2012 Ford Focus: misfire or rough idle

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Engine · WA

I am submitting this complaint because Ford dealers do not appear to be following Ford Motor Company's published procedure for Customer Satisfaction Program 24N07. I visited two Ford service departments in [XXX] and [XXX]. Both told me they must first perform their own diagnostic evaluation before replacing the canister purge valve (CPV) under 24N07, and that I may be responsible for a diagnostic fee if they do not confirm the issue. Both dealers justified this requirement by stating that it was mandated by Ford corporate. This appears inconsistent with Ford's XXX communication to all U.S. Ford and Lincoln dealers. The 24N07 Technical Instructions already provide a decision process: Step 1 directs technicians to check for specified DTCs, including P0443, OR determine whether the customer reports hesitation, rough idle, or loss of power. Step 2 asks whether any Step 1 condition is present. If yes, Step 3 directs the technician to replace the CPV. (PAGE 16) Nowhere in this procedure does Ford require a separate comprehensive EVAP diagnosis before replacement. Ford's labor operation also includes checking for DTCs as part of the 24N07 service. (PAGE 16) This is especially concerning because CPV-related symptoms can be intermittent. A vehicle may have rough idle, hesitation, loss of power, or a qualifying DTC, but operate normally during the dealer's diagnostic session. Under the dealers' approach, the owner may then be charged a diagnostic fee and still be denied the 24N07 repair. Similar experiences have been reported by other Focus owners online, including diagnostic-fee warnings of approximately $199, $210, $225, and $400. I ask the federal safety agency to review whether Ford dealers are properly implementing 24N07 and whether dealers are adding diagnostic requirements not contained in Ford's December 4, 2024 instructions. Ford 24N07: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 11, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 97,500 miles · OH

I have had to replace the same part multiple times. The TCM seems like it needs replaced almost every time I get an oil change. Every time my car gets fixed another problem appears. My car will not go in reverse right now, and has a misfire in cylinder 1 which I know the misfires happen often. But there is also a leak in the evap which happened right after my tank was fixed for the deformation of the tank recall. My transmission ticks, and the clutch plate needs replaced. I have an automatic ford focus but the car is constantly shuddering. The vehicle has the clutch shudder when I'm at a complete stop and I press the gas pedal. It doesn't matter if it's light or not.

Filed Dec 14, 2018 · Fuel system · 84,310 miles · MS

Ford focus 2012 safety recall notice 18s32 / the federal safety agency recall 18v‑735 hello, on october 24, 2018 I was driving my car to work and stopped at a stop sign. My car acted as if it was trying to turn off like a rough idle. When I tried to pull off from the stop sign, my car would move slow. The RPM was rising but barely any movement. After about 30 seconds, my car jerked and started driving normal. A light came on after. When I got off, my car was having difficulty starting. The rough idling started again while I was just sitting in my car. Right after that, I took my car to the ford dealership that I got my car from. My car was there for 2 days. So october 28, 2019, I paid 819.64. Today december 14, 2018 I received a letter in the mail stating my car has a recall. The recall is for a stuck canister valve within the fuel vapor system. I noticed that I had just repaired my car over a month ago for the canister purge valve. So I when to the ford that I got my car repaired at and showed them the paper that I got in the mail. I advised them that I already paid for the replacement. The service guy told me that they will not be able to reimburse my money because I need an original receipt. I dont understand why if they reprint me my receipt showing me that I paid for the repair. So basically my repair is in the system of ford. And I paid for the repair on october 26, 2018. The recall came about on october 22, 2018. But was not mailed to me until december.

Filed Jun 20, 2018 · Fuel system · 88,000 miles · OH

Following the illumination of the check engine light the vehicle would exhibit rough idle and stalling. The vehicle has logged approximately 88,000 miles. An ase certified automotive shop has diagnosed the problem with the fuel delivery system which is consistent with a technical bulletin on the issue wherein the fuel system does not properly equalize pressure. This results in a vacuum that starves the engine of fuel and causes the plastic fuel tank to collapse. The vehicle stalls while approaching or stopped at busy intersections. This poses a serious safety hazard. Additionally, the stress on the fuel tank may compromise its structural integrity. This safety concern should be the responsibility of ford and a recall should be issued.

Filed Apr 24, 2018 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · CO

"ford purge valve" my 2012 ford focus was incorrectly diagnosed at longmont ford for a p0420 fault code. My complaint was a rough idle at times, vehicle dies at times when coming to a stop. (did not state low power at all times nor any engine heating issues) longmont ford stated a a back-pressure test was performed on the exhaust and the catalytic converter was plugged per dtc p0420. Fortunately I did not have the $1700+ dollar repair performed and looked for additional diagnosis. (no specifications given by longmont ford to condemn catalytic converter) additional diagnosis found the evap canister purge valve stuck open - note: found ford has known issues with this valve and at the time of attempting to obtain one for replacement was told they are on national backorder. I believe this known faulty component is a safety issue due to two reasons. 1) can cause vehicle to die in traffic 2) also known to suck the fuel tank closed and damage the fuel pump.

Filed Jul 11, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 92,000 miles · VA

Started with horn and tail light intermittently not working. Then intermittently as you are driving the car shuts off with no warning. This is a major safety issue! Everything locks up and you attempt to make it safely to the side of the road. All dash lights work but car won't start. Found same complaints on internet and youtube but no recall. Took to local ford dealer and they cannot find the issue. The diagnostic machine did not issue a code. I explained in detail the issue and asked for documentation of the issue. The paper they gave me said runs rough when AC is on. I said that is not the issue. They said don't worry the ticket is still open in the system. I asked if they could put a reader on the car while driven to catch the diagnostic code and they said no. So I am in same situation as other owners where my safety and others are at stake each time this car shuts off. Also dealer said they h horn with a screwdriver to make it work for now. So no horn, tail light and car shutting off intermittently are serious safety issues. Ford needs to recall this problem and fix it!

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?

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 84,000 miles · OH

For the fifth time in only eight months, the transmission has malfunctioned in this vehicle, causing it to stop accelerating or stall. It is a safety hazard, as it has happened on the highway twice and has been on the street in motion the remaining three times. Each time we have taken it to the shop at the owner's expense and it has required towing each time because it no longer accelerates. The transmission sensors (there are two) continue to misfire and fail, despite being replaced several times. This car was bought new in 2012 and has had issues since the purchase. We have two children and another is due at the end of january and I do not feel safe driving this car, as it has almost been the result of several accidents when it stalls and shudders.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Engine, Suspension · 600 miles · CA

I purchased a 2012 ford focus at my local dealership (5 miles on it); brand new. Within 6 months I had it in the shop 2 times. At the time my husband was an employee of that dealership and they gave him the run around. Indicating all they had to do was reset the computer. Supposedly they reset the computer twice however it never fixed the problem. Once it was diagnosed on the 3rd attempt at the local dealership that it needed "parts" I was given the run around by that dealership. After contacting ford motor company on several attempts I finally received a response. I had to beg ford for a rental car so that I had transportation for the week that the dealership had my car.once the vehicle was fixed and I picked it up; I noticed a really rough idle. After dealing with this for this for several months; the dealership had me bring it back in and had it for another week to fix the idle problem. As of today; it is still not running right. I am taking it back in on friday to have it looked at once again as the entire front of the car shakes and the dealership indicated it "sounds like the transmission." not only does it shake and rattle; it clicks at times and jerks/shudders forward. I have on numerous occasions contacted ford motor company and have asked everything from buying the vehicle back and once and for all fixing the problem and get nothing but the run around. Today I my vehicle was taken back into the dealership and I was told that it needs another new clutch and they are backordered. Your agency needs to do something about these fords and the ford motor company before it causes a fatality. The way the car lurches forward and shudders; this could cause an accident or someone could get hit by this. Please help ford owners !! Recall these vehicles.

Filed Jan 9, 2015 · Electrical, Visibility · 35,590 miles · AL

Both front electric windows work intermittently. Motor misfired at 50mph.

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 46,000 miles · OK

At random times the car will just shut off leaving a coasting vehicle down the highway, or leave you stalled out in the middle of an intersection. If you leave it sit for 30min-1hour it may restart. If you press the accelerator it was not respond. After a couple minutes the vehicle will recover from a rough idle and try to lunge forward even when vehicle is in park. Problem: transmission control module.

Filed Sep 12, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · DE

The ford focus 2012 is a true lemon! It runs rough jerking movements esp in low gear. It has lack of acceleration. I bought this car new and have had it to the dealership four times only to be told its all normal for the 2012. However I feel its not normal! My last visit I was handed a sheet filled with '' normal'' things to expect! The dealership refused to allow me to trade it back in. I wrote to the ford motor co and I only got a very nice lady who just kept saying oh I am so sorry. They along with the willis ford dealer in smyrna de acted like it was just me with this complaint. After viewing the pages and pages of complaints most like myself I can see I am far from along. What can be done ? So far I see nothing being done about this serious problem.