2012 Ford Focus Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 1%of 3,770 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Ford Focus, 1% of the 3,770 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle dip beam bulb (low beam headlights) burn out, on average every three to four months. We have replaced said bulbs (both left low beam and right low beam) at least six times in the approximate two plus years we have owned said vehicle. Most recent event, wednesday, january 24, 2018”
NHTSA complaint #11064930, filed 2018-01, 68,000 miles“I've already had problems with the transmission (recall issue) that causes the grinding and jerking of the vehicle...and still have to address these. But just this week my blinkers started coming on (when I turned off my motor), and some alarm started sounding until I started up the car. Really, really concerned at this point! Not a safe vehicle. My second Ford Focus (my 2003 was a dream!)...wondering what went wrong in the factory!”
NHTSA complaint #10838145, filed 2016-02, 31,000 miles“While driving dashboard lights and gauges turn off radio turns on and off and unable to operate or turn off it stays on with extremely loud static.cars turns off while in motion on a highway and street. We pushed it to safety then attempted to turn it back on and it did. Today we took it to a Ford dealer the rep hooked it up to the diagnostic machine no problem was was found. Then later that day it did it again. We took it back now they say its the computer system that controls computer programming for the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11139874, filed 2018-10, 105,458 miles“#01. The panel light are not working in my 2012 Ford Focus hatchback se - the fuel warning light does not work either way - stationary or in motion, the low fuel warning light does not come on. I need further assistance in troubleshooting for this vehicle. To inspect my vehicle and check why the lights are not coming on. #2 the positive battery cable is very corroded. #3. I'mnotable to properlyopencar front door from outside onpassengerside. I can open the door but exerting a greater force when I pull to open this door than the rest of the doors.”
NHTSA complaint #11361439, filed 2020-09, 106,275 miles“I began to notice my vehicle having lighting issues, including dimmer inside dome lights, flickering license plate lights, and it was pointed out to me that my back up lights weren't functional at all. I was parked parallel with other vehicles in a parking lot. Then after starting my vehicle, I shifted my automatic transmission into reverse going only about 2 MPH when the vehicle began to beep, along with a warning that my luggage compartment door was open. In the situation, the beeping was very distracting and could have increased the risk of crashing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11374632, filed 2020-11, 176,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V335000Aug 1, 2013Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011…Covers: Ford Focus 2012–2013
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 9 | 1% |
| 2016 | 8 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 0% |
| 2014 | 10 | 0% |
| 2013 | 14 | 1% |
| 2012 | 26 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 14 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 3% |
| 2005 | 20 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 2% |
| 2003 | 15 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 1% |
| 2001 | 32 | 2% |
| 2000 | 60 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Focus
1,447 complaintsSteering
927 complaintsEngine
475 complaintsOther or unknown
363 complaintsElectrical system
352 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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