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Ford Focus abs comes on

86 of the 22,111 owner complaints about the Ford Focus describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
86
worst model year
2012
typical repair cost reported
$1,200
typical mileage
53,300
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

Often reported together

Check engine light 9Brake failure 8Stalling 7Jerking 7Won't shift 6Hesitation 6Grinding brakes 5Loss of power 4

Trouble codes mentioned

U0100 2U2101 1U0452 1U0256 1U0140 1U0121 1P287B 1P2872 1P2833 1P2831 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · PA

checked out car for traction control light staying doen scanned car on computer-received code U0-0100-00 ABS Computer may have to be re-programmed checked out rubbing noise in rear of car-no start and/or transmission engagement loss of power with DTCS u0100 intermittent concerns of loss of transmission engagement while driving, intermittent no start or a loss of power-parts number AE8Z-7Z369-F Transmission Control Module Kit-car has under 100,000 miles on it

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

While driving approximately 53 mph on a main road, my 2017 Ford Focus suddenly displayed the message “Engine Fault Service Now.” The vehicle immediately entered limp mode, downshifted into 2nd gear, and would not accelerate above approximately 31 mph. During the event, the engine shook noticeably and made abnormal noises. No check engine light appeared during this initial incident. This problem occurred multiple times over several days, most often when the fuel tank was below approximately half full. Each time, I was able to temporarily restore normal operation by shutting the vehicle off, waiting about one minute, and restarting it. After restarting, the vehicle would drive completely normally until the problem occurred again. A few days later, while sitting in my vehicle during a work break, I started the engine and it immediately entered limp mode without being driven. A check engine light then illuminated, and the engine stalled shortly afterward. The diagnostic trouble codes retrieved were: * P1674 (Stored, Pending, Permanent, and Enhanced) * U0100 (Enhanced ABS Code) A mechanic familiar with Ford vehicles suggested the symptoms could be related to the EVAP canister purge valve issue that has been investigated on similar Ford Focus models. He recommended keeping the fuel tank above half full as a test. Since keeping the fuel tank full, the limp mode condition has not reoccurred. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership to have the purge valve issue evaluated. The dealership declined to perform any purge valve-related repairs because they believed the problem was transmission-related and stated the engine issue would need to be repaired first. I am submitting this report because the vehicle unexpectedly loses power while driving, creating a significant safety hazard when traveling at normal traffic speeds.

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · 53,300 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated before shifting to the next gear and jolted into gear while upshifting. The contact stated that while stopped at traffic lights, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was warmed up, and attempting to shift to reverse(R), the transmission failed to respond. The contact had to wait for the transmission temperature to drop and then shift into reverse(R). The ABS, ESC, and transmission warning lights were illuminated, and the message “Hill Start Assist Unavailable” was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while the A/C was activated, there was water accumulating in the passenger’s side footwell, causing the carpet to become saturated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there were several major failures with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,300.

Filed Sep 25, 2025 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated. The contact also stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left or right turn, the lost motive power. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC: P2872 (Clutch "A" Stuck Engaged). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14N02 (Extended Warranty Coverage for PCM Reprograming in the Event of ABS Vehicle Speed Signal Related Communication Loss that Disables OBDII System Monitors); however, the VIN was not included in the CSP. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NH

I have had several Ford Focuses and I’m not sure why I keep buying them. The transmission shudders or slips. Makes awful noises like grinding or something hitting the fan blade. I currently have 7 codes stored in the car but no check engine light. My garage thinks maybe it needs a new ABS control module. The display screen goes black all the time and doesn’t come back on. Ford is aware of these issues in the 2018 models and continues to do nothing. I’ve been a loyal Ford buyer for years and I’m never buying “American made” again. They cut corners and produce trash vehicles that the consumer has to pay out of pocket for repairs. Current codes are P219A and C. U0121, U0140, U0256, U0452 and U2101. The car always makes a strange beeping noise. It sounds like a warning chime but no lights come on or anything. The car has AWFUL fuel mileage currently. I live 15 mins from work with only 1 traffic light and it used half a tank for 4 days of just traveling 30 mins a day. You pay a decent amount for these cars and can’t rely on them. SHAMEFUL! The transmission issues have been happening since I bought the car in 2022. The codes, beeping and fuel mileage have been a recent issue within the last few months. It shakes. The vehicle is a safety concern not only for myself driving it, but others on the road.

Filed Mar 3, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · IA

Intermittent loss of brake pressure. ABS would activate and leave the brake pedal feeling soft and having low brake pressure. This problem would randomly fix itself and then randomly happen again while braking normally or after the ABS would engage. Sometime the problem would last for weeks until suddenly the brake pedal would be firm and have strong brake pressure.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger’ side rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2023 · Brakes · MA

[Two incidents involving the same ABS control module. Early January 2023 and Late May 2023] ABS control module failed while going downhill (valve stuck open). Resulted in the brake pedal going to the floor. Had to stop by downshifting and the using hand brake. Whenever brake pedal is pressed after this, it goes a random distance to the floor with no pressure before applying some brake. Ford quoted me a 1 year lead time on replacing the part (and mentioned this is part of a pending recall. This recall will come out after they redesign a new module). They refused my request for a rental/loaner vehicle until it is fixed. I brought it to an independent garage to get the unit replaced. After that, my brake pedal worked as expected for a few months. Last week, the pedal went to the floor again. I brought it to a Ford dealership, and they confirmed that the new module already experienced the same failure as the original one. It is currently at the dealership, who will not have a part to repair my car again until August. I was refused a loaner vehicle by both the dealership and corporate Ford over this PENDING SAFETY RECALL, where they are unable to fix my car. I was told by they dealership that they won't stop me from driving my car in the mean time if I feel safe doing so. It is not safe, so I am leaving the car at the dealership. I do not have a date for when a new revision module will be made, along with official recall. Ford is refusing to reimburse me for my initial repair until they get around to officially announcing the recall. I also found out from them that they reprogrammed the ABS control module back in March 2013 while they reprogrammed a different module (I only new about the TCM reprogram). This means they knew the ABS module had issues 10 years ago, a month after I bought the car. They did nothing for 10 years despite the Fusions having the exact same issue. This is a blatant disregard for the safety of their customers' safety.

Filed Jun 4, 2023 · Brakes · MA

See incident 11525260 for details, as it describes both incidences where the ABS Control module failed. I am logging a second complaint so that the second module failure is recorded. Short version: The ABS control module failed again, leaving me with no brakes. The valve gets stuck open inside the module, making the brake pedal unpredictable and sometimes with no stopping power. Ford is unable to fix my car in a timely manner, and is refusing to provide a vehicle to drive until they fix it 2-3 months from now.

Filed May 1, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · PA

While driving at approximately 60 mph on a highway in the passing lane, the engine shut off without warning, and the following lights appeared on the dash: check engine, ABS, and traction control. The speedometer needle also went down to zero. I was in the process of passing a tractor trailer, and another tractor trailer was right behind me. I was barely able to maneuver off the highway onto the left shoulder and was almost rear-ended by the tractor trailer. The lack of power steering made it extremely difficult. This is a major safety issue. My family was in the car with me. After sitting on the side of the highway, I was able to start the engine and drive home. I arrived home and tried to back into my driveway, but it would not go into reverse. I took the car to the local Ford dealer and I was told the TCM needs to be replaced for around $750. I asked about the recall and they said that it expired in October of 2022. I did not know that recalls had an expiration date. After reading through many other complaints on the federal safety agency website for the 2013 Focus, it seems that I have purchased a lemon. I just bought this vehicle in January at 57000 miles and have only put around 5000 miles on it. I still owe $9700 on the loan and the vehicle is undriveable. The manufacturer needs to buy this vehicle back so that I can purchase a replacement vehicle.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Ford Focus abs

Why does the abs come on in the Ford Focus?

Owners who report it most often also describe check engine light, brake failure and engine stalls while driving, and the codes they mention most are U0100, U2101 and U0452.

Which Ford Focus years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (23 complaints), 2000 (16 complaints) and 2007 (8 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the Ford Focus?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,200 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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