2012 Ford Focus: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Sep 19, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · 56,000 miles · NM

The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when shifting into reverse (R) and would shudder when depressing the accelerator pedal. The engine revved to 5,000 RPMS, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission clutch actuator was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing inaccurate fuel gauge reading. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward, lost motive power and stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the PCM was reprogrammed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive fuel consumption. The contact stated that he noticed fuel leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank was deformed and overfilled. The contact stated that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) had previously been completed on the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not experiencing the failure at the time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Filed May 13, 2023 · Transmission · PA

I was driving about 45mph when the car tried to downshift then upshift and it stalled in the middle of the road. The transmission light came on right as it stalled along with the traction control light. Which the traction control light it made me swerve into oncoming traffic almost causing an accident. So I got it to the opposite side of the road and went to put it in park and it lunged forward while crooked at the same time almost hitting a passing car. Over a year ago I had called a dealership about the TCM because every great while the car would shudder but nothing severe and was told the 10 yr 150000 mile recal didn't fit my car even though it was still within the 10 yr part but had 180000 on it. I ended up having the car towed to my mechanic since once I restarted it after a half hour wait before it would turn over tellingmy.no key was detected I turned the car around and went about a quarter of a mile down the road and it stalled on me and wouldn't go into park and I rolled down a hill towards kids getting dropped off by the bus after school let out. I ended up being able to turn it without power steering working into an abandoned house driveway. About 100 feet from a kid. Ford wants 400 to even diagnose it if I can get it towed there. The car should have been fixed under warranty last year but ford always finds a way out of fixing their vehicles. I have a 2012 ford focus se.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced jerking, transmission slipping, independent deceleration, random downshifting, and unintended acceleration while stationary. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Aug 21, 2019 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · NV

Was driving home on a fairly busy street then suddenly vehicle randomly started to jerk and kick while accelerating. When accelerating in drive, the car was stuck in neutral and then suddenly jolted and went to first gear then second and then back to first all in a span of 20 seconds. The RPM was erradict and rised and dropped dramatically. Coming to a stop, the car would hesitate and continue to move forward despite braking so I had to keep a wide distance from the vehicle in front of me for fear that the car will lunge forward upon accelerating or trying to stop. I had to drive less than 20 MPH, any higher and the car was kicking and jolting.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 137,000 miles · PA

The vehicle shudders from a compete stop or accelerating this has happened since purchase of the vehicle. Most recently the car will accelerate when driving or in worst cases while braking. The vehicle has ramped up to 6000rpm while braking going down hill. Upon contacting local ford dealership about the unintended acceleration, they stated they had not heard of this issue before. Advised me to stop driving the vehicle and have it towed to their facility.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle jerked, lunged forward, and lost power without warning. The contact exited the vehicle and pushed it over to the shoulder of the road. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and it turned on, but was towed by aaa to butler county ford (400 s main st, butler, pa 16001, (724) 287-2766). The dealer diagnosed that the control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: cas22179536. The manufacturer also extended the warranties until 150,000 miles. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · MI

Ford has already replaced the transmission under extended warranty, as well as replacing the TCM. But I continue to have issues. Car shudders dramatically under initial acceleration, especially when making turns. Transmission sometimes does not engage under initial acceleration, causing the car to surge forward when it does engage. The ford focus has slipped into neutral when accelerating, especially when going through a wide turn at low speed and then pressing on the gas pedal. I have no faith in this ford focus when making turns, and will not conduct a turn that requires pulling out into oncoming traffic and relying on the car's (in)ability to accelerate to avoid impeding that oncoming traffic.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 28,000 miles · CA

The car vibrated vigorously when accelerates from a complete stop, followed by sudden accelerations when switching gears. The car had only 28k miles on it when this happened.

Filed May 16, 2019 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lunged forward without warning. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was towed to safford ford lincoln of salisbury (1902 north salisbury blvd, salisbury, md, (410) 548-4600) where they diagnosed and repaired the transmission control module three times; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2017 · Transmission · 37,505 miles · NY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration, jerking, and hesitation. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. The failure occurred and the vehicle was taken to all american ford where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle had numerous software updates and the clutch was replaced previously. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 128-21707. The contact was referred to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 37,505.

Filed Jul 12, 2017 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 3,543 miles · OH

I don't know if my ford focus 2012 is included in the tamara airbag recall or not. My clutch has been replaced several times due to sudden acceleration when stopped or slowing down.: it's the powershift transmission. My door latches were replaced per ford recall. New rear engine main seal replaced 7/12/17. Vehicle has only 32,746 miles on it. Tires already had to be replaced.

Filed Nov 13, 2016 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 29,800 miles · CA

Very rough idling of engine while proceeding forward at start of acceleration. The "hill assist not available" light on the instrumentation panel came on, while the transmission seemed to transfer itself from a drive position to a neutral position. The car remained stationary while I attempted to accelerate using the foot pedal. At that point, I could not get the car back into a drive gear position. Immediately following "hill assist not available" message, a second warning light "transmission malfunction, service now" came on. During this moment, an additional red exclamation light engaged. When I stopped at a red traffic signal, my focus's RPM idle quickly increased causing the focus to lunge forward a few feet into an active traffic intersection. As I proceeded to make a right hand turn, the instrumentation panel displayed no warning signs, then suddenly came back on as the RPM idle went from 2,200 to 5,500 RPM in a neutral gear state. At this moment, I was nervous, as my mind was racing with thoughts of an accident; such as, the transmission could re-engage to a drive position at such a high RPM rate, forcing vehicle to thrust forward at an uncontrollable high speed, or the engine could perhaps overheat and/or the engine block could crack. The warning panel sporadically turned warning messages on and off as it affected the powertrain/transmission control. The waning light displays "hill assist not available" every time the transmission goes into a neutral position, while the gear is physically in its "d" (drive) position. This focus leaves me wary while behind its wheel. Will this car eventually injure me or another person (s) while the transmission suddenly accelerates once again, causing an accident?