Problems · by component

2012 Ford Focus suspension problems

29 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Focus cite suspension, 1% of all 3,803 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
29
1% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the suspension

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2025Steering, Suspension, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11649585
“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. It was supposed to fix the fuel gauge reading issues too but even after being "fixed" it still never read right. I could never tell what the actual contents of my fuel levels were which is dangerous especially on long road trips. The struts started to leak and go bad well before they should…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2021Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11430862
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2021Suspension, Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11424922
“AIR COMPRESSION INSIDE HAS ALWAYS HAD AIR COME INSIDE THE CAR NEVER BEING SEALED. CAR ENGINE OVERHEATS WHEN THEY USE THEIR OWN PRODUCTS. TIRE FAULT, THEY CLAIM THEY COULDN'T SEE IT, BUT IF THEY REALLY DO DIAGNOSTIC TEST AS THEY CHARGE, THEN THEY SHOULD SEE ALL THE CODES THAT COME UP ON FAULTS. FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CARS BUT WHEN YOU TAKE CAR IN THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T SEE IT, CLAIMS TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH THEY DON'T. ASK ABOUT THE RESULTS THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR IT, BUT YET THEY SCAM WITH WARRANTY AND YOURSELF. DOORS LEAK THEY SAY IT'S NORMAL BUT IT BRINGS MOLD INSIDE THE CAR. I START IT UP TO KEEP THE BATTERY GOING AND TO FIND SOMEONE HONEST WHO WON'T CHEAT YOU, CUZ THE DEALERSHIPS ARE SCAMMING FOLKS. SAME THING NUMEROUS TIMES SO I USED THE LAST DATE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2021Suspension, Structure, Vehicle speed controlODI 11387705
“2012 FOCUS S A MAJORITY OF THE TIME FROM A STOP VEHICLE STARTS JERKING AND I DON'T OWN A STICK SHIFT. ALSO AS IT'S JERKING THE RPMS GO REALLY HIGH AS IF I NEED TO SHIFT IDK BUT ALSO EVERY TIME I PUT IT IN PARK IT ROLLS ABOUT QUARTER-INCPUT IT IN PARK IT ROLLS ABOUT A HALF AN INCH OR MORE THEN I HEAR A CLICK WELL IT'S MORE LIKE A TIN CAN SOUND I HATE IT I HOPE IT'S NOT MY TRANSMISSION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 21, 2019Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11281471
“THREADS ON THE OUTER TIE ROD END STRIPPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. TIE ROD END CAME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING! CALLED SEVERAL LOCAL PARTS DEPARTMENTS AND FUNNY THING IS THEY REPORT THAT'S THE USUAL SIDE THAT IS AFFECTED. EVERY STORE IN A 20 MILE RADIUS HAD RIGHT TIE RODS BUT NO LEFT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2019Steering, SuspensionODI 11233244

Showing 6 of 29 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.