Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The failure caused the vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. The contact sustained back injuries and scratches from the seat belt; however, medical attention was not yet received. A police report was filed. The contact then parked the vehicle in a parking lot, where it remained. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company due to a lapse in insurance coverage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle lost motive power with the ABS, TPMS, and brake warning lights illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while taking the vehicle to routine service at the dealer, the service tech stated that the vehicle needed a new set of lug nuts. The contact was informed that the lug nuts could not properly be tightened and therefore needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 63,000.
I went to Ramsey Ford Dealer in Rising Sun, Maryland for tire rotation on 7/22/21 with 125,803 mileage. They told me that I needed new lug nuts because the old lug nuts were swollen. I bought 20 lug nuts @ $6.38 each totalling $127.60. I am going for 4 new tires to Walmart Auto tomorrow 9/19/23 and the mileage is 143,619 and I told them that all my lug nuts were swollen because I rotated the tires myself last year and I had to hammer a 19mm socket on each lug nut to remove them. Walmart told me that the lug nuts were going to cost over $5.50 each. The 20 lug nuts are going to cost me over $110. That's if the mechanic does not charge more for hammering them or drilling them off. It is what it is! I figured I would reporr it. I do have a hammer and sockets in my trunck if I get a flat tire. But I have seen on tge internet hundreds of people getting stranded on the highway.
14-Dec-2023, Brought my car into the tire repair store to have flat fixed. Was told the 5 lug nuts would have to be replaced because the original ones were corroded due to their design. This cost me $51.00 on this trip. 20-Aug-2020, Brought my car into the Ford dealership to have tires rotated. Was tolld 12 lug nuts would have be replace becaue the original ones were corroded due to their design. It cost me $82.08 on that trip. These lug nuts can break because of corrision, causing a serious accident.
My son got into an accident with his 2012 Ford Focus hatchback and his airbags did not deploy none whatsoever he ended up with bruise shoulders his friend with a scraped knee his car a total loss but none of his airbags deployed.
When going about 55 MPH my car starts to get very loud, nothing seems to be wrong it's as if there's a leaf blower inside the vehicle. As I slow down, use the brakes, the sound slowly gets more quiet.
In June 2012, my daughter was driving and her front passenger tire exploded. This was the 3rd set of new tires we had placed on this vehicle (by 30,000 miles - averaging 10,000 miles per set of tires). Then in July 2012, she was driving home and started to skid. She was not able to recover from the skid and hit a tree head-on. The front of her car was destroyed. The tree centered her car and the front end looked like a Volkswagen bug. The air bags did not deploy. We had this vehicle into the dealership 3 times for problems with the front end. Each time they said they could not find anything wrong with it. However, the driver and passengers could feel the car sway when riding it in. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company ($17,000 check sent to Ford) and we still owe $1700 that we have agreed to pay to Ford to keep from ruining our credit. …
The lug nuts are swelling and separating. Because they are two part chrome covered. For this car, the lugnuts are custom. If they are placed by standard lug nuts, then the wheel cover cannot stay on. The two part chrome lug nut is not carried as a stock item in a dealership. Tires cannot be removed by standard lug wrench, because the lugnut is not a standard size. The lug nut must be cut off. Therefore if a tire becomes flat on the road, it must be towed into a dealership and not fixed at any other place. I was told that it could take over a week to get a lug nut in with a greatly increased price of over $20 instead of a standard lug nut cost of $4. Received the following from the dealership gary crossley: dear thomas, during your recent visit, we recommended the following important service(s):' 'tires require immediate replacement. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. In addition, the front driver's side wheel was wobbling. Furthermore, the engine stalled and the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact had to restart the vehicle and the check engine indicator turned off and on. Thornhill Ford Lincoln (U.S. 119 north 500 Ford fairlane, chapmanville, wv 25508, [phone]) stated that there was no warranty coverage; therefore, the contact would have to pay for diagnostic testing. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline) and took the vehicle to the same dealer for the recall repair. The failure recurred after approximately one month. The dealer wanted to charge for another diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 53,000.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2012 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2012 Ford Focus, 1% of the model year's 3,770 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Focus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to wheels & tires 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.