2012 Ford Focus Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 352about this part
- Share
- 9%of 3,770 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 352 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Ford Focus, 9% of the 3,770 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,500 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The horn doesn't work all the time along with the doors not always locking or unlocking. The horn concerns me deeply. I don't have a radio haven't had one in a couple of months I filed a complaint a couple months ago. I'm a Ford person and I really wish Ford were take care if these issues. A horn is a pretty important safety issue with the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11318643, filed 2020-03, 159,000 miles“Radio starts to pop and sound like machine gun fire. It goes off and on irregularly and even does it when car is turned off. Sometimes it will work for 10 minutes and then the popping and gun fire begins again. I am afraid that someone will think I'm shooting as them. If it comes on while driving, it is very scary. Could cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11207902, filed 2019-05, 113,000 miles“While driving the car was making very loud cracking noises as if it was because of my radio. When I stopped the vehicle it was still making the loud static popping noises even with the key out of the ignition and radio off. When the stock radio was removed it was very hot and seemed as if it was on the verge of starting a fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11176220, filed 2019-02, 98,154 miles“My car wont start ,radio,locks ,lights all work. But upon turning key,wont start. No noises . Sometimes the remote start will work. If it does not start ,it will keep trying to start it over and over without me even touching the remote again.it will start about 1 out of every 10 times .keep trying and sooner or later it starts . 2012 Ford Focus , might be ignition switch ?”
NHTSA complaint #11240159, filed 2019-07, 32,000 miles“I was driving home and it started to shift incorrectly and luckily I was closer to home. By the time I had to turn into my driveway it quit shifting all together. My door locks do not lock, I've had to bungee the rear doors together. My mirrors do not work. Also the fuel gauge doesn't read correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #11385560, filed 2020-12, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031792Apr 29, 2026Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 11026013Nov 19, 2025This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this…
- 10176123May 29, 2020Some 2012-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a TCU may exhibit an inoperative remote start with a 'Vehicle Failed To Start' message when using MyFord Mobile/Ford…
- 10174403Apr 24, 2020Some 2012-2016 Focus Electric vehicles built on 15-Sep-2011 and through 9-Dec-2015 may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message…
- 10170911Jan 15, 2020Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric vehicles may exhibit a Stop Safely Now message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center. This may be due to either an internal…
- 10164497Aug 7, 2019For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301)…
- 10153935Dec 12, 2018Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2019 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to…
- 10149765Sep 19, 2018Some 2012-2018 Focus BEV vehicles may exhibit DTC U0130 in the battery electric control module (BECM) after replacement of the high voltage (HV) battery pack. In order to correct…
- 10137110Mar 29, 2018Some 2013-2017 Fusion Energi, 2012-2017 Focus Electric and 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi vehicles equipped with a TCU built on or before 11-Oct-2017 may exhibit a discharged battery…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 49 | 6% |
| 2017 | 36 | 4% |
| 2016 | 82 | 7% |
| 2015 | 64 | 6% |
| 2014 | 245 | 9% |
| 2013 | 276 | 13% |
| 2012 | 352 | 9% |
| 2011 | 25 | 22% |
| 2010 | 43 | 15% |
| 2009 | 45 | 20% |
| 2008 | 57 | 23% |
| 2007 | 85 | 22% |
| 2006 | 47 | 23% |
| 2005 | 113 | 26% |
| 2004 | 183 | 47% |
| 2003 | 522 | 53% |
| 2002 | 277 | 30% |
| 2001 | 496 | 28% |
| 2000 | 1,343 | 36% |
| 1999 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Focus
1,447 complaintsSteering
927 complaintsEngine
475 complaintsOther or unknown
363 complaintsFuel system
340 complaintsBody and structure
332 complaintsVehicle speed control
166 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
134 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
70 complaintsBrakes
61 complaintsAir bags
55 complaintsElectronic stability control
48 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology