2012 Ford Focus: fuel leak

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel system · 36,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to a dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact recently became aware of a strong gasoline odor and a fuel leak on the ground. The contact stated that the fuel tank developed a leak and was deformed, which was associated with an inoperable canister purge valve. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be serviced under Customer Satisfaction Program: 24N07. However, the dealer declined to perform the free replacement due to the active fuel leak and informed the contact that the repair had to be paid out-of-pocket for the fuel tank replacement. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed May 13, 2024 · Fuel system · 120,044 miles · OK

For almost 5 years everytime I fill my gas tank the fumes leak from my car. About 2 days ago the tank started leaking gas from a huge crack in the tank. I told the Ford service center about this issue and they said that my individual car wasn't under the recall (for this exact issue) so they can only look at it and see what they can do. I know of a few other Focus models (a little newer than my 2012) who have also experienced this issue as well whose cars was not under the recall. Just in the 10 minute and less than 15 mile drive from my house to the service center I saw my fuel gauge go from 275 miles to 223, not to mention about 4 days ago I went to fuel up and when I got home my tank was at 330 miles and I haven't left my house since I fueled up (except going to the service center). I called the Ford Customer Center and ws told to fill out this form and to see about a recall approval for my car for this issue.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Fuel system · 179,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle with a fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired in 2021 under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed there would be a fee to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

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 Jul 29, 2023 · Fuel system · CA

My car is often displaying a pending P1450 (unable to bleed up fuel tank vacuum) check engine light code. Whenever, I fill my car with gas, it take a few tries to get the car to start. My car has also lost power several times while driving without warning - and took a while to re-start. I had to have my fuel tank replaced as it deformed and leaked gas to the point where it was un-fixable. Car symptoms of not starting after being filled with gas and losing power at random times while in operation have not been solved with the replacement of a brand new fuel tank. The P1450 error code still continues to come up suggesting a purge valve problem that will be expensive to fix, in addition to the fuel tank that has already needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 3, 2022 · Body, Fuel system · WA

There is a warning light showing a code 1450, unable to create fuel vacuum, that at first was thought to be an issue with a current recall for the car that was fixed. But after a routine oil change a fuel leak was found. I was told by the mechanic that it appears to be a fuel tank deformation similar to the 19S22 recall. My Ford focus was not apart of that recall and I was told by Ford to contact you to potentially have my car added. The leak is subnational enough that it could cause an engine fire.

Filed Dec 6, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · NC

I was driving on a busy highway where the speed limit is 70 miles per hour, and the car suddenly slowed down while I was stepping on the gas, until it stopped and then cut off in the middle of I-40, while other cars sped by me swerving out of the way in order to not crash into me from behind. I then took the 2012 ford focus se to my mechanic, and after he investigated the malfunction, he said he observed the gas tank of the car "breathing in and out like a diaphragm or a lung" due to an excessive vacuum, which he thought had also damaged other parts of the fuel system beyond just normal wear and tear, resulting in other fuel related error codes. The mechanic told me to take the ford focus to a ford dealership right away, because a fuel tank moving in and out that way, causes fissure cracks to develop inside of it that could cause a tank to leak gasoline or rupture during a crash, potentially causing an explosion and/or fire. The mechanic also told me he could not imagine that ford motor company wouldn't remove and then replace the fuel tank on my car, because not doing so in his opinion would be extremely dangerous. The dealership that is representing the ford motor company who will ultimately approve the replacement of the fuel tank or not, attempted to and would have given the car back to me in an extremely dangerous condition rather than making the necessary repairs that ford motor company is being forced to fix by the us government.

Filed Nov 27, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 150,000 miles · NC

I was driving on a busy highway where the speed limit is 70 miles per hour, and the car suddenly slowed down while I was stepping on the gas, until it stopped and then cut off in the middle of I-40, while other cars sped by me swerving out of the way in order to not crash into me from behind. I then took the 2012 ford focus se to my mechanic, and after he investigated the malfunction, he said he observed the gas tank of the car "breathing in and out like a diaphragm or a lung" due to an excessive vacuum, which he thought had also damaged other parts of the fuel system beyond just normal wear and tear. The mechanic told me to take the ford focus to a ford dealership right away, because a fuel tank moving in that way causes fissure cracks to develop inside of it that could cause a tank to leak gasoline or rupture during a crash, potentially causing an explosion. The mechanic also told me he could not imagine that the ford dealership wouldn't remove and then replace the fuel tank on my car, because not doing so in his opinion would be extremely dangerous. Then I took the car to the ford dealership located at: 2807 east millbrook road, raleigh, north carolina, 27604 - phone number: (984)232-7601, and they told me that it looked fine to them, and that the car door hinges were also under recall and they weren't going to replace those either. Then I told the ford dealership that I'd already taken the car to another mechanic first, and that I thought they were trying to repair as little as possible and do as little repairs as they could get away with; then I asked them to reexam the car again. But if I hadn't already taken that vehicle to a different mechanic first, the ford dealership would have given it back to me in an extremely dangerous condition rather than making the necessary repairs that ford is being forced to do by the government.

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I received a recall notice a few months ago and I was told that I would receive another letter in about 3 months once the necessary parts were in stock. I hadn't received the follow up letter so I called my local ford dealer and I was told that the parts were on back order but I could set up an appointment to have my vehicle inspected for corrosion to determine if I even needed the parts. The earliest appointment I could get was may 18th, just for the inspection; not even for the actual repairs. The recall is for the fuel vapor system and there's a warped part that is causing an inaccurate reading on fuel levels which means I have to maintain at least a half tank of gas at all times. My car is now leaking gas and stalling in traffic due to the issue. I live in a city with lots of steep inclines and hills and I have to avoid certain streets because my car has stalled and almost caused accidents. There is only one ford dealer in my area. The only other dealer is about 30-40 minutes away.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Engine · 130,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked fuel, lost power, and the fuel gauge would become inoperable while driving. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but no failure was located. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 59,000 miles · FL

I was driving and the car kept turning of. It happened when I was stopped at a light and multiple times when I was driving. It doesn't shutter and stall, it just shuts off. Engine light came on with p1450 and p0456. It is evidently a known issue. There was a recall for 2010-2011 ford fusions for the exact same thing. "some of these vehicles might have a canister purge valve that does not work properly, causing internal pressure changes inside the fuel tank. Repeated pressure changes inside the tank could result in a crack on the top of the tank, possibly allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire." there is no recall for the ford focus models affected, even though it is a known issue and not related to normal wear. It is a manufacturer defect. It was a very scary experience and a very costly one to repair. I am under 60,000 miles. I do not understand why there is a recall on one model, but not the other for the exact same manufacturer issue. The estimated repair cost is $1800 from the ford dealership service department. I was almost hit, because it happened while I was making a turn. It caused me extreme anxiety. This is not the first manufacturer issue I have had with this car. Not long after getting it, I had transmission issues.

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · FL

March 1, 2017 check engine light came on after car stalled, idle would increase and then decrease and then die. Made appointment at ford dealer in lake worth, fl. Had to leave vehicle. At same time 3 recalls supposedly fixed. I was told fuel leak in gas tank, that is going through a hose into areas it should not go, causing readings to cause stalling and check engine light. I was told I needed new fuel tank, sendera?, gasket, tube asy for approx. $1,300 then $500 for labor for total of $1,800. Never heard of such as this except in vehicles over 20 years old or from accidents. Vehicle has approx. 90,000 miles. First incident occurred as I was accelerating from a traffic light on a city street, other times were similar or stopped or riding on interstate hwy, it would just stall.