Known Recalls

Model year record

2012 Ford Focus

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 4,990 owner complaints on file.

Ford Focus, 2012–2018 generation
Pictured: the 2012–2018 generation. Icantfocus1222, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V369000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
257,868
Reported to NHTSA
2026-06-09
Owners notified
2026-07-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V331000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
2,147,323
Reported to NHTSA
2020-06-08
Owners notified
2020-07-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V515000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
57,488
Reported to NHTSA
2019-07-05
Owners notified
2019-07-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V735000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,282,596
Reported to NHTSA
2018-10-22
Owners notified
2019-08-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V643000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
2,046,297
Reported to NHTSA
2016-09-06
Owners notified
2017-01-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V335000

Exterior lighting

Component
Exterior lighting
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
6,308
Reported to NHTSA
2013-08-01
Owners notified
2013-08-16

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V149000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
140,310
Reported to NHTSA
2012-04-05
Owners notified
2012-05-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train1,39155,000 mi
Steering92478,000 mi
Engine47661,423 mi
Unknown or other35870,000 mi
Electrical system34464,000 mi
Structure: body29561,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system28480,000 mi
Vehicle speed control16444,400 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch9070,000 mi
Air bags5451,289 mi
Service brakes5447,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline50114,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)4870,000 mi
Visibility/wiper4751,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages4349,000 mi
Seat belts4265,360 mi
Wheels2948,000 mi
Suspension2749,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2699,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling254,300 mi
Exterior lighting2584,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission222,493 mi
Structure: body: door2060,000 mi
Structure1430,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1342,000 mi
Tires116,750 mi
Seats934,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls743,761 mi
Electrical system: horn599,500 mi
Equipment539,521 mi
Traction control system530,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly515,325 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs563,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic45,200 mi
Electrical system: software380,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility356,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands393,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission3517 mi
Steering: electric power assist system338,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear332,500 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer338,642 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner226,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump248,000 mi
Parking brake2751 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids229,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal277,000 mi
Visibility2553 mi
Visibility: windshield227,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1240 mi
Back over prevention: camera system1—
Electrical system: instrument panel: fuel gauge: fuel level float/sensor/sending unit1116,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood144,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control152,433 mi
Equipment: appliance: TV/radio/speakers1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.112,917 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights112,917 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1—
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1—
Latches/locks/linkages: electronic lock/latch actuator1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module: software1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter181,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor167,513 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint15 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1101,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light183,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system13 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate135,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Structure: frame and members1123,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields114,000 mi
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1101,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1155,133 mi

The 2011 model has 32 times as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Focus model years

20182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999

All Ford Focus recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.