship Center. I asked them to get back with me as I will NOT pay that $165 and drive an unsafe car that I don't want to put my 1 yr old grandson at risk as well.
- Gatesville, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting erratically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch and shift motor had failed. Additionally, the clutch fork was stuck. The contact was informed that the transmission clutch, shift motor, and clutch fork needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 109,301.
- Akron, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact depressed the horn however, the horn was inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
- Fullerton, CA, USA
The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when shifting into reverse (R) and would shudder when depressing the accelerator pedal. The engine revved to 5,000 RPMS, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission clutch actuator was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing inaccurate fuel gauge reading. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward, lost motive power and stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the PCM was reprogrammed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive fuel consumption. The contact stated that he noticed fuel leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was deformed and overfilled. The contact stated that NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) had previously been completed on the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not experiencing the failure at the time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission shifted erratically. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting rough between gears. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with PCM and TCM failures. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred four additional times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 38,600.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Frederksted, VI, USA