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.
2012 Ford Focus: gas smell in the cabin
11 of the 3,772 complaints about the 2012 Ford Focus describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- typical mileage
- 97,637
- recalls
- 3
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering suddenly failed. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot and park the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle remained in the parking lot. In order to move it, the vehicle would need to be towed. The contact called a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the repair was no longer covered under warranty. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v735000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, the contact noticed a fuel odor. The contact called bob tomes ford (located at 950 s central expy, mckinney, tx 75070, 214‑544‑5000) and was informed that the part for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 113,673.
On oct.4, 2019, our 2012 focus suddenly had a hard start and smelt of gas fumes in car. Took car in and had repair done which consisted of sender(bv6z-9h307-av) and gasket(4l3z-9276-aa) and paid out of pocket. Just under 2 years ago, had an issue where fuel tank got sucked up. Tank(bv6z-9002-e) was replaced along with same sender and gasket as listed above plus tube as(bv6z-9d289-b) paid out of pocket in dec. 2017 but was just recently reimbursed due to a recall. I hope this will not be a continuing repair we need to do every couple of years since a recall 19s22 was issued .
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that an abnormal fuel odor was coming from the vents and the vehicle reeked of fuel. The odor was so strong that it was a distraction to the contact and her family's health. The vehicle was taken to joe hall lincoln ford (1617 21st street, lewiston, id 83501, (888) 706-3381) where the mechanics repaired a door latch, but did not repair the fuel tank. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,637.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 55 MPH, a fuel odor entered the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to lance cummingham ford (4101 east clinton highway, knoxville, tn 37912. 866‑591‑3943) where it was diagnosed that the fuel neck had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: cas-16784641. The failure mileage was unknown.
Ran out of fuel in this vehicle, once when my daughter was driving on a highway, even though the fuel gauge would say there was between 75-100 miles before empty. The last time this happened the interior of the vehicle had a strong smell of gas. I then proceeded to take it to the dealership and after diagnosis the service manager said some valve remained open causing the gas tank to crack and in turn gas flowed back into the intake manifold. The cost to fix would be approximately $3100. The problem has been a known issue with this vehicle for quite some time, but ford refuses to recall or even pay for the work. I even had an extended warranty and they wouldn't cover it either.
My car constantly smells like gas when I start it up after filling the gas tank up, the car dies when driving down road I have to pull over to start it because it dies while I am on the road so I have to pull over since last year the fuel reader stopped working causing me to die on side of road because of running out of gas. The car still has transmission issues it jerks from time to time and the half shaft bearing and wheel bearings are currently going out in this car. I bought the car brand new at the ford dealership. This is car is a lemon I have owned over 15 used cars and never had a problem as much I have had with this new car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While walking outside of the vehicle, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor. He inspected underneath the vehicle by the fuel tank and noticed fuel on the ground. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 138,000.
On 10/14/16 my wife complained that there was a smell of gasoline around her car. I walked out to the driveway and there was a strong smell of gas. She told me she had just filled the gas tank and confirmed that she does not top the tank off. I jacked the car up and found that there is a yellow plastic ring where the fill hose is attached to the gas tank. That ring is cracked and gas seeps out from there. We found that it doesn't leak if she has less than half a tank of gas so she usually keeps it that way until I have a chance to pull the gas tank out.
My vehicle's fuel tank is compressing due to a faulty vacuum purge valve requiring a new tank, fuelpump and purge valve. This issue has caused my vehicle to stall in freeway traffic @ approx 60 MPH and to stall in stop and go traffic. My RPM will fluctuate when at a stop and my fuel guage is completely inaccurate registering full to 1/2 at random. Smell of gas from somewhere but unknown. Symptoms match a recall on a 2011 ford fusion but no recall on a 2012 ford focus
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
- Risk
- An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on July 6,2026.
Recall number 26V369000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V‑735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
- Risk
- The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
Recall number 19V515000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
- Risk
- The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Recall number 18V735000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2012 Ford Focus fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2012 Ford Focus?
11 of 3,772 owner complaints about the 2012 Ford Focus (0%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Ford Focus?
There are 3 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2012 Ford Focus
Stalling 438Door locks 374Jerking 346Check engine light 345Power steering loss 345Shudder 336Loss of power 224Hesitation 212Transmission failure 140Slipping 136Steering lock-up 130Grinding brakes 116Won't start 102Won't shift 87Engine failure 79Overheating 70Fuel gauge 54Fuel pump 54Wipers 48Sudden acceleration 37No deployment 31Harsh shifting 28Seat belt 28ABS 23Headlights 19Misfire 15Warning lights 15Adaptive cruise 13Fuel leak 13Knocking 12Brake failure 11Fire or smoke 10Pulling 10Power windows 8Sunroof shattered 8Tire blowout 8Battery drain 7Airbag light 6Ball joint 6Screen failure 6Key fob 6
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