2012 Ford Focus fuel gauge reading erratic, specifically indicating full when near empty. This problem is accompanied by emissions check engine codes P144A. This problem is identified in tsbs as early as 2013 as an "evap purge valve" failure which causes fuel tank collapse. False fuel level indication may cause drivers to run out of fuel and become stranded. Dealer advises fuel tank has collapsed and requires fuel pump, fuel tank, canister and solenoid replacement immediately due to risk of car stalling out and/or running out of gas unexpectedly. When fuel tank is full just after filling up, car requires multiple attempts to start. Mileage at failure: 83000. This appears to be a very common problem for 2012 Ford Focus. Ford recognizes the failure of the plastic gas tank such that the replacement gas tank is a different gas tank which is not plastic, therefore passing on the very expensive cost ($2,000) of the design mistake to the customer. This is not a normal wear and tear cost of ownership problem! this was recalled on the Ford Fusion, it should be recalled on the Focus as well.

- Summerville, SC, USA

2012 Ford Focus standard transmission original owner experienced power loss 3X on highway in 6 years. Vehicle would lose power on highway and could not accelerate past 65mph gas pedal to floor..no warning lights on dash slow acceleration in any gear with slight stutter. When I pull over turn off for 5 minutes then start again problem goes away.you tube search shows multiple Ford Focus owners same issue. Checked with Ford..told me they had software update but my vehicle not in list for upgrade as it is not affected.

- Salem, NH, USA

While driving on the highway my Focus began stalling out very abruptly. I was as if I was slamming on my brakes while cruising on the highway with no notification that it was about to happen. This happened many times and the car would sometimes stall completely or just keep moving. While idling at a stop the rpms would fluctuate rapidly then the car would stall out. I bought this car at 57K miles and at 65K it was diagnosed as the fuel pump which was replaced. Now at 77K miles I am experiencing the same symptoms and they are very dangerous especially on the highway. The manufacturers pump is clearly faulty and it's costing me another $600 to replace for the second time. I have seen many others with this same issue and I'm hoping to see a recall on something this dangerous.

- Apalachin, NY, USA

Having problems maintaining speed ! when I excelerated it doesn't want to pick up speed then suddenly it picks up speed after pressing the pedal to the floor. Very dangerous. I saw this very same complaint from another Focus owner dated in March 2016. Very scary!

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. After stopping at an intersection, the engine turned off. The contact had to start the engine in order to continue driving. The check engine indicator illuminated after the failure. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel tank was deformed, which affected the fuel pump and fuel line. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Farmington, MO, USA

March 1, 2017 check engine light came on after car stalled, idle would increase and then decrease and then die. Made appointment at Ford dealer in lake worth, fl. Had to leave vehicle. At same time 3 recalls supposedly fixed. I was told fuel leak in gas tank, that is going through a hose into areas it should not go, causing readings to cause stalling and check engine light. I was told I needed new fuel tank, sendera?, gasket, tube asy for approx. $1,300 then $500 for labor for total of $1,800. Never heard of such as this except in vehicles over 20 years old or from accidents. Vehicle has approx. 90,000 miles. First incident occurred as I was accelerating from a traffic light on a city street, other times were similar or stopped or riding on interstate hwy, it would just stall.

- Palm Beach, FL, USA

Incident description: Engine stopped and without warning while the transmission was in drive. Engine light came on as the engine ceased running. It happened while the car was in motion, thankfully approaching stop sign. Understand that this also results in the loss of power steering. The car is regularly serviced, well-maintained, and has approx. 94,000 miles. Verdict from Ford dealership mechanic: Vacuum purge valve was stuck in the open position. The vacuum force that resulted damaged/warped fuel tank, and damaged the fuel pump. The purge valve, fuel tank, and fuel pump all must be replaced. Cost: The cost of repairs is over $2000, plus towing the car, and the need for my family to get a rental vehicle for a week. Misc: There is no recall for this item and this could prove exceptionally dangerous if it occurred on a highway especially since you lose power steering when the engine dies suddenly.

- Madison, MS, USA

Check engine light came on. Took to dealer where I purchased car. All maintenance has been done at this dealer. Service manager told me that problems with purge valve have caused fuel tanks to collapse and that was case in my car, code P 1450, code P144A. I asked if Ford would cover these repairs as car was out of warranty 79318 miles but obviously a manufactures defect, Ford refused to cover repairs and I payed under protest $ 1596. 55 for repairs. Car was stalling at stop lights, and fuel gauge not working properly when check engine light first came on.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

My seventeen year old daughter driving a 2012 Focus I got for her to get to school has been a problem from day one.the trans recall, the door recall now the check eng lite came on the dealer told me P144A code is the evap emissions purge line restricted/blocked.the car hesitates on take off and stalls when stopping.this is unsafe for my child to drive.I have an appt with Ford Monday to see if I will have to pay for it to get fixed our if the recall will cover it.not a happy dad!!!!

- Orange City, FL, USA

Takata recall so I was told after having multiple problems with my vehicle after bob lowth Ford selling me it that some parts are on recall and I have small children I don't want to put in risk if anything happens during the winter weather here in mn for insistence my engine light came on and it started feeling like it wanted to die out on us early morning around 7:30 am central time so I always try to make sure that my small children have blankets in case we die out in -20 weather.

- Redby, MN, USA

2012 Ford Focus fuel gauge reading erratic, specifically indicating full when near empty. This problem is accompanied by emissions check engine codes PO420 and PO456. This problem is identified in tsbs as early as 2013 as an "evap purge valve" failure. False fuel level indication may cause drivers to run out of fuel and become stranded.

- Fairview, TN, USA

Car at stop engine revs from low to high, if you press on the accelerator the engine will die even when you are in motion. Sometimes the engine will just die when you press on the accelerator. In traffic on highways this is extremely dangerous. The cost to repair this default in design was $889.18 at the Ford dealership where the car was purchased new. That is an egregious charge for a common complaint about this care. Per the internet research we have done. Ford says the car is out of warranty and take it up with nhsta so that is what I am doing.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

On 10/14/16 my wife complained that there was a smell of gasoline around her car. I walked out to the driveway and there was a strong smell of gas. She told me she had just filled the gas tank and confirmed that she does not top the tank off. I jacked the car up and found that there is a yellow plastic ring where the fill hose is attached to the gas tank. That ring is cracked and gas seeps out from there. We found that it doesn't leak if she has less than half a tank of gas so she usually keeps it that way until I have a chance to pull the gas tank out.

- Arcadia, FL, USA

Ford Focus gas tank issue: My car was stalling and would not accelerate timely so took it to the Ford dealership. They said the evap purge valve malfunctioned causing the fuel tank to warp. The gas tank needs replaced as well as everything related (see attached). My research on the internet (I have never heard of having to get a gas tank replaced due to normal wear and tear) shows that this issue is known by Ford and they are refusing to do a recall or even a notification to the owners of these vehicles. Besides my huge concerns on having a defective gas tank (I see it as a fire hazard), the car would not accelerate on the interstate and was trying to stall out - I was very lucky not to get hit. Ford has done recalls on other vehicles with this issue why not the Ford Focus? I expect to repair / replace things like the brakes not the gas tank.

- Mustang, OK, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. It was diagnosed that the fuel pump and fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Clinton, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and the check engine indicator illuminated prior to the stalling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve needed to be replaced, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.

- Brownstown Township, MI, USA

Ford has a tsb for a known issue of the evap purge valve malfunctioning and causing the fuel tank to collapse. I fueled my vehicle up this morning and, upon starting, it stalled. I started it again, and after pumping the gas, it stayed on. The check engine code is P0441A.

- Franklin, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the malfunction was due to the fuel tank and fuel pump, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Mansfield, TX, USA

My vehicle's fuel tank is compressing due to a faulty vacuum purge valve requiring a new tank, fuelpump and purge valve. This issue has caused my vehicle to stall in freeway traffic @ approx 60 mph and to stall in stop and go traffic. My RPM will fluctuate when at a stop and my fuel guage is completely inaccurate registering full to 1/2 at random. Smell of gas from somewhere but unknown. Symptoms match a recall on a 2011 Ford Fusion but no recall on a 2012 Ford Focus

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Purchased a used 2012 Ford Focus with 89,000 miles. I've owned the car for two years. I recently began smelling fuel. After filling the fuel tank I began looking for the source of the leak. I jacked up the rear of the vehicle and noticed a fuel leak and the fuel tank was plastic. I took it to a deal for the door latch recall and was informed it needs a fuel tank do to a crack on the top of the tank. The cost of the new tank installed is $1340 witch included the labor. There is no way a fuel tank should crack in four years. The vehicle has never been in an accident. There is a fuel tank recall on Ford Fusion and Lincoln millan, witch also have plastic tanks. This is reminding me of the 70's when american car manufacturing was terrible.

- Chandler, AZ, USA