There are 50 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2012 Ford Focusin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The car started shutting down while I am driving and also hard to start after
Yesterday my air conditioner was working fine and today it only blows out hot air I truly believe somebody's tampering with my air conditioner as they were with my 2010 Ford focus also. So my question to you is what do I do and what can I do about the car a/c I truly believe someone's tampering with my cars the air conditioner from a computer program somewhere in yamhill county Oregon.
BCM failure due to corrosion. Windscreen wash pump faulty. Fluid leaks into electrical components, travels through wiring, and into the BCM (body control module)
1) each and every time I pop it fuel into my car, even if I'm just topping it off, when I start it it like starts to bog down like it's clogged or something, then just like that clears up. 2) while car is off, and no keys in ignition at all, my cars dashboard makes this almost clicking sound and I notice the fuel tank and gauge both shot b up to the top then drop back downs, it's strange, 3) sometimes when accelerating from hear the car almost stalks... That's v the only way I'd be by able to describe it
Vehicle won’t start on multiple occasions. Vehicle struggles to turn on and lag to turn off. Vehicle struggles to change gears to speed up
My vehicle is under a cyber attack! I went to Ford dealership to have my horn fixed and explained the same thing I am about to tell you. They check and stated that there were some issue with the Sync system but all is well. If I further issues to see them again. Well, I have the same issues. My horn is not working when I know I just had it fixed! I was driving when suddenly my vehicle engine felt as though it was going to be disabled. The check tire pressure comes on and I have fairly new tires on my vehicle not to mention I had them checked prior the circuit board tells me. Folks know about the lighting of the vehicle that transmit looking for a signal when you open the trunk or open the doors. There was nothing wrong with this care when purchased used. I also believe due to the bluetooth signal, folks can hear my conversation and I DON'T HAVE A PHONE OPERATING WITH THE VEHICLE. When using phones in the car though, it automatically somehow enable the bluetooth on when I have it set to off. Another vehicle can ride behind me with his lights blurred onto my vehicle and go to the app of his phone and disable something in my car. Once my radio was changed and i did nothing to it. Sometimes it is set to a different radio genre station that I don't listen to. A truck road behind me and literally cut my radio on and could not turn it off until I pulled over and shut the car off! I have reported this to the police but folks think I am out of my mind. My life has been a living hell because I work for the state and folks there are doing the same thing to my car as a stranger would do when driving behind me. Also the car can pick up bank information if you are using the drive thru. They can track your account. I believe folks at work and neighbors of mind are using an app to do so. Because the car can connect to a garage , it can pick up a signal that can transfer to another vehicle if they have their car on. Again, the lights are the signal transmitter picking up information
The problem is with the transmission and dual clutch and electrical. My car shakes when still, doesn't want to go when I put on the gas, doesn't want to change gears. The electrical keeps going on and off and the fan goes on and stays on after I shut car off and get out and stays on. I took it to schicker ford on south kingshighway to get programmed and I got my car back it was worse.
Causing vehicle to shutter or jerk making the driver lose control for a minute or two when driving. Happens only, when accelerating at from a stop or turn.
PCM failed dealership didn't replace the recall but cleared it
While driving on interstate ,my car suddenly started hesitating and failed to pick up speed. The engine light came on. I pulled over, but did not turn car off fearing it would not restart, to look at owners manual. The problem continued as I drove home. I have driven it once for a short distance since and there was no change. This could cause an accident since it happened unexpectedly while driving at high speed. Brake light fault warning light is illuminated although light appears to be working. This could cause rear end collision if not operating. Luggage compartment opens while driving which causes visibility issue and chance of items stored there to blow out and cause accident. I can not tell if this issue is included in recall addressing locks and latches. Driver side window no longer operates, preventing escape if needed
The power steering has gone out again. We replace the rack and pinion with a brand new one and it still went out again. There are many complaints in regards to the power steering going out, including a death due to this car. There have been recalls for other Ford’s that were forced to be recalled because Ford continued to ignore the issue. Even with those recalls, my focus is not included and it a huge safety issue and decreases the drivability.
I had regular service done on my vehicle 5/27/2022 to which the battery needed to be replaced. That was done without issue however 3 days later as I was on my way to work the check engine light came on and my engine began revving then stalling/losing power as well as shuddering. This was especially concerning as I was on the highway traveling at 70 MPH when suddenly I lost engine power and my vehicle began lurching. I was close enough to home that I was able to turn back and drive very slowly as it was apparent there was an issue in the gears turning over when accelerating. I could not get my vehicle in for service as the dealership could only schedule me later the following week to get it diagnosed. I was able to drive it, again very, very slowly - to the dealership. I was told it was the TCM; 14MO2 Extended Coverage Warranty. The dealership assured me this would be covered yet now continues to tell me that this is not being accepted and that I have to pay out of pocket for this repair. I'm unsure of what to do at this point as my daily commuter has been at the dealership since June 9th 2022.
The horn has never worked for me since I had the car. I’ve had so many close calls where people almost backed into me and there is nothing I can do but pray! And also the stereo system I’ve had to go in and disconnect due to the fact that I’d come outside with my car off haven’t even started it that day yet the speakers would be blaring a horrible cracking and popping sounds also happens randomly while driving it’s very scary
Problem: Reoccurring check engine light and ODB2 Code's P0443 & P0444 Repairs made: MAF Sensor Purge Control Valve Reset Computer Air filter Cap less Gas Fill, W0133-2022154 Related Safety recalls: 18S32, 19V515000, 18V735 or 18V735000 I believe the Problem occurs due to an recall that was not performed or performed correctly leaving the problem. I am requesting the recall repair history from form Motor Company Please. Thank You, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I’ve been to several Fords for the Transmission control module TCM, the engine lagging or stalling all lights on my car going on now my whole right side of my car doesn’t work after telling Ford about these problems. They denied to fix my car even though there was a customer care warranty through Ford
Transmission has spontaneously went from overheating to not while driving, gears are slipping have speed and when it goes to shift all power lost, then it kicks back in. It was coded with transmission control module failure. The module and both actuators have been replaced now car will not relearn shifting patterns. Spontaneous overheating transmission messages just when car is turned on. Transmission control module has been programmed by dealership but all problems continue to exsist.
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.
Our Ford Focus BEV had a recall in 2014 (Ford# 15N03) It is a high voltage wire harness issue. The car will completely cut power to the drivetrain and shut down leaving a message on the dash saying "Stop Safely Now". We took it in for the fix in 2014 however the issue still continued after about a year and continues still. My wife just had this happen to her with the kids in the car. This issue puts the driver and passengers in very serious danger when the car just stops responding while moving in traffic. Ford said they would not recall the issue since the issue was "fixed" and that wire harness was only good for a 1 year warranty which expired in 2015. I am hoping Ford will do the right thing and fix this issue for good. Thanks for your help in this matter. -Dave
I have a 2012 Ford Focus SE that has a severe audio issue which impacts my ability to safely operate the vehicle. I understand radio issues are not technically defined as a safety-related defect. However this issue is so impairing and physically harming to me, I fear for my life and others while driving this car. The issue is a faulty car stereo electronics which create high-decibel thumping, popping, static, and more at random intervals and lengths while the audio system is on or off, with the volume turned all the way down either way. It is like a never-ending audio jump scare. Nothing is plugged into the car like a phone charger or speaker. I have found hundreds of people online with this same issue with their 2012 Ford Focus. In order to safely operate their Focus, many reported completely disconnecting the audio system or replacing their entire car radio/audio transmitter for $800+. This issue has been escalating every drive, short or long distances. On my 40 min commute this morning, with my audio completely off, I was approaching a roundabout to enter when a HUGE audio thump and pop occurred and almost ran into a car in the roundabout. Thankfully they saw me and we avoided a crash. I am terrified of this happening again. I cannot commute to my job without extreme stress and crying. I do not have hundreds of dollars to replace my audio system. This is extremely dangerous. I was able to find a solution to the exact issue on focusfanatics.com, a Ford Focus forum. An electric technician with 40+ years of experience took a look at his son's Ford Focus 2012 PCB and realized the capacitors/electrolytic caps were made of aluminum which is apparently, "notorious for going bad in the electronic repair world." He replaced these and the son has not had an issue since. Another person on the forum reported this electrician's solution worked for them as well. All 2012 Ford Focuses should have this issue repaired in order to have a safe operating vehicle.
AS I GO DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWS A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND LOSSES ALL POWER, THE POWER TRAIN GOES DEATH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SPECIALLY WHEN YOURE TRAVELING ON A PRETTY LOADED HIGHWAY AT 78MPH. THE ONLY GOOD THING IS THAT STEERING WHEEL IS STILL ALIVE AND BRAKES TOO. I HAD 90% OF BATTERY LIFE AND IT WAS A HOT DAY OUT THERE AT 94F DEGREES. I DID NOT TAKE A PICTURE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BUT I HAVE THE MESSAGE I RECEIVED IN MY CELL PHONE.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026