repaired · 2020 Q2
Equipment: electrical
Risk. An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
2012 Ford Focus ElectricProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-592 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 23, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Ford Focus Electric has problems
33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
14Power train
14Electrical system
6Steering
4Vehicle speed control
3Electronic stability control (ESC)
3Fuel/propulsion system
2Engine
2Service brakes
1Air bags
22 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 14 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2012 Ford Focus Electric recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Anti-theft: control module
Risk. Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Focus Electric year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Focus Electric median. How we score
'12'13'14'15'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Electric powertrain propulsion failureLed to recall 13V-523
- Door Latch FailureLed to recall 16V-643
- Door Latch FailuresLed to recall 20V-177
In owners' words
What Focus Electric owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MAHWAH FORD (55 FRANKLIN TPK, MAHWAH, NJ 07430) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND USING CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE FAILS TO MAINTAIN SPEED. THE CRUISE CONTROL ABRUPTLY SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND DRIVER HAS TO TAKE OVER. THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE LIGHT TURNS ON/OFF PERIODICALLY. DEALER HAS INVESTIGATED AND DIAGNOSED THIS AS THE WIRING HARNESS…
WHILE RUNNING ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 55MPH, I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR A TURNING VEHICLE AHEAD. A YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT & STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE APPEARED IN DASH. A WARNING BELL ALARMED. VEHICLE BEGAN FREE WHEELING TOWARDS OTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT EXPECTED REGENERATION BRAKING. HAD TO HIT BRAKES…
Own a 2012 Focus Electric?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.