2012 Ford Focus

3,233 serious complaints of 3,802, the most about power train (1,460) and steering (933); per car on the road, 1.2× this model's usual year. 8 recalls. NHTSA investigation RQ19005: door latch failures. NHTSA investigation RQ23006: loss of motive power.

What owners report

“The contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving various speeds and shifting between first and second gear, the vehicle would jerk. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch kit needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Nov 2016

“The contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 20 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Jan 2016

Fixes and extended coverage

• Extended coverage This extended warranty coverage will address intermittent symptoms of loss of transmission engagement while driving, no-start, or a lack of power. Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of… (14M02, Jul 2021)
• Extended coverage Customer satisfaction Program 14M01 - Supplement #5 Certain 2011 thr ough 2014 Model Year Fies ta and Focus vehicles equipped with a DKPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Clautch Shudder/Transmission Input Shaft Seal warranty Extension (14M01S5, Mar 2016)
• Extended coverage Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage (19N07, Aug 2019)
• Extended coverage Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty Extension (14M01, Aug 2019)
• Repair program This customer satisfaction program updates the TCM software in affected vehicles to provide improved detection and over warning of electrical circuit failures in the TCM. (20B22, Sep 2020)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

3,802 owner complaints · 8 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 29–105 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features