The electronic power steering goes out without warning while driving on a city street !!! The internet is teaming with complaints about this on this vehicle. Does someone have to die before the federal safety agency takes action ?
2012 Ford Focus electrical complaints
Page 5 of 13: complaints 101 to 130 of 352, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While the vehicle was parked at a grocery store, the engine would not turn off. The contact pulled the fuel fuse to discontinue the flow of fuel and shut the engine off; however, the vehicle lighting remained illuminated. The battery had to be disconnected to turn off the lights. The failure recurred three times. The contact called roy o'brien ford at 586‑776‑7600 (located at 22201 e 9 mile rd, st clair shores, mi 48080) and was informed that the failure was not a known issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to elder ford (888‑467‑5023, located at 777 john r rd, troy, mi 48083) where it was diagnosed that the body control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any explanation for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The rear tail lights are subject to a "brake lamp bulb fault" due to the shoddy wiring and wiring harness that affixes the wires to the trunk lid. After many open and close iterations of the trunk lid, wires become brittle and fray, and eventually fault. The problem is widespread throughout the forums with many individuals resorting to cutting the cables and resoldering or reattaching them with reduced wire tension. This is a major problem and can cause potential rear end accidents when the brake and tail lights fail to illuminate. The fault appears as soon as the car turns on, and can sporadically go away when driving. As sporadically as it disappears, it reappears and remains. This is absolutely a design flaw with wiring not shielded in any way and simply wrapped in tape.
Radio starts to pop and sound like machine gun fire. It goes off and on irregularly and even does it when car is turned off. Sometimes it will work for 10 minutes and then the popping and gun fire begins again. I am afraid that someone will think I'm shooting as them. If it comes on while driving, it is very scary. Could cause an accident.
Now when I start my car, the music may play for a couple seconds and then the loud popping takes over. Whether the volume is on "1" or "10" the noise is just as loud and startling. I would simply turn off the power to the stereo, but this did not seem to alleviate anything. Although not as consistent, the noise seems to intermittently come even if the car is turned off and the key not in the ignition. As stated, this noise is very loud and startling. It startled me enough that I accidentally jerked the wheel out of reflex while driving down the highway yesterday. Music is a luxury, but having the crap scared out of you by your own car while driving is a giant safety issue!!
Horn on my car and the alarm system doesn't work, this is ongoing problem with the horn on my 2012 focus. Ford refused to repair or acknowledge this safety problem with my car. Reported the electrical problems to ford in 2013-2019. This car has multiple problems, transmission repaired atleast 4 times.
Takata recall: transmission malfunction
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While operating the vehicle, the engine, battery, and oil sensor indicators illuminated before the vehicle shut off. The cause of the failure was not determined. Hines park ford (56558 pontiac trl, new hudson, mi) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Electronic power steering assist failures. Several times over the past four months my wife and I started the car and there was no power steering. The car was undrivable and warning on the dash indicated steering failure. Sometimes two or more restarts were required before the warning went off and the power steering returned. Although it hasn't happened yet while driving the car. My research on this failure showed that its highly possible that it could happen while driving and cause injury or death. Farther research shows that repairs could cost as much as $2,200.00
Sometimes when the car is started and you go to back up or even pull in to park the steering wheel locks up and does not allow you to turn it. The radio makes this horrible loud crackling noise and imposes a tremendous safety concern when you are driving down the road and the speakers cut on and off without you ever touching the stereo system, I feel for those who have sensitive hearing or even the elderly if it happens to them because it is horribly loud and even with the radio off it still pops and squeaks, also the canister purge I just spent 700 last year replacing fuel pump relay switch car just cut off going down the 4oad and would not start back up
When driving the radio would do one loud snap and stop working. If I restarted the car it would work again, but the engine would sputter upon restart. Now the radio just won't work. It crackles and creates very loud noises through the speakers even when the car isn't on and the keys aren't even in the car. It scares me while I am driving and does not stop. I now have no radio too. It sometimes turns on but doesn't play anything, but other times doesn't even do that. The noises don't stop the entire time I'm driving. It is getting worse as time goes on.
While driving the car was making very loud cracking noises as if it was because of my radio. When I stopped the vehicle it was still making the loud static popping noises even with the key out of the ignition and radio off. When the stock radio was removed it was very hot and seemed as if it was on the verge of starting a fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled often and would not restart. In addition, the radio stopped working and the rpms seized. A local mechanic was called and they instructed the contact to disconnect the main negative terminal under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, but could not be repaired because an unknown ford part was needed. Harris ford (3710 van dyke rd, newport, ar 72112, (870) 523-5559) was contacted, but could not diagnose the vehicle for another two weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Takata recall. First the headlights stopped working with no way to fix it. They randomly cut off at night while driving. Next, the car will shutter and cut off while driving. The car will no longer start. All the incidents were on a highway in valdosta georgia.
Bought 2012 ford focus on 3/2016. 5/2016 took back to dealership for stuck window d/t bad motor and reprogramming of transmission control module. 7/2016 car would not start at all, completely stalled out. Took to ford dealership again...transmission computer/module replaced. 12/2018 car stalled yet again and steering would not work nor would shifter...transmission garage stated they fixed issue. 8 hours later, the car would not run at all. Transmission place refused to touch the car again. Called original dealership and ofcourse, they replaced the transmission control module. And expect us to pay for it again this time! Plus the dealership will not replace car until most recent recall is fixed on it. Like hell will I put my 2 children and husband back in this car with the chance of it to stall again and crash. We reside 40 miles away from work so a total of a 1/2 tank of gas at one time is not feasible in western new york weather. 5 transmission problems and how many recalls later and ford motor company will not do anything to make their wrongs right
A loud abrupt thump(s) and/or high pitched screeching sounds come from the sound system speakers. This occurs with the radio in the "on" or "off" position and may last a few seconds up to minutes. The sound is very loud and uncontrollable. The radio is unresponsive during and after the noise (usually requiring an engine restart). This is dangerous when operating the vehicle. The noise level and suddeness causes an immediate defensive posture just as if I had been struck from out of nowhere. Not only that, it is abusive. It really rattles the nerves. The only sure way to control it is to disconnect the radio.
Whether the car is on or off the speakers will make a high frequency pitch sound and a loud popping sound even when the radio is turned off. Over the last two days this is done this three times while I'm driving it's very distracting I almost ran off the road. I am now to the point I have to wear earplugs just to drive my car, so I won't damage my ears. I have to video recordings of the car making the sound one when the car is on and one when it is off. However the format I have these videos is not accepted for me to upload to your site I will be happy to send it to you anyway I can.
For a few months now my power steering has been not working when I turn the car on sporadically. To fix this I have been just turning the car off then back on a few times and that seems to fix the problem. However, now it won't reset and I do not have power steering at all. I had it towed to the dealer and after they charged me 140 they tols me that it needs a new rack and pin and it would cost 2400!!! Ford issued a recall on several different cars for this same issue. How many more people have to be hurt or die before they issue one for this? I just had the transmission control module replaced under warranty and received a letter in the mail informing me that a recall was issued due to the fuel system causing major problems.
Radio made a very loud static and popping noise that sounded like my car was being shot at and the windows were breaking while I was on the highway doing 60mph on my way to work. I was lucky it was very early in the morning and not many cars were on the road because the sudden sound caused me to swerve into the next 2 lanes. I took the car to 2 different auto mechanic shops and was informed that this has been an ongoing issue with the ford focus for years, and that the radio electrical system would have to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that there had been no failures until weeks after the vehicle was serviced for the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was repaired by champion ford lincoln (140 southtown blvd, owensboro, ky 42303, (270) 684-1441). The contact heard an abnormal noise in the area of the instrument panel and radio. In addition, the doors failed to lock. The contact felt that the recall repair failed to provide a permanent remedy. The vehicle was not repaired and the dealer indicated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was also included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v735000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the part was not available. The contact called to verify if field service action numbers: 14m01 (transmission clutch shudder/transmission input shaft seal) warranty extension and 14m02 (transmission control module) extended warranty coverage were serviced by the dealer with the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
As I was driving my car driver side door open the latch does not work anymore and my car stalls I cannot tell how much gas I have because the gauges don't work it puts its doors open I'll be on 75 it just shut off I need to go to red lights is shift so far they go to stop sign I should solve the radio also just goes out and I have so loud starch sound screeching noise very loud and annoying my car also kranks when I want to create battery died quick.
Electronic power steering failure light keeps going on and no power steering is available. Does reset upon restarting car. There are over 10000 online forum complaints about same issue. Ford was aware of issue and continued to sell the vehicle with this issue and the transmission control fault.
My electrical system was fixed by local ford dealer when I thought my transmission was the problem.they suppose to fix it but weeks after my dashboard went haywire and my radio stop working.I had to pay them close to 200.00 for the repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While the vehicle was started, the gear shifter would not engage into reverse or drive. While driving at different speeds, the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to randall reed's park cities ford of dallas (3333 inwood rd, dallas, tx 75235) where it was diagnosed that there was a transmission and electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,078.
I started engine today and got notification that "steering assist" needs attention. I just recently took my car to dealer for recalls on door latches, windshield wiper motor, and transmission. They kept it 2 weeks and I had to pay $393.00 for repair of broken motor mount and wiring diagnostic because linkage to computer failed due to short. I have attached the dealer invoice for these services. On seeing problem with power steering assist I looked on internet and see that ford has issued recalls for motor mounts,steering assist problems, and faulty wiring issues on other ford models but not for the focus. I have not received recall info for the motor mount, steering assist problem, or wiring issues for my focus. Should they not be required to do so if they have issued recalls for other ford products with the same issues?
While driving, would hear loud popping sound from speakers and radio would cut out completely. Would have to restart car to get radio to work. Popping sound is so sudden and so loud it literally scares me while I'm on the road. This is a potential hazard as I could easily cause an accident from being startled by the sound these speakers make. Several other ford drivers have expressed having this same issue.
While driving dashboard lights and gauges turn off radio turns on and off and unable to operate or turn off it stays on with extremely loud static.cars turns off while in motion on a highway and street. We pushed it to safety then attempted to turn it back on and it did. Today we took it to a ford dealer the rep hooked it up to the diagnostic machine no problem was was found. Then later that day it did it again. We took it back now they say its the computer system that controls computer programming for the car. Granted they had not hooked it up to the diagnostic machine and the cost would $800. This car is not even 6 years old this is a big concern /liability when you have the dash lights and gauges, the radio turning off and on . The car is shutting off in mid motion. I called ford today the rep said nothing we can do no other reports about those symptoms have been reported. Yes the rep said symptoms. But other reports have been made on blog chats. Same or similar issues. I have major concerns when a car is shutting down whe driving that is definitely something to worry about. 2012 ford focus cost $21000.00 6 years old needing minor repairs wear and tear understandable tire $50 windshield wipers $30 etc electrical computer programming major repair big problem since potentially your car can shut down in the middle of a highway and you a can cause an accident or worse die. $800 is a lot of money to get a repair done for 6 year old car.
After numerous times going to the dealership my check engine light keeps coming on my car doesn't accelerate, it stalls and has a burning odor. I have been stuck on expressways with my 3 month old twins, twice and it is scary. Ford knows of these transmission pronlems, ..tmc, pmc are terrible in these cars, and then they want you to pay ridiculous prices for mistakes.
The car cuts off while in motion. At times it will shut off at stop lights, in the middle of traffic or just stop accelerating. It may start back after restarting the car.
Power steering has been going "in and out" for about 1-2 years. Resolved temporarily typically by restarting engine. However, power steering permanently failed 9/9/18. Took my car in multiple times prior to this with no resolution. Looking at a $2100 bill to replace whole steering gear. Multiple electrical issues with cars computer. Called customer care stating ford knew about the issue (2017 dismissed lawsuit)-- but warranty was relied to get out of the cost responsibility. Mileage around 94-96,000.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 Ford Focus?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history