Problems · by component
2012 Ford Focus engine problems
477 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Focus cite engine, 13% of all 3,803 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
477
13% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am submitting this complaint because Ford dealers do not appear to be following Ford Motor Company's published procedure for Customer Satisfaction Program 24N07. I visited two Ford service departments in [XXX] and [XXX]. Both told me they must first perform their own diagnostic evaluation before replacing the canister purge valve (CPV) under 24N07, and that I may be responsible for a diagnostic fee if they do not confirm the issue. Both dealers justified this requirement by stating that it was mandated by Ford corporate. This appears inconsistent with Ford's XXX communication to all U.S. Ford and Lincoln dealers. The 24N07 Technical Instructions already provide a decision process: Step 1 directs technicians to check for specified DTCs, including P0443, OR determine whether the customer reports hesitation, rough idle, or loss of power. Step 2 asks whether any Step 1 condition is present. If yes, Step 3 directs the technician to replace the CPV. (PAGE 16) Nowhere in this procedure does Ford require a separate comprehensive EVAP diagnosis before replacement. Ford's labor operation also includes checking for DTCs as part of the 24N07 service. (PAGE 16) This is…”
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle previously failed the vehicle state inspection due to the check engine warning light being illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The contact had to pull over, wait, and then restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an unknown recall repair for the canister purge valve, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the second dealer, Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston (6445 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074), who performed another unknown recall repair for the canister purge valve, but the failure reoccurred. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealers were made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
“On XXX I received email from CARFAX regarding my vehicle recall "26S40 PCM REPROGRAMMING FOR FUEL TANK DEFORMATION”. I contacted Ford Cutter Hawaii answering spoke with [XXX] over the phone regarding the recall, she asked me to forward the email then she after she read the email she dismissed the information as not reliable as it came from Carfax. She will only follow up if I got recall notice in the mail. XXX my car stalled in the middle of freeway and got towed. At the time the reading of fuel is low but not empty. The car started and only run for 1-2 seconds before it died again. That is very similar symptoms described in the recall information: "Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING OR WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.” End of complain.”
“I just recently got my fuel pump fixed and a new radiator fixed that was the knot problem wrong with my car now all of a sudden I get my car back from the shop with NO OIL I put oil even though I already just had a oil changed and my engine light is now blinking but when I bought the car it was just on [XXX] to Tallahassee and I live in eestpalm beach with no problem now my car smokes so much and auto shop Firestone says it’s my engine .”
“Beginning in approximately May 2025, the vehicle began displaying diagnostic trouble codes identified by independent auto parts retailers and service providers. These codes indicated potential issues within the engine, electrical, and powertrain systems. The vehicle was subsequently brought to a dealership for diagnostic evaluation and remained there from approximately May 15 through May 19, 2025. During this time, the dealership reported that no diagnostic codes were present and did not resolve the reported issue. However, the vehicle had recently exhibited repeatable symptoms, including entering “limp mode” and triggering diagnostic trouble codes, prior to being delivered to the dealership. Similar codes and issues were again identified after the dealership visit. The vehicle has experienced multiple incidents of entering “limp mode,” resulting in sudden loss of power and reduced drivability while in operation. This condition occurred without reliable warning and created unsafe driving situations, including the inability to maintain normal traffic flow. Due to safety concerns, the vehicle has not been driven under normal conditions since approximately May…”
“I filled up my gas tank and a couple minutes later experienced shuddering while parked so I decided to turn the vehicle off and turn it back on but it struggles to turn back on. I then drove back home and as I was driving the acceleration was going up and down and then to 0. As i stopped on a red light the car completely shut down while the light then turned green and the check engine light, battery, and oil light came on. I then turned the vehicle off and in order to start it I had to step on the gas. I made it home but have not driven it since. I noticed there was a 19S22 recall but I spoke with ford and they said my vehicle didn’t get it but it is experiencing the same issues that the recall mentioned. There is a one time replacement for the CPV but it doesn’t cover half of what the 19S22 does and it seems to be the same problem.”
Showing 6 of 477 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.