Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Se acelera y desacelera repentinamente Quiero acelerar para llegar a la mismas velocidad del trafico y no lo hace y eso hase que ponga en peligro la vidad mia y de mi familia por que otro carro puede chocarme. Cuando sucedio eso se activo el CHECK, lo apago por completo y los parabrisas se activan repentinamente , todo esto es muy raro y no es bueno para mi
I have reported before my vehicle is and has been cyber attacked. This time around my horn has been disable. They turn on the radio, they turn on the light lights of the vehicle, they turn on the radio, they turn on the ac/heat control. If I take it in again, they are going to tell me nothing is wrong. This is very dangerous for me as a driver. I cannot drive a vehicle without a horn. I NEVER heard from you guys on the last report I made. Not sure how this one is going to help. This Ford vehicle is dangerous! If you can please assist, I would appreciate it. Thank you!
Off and on for the past 2 months go out to start the car put it in reverse attempt to back up and the steering wheel becomes stuck it will not turn at all you have to give it 1 min and then try again and then it resumes normal, last summer was driving down the main highway the right headlight went out the next morning start the car and appears in screen default on the l lighting open the hood to see all electrical wires to the headlights were burnt where the bulb connects to the wire areas had to have all wiring redone and also new complete headlights, also 2 years ago was driving down the highway car stalls out I drift to the edge of the highway attempted several restarts would not restart had it towed and had to replace the fuel pump and relay switch
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the low beam headlamps failed. The contact stated that the headlamp bulbs were replaced however, the failure immediately recurred. The contact stated that the headlamp wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
When you go to pull out the car wants to jump an stall then u be going down the road some an the engine light will come on an the transmission dont want to go out of gear the way it should I have a 7 month old grand baby an it scares me to drive something thats so defective. Please respond to this. Had it check at fors an they still ant fixed it
I turned onto a two lane street (one lane in each direction). The oncoming traffic was stopped due a red light. An SUV pulled out of a parking lot between two of the cars waiting for the light to turn green and tried to cut across my lane also, but hit my car instead. I drive a Ford Focus, a small car. I was hit on my driver's side front fender and door. The front driver's side fender and mirror were torn completely off of the car. The front driver's side tire was damaged, and something was bent, so that the tire could no longer be set in a straight position. The hood was bent, and the driver's side headlight was hanging from the car. The interior portion of the driver's side foot well caved inward and hit my legs. The driver's door was hit so hard that the door would not open, and I had to untangle my feet, and exit the car from the passenger side. …
While driving dashboard lights and gauges turn off radio turns on and off and unable to operate or turn off it stays on with extremely loud static.cars turns off while in motion on a highway and street. We pushed it to safety then attempted to turn it back on and it did. Today we took it to a Ford dealer the rep hooked it up to the diagnostic machine no problem was was found. Then later that day it did it again. We took it back now they say its the computer system that controls computer programming for the car. Granted they had not hooked it up to the diagnostic machine and the cost would $800. This car is not even 6 years old this is a big concern /liability when you have the dash lights and gauges, the radio turning off and on . The car is shutting off in mid motion. I called Ford today the rep said nothing we can do no other reports about those symptoms have been reported. …
I began to notice my vehicle having lighting issues, including dimmer inside dome lights, flickering license plate lights, and it was pointed out to me that my back up lights weren't functional at all. I was parked parallel with other vehicles in a parking lot. Then after starting my vehicle, I shifted my automatic transmission into reverse going only about 2 MPH when the vehicle began to beep, along with a warning that my luggage compartment door was open. In the situation, the beeping was very distracting and could have increased the risk of crashing. I immediately re-parked my vehicle so that I could investigate. I opened , then firmly closed all 4 of my doors, then tired to open the trunk , only to find that my trunk wouldn't open. The beeping persisted until I pressed the OK button on my steering wheel. …
Transmission was not shifting into gears, then the reverse went out..talked to 3 different Ford dealers..asked about my warranty then said no recalls on this and out of warranty would be out of pocket..so I did have an outside warranty for repairs but they said nothing was covered..so I paid aamco to fix it..3500.00 and 2 months later I am at another aamaco (because of their warranty) the new aamaco place says transmission shot need a new one..about 5 grand..so..no we drove it back home and put her to pasture..I have all paperwork on all work done..and not done..but we travel for my husband's job..so my paperwork is home in tx..we are now in tn..for a few weeks.my car acted up badly , hot transmission, had to stop several times just to get it to the shop.. Also..would be great if it at least had a dip stick to check your fluids. …
Started with horn and tail light intermittently not working. Then intermittently as you are driving the car shuts off with no warning. This is a major safety issue! Everything locks up and you attempt to make it safely to the side of the road. All dash lights work but car won't start. Found same complaints on internet and youtube but no recall. Took to local Ford dealer and they cannot find the issue. The diagnostic machine did not issue a code. I explained in detail the issue and asked for documentation of the issue. The paper they gave me said runs rough when ac is on. I said that is not the issue. They said don't worry the ticket is still open in the system. I asked if they could put a reader on the car while driven to catch the diagnostic code and they said no. So I am in same situation as other owners where my safety and others are at stake each time this car shuts off. …
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2012 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the lights of the 2012 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 3,770 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Focus headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-335 (exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Focus headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.