2012 Ford Focus recalls and problems

7 recalls and 3,770 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Focus.

7
recalls
3,770
owner complaints
107
complaints mentioning a crash
15
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Ford Focus recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister

NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · reported June 9, 2026 · Ford Motor Company · 257,868 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
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 NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · reported June 8, 2020 · Ford Motor Company · 2,147,323 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister · Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 19V515000 · reported July 5, 2019 · Ford Motor Company · 57,488 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister · Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · reported October 22, 2018 · Ford Motor Company · 1,282,596 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 16V643000 · reported September 6, 2016 · Ford Motor Company · 2,046,297 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA campaign 13V335000 · reported August 1, 2013 · Ford Motor Company · 6,308 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, switch/wiring

NHTSA campaign 12V149000 · reported April 5, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 140,310 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 focus vehicles manufactured from august 1, 2010, through october 18, 2011. A seal in the wiring harness connector to the passenger side wiper motor may be missing.
The risk
Water or other contaminants may accumulate in the connector, resulting in an intermittent or inoperative passenger side wiper motor, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and as necessary, clean and properly seal the passenger side wiper motor connector. Any inoperative wiper motors will be replaced. This service will be provided free of charge. The safety recall began on may 21, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 17, 2026 · Power train

The transmission is messing up real batteries like it's automatic.And when it goes into the next gear , it goes into gear and then goes all the gas falls down all the way 20 and the gas is gonna be about like you got a five speed it shifts up-and-down all the time up down up down, there was A\n Problem with these…

Sep 29, 2026 · Power train

Transmission overheating warning light Transmission clutch stuck open recommended to change out “actuator A” but did not solve. Clutch fork needs replacement

Sep 4, 2026 · Latches/locks/linkages · 171,500 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was denied. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the front driver’s side door failed to remain closed. The vehicle was towed to a…

Sep 3, 2026 · Power train

Rowe ford came stated he checked to see it the software was there also stated there were codes and said he was done. He never fixed the software cause i have u codes that state pcm and has locked my car into limp mode which means my car is immobilized due to the bad software. They closed Out the recall on there end…

Sep 1, 2026 · Engine

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 […] and […]. Both told me they must first perform their own diagnostic evaluation before replacing the canister…

Focus model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2009 0229262
2010 0287224
2011 011380
2012 73,77010715
2013 112,1124912
2014 122,606689
2015 91,022314

Across all years, the 2012 Focus has the most complaints (3,770). All Ford Focus years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Ford Focus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Ford Focus, the most recent reported on June 9, 2026 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage, evaporative emissions, canister). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Focus?
Owners have filed 3,770 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (1,447 complaints), followed by steering (927).
How many 2012 Ford Focus complaints mention a crash or fire?
107 of 3,770 complaints report a crash and 15 a fire; 88 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 17, 2026.