2012 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1,447about this part
- Share
- 38%of 3,770 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 1,447 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Ford Focus, 38% of the 3,770 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 31 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car has transmission problems something every common in this make. This has caused me to almost get in some accidents because of the skid created by these transmission problems. The car is very jumpy and will skid when the transmission acts up. This happens while driving, on the move or when I start to move after being stationary for a few moments.”
NHTSA complaint #11388240, filed 2021-01, 1 miles“The car began having troubles shifting around 10-15 MPH. It would shake/rattle and would struggle getting into the next gear. Around 20 MPH, there would be a grinding sound. This occurred for about a week before I had it checked by a mechanic. They informed me the clutch and transmission are going out and this is a common problem with these cars.”
NHTSA complaint #11310210, filed 2020-02, 149,000 miles“My car is vibrating and will not accelerate at times. I have been told by Ford that there is a faulty clutch and seal that needs to be replaced. It was a part they were aware was a problem and they extended the warranty to 7 years but we are past that time now so they will not cover the repair. The car will lose forward power at any given time.”
NHTSA complaint #11220622, filed 2019-06, 65,000 miles“I am the single owner of my 2012 Ford Focus. I only have 54k miles on the vehicle but it shudders, jerks and feels like it falls out of gear at times. It has behaved this way since I have owned it. I thought that is just the way it was. I am now very concerned about the these transmission problems as my son now drives the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11241122, filed 2019-08, 54,000 miles“When driving my vehicle on the highway, if I attempt to speed up to pass another vehicle it will lurch violently. One time it lurched forward and then stalled. Fortunately I was in the right hand lane and could pull over to the shoulder without incident, had I been in the middle or left lane it might have been a different story.”
NHTSA complaint #11231884, filed 2019-07, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237441May 4, 2023Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10226944Nov 7, 2022Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission; Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10199780Jul 30, 2021Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever…
- 10180371Sep 2, 2020This customer satisfaction program updates the TCM software in affected vehicles to provide improved detection and over warning of electrical circuit failures in the TCM. As…
- 10164620Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Service…
- 10164606Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164604Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty…
- 10164615Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164612Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module…
- 10163594Jul 12, 2019Short-Term DPS6 Dealer Customer Handling Direction
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 60% |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Focus
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 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 29, 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