2012 Ford Focus: engine failure

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Steering · 128,604 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,604.

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Steering · 90,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving and exceeding 25 MPH, the steering wheel was seized. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2023 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle downshifted abruptly and decelerated to 25 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The messages "Pull over" and "Transmission Hot" were displayed. The contact stated that he was able to veer to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to shift into park (P). The contact turned the vehicle off and waited 30 minutes. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer, who diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission had seized between park (P) and reverse (R). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the instrument panel lights were dimly illuminated, the horn was inoperable, and the radio was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the steering assists warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated on March 8, 2023, the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to steer to the right and park in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the steering rack to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 14, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

In September 2020 I was on the expressway when my engine failed, I was able to get into the emergency lane after almost causing an accident, after inspecting the car it was concluded that the engine was no longer viable with no explanation of why the engine failed. So I replaced the engine and the car was still not drivable. In March 2022 I was able to get it started when I tried to drive the car the transmission was slipping, the “ transmission malfunction service now” warning came on, and the RPM gauge on the dash was not reading properly. I ran a code after the transmission warning came on, and the code said P0001, I called the Ford dealership to get it serviced when I was told that there was an unknown recall but the part was on back order for a year, so my car wouldn’t be fixed until the order came in, I searched my Vin number and had a recall for a fuel tank deformation, I also learned that there was a lawsuit against Ford for their 2012 Ford focus transmissions, which could explain the engine failure and the transmission problems.

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that on numerous occasions the transmission warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that on multiple occasions while making a right turn, she heard a bumping noise. The vehicle was first taken to an auto shop however, the vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and produced code: P073S:006C stating that the engine failed to engage in gear one and the dual clutch module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was no extended warranty on the vehicle and the contact was advised to call the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2021 · Steering · 143,292 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of a parking lot, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact turned and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Parkway ford (2104 peters creek pkwy, winston-salem, nc 27127, (877) 836-4271) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,292.

Filed Dec 22, 2020 · Steering · 170,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated while parked, the vehicle was started however, the steering seized and locked in place. The contact stated that it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Steering · 34,659 miles · MI

Tl* the contact called on behalf of his aunt who owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated while his aunt was entering her garage, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated the aunt does not remember the warning light that was illuminated. The contact stated the driver turned off and on the ignition and the steering wheel was functioning normal. The vehicle was taken to local dealer gene butman ford located at 2105 washtenaw ave, ypsilanti, mi 48197, (734) 482-8581, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown rack to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 34,659. *pm

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Steering · 75,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving on the highway, the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to manually steer the vehicle to the side of the highway. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove slowly to his destination. Joe machens ford (1911 w worley st, columbia, mo 65203, (573) 445-4411) stated that the rack and pinion system was defective and needed to be replaced at the cost of $2,700. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that nothing could be done since they were cleared by the national transportation board. An investigation was conducted and the steering system was repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000. *pm

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Steering · 72,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred twice. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the median. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to ken grody ford carlsbad (5555 paseo del norte, carlsbad, ca 92008, (760) 438-9171), but the cause of the failure could not be determined because the power steering was operable once the vehicle was restarted at the dealer. The contact stated that the front driver's side tire was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Steering · 80,000 miles · ND

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was invalid.