2012 FORD FOCUS — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 3,785 complaints · 11 recalls
Most-reported system: POWER TRAIN (1,167 complaints · 30.8%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 107
  • Fires 15
  • Injuries 87
  • Deaths 5
Compare with 2011 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution POWER TRAIN appears in 1,167 of 3,785 owner complaints (30.8%) in this vehicle snapshot. POWER TRAIN: 1,167 complaints, 30.8% of reports POWER TRAIN 1,167 · 30.8% · 14 crash reports 2 fire reports STEERING: 875 complaints, 23.1% of reports STEERING 875 · 23.1% · 22 crash reports 1 fire reports STRUCTURE: 285 complaints, 7.5% of reports STRUCTURE 285 · 7.5% · 2 crash reports FUEL SYSTEM: 242 complaints, 6.4% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 242 · 6.4% ENGINE: 222 complaints, 5.9% of reports ENGINE 222 · 5.9% · 4 crash reports 2 fire reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 168 complaints, 4.4% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 168 · 4.4% · 5 crash reports 2 fire reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: 119 complaints, 3.1% of reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 119 · 3.1% · 10 crash reports VISIBILITY: 63 complaints, 1.7% of reports VISIBILITY 63 · 1.7% · 1 fire reports AIR BAGS: 34 complaints, 0.9% of reports AIR BAGS 34 · 0.9% · 28 crash reports 1 fire reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 907 complaints, 24.0% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 907 · 24.0% · 17 crash reports 4 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
POWER TRAIN 1,167 30.8% 14 crashes · 2 fires
STEERING 875 23.1% 22 crashes · 1 fires
STRUCTURE 285 7.5% 2 crashes · 0 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 242 6.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 222 5.9% 4 crashes · 2 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 168 4.4% 5 crashes · 2 fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 119 3.1% 10 crashes · 0 fires
VISIBILITY 63 1.7% 0 crashes · 1 fires
AIR BAGS 34 0.9% 28 crashes · 1 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 907 24.0% 17 crashes · 4 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Apr 2011; the first recall shown was reported in Apr 2012. 2011-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2011-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2012-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2012-Q2: 24 owner reports 24 2012-Q3: 45 owner reports 45 2012-Q4: 30 owner reports 30 2013-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2013-Q2: 28 owner reports 28 2013-Q3: 64 owner reports 64 2013-Q4: 43 owner reports 43 2014-Q1: 40 owner reports 40 2014-Q2: 96 owner reports 96 2014-Q3: 119 owner reports 119 2014-Q4: 89 owner reports 89 2015-Q1: 76 owner reports 76 2015-Q2: 92 owner reports 92 2015-Q3: 155 owner reports 155 2015-Q4: 116 owner reports 116 2016-Q1: 126 owner reports 126 2016-Q2: 152 owner reports 152 2016-Q3: 320 owner reports 320 2016-Q4: 152 owner reports 152 2017-Q1: 83 owner reports 83 2017-Q2: 87 owner reports 87 2017-Q3: 99 owner reports 99 2017-Q4: 73 owner reports 73 2018-Q1: 59 owner reports 59 2018-Q2: 61 owner reports 61 2018-Q3: 77 owner reports 77 2018-Q4: 88 owner reports 88 2019-Q1: 104 owner reports 104 2019-Q2: 100 owner reports 100 2019-Q3: 234 owner reports 234 2019-Q4: 142 owner reports 142 2020-Q1: 80 owner reports 80 2020-Q2: 43 owner reports 43 2020-Q3: 58 owner reports 58 2020-Q4: 43 owner reports 43 2021-Q1: 29 owner reports 29 2021-Q2: 32 owner reports 32 2021-Q3: 41 owner reports 41 2021-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2022-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2022-Q2: 31 owner reports 31 2022-Q3: 70 owner reports 70 2022-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2023-Q1: 30 owner reports 30 2023-Q2: 31 owner reports 31 2023-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2023-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2024-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2024-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2024-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2024-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2025-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 2025-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2025-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2025-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2026-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2026-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2026-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 Owner reports Apr 2011 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 12V149000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V149000 Recall campaign 12E035000 ◆ Recall campaign 12E035000 Recall campaign 13V335000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V335000 Recall campaign 13V475000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V475000 Recall campaign 13V523000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V523000 Recall campaign 16V643000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V643000 Recall campaign 18V592000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V592000 Recall campaign 18V735000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V735000 Recall campaign 19V515000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V515000 Recall campaign 20V331000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V331000 Recall campaign 26V369000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V369000 Investigation PE13031 ● Investigation PE13031 Investigation PE16001 ● Investigation PE16001 Investigation PE16001 ● Investigation PE16001 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005 Investigation RQ23006 ● Investigation RQ23006
  • Campaign 12V149000 was reported 50 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 13V475000 was reported 733 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 13V523000 was reported 816 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 16V643000 was reported 1,938 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V592000 was reported 2,672 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V735000 was reported 2,589 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V515000 was reported 2,845 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V331000 was reported 3,309 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V369000 was reported 5,376 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2011-Q2 Owner reports 1
2011-Q3 Owner reports 13
2011-Q4 Owner reports 14
2012-Q1 Owner reports 19
2012-Q2 Owner reports 24
2012-Q3 Owner reports 45
2012-Q4 Owner reports 30
2013-Q1 Owner reports 27
2013-Q2 Owner reports 28
2013-Q3 Owner reports 64
2013-Q4 Owner reports 43
2014-Q1 Owner reports 40
2014-Q2 Owner reports 96
2014-Q3 Owner reports 119
2014-Q4 Owner reports 89
2015-Q1 Owner reports 76
2015-Q2 Owner reports 92
2015-Q3 Owner reports 155
2015-Q4 Owner reports 116
2016-Q1 Owner reports 126
2016-Q2 Owner reports 152
2016-Q3 Owner reports 320
2016-Q4 Owner reports 152
2017-Q1 Owner reports 83
2017-Q2 Owner reports 87
2017-Q3 Owner reports 99
2017-Q4 Owner reports 73
2018-Q1 Owner reports 59
2018-Q2 Owner reports 61
2018-Q3 Owner reports 77
2018-Q4 Owner reports 88
2019-Q1 Owner reports 104
2019-Q2 Owner reports 100
2019-Q3 Owner reports 234
2019-Q4 Owner reports 142
2020-Q1 Owner reports 80
2020-Q2 Owner reports 43
2020-Q3 Owner reports 58
2020-Q4 Owner reports 43
2021-Q1 Owner reports 29
2021-Q2 Owner reports 32
2021-Q3 Owner reports 41
2021-Q4 Owner reports 28
2022-Q1 Owner reports 20
2022-Q2 Owner reports 31
2022-Q3 Owner reports 70
2022-Q4 Owner reports 19
2023-Q1 Owner reports 30
2023-Q2 Owner reports 31
2023-Q3 Owner reports 32
2023-Q4 Owner reports 16
2024-Q1 Owner reports 22
2024-Q2 Owner reports 10
2024-Q3 Owner reports 17
2024-Q4 Owner reports 11
2025-Q1 Owner reports 17
2025-Q2 Owner reports 15
2025-Q3 Owner reports 14
2025-Q4 Owner reports 4
2026-Q1 Owner reports 6
2026-Q2 Owner reports 10
2026-Q3 Owner reports 8
Recall campaign 1 12V149000
Recall campaign 1 12E035000
Recall campaign 1 13V335000
Recall campaign 1 13V475000
Recall campaign 1 13V523000
Recall campaign 1 16V643000
Recall campaign 1 18V592000
Recall campaign 1 18V735000
Recall campaign 1 19V515000
Recall campaign 1 20V331000
Recall campaign 1 26V369000
Defect investigation 1 PE13031
Defect investigation 1 PE16001
Defect investigation 1 PE16001
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
Defect investigation 1 RQ23006
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (11)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 12E035000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Without proper contact of the rooftop rack clip to the door frame, there is insufficient clamping pressure and friction. The system may slide off the vehicle when loaded with accessories, possibly becoming a road hazard to other vehicles or causing injury to pedestrians.
    Remedy:
    Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focus. The safety recall began on October 15, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the vehicle rack system are affected. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not Ford. Owners may contact Yakima at 1-888-925-4621.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 12V149000

    Report date
    Component:
    VISIBILITY
    Consequence:
    WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE CONNECTOR, RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR, REDUCING VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND AS NECESSARY, CLEAN AND PROPERLY SEAL THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR CONNECTOR. ANY INOPERATIVE WIPER MOTORS WILL BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V335000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V475000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V523000

    Report date
    Component:
    POWER TRAIN
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V643000

    Report date
    Component:
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
    Consequence:
    A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V592000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V735000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    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 crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 19V515000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    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 crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V331000

    Report date
    Component:
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
    Consequence:
    A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 26V369000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 3785 complaints · page 1 of 152

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources