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2012 Ford Focus: common problems and reliability
· 3rd generationOne of the worst Focus years.
One of the Ford Focus years to avoid. All Focus years
3,801 owner complaints, most about power train. 8 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Focus?The 2012 Ford Focus has 3801 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and steering. Owners most often flag dual-clutch automatic shuddering, jerking, and rough low-speed behavior.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Ford Focus vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Focus years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Focus?
Across the 20 Focus model years we track, complaint volume runs from 11 (1999) to 5,240 (2014). With 3,801 complaints, the 2012 Focus sits above the model's median of 1,018.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Focus
fuel system, gasoline:storage
Campaign 18V735000Ford 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.
fuel system, gasoline:storage
Campaign 19V515000Ford 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. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 16V643000Ford 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. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
equipment
Campaign 12E035000This 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 combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame.
Show 4 more recalls
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring
Campaign 12V149000FORD 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 MISSING.
exterior lighting
Campaign 13V335000Ford 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 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 20V331000Ford 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. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister
Campaign 26V369000Ford 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.
What owners report on the 3rd generation Focus
Owner sentiment for the 2010-2018 Focus is sharply split by transmission choice.
- Very frequentDual-clutch automatic shuddering, jerking, and rough low-speed behavior
- Very frequentPremature clutch wear and repeated clutch replacement
- RecurrentTransmission control module (TCM) failures and related fault codes
- RecurrentTransmission fluid/seal leaks contaminating the clutch pack
- RecurrentLoss of reverse gear or dropped gears from internal transmission damage
Owner insights for the 3rd generation Focus. Read the full 3rd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Focus listings typically run $7,194–$10,865 across 2003 to 2018 model years.
Other Focus model years
Compare every Focus year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Focus against its rivals
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