VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford Focus Electric problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric sits mid-pack among Focus Electric years: 53 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 37, with 3 recalls and 4 closed investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (34% of the total).

53

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

4

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Focus Electric years?

Focus Electric NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted120 complaints2012: 53 complaints2013: 120 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 20 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 12 complaints
Focus Electric NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Focus Electric years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford Focus Electric problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1834%
Transmission1426%
Steering611%
Speed Control48%
Engine36%
Fuel System36%
Brakes24%
Other12%
Airbags12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2012 Ford Focus Electric have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V592000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2018 · 49,197 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

Consequence

An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.

13V523000TransmissionOctober 30, 2013 · 2,456 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus Electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition.

Consequence

An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall beganon November 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

13V475000Electrical SystemOctober 17, 2013 · 23,000 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS.... GENERAL RECALL INQUIRY -- ELECTRIC STEERING LOCKED UP IN DRIVEWAY BEFORE LEAVING HOUSE TWICE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK... CONTACT CALLED DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP STATED ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CLUTCH WAS REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 8, 2017

“ON THE FREEWAY ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY WHILE MERGING INTO THE LEFTMOST LANE. POWER SUDDENLY WAS LOST WITH A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE ON THE DASH. AS IT WAS RUSH HOUR, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MERGE 6 LANES TO THE RIGHT TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. BRAKES AND STEERING WERE WORKING AND I STOPPED SAFELY. CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 6, 2014

“TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS.... GENERAL RECALL INQUIRY -- ELECTRIC STEERING LOCKED UP IN DRIVEWAY BEFORE LEAVING HOUSE TWICE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK... CONTACT CALLED DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP STATED ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CLUTCH WAS REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 8, 2017

“TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS.... GENERAL RECALL INQUIRY -- ELECTRIC STEERING LOCKED UP IN DRIVEWAY BEFORE LEAVING HOUSE TWICE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK... CONTACT CALLED DEALERSHIP AND DEALERSHIP STATED ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CLUTCH WAS REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 8, 2017

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I SUDDENLY RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND SOMETIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION. IN ADDITION, THE STATED AVAILABLE CAPACITY OF THE BATTERY (23KWH) IS IN FACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 2012

2012 Ford Focus Electric — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford Focus Electric reliable?

It is close to typical for the Focus Electric: 53 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Focus Electric problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (18 complaints), transmission (14 complaints), steering (6 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford Focus Electric have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Ford Focus Electric under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Focus Electric years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Focus Electric years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Focus Electric years belongs to 2016.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.