2012 Ford Focus Engine Problems
- 349
- 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 349 stored complaint records:
- 7 indicate a crash
- 4 indicate injury
- 4 indicate fire
What owners report
- check engine · 24 records
- engine light · 16 records
- indicator illuminated · 12 records
- takata recall · 10 records
- engine indicator · 9 records
- failure mileage · 9 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 94 |
| 60–100k mi | 78 |
| 30–60k mi | 76 |
| 100–150k mi | 43 |
| 150–400k mi | 10 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would hesitate and stall without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would also shake violently while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
ODI 10587779
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
Update 05/20/2013 this vehicle keeps getting worse: ?reverse does not work very well as it takes a long time to function. On a slight decline the car rolls forward and reverse has difficulty engaging. ?from a stop at a stop sign or red light, the car will attempt to lunge forward sometimes. ?from a stop at a stop sign or red light, the car will often not accelerate when the accelerator pedal is pressed. ?at any…
ODI 10512867
Engine · Power Train
My car (2012 ford focus) has problems shifting and makes a shutter noise while taking off i have taken it to the dealer multiple times and they told me nothing is wrong with the car. *tr
ODI 10610903
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
The vehicle came to a complete stop in front of the caldecott tunnel that separates the east bay to contra costa county. The vehicle stopped in the middle of traffic during commute time. Also resulted in a terrible backup on the highway. Spent over 3 hours dealing with this break down that included finding care for our children and finding someone to pick her up at dealership as it was after hours. *tr
ODI 10543463
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Shuttering and stalling upon acceleration.car tends to roll backwards for no apparent reason on slight incline. Speed acceleration and speed deceleration at random times. Car hesitates badly when accelerating on to on ramp to merge with interstate traffic or to pass a vehicle on the highway. It's luck of the day if you accelerate and actually live or get hit when car shutters and hesitates. Good luck focus owners.…
ODI 10564897
Engine · Power Train
The transmission doesn't function properly -- delaying on acceleration, then 'catching' and accelerating in a burst. I've had it 'fixed' once and am trying to get it fixed again. It isn't safe, particularly in hilly traffic-heavy seattle. Ford really needs to be accountable for the problematic transmission that they have running around the streets. I am in my mid-twenties and this is my first car. It's been very…
ODI 10704670
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
Since purchasing this vehicle i have had consistent problems where i will pull out into traffic and the vehicle loses power. At some points, where the vehicle is stopped, the car shakes a lot! There seems to be an acceleration problem and it is getting much worse! I was almost rear-ended yesterday! *tr
ODI 10512216
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
During a tight turn on a bendy road going about 55 mph the vehicle lost all power. As if someone turned they key off. Lights, infotainment, steering, brakes, everything was effected. Luckily steering doesn't lockup on a ford focus. And can be steered but without power assist. Once at a complete stop, the car could be restarted with no instrument lights on, as if nothing happened. *tr
ODI 10575217
Engine · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
Bought 11/9/2012 six months later rec'd emission recall, 1yr later would not start, dead in grocery parking, dealer said emission again, 2nd yr radio went out, 3rd yr catalylict converter need to be changed, 5/16/2017 was charged $1805.72, said not emission but it was doing the same thing as before, dead had to be towed again to dealer, dealer said, "codes po420, po7a3 tested, found converter stopped up, shift…
ODI 11190424
Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes
The car is equipped with a 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. While under heavy braking the car began to stall. The result was the brake pedal losing power assist from the engine. Then because the engine was trying to recover from the near stall, i was unable accelerate to avoid an oncoming car. The engine did recover, but it took several seconds (and a lot of bucking and sputtering) before i was able to…
ODI 10501224
Engine
I experienced a complete and total loss of power in rented late model ford focus. *tr
ODI 10500502
Engine · Power Train
Just like everyone else, the car stutters and hesitates to accelerate at slow speeds. The transmission feels as though it is going to fall out of the car. I have taken it to the dealership, and the "reprogrammed" the transmission. They said it could take up to 2 weeks for the car to relearn my driving habits. It has been 2 months, and the car continues to stutter and shake. *tr
ODI 10498318
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
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
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
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
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
Engine
4 incidents within 45 days....driving on a state hwy, at 55 mph and the engine quit entirely, had to coast to a stop on the side of the road. Driving across a state hwy from a stop sign at 5 mph and engine quit again. Unsafe! Towed twice to dealer, had 4 rental cars in this time period, one for 18 days! Other 2 times car would not start after driving 10 miles and parking. Dealer had no clue and finally brought in a…
ODI 10500689
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
Engine · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The instrument panel indicated that the transmission was engaged in park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where an engineer was sent to inspect the vehicle. The engineer stated that there was nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 5 and the current mileage was…
ODI 10509144
Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes · Vehicle Speed Control
My boyfriend and i bought a 2012 ford focus se hatchback on september first. After driving the car for a couple of days my boyfriend noticed that the transmission was not right but he thought this was happening just because the car was new. Then, when driving to work i noticed that when i stopped on any incline street between taking the foot off the brake and placing it on the accelerator, the car rolled back quite…
Crash reported
ODI 10477453
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
I bought this car with 17,000 miles on it and kept it a year and a half. I couldn't stand it anymore. When accelerating, it would shake and shudder. The automatic shifting into first and second gears was extremely jerky all the time. If i was at a complete stop and the pavement was wet, the car would bolt forward when i accelerated. Twice it like stopped when i was going 70 mph on a highway. It just sort of stopped…
ODI 10680604
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
On 8/27/2012 i drove off the car lot with 7 miles on my new car. I noticed a little bit of rough shifting as the day passed. On 8/28 the car started bucking and jerking during acceleration. There was little power on inclines. The problem progressively got worse through the day. I set up an appointment to drop off for service the next day. Took in for service on 8/29 and was told that the throttle body needed to be…
ODI 10473215
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
My issues with this car started the day i drove it off the lot and have not stopped. There was an issue with the fan that made my engine sound like it was chewing rocks whenever the air/heat was on - this has been fixed. I bought the car brand new and from day one it has been grinding, shuddering and not shifting smoothly. I've had issues with the rpm's skyrocketing when i'm slowing down and the rpm's skyrocketing…
ODI 10816431