Overview & Reviews

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

• Nimble handling
• Refined and quiet ride
• Abundant list of upscale and high-tech options.
• Stylish and well-made interior
• Lively engine

• Quirky automatic transmission response.
• Infotainment controls are finicky to learn and use
• Backseat is a little short on legroom

User Reviews:

Showing 51 through 60 of 267.00

• 

  Okay... but disappointed - 2012 Ford Focus
  By kann993 - April 15 - 11:54 am

  I purchased this car seven months ago. Its okay, but I definitely regret buying this car. I did not know the automatic transmission was not your usual automatic its a dual-clutch auto manual, which causes it to be jerky in stop and go traffic (which for me is every day). This is so annoying and there is nothing Ford can do. Ive already had the clutch replaced. I guess its just how this car is. The audios dial isnt true to what it actually sounds like. A "6" sounds like what should be a "15". I also dont like how theres no interior storage. The little storage they have on the door handles are so tiny I dont know what could fit in it. I am trading this car in for sure.

• 

  I "was" so happy - 2012 Ford Focus
  By daisyp - April 8 - 2:17 am

  I was so happy when I first bought this car but like another reviewer said, I soon regretted ever buying it. I have been to Fords service department so many times, people joke and say "Hi, you again?" The transmission in this car is a disaster, The car jerks and rattles so much, Im in constant fear its going to shut off. It took over 4 times of me taking the car in to Ford for them to finally admit there was something wrong with the transmission, before that they kept saying "Oh thats normal". The air conditioning gets hot and cold on its own and they also say they cant find the problem. So Im done with this car and in the process of the Lemon Law.

• 

  Shimmy and Shake - 2012 Ford Focus
  By butlersride - March 28 - 4:09 pm

  I FINALLY got out of this car but it did cost me. The transmission was faulty from the get-go and youll regret the day you ever bought it. At parking lot speeds the transmission cannot make up its mind, but worse, many times it gets stuck in neutral and then catch and thrust you forward. In my car the "reverse sensor" frequently came on while I was in drive. The MPG is horrible, in the City I got 23, they vastly exaggerate how efficient the car is.

• 

  Ford Fan - 2012 Ford Focus
  By mike1957 - March 23 - 3:24 pm

  I am a Ford fan and will continue to be so, only a little wiser.We leased a 2012 Ford Focus SE with the automatic transmission.The engine is very peppy and accelerates well, as long as the transmission is in synch.The transmission sometimes faulters with the engine RPM going above 7000, not good for the engine.Dealership at first said the car would adjust to our driving, then had it checked/adjusted by their trans "pro",then have said there is nothing wrong.The gas mileage is 3-6 mpg under what I expected. The rear deck foam disintegrated.The trunk leaks during rain.There are rattles in the front suspension area.Car has just passed 40000 miles and we will be turning in car at end of lease

• 

  A report at 2.5 years and 70K miles - 2012 Ford Focus
  By chris_in_nh - March 19 - 9:38 am

  I am also a bit aggravated by the very negative comments here about Focus reliability and thought Id chime in. I have driven my Focus S 5 speed manual for almost 3 years and more than 70K miles. After dealing early on with two glitchy things (a bad window motor and a bad engine sensor) that were fixed under warranty the car has been absolutely bulletproof. The 2012 was the first year of the new Focus and I put down the two early fixes as teething problems. Again, zero troubles since. The car is truly a joy to drive on twisty roads. If you buy one keep it simple. Get it with the 5-speed stick and without the Synch bells and whistles. You will find you have a poor-mans BMW.

• 

  Dual-Clutch Auto Trans is a bad idea - 2012 Ford Focus
  By sirhawkeye - March 16 - 3:43 pm

  Overall an OK for the money. BUT... Beware of the dual-clutch transmission though. the 2012s had a lot of problems with them (clutch notise, which Ford dismisses as normal, which is not true if you ask any true auto tech or engineer). That and carbon build-up on the engine due to direct injection (Google it and youll find out pretty quick). Its a sporty car, design is nice, interior is nice (just wish the transmission lived up to the hype that Ford put into it). Even the Fiesta has the same transmission problems.

• 

  Stalling and Gear Issues - 2012 Ford Focus
  By jenn74really - March 13 - 11:12 am

  Purchased the 2012 Ford Focus in 11-2011. It was slow initially in responding to the gas. The reaction time is delayed and losing power. Over the past year, I am stalled approx. 50 times. Recently, the gears dont seem to be lined up properly. When the vehicle is in park, it has rolled. When the vehicle is in reverse, then drive, the car is still in reverse. I nearly hit a parked car backing out of a parking lot. Right after that happened the vehicle stalled and quit completely. Engine light was on for a short period. After several attempts to start the vehicle again, I was forced to have a tow truck retrieve the vehicle. Non-operable and unsafe. Ford does not see a problem.

• 

  Very reliable - 2012 Ford Focus
  By revmatt99 - January 13 - 8:27 pm

  I bought mine with about 18,000 miles and have about 30,000 miles now. I have had absolutely no problems so far.

• 

  pass on this car!!!!!!!!! going back to chevys. - 2012 Ford Focus
  By mingo5 - January 9 - 2:17 am

  at 11k had broken left strut.at 16k had ser.eng light gas tank sensor bad 6 days to order and repair.3 days later light on again took back kept car 11 days said was overfilling gas tank.when took in both times had 1/4 tank of gas!whata joke.now at 24,700 have broken left bearing and broken strut again 4days in shop AGAIN! but now on speed bumps clucking sound on driverside front not taking back to them will trade for a chevy cruz or malibu.not to mention tranny spuddering on takeoffs.they now tell me will not cover rental car anymore even becouse i have extended warranty!ive had it with with FORD.....

• 

  Last Ford Car - 2012 Ford Focus
  By texasmilitary - January 5 - 6:58 pm

  Im terrified to drive this thing. Much like the other reviews, the shuddering was an issue from the start, but I was told that it was part of the new design. Two years into it, I can tolerate it. However, now the car just decelerates for no reason and the check engine light comes on. Keep in mind that this happens anywhere and anytime, even on a major highway going 70 miles an hour. The first time it scared me so bad. I took it in and they claimed it was an engine light issue, kept it for two days, fixed it, and sent me on my way. Less than a week later the car has decelerated and come to a complete stop 3 times. I took it back to the dealership...I will update you on their response.