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).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the traction control and check engine warning lights were intermittently illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The mechanic called the dealer and was informed that parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Power steering failure- started with everyonce in a while id get the error notice of power steering failure so I would turn off the car start it back up and fine, it started to happen more frequently to the imbarrassing point of having to turn on and off the car 5-10 times just to have power steering, then I got a letter to update my car's software to help fix the power steering issue, I got the software update and 3 months later total failure, I now have zero power steering and now Ford wants me to pay $2200 to fix it, when it failed I almost crashed into another car with my kids in my car on the freeway, needless to say we are greatful to be alive, sad thing is all other models from 2011-2012 with the same exact power steering system get a recall why not the Focus? …
My transmission shutters very badly I have had it at the dealer in los lunas new Mexico. It is still not fixed. My streering assist light came on and ihaveno power steering. After the last oil change to change oil light will not go off even after the reset procedures have been followed. The lighter does not work. O and to top it off I just got a recall letter something to do with electrical failure . But had nothing to do with the above problems. This is way many for a car of its age I am sure I have a lemon. What can be done?
I was driving at a steady speed of 40 MPH on a flat road. I was gradually slowing down as I was coming towards an intersection and gradually applying the brake. The car was going at about 10 MPH and then I attempted to accelerate as I was about to drive on pass the intersection. However, the car suddenly lost power completely and it could not accelerate at all. I was stuck on the road. I repeatedly pressed on the gas pedal to attempt accelerating a few more times and the car just would not move. Each time I press the gas pedal, I heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle but the car didn't move. The engine continued to remain running and both warning indicator and traction light suddenly came on. …
On Saturday, May 16, 2015, I was traveling east on interstate 40, memphis, tennessee. Suddenly the gas pedal bumped twice and my vehicle went completely dead in the middle of this busy interstate. The electrical system just died, my emergency flashers wouldn,t even work. Iall I could do was continue to lay on the horn and wave my hand out the window trying to get the oncoming traffic to realize my car had stopped. My husband told me to get out of the car. I went to the side of the road. A good samaritan, stopped and was able to push my car across the two lanes of traffic and safely on the right median. This happened between 7:30 and 8:15 in the evening. My husband arrived on scene and we planned to return in the morning with a battery hoping that was the problem. I am currently unemployed since 03/15/2015, I couldn't afford to have the vehicle towed. …
While sitting still my gas hand went from 1/2 a tank of gas to the full mark. Filled it up even though the gas hand was on full mark. It took $20 to fill it up and for it to kick off. Then when I started to start my car I hand to turn the key twice to get the motor started and then after I took my hand off the key it kept on cranking as if trying to start although it was already running. I drove it to lexington and could feel it revving the motor up without me doing anything. I turned around and drove back to frankfort and took it to big o's. They put a handheld tester on it and said it was either the oxygen sensor or converter for the engine light that was on. I informed them that I had replaced the o2 sensor just 3 weeks ago. He test drove it and said it revved up on him also which he said something was going wrong in the transmission. …
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. …
Bought 2012 Ford Focus on 3/2016. 5/2016 took back to dealership for stuck window d/t bad motor and reprogramming of transmission control module. 7/2016 car would not start at all, completely stalled out. Took to Ford dealership again...transmission computer/module replaced. 12/2018 car stalled yet again and steering would not work nor would shifter...transmission garage stated they fixed issue. 8 hours later, the car would not run at all. Transmission place refused to touch the car again. Called original dealership and ofcourse, they replaced the transmission control module. And expect us to pay for it again this time! Plus the dealership will not replace car until most recent recall is fixed on it. Like hell will I put my 2 children and husband back in this car with the chance of it to stall again and crash. …
I have a 2012 Ford Focus se which is still covered under my 70,000 mile warranty. I had problems with my traction control system while trying to get out of a parking lot. My rear brakes automatically locked up causing me to become stranded during a snow storm. I was stranded for 5 hours before abandoning my car and finding a ride home from a complete stranger. The next day I had my car taken to the nearest dealership and asked them to look into the problem. A day later I received a call saying that there was no problem and that the issue was external, which is impossible because no one has ever done any work on the car other than a few oil changes. They released the brakes and I picked my car up only to find that the problem had not been fixed. That same day while driving home with my wife the rear brakes locked up again, causing my car to fish-tail and impact a wall. …
The traction control in the vehicle operates in an unsafe manner in snowy road conditions. When climbing a slight grade in snow, the traction control continually reduces engine power to the point that the vehicle will no longer move forward. As the vehicle slows to a stop while modulating the accelerator, the engine will not rev above 1500rpm without the traction control cutting off power. Controlled and sustained forward momentum is required for safe driving in snowy conditions. That is not possible when traversing typical roadway inclines in snowy weather with the traction control engaged. Additionally, it takes no fewer than seven inputs from the driver to engage or disengage the traction control system; something that must be done frequently in this vehicle to keep it moving safely in snow. This creates undue driver distraction in already demanding driving conditions. …
Traction Control complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2012 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2012 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 3,770 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Focus traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2012 Ford Focus, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Focus traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.