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
This is an ongoing issue with the automatic dual clutch transmission. Like most everybody else, i am experiencing the same hesitation and shuddering from a stop and the same "clunking" sounds in the transmission. I have had the vehicle into my local ford dealer, woody anderson ford, for a diagnostic check and like everybody else, they said that is a normal driving characteristic of the new-style transmission. While…
ODI 10492037
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
I ordered the car from ford in 2011 as soon as they allowed orders. I have approximately 27,800miles on the car. I have yet to get the fuel economy that ford stated. I do both city and highway everyday and my combined fuel has not gone over 27 miles per gallon since i have owned it. I have even had it run out of gas on 3 separate occasions when the car was registering 30 and 34 miles to empty. *tr
ODI 10487923
Power Train
Car shutters and hesitates upon acceleration from a stop. Very concerning when making a left hand turn because you don't know for sure if the car will make the turn. I have read many posts about transmission failures on the ford focus. The car is not safe to drive. *tr
ODI 10550928
Power Train
Vehicle has a constant shuddering and power loss when applying the accelerator. It has a tendency to feel as if it will stall out. Was almost rear ended when trying to pull into traffic bc of poor throttle response. This is a known issue and ford refuses to address this issue. Search the internet and it is obvious. This vehicle is a hazard to drive. *tr
ODI 10547541
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the speed suddenly decreased. The check engine indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
ODI 10937271
Power Train · Suspension
Since the purchase of the vehicle, the transmission rattles, shakes, loud bang, stutters. I took it to buena park ford where i purchased it from, they said it's adaptive learning and will be ok after 2000mi. Still had issues took it to my local cerritos ford dealer, they could not fault a defect. Took it back to cerritos ford, they replaced the clutch assembly, was a little better but got worse after driving a few…
ODI 10550884
Power Train · Steering
I purchased ford focus used- one year old- with 16500 miles. Three times it stopped as i was turning left in oncoming traffic. One time i backed up and it would not go into gear. Other times it would not shift gears on hills or on ramps two times on my steep driveway it came out of gear. Brought to shop numerous times - told nothing was wrong repeatedly. I got rid of car after 13 months and took a financial hit but…
ODI 10563169
Power Train
The vehicle has a lack of ability to accelerate without clutch slippage from a stop and frequent shuttering during transmission shifts. This, in turn makes the ford focus unsafe to drive while merging or crossing oncoming traffic lanes.
ODI 10495582
Power Train
Multiple instance have occurred starting in 2013 regarding shuddering with the car on acceleration. It happens when starting from a stopped position or even just trying to accelerate while driving. It has caused some dangerous situations, the latest occurrence was when i was trying to get on the freeway and the car wouldn't accelerate. The person behind me was really upset about it and started tailgating me. He was…
ODI 10631191
Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
I purchased my 2012 focus new nov. 2012. After a few weeks of owning the car, i noticed that the ride was not as 'smooth' as my prior car. I did not think anything of it, as i live in a city and assumed it was due to the stop and go of the city miles i drove as well as the winter season. By june 2013 with less than 8,000 miles, i began to notice that my car would roll backwards on hills when stopped in traffic while…
ODI 11232397
Power Train · Seat Belts
I purchased this vehicle in november of 2012 and was never forewarned about the issues they had. The transmission has been fixed numerous times but continues to clip, shudder, jerk, and shake. I had to go to durham a year and a half ago and was almost involved in a bad accident when the vehicle started to roll back on an incline while in drive. I have come close to many accidents though due to this car, mostly…
ODI 10667387
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated while driving about 5 mph, the vehicle transmission failed to shift into gear. The contact also stated the vehicle also jerked. The vehicle was taken to jorgensen ford sales ([redacted], detroit, mi 48210 ). The dealer indicated the transmission failed. The dealer repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
ODI 11306978
Engine · Power Train
At highway speeds while trying to pass, meaning speeding, my engine would cut out or loose power which would last about 10 seconds. I am bringing this to your attention because i read about other ford owners having the same issue. Now ford said that it was easily fixed by reprogramming the transmission, this fix has alleviated some of the engine power loss but not all. In fact this fix makes my transmission act like…
ODI 10513969
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle slipped out of gear. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on numerous occasions where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
ODI 10664860
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Repeated problems with transmission "slipping", lack of power, surging when finally does shift, extremely unpredictable acceleration from stop (e.g., pulling into traffic at intersections, or up hill at highway speeds). Did not display problems during test drive, but at approximately 1,000 miles up to current mileage (about 2,200) it occurs every time i drive. Have had three near miss accidents due to unpredictable…
ODI 10510684
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
The car shudders and hesitates on take off to the point of stalling. Happens always from stop to running. *tr
ODI 10483226
Power Train
I purchased this vehicle new in august of 2012. It had 10 miles on it. The day after i bought it i noticed some hesitation upon acceleration after stopping at traffic lights. It wasn't too bad, but as time went by it began to get worse. After a couple months, it stalled on me when i slowed and another time i was almost hit by another car as mine stalled again in a busy intersection. It was due an oil change so when…
ODI 10543626
Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
On my way to the dealer to deliver the car for shuddering from stop to first gear, the car failed to engage in gear when i depressed the accelerator. I pressed the accelerator harder and the vehicle lurched into gear, and commenced up the hill from my house - the car then appeared to go into neutral on its own, thus no propulsion, then on its own slipped back into gear. As i made my way onto the main road, i…
ODI 10485114
Body · Power Train
Transmission shutters causing whole car to shake. Acts as if the fly wheel is glazed over and clutch can not engage properly, this is turn caused a body vibration making a loud vibration noise. Ford knows of this problem and has yet to have a recall to make a permanent fix. Ford replaced a clutch pack in my car but the design is flawed - this will happen again and at my expense. Ford agreed to extend my warranty…
ODI 10557248
Engine · Power Train
While pulling into traffic from a complete stop car would not accelerate. Had to push gas pedal almost to floor to get car to go, that lead to a bucking acceleration, car jumping forward and almost being rear ended. Took car to shop first told that's how the car drives, then told by transmission "specialist" i was not driving my car aggressive enough. After a 2 week stay the shaft seal and clutch was replaced. Did…
ODI 10508348
Air Bags · Body · Power Train · Service Brakes
I was driving a nearly brand new 2012 ford focus at approximately 45-50 mph when collided with another car traveling at least equivalent if not higher speed. I saw the other car attempting pulling in front of me after failing to stop at a stop sign and i tried to stop the car by braking, but the car was not able to slow down or stop in time. I t-boned the other car and my car was dragged by the other car and rested…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10607201
Power Train
The vehicle transmission shudders, hesitates, and lurches when starting out or accelerating. It can temporarily strand the driver in front of oncoming traffic or unexpectedly lunge the vehicle ahead from a stop and i am concerned over the potential for causing an accident. It is obvious to all passengers and all drivers every time the car is driven. It has been present since initial brand-new delivery of the vehicle…
ODI 10598683
Power Train
My wife purchased our focus august 2012. Shortly there after we noticed the car shaking and shuttering. We took the car to the dealer two times each time it was put on a computer and given back to us. The second time we were told that's how ford made this vehicle there was nothing more that could be done.(woody sanders ford). The car only has 9000 miles on it and still drives like crap. *tr
ODI 10629416
Electrical System · Power Train
Car started on the right side of the car windows stopped working and the lights started blinking . Dealer replaced right side module . Then next was the blue tooth stopped working and the whole touch screen blacked out . Dealer replaced sync module and new touch screen . Next was the wipers coming on by there self .dealer replaced wiper sensor . Next was the door locks surging without a key in and dash cluster…
ODI 10536169
Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While starting the vehicle, the electronic power steering system fault illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the failure occurred on four separate occasions intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. While driving 45 mph, the contact heard a loud…
ODI 10784979