2012 Ford Focus Power Train Problems
- 1,052
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 1052 stored complaint records:
- 27 indicate a crash
- 11 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- Automatic Transmission · 4 records
- Clutch Assembly · 3 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 330 |
| 60–100k mi | 243 |
| 30–60k mi | 239 |
| 100–150k mi | 96 |
| 150–400k mi | 20 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle independently downshifted as it vibrated abnormally. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle did regain speed as the contact coasted along the highway. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
ODI 10544417
Exterior Lighting · Power Train
Oil leak from rear main seal leaking onto cluthes. The car rolls back on hills and makes flapping noises. Also, at times it starts and stops like it's not getting gas. *tr
ODI 10524650
Power Train
Since acquiring the vehicle new, i have brought the vehicle in several times with transmission complaints. Each time i was told "that is how the transmission is supposed to work" or "your transmission is off because you let someone else drive the car and it has to readjust" or "you must have made a quick acceleration". The transmission often loses power when shifting and grinds after switching gears. I feel as…
ODI 11234492
Power Train
My vehicle transmission was reflashed at the dealership due to hesitation, stuttering, and other issues at low speeds. This occurred after about 1000 miles (dealer said it would have to re-learn my driving habits). I was trying to cross an intersection and car almost stalled out, bucked, and barely made it across the intersection. Vehicle is still have issues at slow speeds and initial acceleration. I took vehicle…
ODI 10497632
Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes
I was pulling out of the cafe by my home. When i had a chance to pull out i stepped on the gas pedal. At this point the vehicle stalled then took off like a bat out of[xxx]. Even leaving tire marks. I almost hit two on coming cars due to the hesitation then the lift off. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
ODI 10496931
Engine · Power Train
The transmission "skips, flutters or just not kick in" when moving from a stopped position to an accelerated speed. Seems like the transmission stalls out and then grabs. It does it quite often and i was almost rear-ended on several occasions so far by this hick-up in the transmission. I am going to take it back to baxter ford in omaha and see if the problem can be fixed or not. They may get the car back. *tr
ODI 10564590
Power Train
Vehicle rolls backward while at a stop, i did not realize i was rolling and bumped the car behind me while at a stop light. Grade at stop light is 99% level ground. Has consistently attempted to roll backwards at all stops thereafter, dealer has serviced issue multiple times with no result. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10629274
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
On 1/23/2013 at appox at 10:15 am i was driving to work! I was driving west bound 10 fwy! I was going about 75 mph in the fast lane. When all of a sudden the car speed drops to 30 mph in a matter of seconds, i right away turn on my hazards! But do to the fact that i was` in the fast lane it was very hard to get over safety as the car felt like it was going to turn off. I was very scared and afraid for my life i…
ODI 10494847
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that she was stopped on an incline and attempted to put her foot on the accelerator pedal, when the vehicle rolled backwards. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they could not determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 200.
ODI 10512081
Power Train
My husband and i purchased a brand new 2012 ford focus in april 2012. Not even a year after purchasing the transmission started studdering/slipping. When you go to take off it acts as if it doesnt want to switch out of gears. There have been a couple of times we have been just driving down the road and it has completely bogged down and the entire car shuts off. As soon as we realized something was wrong we took it…
ODI 11139642
Power Train
We were pulling out onto state highway, my wife began to accelerate the car, it began shaking and shuddering as it was accelerating. The car had 12000 miles on it. We have taken it back multiple times they have reprogrammed the computer, however it did not work. Eventually. They replaced the clutch packs and it solved the problem. At 28000 miles the problem reappeared. *tr
ODI 10578692
Power Train
The transmission has shuddered and slipped from new. Ford has replaced the clutch twice, made program module adjustments numerous times. Nothing they have done has resolved the problem. I purchased this car for my daughter and constantly am concerned that she drives a car that does nothing but hesitate and shudder
ODI 10909382
Power Train
The car is an automatic with a standard transmission. Started making "clunking" noises. I took it to the deal and they put a "package" on it issued by ford. Said that fluid was leaking into transmission but the noise would clear up. Took it back a month later still making noise and was told that the noise would go away. To this day is still making the noise and recently has gotten worse. Scheduled an appt for next…
ODI 10606159
Engine · Power Train · Suspension
I purchased a 2012 ford focus at my local dealership (5 miles on it); brand new. Within 6 months i had it in the shop 2 times. At the time my husband was an employee of that dealership and they gave him the run around. Indicating all they had to do was reset the computer. Supposedly they reset the computer twice however it never fixed the problem. Once it was diagnosed on the 3rd attempt at the local dealership that…
ODI 10680076
Power Train
Ford has had many issues with their duel clutch transmission which causes the car to lurch forward, shutter, slip when starting or when shifting between gears. They know about this issue and have issued extended warranty but this is a safety issue. The internet is full of hundreds if not thousands of consumer complaints about this issue and a class action law suit has been filed. My issue is the same with thousands…
ODI 10788923
Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train · Service Brakes
I received a letter from ford in may 2012 regarding customer satisfaction program 12b37. The issue with the car was rough/jerky automatic transmission shifts & roll back when transitioning from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. My husband took the car into the ford shop to have this issue corrected on 6/8/2012. Everything seemed to be fine but both issues started up again and became more frequent. My husband…
ODI 10511680
Electrical System · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While the vehicle was started, the gear shifter would not engage into reverse or drive. While driving at different speeds, the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to randall reed's park cities ford of dallas ([redacted], dallas, tx 75235) where it was diagnosed that there was a transmission and electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 11160895
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Transmission control module problem. Unexpected loss of transmission shifting while driving. Problems with shuddering, vibration between gears and hesitation with the transmission. Rolls backward on inclines like it is a standard but it is an automatic transmission. Ford performed a reflash, relearn, and a pinpoint test. Test failed and ford removed the transmission and replaced the clutch and seals on 11/05/14 per…
ODI 10663268
Power Train
When i start to go from a stop. Motor hesitates, and then a very major shutter through out the car. Also coming from a stop on a hill car will roll back. Took to dealership and they told me its just the way it is and that it could be i am not aggressive enough on take off. *tr
ODI 10604477
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while parking, the transmission slipped out of gear. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred a second time after parking in her residential garage and the vehicle went forward, crashing into a wall. The driver sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that the vehicle was working up to standard.…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10597818
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the transmission slipped and made a grinding noise. The contact also stated that acceleration power was lost. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…
ODI 10522633
Power Train
Occasional and unexpected roll-back on inclines. Occasional and unexpected lack of acceleration when acceleration is required. Severe judder as the automatic transmission shifts between first, second, and third gears (occurs only after the car has been driven 5-10 miles). The car is fitted with a 6 speed automatic/manual transmission. The problems appear to be getting worse. *tr
ODI 10508344
Power Train
This car has been horrible since the 1st week i bought it brand new off the showroom floor. The car shudders as i go in reverse, or if i press down on the accelerator from a stop. I've been in and out of the ford repair place more times then i could count. They have replaced the whole clutch assemble with no improvement. In fact it has actually got worse, and now i do not feel safe in my vehicle. I will go to…
ODI 10660979
Power Train
When we drove this brand new ford focus off the dealer lot we noticed a sudden jerk in the transmission. We did not know if this was a fluke or normal so we drove it about a thousand miles. The transmission began to jerk more, jump, stall, hesitate, and rev up needlessly and seem to get stuck in gear. We took it back to the dealer with our complaints and they reprogrammed the computer and told us to give it another…
ODI 10525920
Power Train
My car would not go into the correct gear when i slowed down to turn a corner. Coming out of the turn it stalled into neutral . My car has a rattle and jerking when i'm going less than 5 mph sometimes. This car does not change gears smoothly! I recently rented a 2013 focus and it drives great. My 2012 ford focus is horrible. *tr
ODI 10593787