2012 Ford Focus Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

3.40/5 Average
267 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

The Ford Focus has been completely redesigned for 2012. An all-electric-drive version of the Focus is also new.

Pros:
  • Nimble handling
  • Refined and quiet ride
  • Abundant list of upscale and high-tech options.
  • Stylish and well-made interior
  • Lively engine
Cons:
  • Quirky automatic transmission response.
  • Infotainment controls are finicky to learn and use
  • Backseat is a little short on legroom

User Reviews:

Showing 161 through 170 of 267.00
  • Great Car! (GET THE MANUAL VERSION) - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    Ive seen so many complaints about transmission reliability when I was looking to buy; but seemed to only be the automatic versions having that issue. So I bough the manual version and its FANTASTIC. The clutch is light and the shifting feels great. Learn to row your own gears and avoid the auto headache!

  • Great first 2 months - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    I have made it to 2 months and 2,000 miles. I have been very happy with my purchase. I had a Jeep Liberty which I liked but needed better fuel economy and I got it I drove to a job 48 miles away one way for 4 days and averaged 35.2 mpg it was city and highway. It has been living up to the rating. I got a full loaded model with everything but the parking pkg. An amazing amount of stuff in what is a compact. Way more than my Liberty Sport. The transmission seemed a little buggy especially the first few blocks that seems to be mostly gone. Only dilemma was the Navigation would not work. So had to have it fixed. But after a reboot and and upgrade in service no problems.

  • poor mileage, worse customer service from FMC - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    FMC advertisements and website make untrue, deceptive and misleading statements as to mileage for the Ford Focus. FMC customer service is indifferent or dismissive and unresponsive to dealer statements that there is a 6,000 mile break-in period - FMC says what Ive been told is appropriate and they concur. I drove an almost 2,000 mile road trip, on cruise control through Ill., IN, OH, PA and NJ to document my recorded 31-33 mpg. The dealer says I get 37.5. The math is simple. The FMC representations are absurd and astonishingly arrogant and offensive considering $20,000 is spent on their product. The transmission had to be recalibrated twice to get it right.

  • Beats competition, sexy design, room for improvement - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    I have an SE titanium almost fully loaded, parking package and premium package.

  • Sporty Looking & fun to drive - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    It is an economical, very practical but fun-to-drive vehicle. It is great to drive on curves, really grabs the road and steers easily. It has a lot of trunk space, and it has adequate leg room in the back seat.

  • A Transmission Too Soon - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    This is my seventh new Ford product and Im exceptionally disappointed with the engine/transmission. With 7,000 miles on it, the transmission is still shifting very hard and has not somoothed out like the dealer said it would. Quite possibly Ford put this on the street before the bugs were worked out. The engine runs exceptionally rough and another dealership said that all 4-bangers do that - my 2005 Focus didnt. I think dealerships are making up excuses because the quality of the car wasnt quite yet ready to hit the market. The one we test drove was much smoother than the one we ordred. Will Ford Motor Company ever make a car that doesnt rattle? Very disappointed! Fordo2

  • 2012 Focus has Transmission issues - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    Been reading reviews. Yes, I know its an automated dual clutch and am familiar with the technology. Its a good design. However, the computer setting is dubious and our dealer covered up. Shifting was jerky and we were told it was "normal" or due to being an early model. Then recently it revved to 4000 and more in shifting - sounded a mess and engine light came on. Normal -- or whos lying? Heard it was adjusting itself and a computer upgrade was needed. Have been told it was "Normal" "Battery problem" "Get the regular computer update," How insulting can your service department be? Asked for computer printout -- "Delayed shift" Fully fine now (for now?) with new computer setting.

  • Lovin My Focus - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    I have my 2012 Focus SLE Hatchback for about a month and a half now. I absolutely LOVE this car. Having an SUV for the past 11 years, I wanted a change. Originally went down to Ford to look at the Fiesta, then, I saw this Focus. I needed something that got good gas mileage as I was recently transferred with my job, and am now driving 60 miles a day, versus 10! I loved this car from the minute I saw it. I have the Tuxedo Black (Great color) with Black Leather interior. My only regret is getting the Black interior, should have went with the Stone Color Leather , as the Black is very HOT in the summer in this car until the A/C cools it down. I am averaging 31 MPG right now in mixed driving.

  • Buyer-Beware!!! Terrible Transmission - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    We bought our 2012 Ford Focus SEL 4cyl. Automatic w/overdrive, leather heated seats, tech pkg and even tinted the Windows. This car was purchased main reason of saving on fuel expenses. What are we soon found out was that the transmission works on a dual dry clutch system that has proven to be a reoccurring nightmare month-to-month. I would urge buyers to do in-depth research before purchasing this vehicle as it is and will be a vehicle that needs to go to the shop regularly for transmission resets in computer module issues. In the 1 year we owned the car, I lost hours upon hours of my time waiting on a tow truck to come and pick it up and take it down to the dealer. Also had to open two major cases against Ford motor company. They did nothing about it, therefore I will never buy a Ford vehicle again! Sad to say because Im a patriot and love the thought of buying American. Just traded it in and lost $3500 to negative equity. Shame on Ford!

  • update on the car - 2012 Ford Focus
    By -

    I currently have almost 3k on the car. Now that I have spent more time driving it, I think that using the S mode makes the car accelerate better from a stop. I dont know if that is true, but its just something that I have noticed. I know that in S mode that it holds the gears longer, so maybe thats why. The shifts also feel smoother in S. I dont use the select shift that much, because the location of the buttons on the shifter are awkwardly placed. I mostly drive in the city, and I have been getting an average of 29 mpg. What I love most about the car is how it handles. It just feels so solid and connected to the road!

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