Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Since I have had this vehicle, the message " steering assist fault" for my electronic steering has been popping up in the dash screen since as far back as 2016 when there were recalls on the Ford fusion. However, a simple fix would be to turn off the engine and restart the vehicle, and it was go away, only to return a few weeks, or a month later. I repeated the same steps. Now, it has gone out completely, a few months ago. Back then, they told me it would cost about $800, now they are saying $2500. It has occurred various times going back to 2016 until currently, which it is out. Keep in mind, this message has appeared since 2016 and I believe I have contacted you all, who told me that only the Ford Fusion, which has the same exact electrical steering system, went out and that the recall only covered the Ford Fusions models.
Upon accelerating the car vibrates and hesitates. I was almost hit entering an interstate due to this hesitation. It "feels" like it is slipping. I did return it to the place of purchase and they sent it to a Ford dealership. The used car lot indicated that Ford did a computer reset. It seemed better for a short bit, long enough for the computer to "relearn" driving habits and it began again, only worse this time.
I bought the car in 2012. It has not run properly since that year. We took it in for computer flashes and the recalls each time they asked and several times more because the lurching, shuddering, and delayed acceleration would always come back. I had to readjust how I drove the Ford Focus compared to any other car knowing that it sometimes stuck or delayed in acceleration. It also would sometimes jolt forward. It rolls back once at a stop sometimes while the car is running. I would have to adjust how far ahead I pulled from people in lines to make sure they had enough space between parking or in line so I didn't roll back and hit them. My car died in the middle of the road on way to get gas back in 2017. We took it in to get looked at and cost hundreds of dollars to fix a fuel tank that suctioned in on itself. We found out a year later there was a recall for that same issue. …
We had to have the front suspension repaired 3 times in the first 5,000 miles. There was a major knocking sound and you could feel movement in the steering wheel when the car was transistioning over a speed bump or into a driveway. Right after this was fixed, after the third replacement of the same parts, the transmission had to be repaired 4 times, 3 times the clutch pack failed which happened regularly every 10,000-12,500 miles. The car would jerk violently during start of moving and then the clutch would slip while driving at speed. The clutch pack was replaced 3 times. The last time the transmission just failed to shift into any gear, forward or reverse, this happened while the car was moving in a parking lot. We are afraid this will happen driving on the street, through an intersection, getting on or driving on a freeway. …
My 2012 Ford Focus sel has turned off completely while driving multiple times on the highway and freeway, I have been stranded multiple times during the day and night due to it shutting off randomly. I have been stranded in parking lots multiple times due to the car not allowing me to go in reverse. I have replaced the car battery multiple times! My gas cap has popped off while putting in gas, I have faulty windshield nozzles washing system no longer spray water, I have a faulty back light I have replaced the bulbs multiple times every few months. The heating and air conditioner will sometimes work. The color lighting in the car no longer works, on the sun visor the mirror cover has popped off on its own. The cause of all these problems are unknown I believe the car was entirely built poorly with no thought process what so ever. …
We had a problem with Ford motor company over our 2012 Ford Focus . As background, while my wife was driving 40 MPH on a straight road the car steering locked and pulled her into a curb causing a broken wheel, rim, and tie rod (estimated at $1500 to repair by bob tomes Ford in mckinney texas). After the car setting at the dealership waiting for word from Ford's corporate office for seven weeks we just found out they are not taking responsibility for this issue. It's pretty incredible to me that it took Ford seven weeks to respond while I made two car payments and paid for insurance throughout that time without a car. We had found through research on the web that many people are reporting steering problems on the 2012 Ford's Focus. For your information we do not feel safe with this car and are asking bob tomes Ford to help us resolve the issue locally since Ford has not offered any help.
Excessive shuddering/shaking upon acceleration, vehicle does not seem to have any power. On 8/28 I was stopped at light in drive and vehicle would not move, after changing gears I finally was able to drive it, a short time later vehicle would not move again in drive but the engine light came on, on the way to the dealership vehicle lost power and would only go 15 MPH crawled to the dealer with emergency flashers. Dealer had the vehicle for 5 days and completed the software update program 15b22, since receiving the vehicle back I am still experiencing low power and shuddering. Have been rear ended tapped once because it doesn't have any power, very concerned to drive vehicle to to loss of power and excessive shuddering. Contacted Ford customer care and they did not have a sense of any long term fix to this issue nor does the dealership. …
I started engine today and got notification that "steering assist" needs attention. I just recently took my car to dealer for recalls on door latches, windshield wiper motor, and transmission. They kept it 2 weeks and I had to pay $393.00 for repair of broken motor mount and wiring diagnostic because linkage to computer failed due to short. I have attached the dealer invoice for these services. On seeing problem with power steering assist I looked on internet and see that Ford has issued recalls for motor mounts,steering assist problems, and faulty wiring issues on other Ford models but not for the Focus. I have not received recall info for the motor mount, steering assist problem, or wiring issues for my Focus. Should they not be required to do so if they have issued recalls for other Ford products with the same issues?
I purchased the car used with 25,000 miles, shortly after the car began shuddering very badly and did not accelerate correctly. The problem progressed to a loud metal grinding noise, the clutch was deemed to be bad and replaced. Six months after the clutch failed again and was replaced and now a year later the clutch needs to be replaced again, making it the fourth clutch for a car with under 70,000 miles. Ford has extended the warranty so it is covered however the part is on back order for 4-6 weeks. Ford does not offer a replacement vehicle during this time. I do not feel safe driving this car with the transmission not working properly. This car also had the steering and suspension repaired within the first year of ownership.
My vehicle lost all power in regards to acceleration and deceleration on the freeway at the speed of around 40-45 MPH. I had to coast over two lanes and almost got rear-ended. The RPM would rev up but no power. Restarted car and problem went away. Next day had TCM flashed as part of recall. Two days later had the same issue only going 60-65 on freeway. Transmission went haywire and had to coast over and almost got rear-ended again. This time car wouldn't restart for about 2 min. No power. Engine revving and complete loss of power twice and I feel this car is a major accident waiting to happen. I do not feel safe while driving not knowing why my car is losing power even after the so called software fix.
Suspension complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2012 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 3,770 complaints. The component named most often is rear (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Focus suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.