Worst 2012 Ford Focus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Steering Defects
Engine Problems
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Ford Focus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1,383 | 30 | 3 | 72,005 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 922 | 23 | 2 | 94,157 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 470 | 9 | 4 | 67,105 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 343 | 9 | 3 | 70,175 mi | |
| Body Structure | 292 | 9 | 2 | 95,207 mi | |
| Fuel System | 280 | 2 | 1 | 86,878 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 163 | 13 | — | 53,256 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 90 | — | — | 77,723 mi | |
| Airbags | 54 | 35 | 1 | 57,634 mi | |
| Brakes | 54 | 12 | — | 90,617 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 49 | — | — | 103,315 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 48 | 5 | — | 74,486 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 46 | — | 2 | 62,605 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 42 | 2 | — | 56,355 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 42 | 3 | — | 67,919 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 29 | 3 | 1 | 59,338 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 27 | 1 | — | 98,446 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 26 | 1 | — | 101,378 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 25 | 1 | 1 | 37,371 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 25 | 2 | 3 | 82,479 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 22 | — | — | 40,689 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 20 | — | — | 90,446 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 14 | — | — | 24,860 mi | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 13 | — | — | 59,040 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 11 | 2 | — | 15,114 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 9 | — | 1 | 37,657 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 | — | — | 53,536 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 5 | 1 | — | 91,100 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 5 | — | — | 39,521 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Focus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 Ford Focus
6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,680,322 vehicles.
Ford 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.
Ford 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.
Ford 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.
Ford 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.
Ford 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."
FORD 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.
Other Ford Focus Years
2012 Ford Focus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Ford Focus reliable?
What are common problems with the 2012 Ford Focus?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Ford Focus?
How safe is the 2012 Ford Focus?
Does the 2012 Ford Focus have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2012 Ford Focus?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Focus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Ford Focus
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