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 1 through 10 of 267.00

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  Dual Clutch Trans shifting problems - 2012 Ford Focus
  By thomasln - November 9 - 7:43 pm

  My trans kept dropping out of gear. No pattern - interstate, intersections, totally unpredictable. Would leave me stranded & the car would not go into gear. Ford dealer couldnt find the problem until I made video. They said I needed a $200 software patch that didnt work. I drove it 200 feet & it died in the dealers lot. After 8 days in the shop, they found a loose ground wire in the Transmission Control Module inside the transmission. I have driven about 450 miles with no recurrence of the problem. If you are having trans problems, let your dealer know to check the grounds on the TCM before you spend $. I regard it as a manufacturing & design flaw.

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  Good Luck if you buy it. - 2012 Ford Focus
  By salmark - September 11 - 1:20 pm

  I have a Ford Focus 2012 that I bought used. I just got out of the dealership. Why? Engine light turned on while I was driving and suddenly my entire car is lunging back and forth and gears are going nuts. Worse of all, I cant even put it in reverse. If youre going to get a Focus, good luck. I looked at reviews before and said, "meh, it wont happen to me." It did. Transmission might have to be replaced. Bluntly put, lets just say Im not going to go Ford for a good time. Oh, and highway MPG is amazing. City... totally sucks. 18-23 and I dont drive rough at all. Might as well be driving a Jeep with that mileage. Thanks Ford.

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  Mechanically Unreliable, Ford Service in Denial - 2012 Ford Focus
  By cdubaz - July 13 - 8:49 pm

  I bought the car new off the showroom floor. My first Ford since my 1965 Mustang. The very first day I drove the car to work, it had under 20 miles on it and the transmission refused to shift into gear. Ford towed it in but the dash light had gone off and they couldnt find the problem. They blamed Microsoft... It continued to drag while shifting for two years and I mentioned it every time. I got the same story--that it was normal for this car. It again began refusing to shift and began stalling. I took it back in and was told it was the "transmission module" and because it was now over 36k, I would have to pay. The also said my wheel bearings were going and had to replace those!

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  World Class Miss - 2012 Ford Focus
  By bhersh - July 8 - 6:34 pm

  We bought our Focus in August 2011 and were pleased with it for 2 of the 2-1/2 years we had it. My wife drove about 90 miles a day for most of the first two years and all was well. It handled like it was on rails, was comfortable and the mileage was great. Highest I got was 45. We got used to the quirky shifting but when my wife changed jobs and did mostly city driving, the clutch became unreliable. We also had electronic issues. We were told by Ford that we needed a new clutch pack and that it would be in by the end of next month. That went on for 4 months. Fed up, we traded it at a big loss due to transmission issues. Then Ford called to apologize. We love our new Buick Verano!

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  One Bad Tranny after Another :( - 2012 Ford Focus
  By kaelin71 - July 8 - 3:14 pm

  Transmission replaced at 22,000 after Ford sent regional located engineer out to determine problem and provide resolution as reflashing did nothing to eleviate shuddering and crunching/grinding noises of transmission. Resolution was to put in new transmission. At 36,000 miles or 14,000 into the new tranny were experiencing same problem, yet even worse this time around. I couldnt be more disappointed at this point.

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  A good vehicle with some critical flaws - 2012 Ford Focus
  By quasirev - June 14 - 2:51 pm

  The Focus is a fun to drive and comfortable car. The exterior styling is well done. Thats all thats positive with owning this vehicle. Negatives: 1)Automatic (DCT) is awful, and seems to perform worse as the vehicle ages. Three Ford dealers have been unable to fix its behavior, simply stating that its performing normal. 2)MyFordTouch is so maddening in its design and performance that I barely change the radio station or use any of the other features or inputs. Sync Services is a disaster of voice recognition and insufferable prompts. 3)Ride quality is great on smooth roads, messy on uneven pavement. Make sure you test drive it on roads youll be driving it on. 4)Cramp rear seat

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  2012 FOCUS SFE - Transmission died $4,300 fix - 2012 Ford Focus
  By eagleshot - May 12 - 3:33 pm

  I have a 2012 SFE that I purchased in Nov 2011 with 7 miles on it. Before I ever drove it, the salesperson told me about the shutter and explained why it was doing it and that it was normal. Within a month of getting it, I had to take it in to have the transmission "reprogrammed". That stopped the issues for a while but within another month I was back again. The service tech told me the same story and that I should keep driving it and it will eventually get better. I drive 120 per day all highway miles. At 84K miles I had to replace the transmission. $4,300USD.

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  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.....

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  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.

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  Mixed emotions - 2012 Ford Focus
  By isellthem1 - November 15 - 6:20 pm

  I am very impressed with the overall tightness of the platform and build quality is good. It is one of the best looking hatchbacks out there and I love the handling characteristics of this car but I am so pissed off at Ford for making such a fantastic vehicle and equipping it with an absolute joke of an automatic transmission. I love the concept of feeling the direct drive this torque converter-less transmission provides but the shifting dynamics are sub par. This unit should have never been introduced to the public in its current state. Opt for the 5 speed!