The Lemon Index2012 Ford Focus.
The 2012 Ford Focus is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 1,099 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 413, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, and it has 8 recalls. The best Ford Focus year is 2011.
Lemon alert. 4.1× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2011
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2012–2018 Ford Focus, 34.5M views. The 2012 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.3M views
2012-2015 Ford Focus Battery ReplacementNoneMechanic101 · 623K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter1.2M views
How to Reset Transmission ford focus 2013YTLIFE · 531K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring748K views
How To: Change the Tail Lights on a 2011-2018 Ford FocusO'Reilly Auto Parts · 259K views · 4 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition651K views
2013 Ford Focus No Start/ Wont Start Issue SOLVED!Alek Timmons · 651K views
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors400K views
Do I REGRET buying a 2017 Ford Focus RS? 15 month UPDATERaiti's Rides · 400K views - Oil changes & service370K views
HOW TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL ON FORD FOCUS 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019Auto Repair Guys · 238K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension323K views
How to Replace Front Lower Control Arm 2012-2020 Ford FocusTRQ · 211K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank268K views
2014 Ford Focus Low Fuel Pressure P0087 FixedL8R-HP · 268K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford Focus Hatchback 2012-2020 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 850K views
Ford Focus ST 2015-2019 in-depth review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 311K views
Ford Focus Estate 2015-2019 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 271K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 3,803 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Focus year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 38K to 96K miles on the car (3,125 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 23K–89K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 54K–100K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 29K–98K miles
Recalls 8
- fuel system, gasoline 2026
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended.
Show all 8 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- lights 2013
Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function.
- equipment 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles.
- visibility 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FOCUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 127 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There may be steering assist warning lights as well as well as a stored trouble code
- See document search button for owner letter
- The cruise control, on some vehicles, may be inoperative due to steering wheel wiring harness
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2023–2024
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus 5 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Focus 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $700–2200 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).
In owners' words
An unexpected loss of power while driving resulting in a stall-like condition. Shifting gears lock up. Have to shut off car, let it sit for a few minutes and restart it.
2012 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 10596106
More owner reports
My car (2012 Ford Focus) has problems shifting and makes a shutter noise while taking off I have taken it to the dealer multiple times and they told me nothing is wrong with the car.
NHTSA complaint 10610903
I have a Ford Focus 2012 se with winter and comfort packages. My vehicle suddenly swapped up from 79 mph to 81 mph when I pressed the down button to slow the car.
NHTSA complaint 10592696
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Ford Focus reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 4.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 413; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Focus year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2012 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (54%), steering (17%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Focus have?
8 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2012 Ford Focus safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,000 and 96,000 miles. The middle report was at 67,000 miles, from 3,125 complaints.
Does the 2012 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 54% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $700 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Ford Focus year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works