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2012 Ford Focus
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Focus, covering fuel system, gasoline, latches/locks/linkages and exterior lighting, and 2,600 consumer complaints received since 2011.
The component named most often is power train: 266 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 110.4 per 1,000 across all 2012 model-year vehicles and against 159.3 per 1,000 for the Ford Focus line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 763.3 complaints per model year across the 20 Ford Focus model years on this register; 82 complaints reported a crash and 13 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2016 (749); the most recent in the file is dated 15 May 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 3 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 24 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
- 26V369000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERReported 9 Jun 2026 · 257,868 units
Defect, as filed: 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 were mailed July 29, 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 become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 26S40).
Defect, as filed: 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, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
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 latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 20S30).
- 19V515000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERReported 5 Jul 2019 · 57,488 units
Defect, as filed: 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. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 19S22); components: fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister; fuel system, gasoline:storage.
- 18V735000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTERReported 22 Oct 2018 · 1,282,596 units
Defect, as filed: 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: 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 August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 18S32); components: fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister; fuel system, gasoline:storage.
Defect, as filed: 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 passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 16S30).
Defect, as filed: 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. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 13C04).
Defect, as filed: 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 customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 12S29).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2012 Ford Focus (black) against all 2012 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2012 | Focus line | All 2012 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 266 | 159.3 | 110.4 |
| Steering | 204.9 | 74.8 | 96.7 |
| Structure | 89.7 | 45 | 43 |
| Engine | 84.2 | 48 | 127.7 |
| Electrical System | 73.1 | 190.7 | 134.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 65.8 | 39.3 | 60.4 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 910 | 266 | 159.3 | 110.4 |
| Steering | 701 | 204.9 | 74.8 | 96.7 |
| Structure | 307 | 89.7 | 45 | 43 |
| Engine | 288 | 84.2 | 48 | 127.7 |
| Electrical System | 250 | 73.1 | 190.7 | 134.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 225 | 65.8 | 39.3 | 60.4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 146 | 42.7 | 27.1 | 39.5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 127 | 37.1 | 40.7 | 39.1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 122 | 35.7 | 39 | 6.2 |
| Air Bags | 49 | 14.3 | 41.6 | 113 |
| Seat Belts | 38 | 11.1 | 10.8 | 14.2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 37 | 10.8 | 5.1 | 24.2 |
| Service Brakes | 36 | 10.5 | 6.4 | 55.5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 31 | 9.1 | 4.7 | 18.7 |
| Visibility | 22 | 6.4 | 15.7 | 11.3 |
| Suspension | 22 | 6.4 | 44.4 | 17.8 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 21 | 6.1 | 50.3 | 9.3 |
| Wheels | 18 | 5.3 | 15.5 | 13.2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 16 | 4.7 | 41.8 | 6.2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 4.7 | 10 | 24.5 |
| Tires | 10 | 2.9 | 18.7 | 8.9 |
| Seats | 8 | 2.3 | 6.2 | 9.3 |
| Equipment | 8 | 2.3 | 11 | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 1.2 | 43.5 | 5 |
| Traction Control System | 4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.4 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 3 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.9 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 |
2,600 unique complaints, 3,421 component mentions; 74 injuries and 3 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ23006 | Recall query | Loss of Motive Power | fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister | 15 Sep 2023 | 20 Dec 2024 | — |
| RQ19005 | Recall query | Door Latch Failures | latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 19 Dec 2019 | 7 Feb 2022 | 20V177000 |
| PE16001 | Preliminary evaluation | Door Latch Failure | latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 16 Jan 2016 | 29 Oct 2016 | 16V643000 |
Other Ford Focus model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 NHTSA | 0 | 11 | — |
| 2000 | 11 | 3,678 | 3,789,813 |
| 2001 | 7 | 1,752 | 3,185,855 |
| 2002 | 1 | 932 | 589,932 |
| 2003 | 1 | 970 | 589,932 |
| 2004 | 1 | 376 | 589,932 |
| 2005 | 1 | 427 | 589,932 |
| 2006 | 0 | 194 | — |
| 2007 | 0 | 364 | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 222 | 45 |
| 2009 | 0 | 211 | — |
| 2010 | 0 | 256 | — |
| 2011 | 0 | 97 | — |
| 2012 | 7 | 2,600 | 5,938,190 |
| 2013 | 11 | 1,324 | 6,126,509 |
| 2014 | 12 | 1,271 | 6,169,878 |
| 2015 | 9 | 293 | 6,300,188 |
| 2016 | 10 | 185 | 1,876,765 |
| 2017 | 10 | 71 | 1,929,573 |
| 2018 | 7 | 32 | 1,807,349 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Ford Focus model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Focus have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 26V369000, was reported to NHTSA on 9 Jun 2026 and concerns fuel system, gasoline:storage:evaporative emissions:canister. Across all model years the Ford Focus line has 36 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2012 Ford Focus?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 3 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2012 Ford Focus complain about most?
Power Train: 910 of 3421 component mentions (266 per 1,000). Next is steering with 701. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 24 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 24 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.