How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Focus have?

The 2012 Ford Focus has 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2012 Ford Focus has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2012 Ford Focus?

Of 4,967 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is power train.

2012 Ford Focus Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 Ford Focus has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,935,726 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4,967 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 26V369000 2026-06-09 255,404 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 are expected to be mailed July 6, 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…

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 20V331000 2020-06-08 2,147,323 affected

Defect

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,…

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

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…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 19V515000 2019-07-05 57,488 affected

Defect

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. …

Consequence

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. …

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 18V735000 2018-10-22 1,282,596 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 16V643000 2016-09-06 2,046,297 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

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 13V335000 2013-08-01 6,308 affected

Defect

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,…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 12V149000 2012-04-05 140,310 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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…

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN

1,384

303152

STEERING

923

232255

ENGINE

472

945

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

355

928

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

344

934

STRUCTURE:BODY

293

927

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

281

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

163

132

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

AIR BAGS

35136

Total complaints4,967

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Group 1 ford of south austin, tx refused to perform door latch recall unless we purchased additional parts and service out of pocket. The door will not latch and flies open even at slow speeds.”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-06-19

“While driving back window spontaneously imploded”

VISIBILITY/WIPER · reported 2026-06-18

“I just recently got my fuel pump fixed and a new radiator fixed that was the knot problem wrong with my car now all of a sudden I get my car back from the shop with no oil I put oil even though I already just had a oil changed and my engine light is now blinking but when I bought the car it was…”

ENGINE · reported 2026-06-17

“While driving on the highway the sunroof suddenly blew off. The sunroof had not been opened prior. The frame bent upwards from the front, and the glass completely flew out onto the highway.”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2026-05-03

“The powershift for the transmission is the issue. Got two notices about a software update and followed through with updates. When done my ford dealership said they couldnâ€™t do anything else and that I was just going to be like it was. I never received any more recalls or even a class action…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-04-03

“The contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not…”

STEERING · reported 2026-03-24

“I filled up my gas tank and a couple minutes later experienced shuddering while parked so I decided to turn the vehicle off and turn it back on but it struggles to turn back on. I then drove back home and as I was driving the acceleration was going up and down and then to 0. As I stopped on a red…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2026-03-20

“I filled up my gas tank and a couple minutes later experienced shuddering while parked so I decided to turn the vehicle off and turn it back on but it struggles to turn back on. I then drove back home and as I was driving the acceleration was going up and down and then to 0. As I stopped on a red…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-03-20

Defect investigations

Investigation PE16001 Opened 2016-01-16 · closed 2016-10-29

Door Latch Failure

In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with…

Investigation PE16001 Opened 2016-01-16 · closed 2016-10-29