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 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.
- Cary, IL, USA
Vehicle shuddering
- Orlando, FL, USA
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.
- Westland, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the "Transmission Malfunction, Service Now" warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he reset the transmission control module; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
- Marina, CA, USA
I was traveling in heavy traffic on an interstate through Akron, Ohio when my car, which I had in cruise, suddenly shifted in neutral causing the engine to redline since it was in cruise but also resulted in a sudden drop in speed which about caused the person behind me to run into the rear of my car. I had to coast thru traffic to the side of the road to shut the car off and restart it which allowed me to continue, but at a slow speed as the transmission would not shift gears properly. Isn-??t it time to make Ford fix all these Focus cars once and for all? I-??ve already put a new TCM in and now I-??m looking at a second one in hope that it fixes it enough to trade it in, but it will at a loss because dealers know of the problem and won-??t give you anything for them because they can-??t sell them either.
- Orrville , OH, USA
Error codes with the clutch b sensor and clutch b sensor being stuck. When the check engine light comes on the car will not go in reverse. After driving now shift is sporadic and rpm-??s go up and down randomly.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The transmission has a problem, the car jumps and jerks and a lot of noise and vibration. When accelerating in first gear most noticeable. My safety is at risk because it is very distracting and the transmission sounds like it could break down at any minute. A lot of people online have same problem with this specific vehicle. No warning lights or nothing.
- Valley Stream, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the clutch failed to perform properly while shifting gear. Additionally, the transmission made grinding sounds while shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the warranty had expired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage) however, the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
- Petersburg, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking. There was an abnormal humming noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
- New York, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed, the RPM-??s would raise and the engine would rev however, the vehicle would not respond as needed. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal excessively and maneuver the gear shifter for the vehicle to move. The transmission failure warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the recalls were not related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty due to the mileage. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
Only 67867 miles and the transmision is not working. I only drive short distances. Allwise have a problem. Since I buy the car. I never complain because I am very busy. But. know the car stop complete
- Revere, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced jerking, transmission slipping, independent deceleration, random downshifting, and unintended acceleration while stationary. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 92,000.
- Willoughby, OH, USA
The car would not move forward when pedal pressed. Slow speed was obtained with excess RRM to move vehicle. Car was at a light and others could have rearended the vehicle. A hazard was created with slow speed across intersection and to auto garage. Problem has NOT been confirmed at this time. It is at the garage and the dealer said there is another issue but REFUSED to go for a ride on 2-13-2023. The manufacturer, Ford Motor Co. KNOWS this vehcile has powertrain issues as eveidenced in Vargas vs. Ford Motor Co. No prior warning of this incident was present and it occurred only weeks after the Ford dealership completed the last "repair".
- Cudahy, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle would not accelerate as needed, with the checking engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to an impendent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty on the vehicle was expired. The failure mileage was 79,498.
- Burnet, TX, USA
Clutch failure. Shuttering and caused vehicle to lose acceleration and rpm did not match speed. Yes the problem was confirmed by the dealer. Yes the problem is KNOWN to the manufacture and vehicles are still on the road and sold and used. Check engine light came on with the event and stayed on.
- Cudahy, WI, USA
After vehicle warms up good, the transmission shutters when taking off from a stop causing a dangerous hesitation when pulling out into traffic.
- Belleview, FL, USA
TCM transmission malfunction light came on. We just bought the car two months ago. Have had it in the shop more than it has been driven. We have and extended warranty but they said it would cost us out of pocket and we haven-??t even driven this a long distance and has two year warranty or 24,000 miles.
- Copperas Cove , TX, USA
Transmission failure again after already having vehicle serviced by Ford dealership in Cedar Rapids Iowa due to fuel issue from what they said was the issue. Still showing same coded and same issues with hard shifting and vibration and loss of power while trying to drive. Nearly cause daughter to be in multiple accidents. Issue started at around 40k miles and still happening and put over $10k in parts in this car now. Including new exhuast manifold and catalytic converter, O2 sensor, new fuel pressure sensors, new throttle body and other parts all done by dealerships. Getting old chasing parts. Now another shop said I was told all wrong and it's been a Transmission issue this entire time and ford just didn't want to fix it.
- Dallas City, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping in and out of gear and at times the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear while driving. The transmission warning light was illuminated. An unknown message indicating a transmission failure was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving on another occasion. The vehicle experienced rough starts. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second local dealer, Star Ford (1101 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
- Lahaina, HI, USA
- Milwaukee, WI, USA