2012 Ford Focus Electric

Routine

Owners filed 33 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
19,000 milesMedian miles at failure

29 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System9
000
Power Train8
000
Steering4
000
Service Brakes2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Power Train › Clutch Assembly1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Electrical18V592000
Filed Sep 10, 201849,197 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

Risk. An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)13V523000
Filed Oct 30, 20132,456 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus Electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition.

Risk. An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall beganon November 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices13V475000
Filed Oct 17, 201323,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

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 vehicle susceptible to theft.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Sep 23, 202192,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus BEV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that an unknown warning light was illuminated and remained illuminated for several days. The failure recurred several times. On one occasion, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed failure with an electrical wiring harness kit and that the battery was drained. The dealer was able to replace the wiring harness however, the battery was not replaced due to the cost of a new battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Power Train
Filed Apr 1, 2021150,000 milesKS

MY SHOCKS AND MY TRANSMISSION I BELIEVE

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jun 26, 201926,000 milesNY

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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 18, 201983,000 milesCA

MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING. POWER WERE CUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN MOVING TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE HAD DONE A RECALL ON THE POWER HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE STOP SAFELY NOW ISSUE BUT I DON'T THINK THE RECALL FIXED IT COMPLETELY.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 29, 2019NC

JERKING DURING TAKE OFF AND GEAR SHIFTING. WHILE DRIVING CAR WILL JERK AT LOW SPEED BUT RISE TO 4 SPEED. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAY IT'S TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SHUDDER, MY THIRD REPLACEMENT AND IT'S A ISSUE THT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. $1400.00 REPAIR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 19, 201948,122 milesCA

JUST TURNED IN AN ORIGINAL CHARGING CORD UNDER RECALL (THE CORDS PLUG WOULD TEND TO OVERHEAT AND WAS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD) AND GOT A BRAND NEW CORD FROM KEN GRODY FORD, CARLSBAD, CA. MY FIRST THOUGHT WHEN LOOKING AT THE NEW CORD WAS THAT THE ELECTRICAL CORD (19' LONG PART) LOOKED UNUSUALLY THIN. WITH THE NEW CORD, THE APPROX 19' PART OF THE CORD GETS WARM, ALL 19 FEET! THEY OBVIOUSLY USED TOO SMALL OF A WIRE GAUGE IN THE NEW CORD, AND THIS IN ITSELF IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. I SPECIALIZE IN SELLING ELECTRIC CARS, AND I'M ALWAYS CHARGING VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS IN MY GARAGE ON A 15AMP/110V DEDICATED CIRCUIT, AND HAVE NO ISSUES WITH OTHER CHARGING CORDS.

Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2018TX

THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY CAR IS STARTING TO LOCK UP WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE STEERLING WHEEL GETS STUCK AND ITS HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR,.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 10, 2018130,000 milesAR

THE BATTERY WHICH IS FUNCTIONAL DISCHARGES EVEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN RECENTLY AND THE CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL THE BATTERY IS JUMPED. WHICH PRESENTS A PROBLEM IN THAT YOU CANNOT SURE IF YOU GET BACK FROM WHERE YOU HAVE GONE. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE FUNCTIONING.

Steering
Filed Jul 25, 201880,000 milesOK

TWICE SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED. MY WIFE SAYS THERE IS A MESSAGE ON THE DASH DISPLAY ABOUT THE STEERING. BOTH TIMES SHE SHOWED ME THE STEERING BEING LOCKED UP IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME. I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND RESTARTING. SHE TOLD ME THIS MORNING IT HAS HAPPENED TO HER WHILE DRIVING ONCE ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH . SHE WAS ABLE TO STRONG ARM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE SHOULDER. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I STILL OWE A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR AND I CAN'T EVEN GIVE IT AWAY WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 201813,000 milesCO

THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC HAS TWO "DRIVE" MODES: "D" AND "L". THE LATTER IS MORE AGGRESSIVE IN REGENERATIVE BRAKING. WHEN I APPROACH A RIGHT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE IS A SHORT SEGMENT OF CEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO ASPHALT ROADS. I BELIEVE THE TRACTION/STEERING CONTROL GETS CONFUSED, AND THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING DISENGAGES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND LURCH FORWARD, EVEN IF I AM BRAKING/DECELERATING. STEERING BEHAVIOR ALSO SEEMS AFFECTED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS VERY DISCONCERTING AS I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE CROSS-STREET I WAS TURNING ONTO. I CAN REPRODUCE THIS CONSISTENTLY.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 11, 2017IN

TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS.... GENERAL RECALL INQUIRY -- ELECTRIC STEERING LOCKED UP IN DRIVEWAY BEFORE LEAVING HOUSE TWICE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK... CONTACT CALLED DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP STATED ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CLUTCH WAS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. 0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN CB

Steering
Filed Nov 13, 2017166,160 milesTN

I STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTION ASSIST LIGHT WAS ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY OUT.

Steering
Filed Jun 25, 201770,000 milesOK

I STARTED THE CAR THIS MORNING AND THE STEERING WOULD NOT WORK. I CAME INSIDE THE HOUSE, LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON LINE AND FOUND A TERRIFIC AMOUNT OF HITS. I ALSO SAW THAT WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING CAN STOP ALL TOGETHER CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO SAW THAT SOMETIMES YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND START IT UP AGAIN AND THE STEERING PROBLEM MAY GO AWAY. THIS IS VERY ALARMING. WHAT IF I AM DRIVING AND THE STEERING GOES OUT? THIS, OF COURSE, CAN LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER OR TO OTHERS INVOLVED IN A CRASH.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 22, 201617,160 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND AN ABNORMAL BURNING OF THE OUTLET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CHARGE CABLE AND CHARGE RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,160. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 29, 2016GA

WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON THE STEERING SYSTEM FAULT MESSAGE CAME ON THE DASH AND CAUSED MY STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. I COULDN'T TURN IT AT ALL. ALL I WAS ABLE TO DO WAS DRIVE STRAIGHT BUT I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT SO I HAD TO TURN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AFTER A COUPLE OF TRIES IT EVENTUALLY UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. HOWEVER THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN WHILE I'M IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO CHILDREN. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HAPPENS IS WHEN I PUMP GAS IN THE CAR IT SEEMS TO STALLS ONCE I DRIVE LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF BUT IT DOESN'T.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 31, 201537,000 milesNJ

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 UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT SHORT CIRCUITING AND CAUSING POWER ISSUES. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THE EXISTING WIRING ISSUE AT THE MICHIGAN PLANT (HTTP://WWW.CLICKONDETROIT.COM/CONSUMER/RECALLS/FORD-RECALLS-160000-FOCUS-ESCAPE-MODELS-FOR-WIRING-PROBLEM). MAY BE RELATED TO REPORTS OF SUDDEN POWER LOSS IN FOCUS ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

Power Train
Filed Apr 27, 201539,750 milesNC

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 HARD. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR HAD NO MOTIVE POWER. TURNED CAR OFF. WAITED FOR ALL LIGHTS IN DASH TO GO OUT, THEN RESTARTED CAR NORMALLY. CAR APPEARED TO HAVE NO PROBLEMS. THIS HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT 2 DAYS. NO PROBLEMS NOTED. THE DEALER WAS TO BUSY ON FRIDAY TO LOOK FOR ANY CODES IN VEHICLE COMPUTER. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN EXCEPT WHEN THE MOTOR IS SHORTED OR GROUNDED OUT HARD ENOUGH TO BURN IT AND BLOW A FUSE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 18, 201552,000 milesFL

FOR THE PAST MONTH MY 2012 FORD FOCUS HAD BEEN JERKING WHEN INCREASING TO SPEEDS OF 55MPH AND HIGHER. I GOT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE, CHANGED THE TIRES, THINKING IT WOULD HELP. ON APRIL 16TH AT 5PM I WAS DRIVING FROM SCHOOL WHEN I WAS PASSING A BURGER KING ON A MAIN ROAD BY THR INTERSTATE, MY CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER AND STOPPED. I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, NOTHING. I ENDED UP PUSHING IT INTO BURGER KINGS PARKING LOT. TRIED TO JUMP IT. NO GO. TOOK BATTERY TO GET TESTED, COMPLETELY DEAD. OK, SO ALL IT NEEDS IS A BATTERY? WRONG! BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY. STILL NOTHING. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO PEP BOYS WHERE I AM INFORMED THAT ITS THE PCM/TCM AND ONLY FORD CAN FIX IT BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. OK, CALLED FORD IN TAMPA FL, AFTER DOING RESEARCH ABOUT RECALLS ON THIS SITE. ACCORDING TO THEM THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL. THEY ASKED ME IF I CALLED A WEEK AGO BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM NO. I SEARCH THIS SYSTEM WITH MY VIN, NO REPORTS.... HOW COULD THIS BE WHEN I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN THESE YEARS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT THIS IS AN OVERSIGHT AND THAT FORD DIDN'T REALIZE THE EXTENT OF THIS PROBLEM. ITS DANGEROUS. MEANWHILE MY CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH 52K....PCM/TCM SHOULDN'T BE A FACTOR. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 12, 201565,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE AND THE SPEED WOULD INCREASE TO 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 12, 201519,403 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED THE DIVIDING ROAD LINES CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,403.

20 of 33 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20177000Routine
20165110Routine
201512200Routine
201455210Routine
201369300Routine
2012 — this page33300Routine

Compare every Focus Electric year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 10, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.