repaired · 2026 Q3
Evaporative emissions: canister
NewRisk. An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
2012 Ford FocusProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 3,772 owner complaints about the 2012 Ford Focus, most often about the power train. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-331 the manufacturer reports only 44% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 3, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Ford Focus has problems
3,772 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1,448Power train37 crash/fire/injury
927Steering39 crash/fire/injury
475Engine14 crash/fire/injury
352Electrical system14 crash/fire/injury
332Structure20 crash/fire/injury
284Fuel/propulsion system3 crash/fire/injury
166Vehicle speed control
134Latches/locks/linkages
58Fuel system, gasoline
43220 other systems81 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 1448 | 37 |
| Steering | 927 | 39 |
| Engine | 475 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 352 | 14 |
| Structure | 332 | 20 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 284 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 166 | 13 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 134 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 58 | 0 |
| 20 other systems | 432 | 81 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2012 Ford Focus 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 · 2022 Q2
Doors: latch
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Risk. The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
repaired · 2020 Q4
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Risk. The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q2
Doors: latch
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
no report yet
Exterior lighting
Risk. Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring
Risk. WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE CONNECTOR, RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR, REDUCING VISIBILITY AND…
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.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
55kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 1,176 power train complaints. 80% were reported before 100,000 miles.
346under 30k miles940under 100k miles236100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
114 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $1,700 – $2,200
Power train
51 owners mentioned a cost$1,700median
Middle half: $1,059 – $2,450
Structure
41 owners mentioned a cost$585median
Middle half: $430 – $700
Unknown or other
30 owners mentioned a cost$540median
Middle half: $456 – $950
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Focus 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 median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Ford Focus safety ratings
2012 Ford Focus 5 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- Rollover: 4 stars (11.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Ford Focus, and the recalls they led to.
- Door Latch FailureLed to recall 16V-643
- Door Latch FailuresLed to recall 20V-177
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
In owners' words
What Focus owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that it was difficult to start the vehicle, and while driving the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated, and…
The transmission is messing up real batteries like it's automatic.And when it goes into the next gear, it goes into gear and then goes all the gas falls down all the way 20 and the gas is gonna be about like you got a five speed it shifts up-and-down all the time up down up down, there was A\n…
Transmission overheating warning light Transmission clutch stuck open recommended to change out “actuator A” but did not solve. Clutch fork needs replacement
Own a 2012 Focus?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.