I BOUGHT MY 2012 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK IN JULY OF 2011. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED THE CAR ROLLING BACKWARDS ON HILLS, SPUTTERING WHEN STOPPED (LIKE AT A RED LIGHT), JUMPING UPON ACCELERATION, & BRIEFLY LOSING ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPM??S REVVED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP & THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BACKWARDS ROLLING, REVVING & JUMPING OF THE ENGINE WAS A TRAIT OF THE CAR. I TOLD THEM IT WAS DANGEROUS DEPENDING ON WHERE I WAS WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPENED (FOR EXAMPLE, AT AN INTERSECTION OR IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME). THEY ASSURED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. ON OCTOBER 17, 2011, THE CAR BROKE DOWN. I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT & PUSHED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, AT FIRST THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT ONCE IT GOT TO ABOUT 15/20 MPH, THE RPM??S BEGAN TO REV & THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR & THE CAR STOPPED REVVING. IF I HAD BEEN ON A HIGHWAY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE & TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE CAR WOULD THEN DRIVE, BUT THE ROLLING BACKWARDS ON HILLS, SPUTTERING WHEN STOPPED, JUMPING UPON ACCELERATION, & BRIEFLY LOSING ACCELERATION WHILE THE RPM??S REVVED STILL CONTINUED & AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE DEALERSHIP COULD STILL NOT FIX THESE ISSUES. I THEN RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD REFERENCING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 12B37 DAT
2012 Ford Focus complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →
CAR LUNGES WHEN ACCELERATING OR ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THRU AUTOMATIC OR SPORT MODE OF THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION ALSO TEMPORARILY PAUSES DURING SHIFTING ROUTINE AT ALL SPEEDS, MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS. IT IS LIKE THE CPU IS OVERRIDING WHAT THE DRIVER IS PROMPTING THRU TOUCHING OF THE GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL. WE'VE HAD IT IN TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE CONDITIONS, THEY INSIST THE CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. IF SO, FORD IS IN DENIAL AND MOST CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. I DESCRIBE THESE CONCERNS AS IF I WAS HAVING TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE, ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS BE EVERYONE'S NUMBER CONCERN. DITTO, THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE EITHER. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FROM FORD TO ADMIT AND RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM, AN INJURY ACCIDENT? I HOPE NOT. THEN, TOP THAT OFF, WE BOUGHT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE FOR TOWING PURPOSES. THE FACTORY REQUIRES THE CPU AND ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MUST BE DISCONNECTED TO TOW. UNFORTUNATELY, EACH TIME THE CPU IS TURNED BACK ON (RECONNECT THE NEGATIVE WIRE AT BATTERY), THE CPU THINKS IT IS NEW, THUS, THE LUNGING, SPORADIC SHIFTING STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. HELP... FORD WON'T LISTEN. THANK YOU *TR
LEFT REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT BOLTED TO THE CHASIS. *TR
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 QUICKLY TO THE POINT THAT I ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. DAYS LATER, I STARTED TO FEEL THAT THE STEERING REQUIRED BOTH HANDS AT ALL TIMES. IT WAS CONSTANTLY WANDERING AND SHAKY SPECIALLY DURING TURNS. TO TOP IT OFF ON SEPTEMBER 27TH SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED. I WAS IN THE DRIVE WAY, I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AT A LURCH. THE CAR ACCELERATED SO RAPIDLY EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW DOWN HITTING TWO CARS AND TEARING DOWN A FENCE. I COULD FINALLY STOP THE CAR WHEN I QUICKLY SHIFTED TO PARK. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW FORD SELLS THIS CAR WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS RISKING PEOPLE'S LIVES. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. HOW MANY FATALITIES ARE THEY WAITING FOR? ARE THEY GOING TO DO SOMETHING EVER ABOUT THESE MALFUNCTIONS? THIS IS RIDICULOUS IF I HAVE KNOWN ALL THESE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT FOR SURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO TRUNK RELEASE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON ENTERED THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT BECAUSE IT DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A TRUNK RELEASE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED .THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER FEELING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY LURCHY, I CAME TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I SAT REVVING MY ENGINE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE. I PUT CAR IN PARK AND THEN BACK IN DRIVE WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I TRIED THE S MODE WITH MANUAL SHIFTING AND CAR STILL DID NOT MOVE. I EVENTUALLY TURNED THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND BACK ON AND THIS SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I FOUND THE SITUATION VERY DANGEROUS . APPARENTLY FROM WHAT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CLUTCH WAS NOT ENGAGING. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAR. *TR
THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR. WITH THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ON I FILLED MY GAS TANK UNTIL THE HANDLE/NOZZLE OF THE GAS PUMP CLICKED OFF INDICATING THE TANK WAS FULL. WHEN I REMOVED THE NOZZLE FROM THE FILL TUBE YOU CAN HEAR A RUSH OF GAS COME UP AND THEN A SPLASH AS THE GAS HITS THE GROUND. IT EJECTS THE GAS UNDERNEATH THE CAR ALONGSIDE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE LEAVING AN 8" WET SPOT. MY CONCERN IS YOU HAVE HOT BRAKES AND A HOT MUFFLER RIGHT THERE NEXT TO WHERE THE FUEL IS DUMPING ON THE GROUND. IN MY HONEST OPINION THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. I NOW WILL NOT FILL UP MY TANK WITH ANYONE IN THE CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES. TWO TIMES BEFORE THE DEALER INVESTIGATED IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND ONE TIME AFTER. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERS FINANCE MANAGER WHO OWNS/LEASES A FORD FUSION AND HE STATED IT HAD HAPPENED TO HIM ON HIS CAR AS WELL. FORD HAS A NEW FUEL FILLER SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT USE A CAP ANYMORE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS SYSTEM MAY BE FAULTY BY DESIGN. *TR
IN JUNE 2012, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND HER FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. THIS WAS THE 3RD SET OF NEW TIRES WE HAD PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE (BY 30,000 MILES - AVERAGING 10,000 MILES PER SET OF TIRES). THEN IN JULY 2012, SHE WAS DRIVING HOME AND STARTED TO SKID. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE SKID AND HIT A TREE HEAD-ON. THE FRONT OF HER CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE TREE CENTERED HER CAR AND THE FRONT END LOOKED LIKE A VOLKSWAGEN BUG. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE HAD THIS VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. EACH TIME THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS COULD FEEL THE CAR SWAY WHEN RIDING IT IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY ($17,000 CHECK SENT TO FORD) AND WE STILL OWE $1700 THAT WE HAVE AGREED TO PAY TO FORD TO KEEP FROM RUINING OUR CREDIT. THANK GOD SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT THAT ACTUALLY WORKED - OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PLAN OUR DAUGHTERS FUNERAL. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS ADVERTISED AS BEING A VERY SAFE CAR WITH THE INTERIOR WRAPPED IN AIR BAGS. WRAPPING THE INTERIOR WITH AIR BAGS DOES NOT HELP IF THEY DO NOT WORK. I HAVE BEEN BUYING FORD AUTOMOBILES FOR 30 YEARS BUT, RIGHT NOW I AM WONDERING HOW SAFE MY FORD F-150 IS. WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING HIRING AN ATTORNEY. *TR
EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ELECTRICAL FAILURE (LOSS OF INSTRUMENTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, ETC.) - SAME PROBLEM AS DOCUMENTED BY OTHER DRIVERS (FOR EXAMPLES, SEE HTTP://WWW.FOCUSFANATICS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=282965). THIS BEHAVIOR MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE AND UNSAFE (HAD THESE ISSUES OCCURRED AT NIGHT, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS). MY DEALER, FRANKLIN FORD (FRANKLIN, MA) SEEMS TO BE UNAWARE OF THE PREVALENCE OF THIS ISSUE. I LOOK FORWARD TO A SPEEDY RESOLUTION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY ALSO CLAIMS TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE IN OTHER CASES. A QUICK WEB SEARCH REVEALS THAT THE PROBLEM IS INCREASINGLY COMMON. *TR
THE ROLLING BACK PROBLEM CAME FIRST. WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED ON ANY INCLINE, BETWEEN TAKING YOUR FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND PLACING IT ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR ROLLS BACK QUITE QUICKLY, AND I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE STEERING PROBLEMS CAME A LITTLE LATER. THE STEERING REQUIRES BOTH HANDS AT ALL TIMES, AND EVEN THEN IT IS QUITE SHAKY. I FEEL CAR SICK WHEN I AM THE PASSENGER BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT. DURING TURNS, THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS CUTTING OUT, IT LOSES SO MUCH POWER, AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR EXTREMELY HARD JUST TO GET ENOUGH POWER TO FINISH THE TURN. THE SCARIEST OF ALL OF THE PROBLEMS HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (60-70MPH) AND I BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN, THE STEERING GETS OUT OF CONTROL AND GOES BACK AND FORTH SO RAPIDLY, I HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE TRYING TO KEEP IT IN THE LANE, AND THE BRAKING IS NOT AS EFFICIENT AS IT SHOULD BE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND I HAVE NEARLY ESCAPED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I HAVE BEEN IN THIS SITUATION, I HAVE STARTED TO BRAKE RIGHT WHEN I SEE THE BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD, AND I HAVE HAD AMPLE SPACE TO STOP GRADUALLY AND SAFELY IF I WERE DRIVING A NORMAL CAR, BUT IN THIS CAR, IT IS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE BRAKES WON'T WORK WELL WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON DRY ROADS. THIS CAR TERRIFIES ME AND THE RAIN AND ICE HAVEN'T EVEN HIT YET. AFTER I EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HOW
3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2012 FORD FOCUS ALL RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 25, 2012 WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER BETWEEN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR ITSELF. THE RPM'S CONTINUED TO CLIMB BUT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER MOVING. TOOK TO FORD DEALER TO BE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE NEXT INCIDENT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 - NOT NECESSARILY A SAFETY CONCERN BUT CONTRIBUTES TO OVERALL PROBLEM - PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, PLACED CAR IN REVERSE, IT DID NOT MOVE. TOOK TO FORD DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS "REPROGRAMMED". THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, I PULLED OUT INTO 35 MPH TRAFFIC, MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR, GOING 10 MPH AND "REVVING" BUT NOT ACCELERATING FAST ENOUGH TO STAY AHEAD OF TRAFFIC. HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER WHERE IT IS AT THIS TIME. *TR
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AT ABOUT 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, THE MOONROOF GLASS EXPLODED OUTWARD. NO DAMAGE FROM DEBRIS OR FALLING OBJECTS ON THE GLASS. WINDOWS AND MOONROOF WERE CLOSED. A/C SET AT 71 DEGREES. TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE SHOWED TO BE 102 DEGREES. CAR WAS PARKED UNDER COVERED PARKING AT WORK FOR 10 HOURS BEFORE DRIVING HOME. *TR
NEW 2012 FOCUS JAN. 18-2012. AFTER 9258 MILES STEERING LOCKED WHILE ENTERING BUSY INTERSECTION. GREAT DIFFICULTLY STEERING CAR OFF ROAD. INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE THAT DAY (8-6) AND AGAIN 8-7, FOURTH TIME 8-18. WARNING LIGHT "STEERING ASSIST FAULT.". DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THEREFORE NOTHING CORRECTED. DEALER OFFERED NO RECOURSE. I FELT CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER FRUSTRATING CONVERSIONS WITH DEALER REP, A FRIEND DROVE THE CAR TO NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED A 2012 SONIC. THIS DECISION TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR WAS VERY COSTLY. MY SAFETY ON THE HIGHWAY NECESSITATED THE DECISION. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. AT TIMES I FELT REP'S REMARKS WERE DEMEANING. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALY JERK FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE RENTAL VEHICLE COMPANY OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,954.
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 REPLACED. THE CAR HAD 187 MILES ON IT. ON 8/30 I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FIXED AND I PICKED UP MY CAR. WITHIN A FEW MILES THE PROBLEM WAS BACK, BUT WORSE THIS TIME. I HAD SOME SLIGHT NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR WAS BUCKING AND JERKING. IT ALMOST STALLED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON MY WAY BACK TO THE DEALER. IT WAS STRUGGLING. THE CAR IS BACK IN SERVICE WITH 220 MILES ON IT. NOW THEY WANT TO KEEP IT FOR AT LEAST 3-4 DAYS. 8/31 I WAS ASKED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE MECHANIC TO SEE IF PROBLEM WOULD REOCCUR. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A KICK WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR DROVE OK, ALTHOUGH WE ONLY DROVE AROUND A BLOCK TOGETHER. SALES MANAGER SAYS THAT IF THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIND ANY FURTHER PROBLEM, THEN I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK INTO MY POSSESSION SINCE IT'S MY CAR. HE SAYS THAT SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN AND I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT AND LET THE MECHANICS DO THEIR JOB. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN MY POSSESSION UNDER 30 HOURS SINCE I PURCHASED IT ON 8/27. THE CAR ALSO HAS AN ISSUE WITH ROLLING BACK ON AN INCLINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE HE SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR IT HESITATED AND MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND INDEPENDENTLY REVERTED BACK TO 1ST GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS BEHAVIOR WAS NORMAL AND PROVIDED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTING THE DEALERS NOT TO REPAIR THOSE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS UNTIL HE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED BY THE DEALER AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
RECALL DONE --NOT FIXED ABC CONTROL SYSTEM. STILL ROLLS BACK AT INCLINE. ACCIDENT PARKING LOT STOPPED SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK (THOUGHT) OPEN DOOR STEPPED OUT CAR STARTED ROLLING BACK JUMPED BACK IN NOT TO GET RUN OVER TO HIT BRAKE PEDAL. FRONT DOOR OPEN HIT PARKED TRUCK (ACCIDENT) DESTROYED MY DRIVERS DOOR WITH MAJOR DAMAGE TO DOOR AND SOME DAMAGED TO PARKED TRUCK. HAD FRIEND IN THE PASSENGER SIT AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED. VIN# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,493 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 9/25/12 *CN UPDATED 10/03/2012 *JS
I WAS LEAVE AN APPOINTMENT WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION. I STOPPED SHORT OF THE FADED WHITE LINE ON THE ROAD BUT A LITTLE PAST THE POSITION IN WHICH THE STOP SIGN WAS POSTED SO I ASSUMED I WOULD BE GOOD TO GO FROM THIS SPOT. I THEN LOOKED BOTH WAYS DID NOT SEE ANY ON COMING TRAFFIC FROM EITHER DIRECTION SO I PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS HAVE WAY INTO THE ROAD THAT I EVEN NOTICE THE OTHER DRIVER COMING AT ME AND BY THAT TIME IT WAS TO LATE ANY NEITHER MYSELF OR THE OTHER DRIVER WERE ABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE OTHER DRIVERS CAR THE STUCK MY IN THE REAR PASSENGER COMPLETELY DESTROYING IT AND SPINNING ME OUT OF THE ROAD IN THE DIRECTION OF A LIGHT POLE WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID OR STOP SHORT OF DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAD LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLES CONTROLS. MY FINAL STOPPING POSITION WAS A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THE POLE AFTER IT RIPPED THAT SECTION OF FRONT BUMPER APART AND I BOUNCED OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NEITHER THE SIDE NOR FRONT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WIRES ON THE TRUNK LID WERE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
MY VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO STALL WHEN STOPPING OR WHEN, FROM A STANDING POSITION, ATTEMPTS TO STALL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT TURNS ON AND I MEAN IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL TO TURN ON IN THE MORNINGS AT TIMES. IT WILL TAKE A FEW TURNS OF THE KEY AND THEN IT WILL START. *TR
2012 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRUNK LID, WIRING AND WATER FLOWING DOWN REAR WINDOW *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TRUNK WAS ACTIVATED, THE LID WENT FROM FULLY CLOSED TO FULLY OPENED AT A HIGH VELOCITY IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE WIRING ROUTED TO THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK LID, WAS HANGING DOWN, AND WHEN IT RAINED, WATER FLOWED DOWN AND THROUGH THE GAPS BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW AND THE TOP OF THE TRUNK LID.
VEHICLE STARTED UP BUT THE DISPLAY SCREEN THAT IS VISIBLE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BLACK. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND TRIED TO RESTART BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS AND COULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE RADIO WORKED. A WEEK PREVIOUSLY TO THIS INCIDENT MY DATE ON THE MY TOUCH SYSTEM CHANGED BACK TO 4/20/2011 AND THE TIME WAS OFF BY 2 HOURS PREVIOUS TO THE CURRENT TIME. IT EVENTUALLY WENT BACK TO THE CORRECT DATE AND TIME BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES WITH A DELAY OF ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. *TR
VEHICLE STARTED BUT RAN VERY ROUGH.TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED AND MY TOUCH SCREEN CAME UP BUT THEN EVERY THING WENT BLACK. TRIED TO RESTART BUT NO IGNITION,NO HEADLIGHTS NO RADIO AND COULD NOT EVEN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. TOWING SERVICE HAD TO JUMP BATTERY TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL SO IT COULD BE TOWED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH CONTINENTAL ROAD TIRES, SIZE: 215/ 50 R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SLIGHTLY CRASH INTO A CURB. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE WAS UNDER INFLATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXHIBITED SEVERAL BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALL. THE DEALER PUNCTURED THE BUBBLES IN ORDER TO DEFLATE THE TIRE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS UNDER INFLATED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,436....UPDATED 10/11/12 *BF UPDATED 10/15/2012 *JS
VEHICLE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM LOCKED THE CAR WHILE PARKED WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED TO FORCE ENTRY. ALARM DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN DOOR WAS OPENED. *TR
VEHICLE ROLLS BACK AFTER I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE THAT HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM LISTED. VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 4700 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY FIXED IT BUT IT COULD TAKE UP TO 6 MONTHS FOR THE "ADJUSTMENT" TO TAKE PLACE. THIS DID NOT SOUND REASONABLE TO ME BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. *TR
TWO INCIDENTS. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED ON AN ARTERIAL STREET. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, AND THERE WAS NO DANGER TO ME OR OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS OUT OF GAS. THE GAUGE HAD BEEN READING 1/4 FULL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE GAUGE CONTINUED TO GIVE FALSE READINGS (MOVED FROM LOWER TO HIGHER AMOUNTS DURING THE COURSE OF EXHAUSTING THE FUEL SUPPLY) OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. EVENTUALLY THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FUEL TANK WAS WARPED, AND REPLACED THE TANK. ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY APPROACHING A MAJOR FREEWAY SYSTEM INTERCHANGE, AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF, CAUSING ME TO HAVE IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPT TO MOVE ACROSS FOUR LANES OF MODERATELY HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED ON A SLIGHT UPHILL INCLINE, SO THE CAR LOST FORWARD SPEED VERY QUICKLY. DURING THE EMERGENCY MANEUVER, I WAS FORCED IN FRONT OF ANOTHER MOTORIST, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS EXHAUSTED OF FUEL, BUT WITHIN TEN MINUTES PRIOR HAD SHOWN A READING OF 1/4 TANK REMAINING. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE GAUGE NEEDLE WAS ACTUALLY INDICATING 1/2 TANK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE IN A JERKING MOTION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME. IN ADDITION, ON A SEPARATE OCCASSION THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURES OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER EIGHT TIMES FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION. A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED IN WHICH A TROUBLE CODE WAS NOT DETECTED. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, ABS, AND DRIVE TRAIN WERE REPROGRAMMED MORE THAN ONE TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A GRINDING NOISE AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MANY OCCASIONS, BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES COVERING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,364. UPDATED 08/16/12*LJ
I AM AN OWNER OF 2012 FORD FOCUS. MY CAR ROLLS BACK EVERY TIME I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE ON A HILL. IT ROLLS SO FAST! IT'S REALLY UNSAFE AND SCARY; ESPECIALLY I HAVE MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER RIDING AT THE BACK SEAT. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST MONTH BUT THE ISSUE WAS NEVER SOLVED. THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE CAR WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO ROLL BACK WHEN YOU'RE UP THE HILL. I NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF ISSUE WITH MY OTHER CARS BEFORE. I HOPE FORD WILL DO A RECALL FOR ALL 2012 FOCUS. *TR
I HAD AN EARLIER COMPLAINT ON MY FIRST FOCUS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2012...INCIDENT DATE JUNE 27 2012...I LOST POWER STEERING ON 3 OCCASIONS...SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX IT SO THEY EXCHANGED MY CAR FOR AN IDENTICAL ONE ON JULY 25, 2012...THE SECOND DAY I DROVE THE NEW FOCUS, SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENED WITH THE STEERING WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY...I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED TO WANDER TO THE RIGHT AND IT ALSO DID IT TO THE LEFT...THE STEERING IS VERY TIGHT AND WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT...I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THAT IS JUST HOW IT DRIVES..IF THIS TRUE, I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE EXPRESSWAY...THIS WANDERING WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND TIRING TO FIGHT THE WHEEL....2 NEW CARS IN 4 MONTHS TIME BOTH WITH STEERING PROBLEMS MAKES ME THINK THERE ARE SOME KINKS WITH THE NEW ELECTRIC STEERING ON FORDS....THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST EXPERIENCE WITH FORDS. *JS
GOT THE CAR ON WEDNESDAY JULY 25TH AFTER A WEEK LONG WAIT FOR KEY....LONG STORY.....THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED 2 HOURS AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR. SITTING IN A DRIVE THRU. "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED". TURNED CAR OFF AND ON PROBLEM WENT AWAY. NEXT DAY SITTING IN TRAFFIC, THE PROBLEM RETURNED CALLED FOR SERVICE AND TAKING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. WISH I WOULD HAVE LOOKED THIS UP PRIOR TO PURCHASE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE SPEED BEING DRIVEN WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM REGARDING THE UNINTENDED ROLLING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD WHENEVER HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ONCE ROLLED BACKWARD AS MUCH AS FIFTY FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THAT ADDRESSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
PURCHASED A NEW 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN APRIL, 2012. IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED LOW SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND ALSO DISCOVERED COMPLETE FREE ROLL BACKWARD, UNENDING, UNTIL HITTING LEVEL GROUND AND/OR HITTING AN OBJECT WHILE ROLLING BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE, EVEN WHILE IN GEAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY AND DRIVER LIABILITY ISSUE . DEALERSHIP HAS RE-PROGRAMMED TRANSMISSION ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WITHOUT SUCCESS. DEALERSHIP HAD ME TEST DRIVE ANOTHER 2012 FOCUS THINKING IT WOULD NOT DEMONSTRATE THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM...AND TO THEIR SURPRISE..THE TEST DRIVE VEHICLE THEY GAVE ME ALSO PERFORMED THE SAME WAY ON THE FREE ROLLBACK WHILE IN GEAR. I BELIEVE THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM HERE IS THAT FORD HAS DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE 2012 FOCUS LINE A STANDARD/MANUAL TRANSMISSION (POORLY SHIFTED BY SOFTWARE AND DYSFUNCTIONAL ON THE FREE ROLL BACK ISSUE) AND IS MARKETING IT TO ALL CONSUMERS AS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT TRULY IS A STANDARD/MANUAL DESIGN. THE WINDOW STICKER AND SALES PROCESS MISREPRESENTS TO THE CONSUMER THAT IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS MAY CONSTITUTE CONSUMER FRAUD ON A NATIONAL LEVEL LEADING TO EITHER CLASS ACTION LITIGATION, TOTAL RECALL AND/OR INDIVIDUAL CASES OF LITIGATION. I AM CONSIDERING ALL OF THE ABOVE AS THE PROBLEM REMAINS AND HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED. *TR
THE TRUNK LID IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS AT ACCELERATION MAJOR SUSPENSION WORK REQUIRED DO TO ENGINEERING AND PRODUCTION ENGINE SHUDDERS AND CLUNKS WHEN SHUTTING OFF ROUGH IDLE AND ENGINE MISSES. PROBLEMS ARE INCONSISTENT . *TR
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A MAIN ROAD ONTO A SIDE STREET I ENCOUNTER MASSIVE GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM WHAT SOUNDED LIKE MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AREA. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. FROM THEN ON THERE IS INTERMITTENT NOISES COMING FROM THAT AREA (SOUNDS LIKE PLASTIC RUBBING ON SOMETHING) I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SAT, 7/14 THEY DID A VISUAL SAFETY EXAM AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG BUT THEY DID ROTATE MY TIRES JUST IN CASE. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS FROM ABOUT 0-20 MPH (GOING STRAIGHT) (SOUNDS SEPARATE FROM THE GRINDING ISSUES UNDER THE TIRE, BUT I AM UNSURE IF THIS IS RELATED. I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 7/19 TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND A PROBLEM. VERY FRUSTRATING AS THIS CAR IS JUST OVER 6 MONTHS OLD! *TR
WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP, DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT: SERVICE REQUIRED." THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND STARTING IT AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. TWO WEEKS LATER ON JULY 14, AT 1717 MILES, AS I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN AND THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND STARTING IT AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. AGAIN, THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES. *TR
THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY FOCUS. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE FOCUS'S AUTOMATIC DSG TRANSMISSION (IN D) WILL QUICKLY SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR IN AN EFFORT TO MINIMIZE FUEL CONSUMPTION. DURING A STOPPED TURN AT A INTERSECTION THIS LEADS TO A UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE COMMANDED ACCELERATION TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO HAPPEN. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS LIKE THIS: THE CAR ACCELERATES AT A STOP SIGN OR PARKING LOT. THE CAR ACCELERATES TO 10-15 MILES PER HOUR. THE DRIVER LETS OFF THE GAS DURING THE "TURN" PART. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO SECOND OR A HIGHER GEAR. THE DRIVER THEN COMMANDS A LARGE ACCELERATION - SAY DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC - AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS IS BECAUSE THE DSG TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO SHIFT SEQUENTIALLY INTO FIRST AND THIS TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS. ALSO IT APPEARS THAT THE POWERTRAIN IS DISCONNECTED WHILE THIS SHIFTING TAKES PLACE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY SELECTS FIRST THE ACCELERATION CAN BE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND I BELIEVE IT IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IT CAN BE AVOIDED BY MANUALLY SELECTING FIRST - THEN SHIFTING TO D WHEN THE TURN IS COMPLETE. THE CAR JERKS,SHUTTER.JUMPS, MISSHIFTS, RATTLES. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK 3 TIMES AND REPROGRAM 2 TIME TBS,ABS.PCM. THIS CAR IS JUNK AND NEED BE FIXED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NEARLY CAUSED CRASHES WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,800.
SINCE DAY ONE OF THE PURCHASE OF MY (MARCH ) 2012 FORD FOCUS THE STEERING "FEELS" LIKE IT IS CONSTANTLY WANDERING, AFTER AN HOUR DRIVE TIME, YOUR ARM IS GIVE OUT FROM THE STRESS. MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE A FLUTTER IN THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE DURING TAKE OFF. THE CAR WILL ALSO ROLL BACK WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE. THE DEALER CHECKED STEERING THE 4TH DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND ASSURED ME THE STEERING WAS FINE, THAT IT WAS NEW & TIGHT. I DID RECIEVE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION TO UPGRADE OR MODIFY SOME TYPE OF CHIP. I CANNOT TELL ANY IMPROVMENT SINCE THE UPGRADE. MY WIFE & SON HATE TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF THE STEERING AND ROLLING BACK....BY THE WAY IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION---I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS ON ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST. *TR
WHEN ACCELERATING CAR JUMPS OR HOPS VIOLENTLY. ENGINE MAKES GRINDING/CHATTERING NOISE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. EXPERIENCE ROLL BACK WHEN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. POWER SHIFT 6 SPEED IS NOT SAFE. HAVE TROUBLE CROSSING LANES OF TRAFFIC FOR THE JUMPING/LAUNCH JUDDER PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM UNDER REFERENCE NUMBER 123B7 (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) AND AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WITH THE GEAR IN PARK. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN STATIONARY, A BLOCK WAS PLACED AGAINST THE TWO REAR TIRES. ALSO, A STRONG ANTIFREEZE ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND AN OIL LEAK WAS VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,917. UPDATED 08/23/12*LJ UPDATED 09/24/2012 *JS
I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 5 MPH DUE TO TRAFFIC AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2012 FORD FOCUS SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING IT SORT OF SCARED ME BECAUSE DIDN'T KNOW WHY? I SAID OK MAYBE JUST A COINSIDENCE BUT TO MY SURPRISE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON FREEWAY SINCE THATS MY DAILY ROUTE WAS GOING 45MPH AND AGAIN TURNED OFF I TOOK TO GET SERVICED SINCE I DRIVE FROM RIVERSIDE TO BURBANK EVERYDAY THOUGHT MAYBE NEEDS TO GET SERVICED AND MENTIONED TO FELLOW A FORD BUT SAID WELL IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT IN AND WILL CHECK IT OUT SO I SAID OK WELL HOPEFULLY NOT BUT IT HAPPEND FOR 3RD TIME AND I WAS GOING 70 MPH AND ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT THANK GOD NO ONE WAS NEXT TO ME HAD TO STOP BECAUSE IT TURNED OFF COMPLETELTY BUT THIS TIME SAID TRANSMISSION ON SCREEN SO I TOOK IT TO FORD AND I EXPLAINED EVERYTHING TO THEM BECAUSE I'M SCARED I'M NOT GONNA MAKE IT HOME TO MY FAMILY AGAIN BECAUSE GOING AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR SHUTS DOWN IMAGINE HOW SCARED I WAS..... THE PEOPLE AT FORD CHECKED IT OUT AND TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE ON FREEWAY AND SAID IT WAS FINE NOTHING CAME UP BUT HELLO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYDAY THEY EXPLAINED THEY CHECKED OTHER FORD STORES TO SEE IF THEY HAVE HEARD OF SUCH PROBLEM AND SUPPOSEDLY IT HASN'T BUT I'M READING SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND I SEE SOME ARE RELATED SO I NEED TO FIND OUT WHT TO DO BECAUSE I HONESTLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. JUST THINKING WHEN AM I GOING TO CRASH OR DIE. NOT FAIR THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THE PROBLEM SO WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN F
AS I WAS TURNING OUT OF A STORE INTO TRAFFIC, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT....POWER ASSIST FAULT CAME UP ON COMPUTER SCREEN....STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TURN....ONCE I GOT OFF THE ROAD I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND THE STEERING RETURNED....I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT PER SSM 21987 CODE. ONE WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, TWICE WITHIN 6 MILES....FIRST TIME I WAS BACKING UP AND THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR....IT APPEARS THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME AND IN ANY GEAR....I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO THEIR SHOP...PRESENT MILEAGE 2076 MILES....I'LL SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THIS TIME....I FEAR THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT CONTINUES. *TR
I BOUGHT THE 2012 FORD FOCUS SEL ON MAY 5TH 2012. THE CAR HAS HAD BOTH FRONT STRUTS REPLACED, AT 69 MILES!! THE CAR JERKS AND REFUSES TO GO WHEN YOU GIVE IT GAS AFTER BEING COMPLETELY STOPPED, I WAS ALMOST HIT PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY ROAD BECAUSE THE CARE WOULD NOT GO!!!! THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN THIS CAR, HOWEVER GREY DANIELS FORD IN BRANDON MISSISSIPPI WILL NOT DO THAT, SO I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AND A HALF SINCE BUYING ON MAY 5TH, THE REST OF THE TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP. FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THESE VEHICLES CORRECTLY. STOP PUTTING A BANDAID ON THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT ALREADY!!!! I GUESS THEY'LL WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLECT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS.....BUT THEN WHO KNOWS THAT MIGHT NOT EVEN GET THEIR ATTENTION. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE, THAT I CAN GUARANTEE!!! *TR
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2012 Ford Focus → · Every Focus year → · How the figures are calculated →