2012 Ford Focus Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 70about this part
- Share
- 2%of 3,770 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 70 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Ford Focus, 2% of the 3,770 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 miles. 2 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.
“Wipers just stopped working with no indications of any issues. Changed fuse and no change. I used wipers on monday while driving and tuesday morning went to spray washer fluid to clean and sprayer worked and no motion in wipers. My car was in my driveway at 94 bethel ridge road”
NHTSA complaint #11301867, filed 2020-01, 133,000 miles“When I started the car, the windshield wipers came on. The wiper switch was in the off position. The wipers would not stop. I turned the car off, and the wipers were still going. I had to remove the fuse to get them to stop. When I put the fuse back in, the wipers wouldn't come on. I drove about 5 miles and the wipers came on again and I had to stop and take the fuse out again.”
NHTSA complaint #11001538, filed 2017-06, 60,000 miles“I was driving at night while it was raining I wanted to use the wipers to clear the rain using the intermittent button but they would not shut off and then the wiper just stopped, I can put the passenger wiper down manual and then the wiper will close. The wipers will not operate now”
NHTSA complaint #11093322, filed 2018-05, 51,000 miles“The windshield in my car has distortions in it. Some are vertical, some are horizontal. The Ford dealer and Ford corporate customer service have both told me that this is standard for this model. Since all models have it, there is no windshield with which it can be replaced. I think it's a safety issue because looking through the windshield distorts what I see outside. I'd like NHTSA to look into it.”
NHTSA complaint #10448025, filed 2012-02, 553 miles“While the vehicle was parked, the rear window shattered with a small explosive sound. The car had been parked for 20 minutes. After unloading, my husband pressed the lock button on his key and seconds latter the window shattered. This included all the edge pieces around the window. There was no evidence that anything was thrown at the window and no chips in the window before this happened. There was heavy rain and we had been running the rear window defogger on the way home.”
NHTSA complaint #10714817, filed 2015-05, 33,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V149000Apr 5, 2012Ford 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…Covers: Ford Focus 2012
Related service bulletins
- 10164508Aug 9, 2019Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in…
- 10057834Jul 1, 2015Ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. Please use at your discretion. Various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 | 11 | 1% |
| 2015 | 11 | 1% |
| 2014 | 32 | 1% |
| 2013 | 29 | 1% |
| 2012 | 70 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% |
| 2007 | 11 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% |
| 2005 | 10 | 2% |
| 2004 | 11 | 3% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
| 2002 | 28 | 3% |
| 2001 | 59 | 3% |
| 2000 | 118 | 3% |
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 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