Owners report the automatic dual-clutch transmission shuddering, jerking, hesitating, grinding, slipping and shifting harshly, and letting the car roll back on hills. Software updates and clutch replacements often did not fully fix it, and some transmissions were repaired or replaced several times.

How common

73 of the 300 complaints we read (24%), roughly 917 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 34 of 73 reports; 1 report mentions a crash

Before you buy: Ask whether the transmission clutch has been replaced or the software updated, and on a test drive watch for shudder, jerks or rollback when pulling away from a stop and on a hill.

• DPS6 transmission will not shift past third gear, losing highway speed; dealer found code P2832, and owner says Ford denied coverage. · filed Jul 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  I am reporting a recurring safety issue with the DPS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission in my 2012 Ford Focus (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle intermittently fails to shift beyond 3rd gear while in motion, resulting in loss of acceleration and inability to maintain safe highway speeds. The most recent incident occurred in July 2025 while my son was driving. The car would not upshift past 3rd gear, forcing him to pull off the road. We took the vehicle to a Ford dealership, which ran diagnostics and ultimately identified diagnostic trouble code P2832: “Shift Fork B Position Sensor Circuit Low.” This error points to failure of the clutch actuator assembly, a key component of the DPS6 system. The dealership linked the issue to internal transmission component failure but stated the original warranty repair had already been used and no coverage was currently open. Ford Customer Relationship Center advised us to have the dealer submit through the Specialty Recall Program and to file a safety complaint with NHTSA. This failure is consistent with the issues outlined in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 16-0109, which addresses shuddering, hesitation, and shifting failure in Ford’s DPS6 transmission due to actuator and clutch contamination. The vehicle previously underwent warranty repair for transmission issues, and this is a repeat failure tied to the same known defect. This defect affects drivability and safety, especially for younger or less experienced drivers. Ford has acknowledged the defect in class action settlements and internal bulletins, but is denying coverage in this case. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this ongoing pattern of failure and pressure Ford to address these safety risks before they result in serious injury. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11673492

• Transmission slips, shudders and jerks when accelerating; about 18 dealer visits and control module replacements have not fixed it. · filed Dec 2024
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping, shuddering, and jerking when attempting to accelerate at various speeds and during the initial start-up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact researched online and found it to be a known issue with the transmission control module failing, The vehicle was taken to the dealer, approximately 18 times in total, who were unable to diagnose the failure. The control module had been replaced and adjustments had been completed multiple times however the failure had persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 5.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11632178

• Car struggles to pull away from stops because the transmission does not shift correctly; it also starts poorly after refueling. · filed Jul 2023
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  Hello, This is what happened to my 2012 Ford Focus SE. First I noticed that after putting gas the car doesn't start I have to try it 1 or 2 times more. Second when the vehicle stops on the traffic light sometimes it gets difficult to get out because is not taking the change correctly, so I have to press the clutch so hard. Because of the car doesn't show up any lights or signal that told me that the car is having a problem I took it to the dealership, and they did diagnostic, and the issues are confirmed.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11533174

Owners report the electric power steering assist cutting out or the wheel locking up, making the car very hard to steer, sometimes clearing after a restart. Some say the steering rack or steering control module was replaced and the problem came back.

How common

59 of the 300 complaints we read (20%), roughly 741 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 54 of 59 reports

• Power steering assist failed repeatedly, finally while driving, with a steering assist fault message; steering now requires heavy effort. · filed Feb 2022
  Read the owner's complaint

  When starting the car, the message displays "steering assist fault. Service required". The entire power assistance is not functional. The car can be manually steered under heavy effort. This issue came and went multiple times. Some times, the steering system started to work and all was good. Other times, there was no recovery. The last time the issue occured was while driving down the road. The message appeared and the power assist was gone. It has not come back online. It did not cause an accident as I was able to manually force the steering to do what I needed to exit the road safely. It appears reading online that the only recourse is to replace the entier system requiring the removal of the rack and pinon and the front assembly sub frame. Estimate costs are over $3000 and it must be done at Ford as it needs software to work correctly. This does not seem reasonable for a car with only 120,000 miles on it.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11450512

• Power steering does not work at engine startup with a steering assist warning; restarting the engine restores it. · filed Oct 2021
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  On engine startup the power steering doesn't function and there is a power steering assist warning. The fault is rectified by turning the engine off and on. I'm concerned that the problem may occur while driving.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11435293

• Steering wheel seized without warning while reversing out of a parking spot; restarting cleared it. Dealer said the VIN is not under recall. · filed Jan 2021
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. PARKWAY FORD (2104 PETERS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127, (877) 836-4271) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,292.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11388177

Owners report door latches breaking so doors will not close or latch, and doors swinging open on their own, including while driving. Some latches were replaced under a recall and others failed later.

How common

45 of the 300 complaints we read (15%), roughly 565 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Airbag, seat belt or door safety: 29 of 45 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 16V643000. Check the VIN for it.

• Front passenger door opened without warning while driving at 10 mph; not repaired. · filed Apr 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,146.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11196748

• Door will not close and latch, so it can fly open while driving unless tied shut. · filed Aug 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH. THEREFORE IT WILL FLY OPEN WHEN DRIVING IF IT IS NOT TIED TO SOMETHING ELSE IN THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED SPONTANEOUSLY WITH AN ACCIDENT, BUT DURING REGULAR USE.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11115839

• Driver's side door will not close. · filed Jul 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  THE CAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11110055

Owners report the transmission suddenly dropping into neutral or losing drive while moving, with the engine revving and the car slowing to a crawl or stopping in traffic. Dealers often blamed the transmission control module or clutch actuators, and some parts were back-ordered.

How common

33 of the 300 complaints we read (11%), roughly 414 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 29 of 33 reports

• Car would not move forward or back at a stop sign, later slowed sharply while driving; shop blamed the dual clutch, actuators, forks and TCM. · filed Aug 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  On Friday [XXX], I was at a stop sign waiting to turn right, when it was my turn to go my car would not move at all, forward or back, the regular lights on the dash board were still on. I put my blinkers on and had all cars go around me. I turned my car off and then back on, that's when the check engine light came on. After 8 minutes of turning the car off and on, I was able to move backwards and forwards I was able to drive. I stopped at AutoZone on the way to get my car scanned. I received a report with a bunch of p-codes. I made it home, I called Ford, they didn't have any immediate appointments. The closet Ford dealership to me says they don't work on cars over 10 years old. I made an appointment at Firestone for saturday morning, they got the same P-codes and said they were all transmission problems and recommended I go to a Ford dealership or a transmission specialists. on my way home from Firestone, first my car speed felt like it was speeding up on it's on and then my car slowed down tremendously and I has to pull over, again I put my blinkers on. After 5 minutes I was able to move again, I was close to home. My car moved so slow feeling like it would stop any time, i drove with my blinkers on and made it home. On Monday my car wouldn't start up at all. A Ford that would take my car didn't have an appointment for 2 weeks. So I made an appointment with AAMCO for Tuesday and I had my car towed there because it wouldn't turn on. My safety was put at risk because I could have been driving at normal speed and could've slowed down out of know where and a car could have slammed into the back or side of me. AMMCO says it my dual input clutch assembly, actuators, forks and TCM This is my first time ever seeing the check engine light on [XXX] Ford's TCM extended warranty expired [XXX]. I called Ford's corporate customer service for help with diagnosis and repair but they said there was nothing they could do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11683346

• Sudden loss of power and car would not stay in gear; Ford dealer replaced the transmission control module. · filed Jul 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  sudden loss of power. would not stay in gear. took it to the ford dealer and they had to replace the TCM.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11534824

• Car slipped into neutral at 35 mph and would not respond; dealer replaced the transmission control module, which had caused clutch failure. · filed Jul 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle seemed to shift into neutral and failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the service engine message was displayed. The contact pulled over to allow the engine to cool down. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission failure caused the clutch to fail. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11533666

Owners report the engine losing power or stalling while driving, hard starts after refueling, and an erratic fuel gauge. Dealers tied several cases to a faulty evap purge valve that let the plastic fuel tank collapse, and some problems returned after the recall repair.

How common

29 of the 300 complaints we read (10%), roughly 364 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 21 of 29 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 18V735000, 26V369000. Check the VIN for it.

• Engine stalls intermittently while driving; two purge valve recall repairs did not fix it, and parts for a newer recall are unavailable. · filed Aug 2026
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle previously failed the vehicle state inspection due to the check engine warning light being illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The contact had to pull over, wait, and then restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an unknown recall repair for the canister purge valve, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the second dealer, Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston (6445 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074), who performed another unknown recall repair for the canister purge valve, but the failure reoccurred. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealers were made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11756307

• Engine stalled repeatedly while driving; mechanics blamed the purge valve and fuel tank, but owner says the dealer's recall inspection found nothing. · filed Dec 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the emission evap canister control purge valve and fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer informed the contact that no repairs were needed upon inspection. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled abruptly while driving, almost causing other vehicles to crash into the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a second independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank had failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure occurred due to the lack of fuel in the fuel tank. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to shift into gears as intended and would shut off while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle accelerated independently while driving, almost causing her to strike pedestrians. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the dealer diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11559495

• Engine stalled without warning at 60 mph, requiring heavy steering effort to reach the shoulder; it would not restart. Not repaired. · filed Nov 2023
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  The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which she linked to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11555135

Owners report front and side airbags failing to deploy in collisions, including a side impact at the driver's door.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 38 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Airbag, seat belt or door safety: 3 of 3 reports; 3 reports mention a crash; 1 report mentions an injury

• Airbags did not deploy when the car slid on ice and hit a stop sign and tree; manufacturer said there were no recalls. · filed Feb 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SLID DUE TO SNOW AND ICE ON THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STOP SIGN AND A TREE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE POLICE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT REMAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TAKATA WAS NOT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,600.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11067242

• Airbags did not deploy in a crash; owner says the crash bar and airbag sensors broke off on impact. · filed Oct 2016
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  I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND MY CRASH BAR BROKE OFF AND THE AIRBAG SENSORS BROKE OFF, SO THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE OTHER CAR SWERVED TO MISS HITTING MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND SO I T-BONED HIM AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO TURN TO MISS HIM.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10915647

• No front or side airbags deployed when an SUV struck the driver's door in a side collision. · filed Aug 2014
  Read the owner's complaint

  I TURNED ONTO A TWO LANE STREET (ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION). THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED DUE A RED LIGHT. AN SUV PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT BETWEEN TWO OF THE CARS WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN AND TRIED TO CUT ACROSS MY LANE ALSO, BUT HIT MY CAR INSTEAD. I DRIVE A FORD FOCUS, A SMALL CAR. I WAS HIT ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT FENDER AND DOOR. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND MIRROR WERE TORN COMPLETELY OFF OF THE CAR. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DAMAGED, AND SOMETHING WAS BENT, SO THAT THE TIRE COULD NO LONGER BE SET IN A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE HOOD WAS BENT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS HANGING FROM THE CAR. THE INTERIOR PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOOT WELL CAVED INWARD AND HIT MY LEGS. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS HIT SO HARD THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, AND I HAD TO UNTANGLE MY FEET, AND EXIT THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY TINY CAR WAS HIT BY AN SUV THAT HAD "PUNCHED" THE GAS TO TRY AND CROSS IN FRONT OF ME- BUT HIT MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR INSTEAD. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR, BUT MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I'VE HEARD OF AIRBAGS GOING OFF WHEN SOMEONE BARELY HIT SOMETHING WITH THEIR BUMPER, YET I GOT HIT DIRECTLY IN MY DOOR, AT A DECENT RATE OF SPEED BY AN AUTOMOBILE TWICE THE SIZE OF MINE, AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NOT MY FRONT AIRBAG, NOR MY SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS IS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10629126

Owners report the car hesitating, sputtering, shuddering or stalling and ignoring the accelerator with a check engine light. Mechanics said the powertrain control module needed replacing.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 38 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 2 of 3 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 18V735000. Check the VIN for it.

• Car stopped responding to the accelerator at 55 mph with check engine light on; shop said the powertrain control module needed replacing. · filed Jan 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WATERMARK NISSAN OF MARION (3209 BANTERRA DRIVE, MARION, IL 62959) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (ENGINE), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11297416

• Car shuddered and stalled at 60 mph with transmission overheat warning; dealer said the powertrain control module needs replacing. · filed Sep 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND STALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATCHINSON FORD (LOCATED AT 9800 BELLEVILLE RD, BELLEVILLE, MI 48111, (734) 697-9161) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V523000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11253419

• Car hesitated and sputtered while driving with check engine light; mechanic blamed the powertrain control module and clutch. · filed Sep 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHEN DRIVING, TURNING, AND SWITCHING LANES, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SPUTTERED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND CLUTCH FAILED. THE DEALER (ALLAN VIGIL FORD, 6790 MT ZION BLVD, MORROW, GA 30260, (678) 364-3673) STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11130244

Owners report the radio or entertainment console stopping working and the speakers making static, squeaking or loud popping noises.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 38 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Not a safety issue

• Speakers made loud firecracker-like noises while driving; dealer could not fix it and quoted $783 to replace the radio. · filed Oct 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEAFENING NOISES COMING OUT FROM THE SPEAKERS WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT SOUNDED LIKE FIRECRACKER GOING OFF NEXT TO MY EARS. I WAS STARTLED AND TRYING TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DUE TO THE DISTRACTION FROM THE NOISES, NEITHER DID I FLICK THE TURNING SIGNAL NOR DID I HEAR THE HONKING FROM THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME. DEALER UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND ASKING FOR $783 TO REPLACE THE RADIO. THERE ARE LOT SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS, THEY NEED TO MAKE A RECALL ON ALL DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSOR MODULE.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11141346

• Entertainment console mostly stopped working and makes static noise, even with the car off. · filed Jun 2018
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  MOST OF THE ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLE HAS STOPPED WORKING. THERE IS ALSO A STATIC NOISE THAT COMES AROUND WHENEVER IT WANTS. I CAN USE THE MENU BUTTON AND WHEN IT'S PRESSED THE OTHER TWO THINGS THAT SHOW ARE THE CLOCK MENU AND THE DISPLAY MENU. I CAN NOT USE ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS ON THE CONSOLE, I CAN PUT IN AND TAKE OUT A CD BUT I CAN NOT PLAY ANYTHING ON THE CD BECAUSE NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I PRESS THE CD BUTTON. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THE FUSE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH IT BASED ON THE OWNERS MANUAL AND THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. IT NOW MAKES THE STATIC NOISE EVEN WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TAKE OUT THE KEYS. GOES AWAY ONCE I CLOSE THE DOOR. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE FIX PLEASE.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11103608

• Radio does not work and makes a loud squeaking noise. · filed Jan 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  RADIO DON'T WORK MAKE A LOUD SQUEEKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING WHEN OFF

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11061555

Owners report the car completely powering down while driving and showing a 'Stop Safely Now' message, sometimes needing a tow.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 38 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 3 of 3 reports

• Car lost all power at 55 mph in a turn, including lights and steering assist; it restarted normally once stopped. · filed Mar 2014
  Read the owner's complaint

  DURING A TIGHT TURN ON A BENDY ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. AS IF SOMEONE TURNED THEY KEY OFF. LIGHTS, INFOTAINMENT, STEERING, BRAKES, EVERYTHING WAS EFFECTED. LUCKILY STEERING DOESN'T LOCKUP ON A FORD FOCUS. AND CAN BE STEERED BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. ONCE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR COULD BE RESTARTED WITH NO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ON, AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10575217

• Car showed 'Stop Safely Now' while driving and would not move until restarted; this happened three times in a few weeks. · filed Sep 2013
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  AS I WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN A DISPLAY STATING "STOP SAFELY NOW" CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER. I HAD TO COMPLETELY TURN IT OFF, OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR, AND RESTART IT TO MAKE IT GO AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10543773

• Car completely powered down during a left turn, then showed a 'Stop Safely Now' message and had to be towed. · filed Jul 2013
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  UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN WITH NO WARNING, AFTER A SECOND AN AUDIBLE BEEP AND "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10522585

Owners report front tire sidewalls blowing out, sometimes at low speed or after brushing a curb.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 38 of all 3,768 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 2 of 3 reports; 1 report mentions a crash; 1 report mentions an injury

• Front tire sidewall blew out at low speed; owner says an existing tire recall should cover this size. · filed Feb 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  HAD JUST TURNED ONTO OUR RURAL STREET, DOING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP/EXPLOSION. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. REMOVING THE TIRE, 1/3-1/2 OF THE SIDEWALL NEXT TO THE RIM HAD BLOWN OUT IN A LINE AROUND THE TIRE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE DEXTERO TIRES, ON JUST THIS TYPE OF BLOW OUT, BUT NOT ON THIS SPECIFIC SIZE, WHICH IS A 195-65R15. RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND OTHERS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THESE SHOULD BE ON A RECALL AS WELL. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE TURNOUT OF THIS HAD IT HAPPENED DRIVING 75 MPH, AS WE DO EVERYDAY ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE TIRES ARE ON A 2012 FORD FOCUS. BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED AND THEN SEEING THE RECALL WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE DEXTERO TIRES, I FEEL IT IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. THIS SHOULD BE AT THEIR EXPENSE! WE DO HAVE PICTURES, AND CAN SEND THEM TO YOU IF NEEDED.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11182152

• Rental car's front tire sidewall blew out after brushing a curb at 5 mph; tire had to be replaced. · filed Feb 2014
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  DRIVING A 2012 FORD FOCUS AVIS RENTAL AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A LOWE'S PARKING LOT. I TURNED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND THE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, A CONTINENTAL -CONTI 215/55/16-CONTI PRO, BRUSHED THE CONCRETE CURBING AND THE SIDEWALL BLEW. THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, HAD TO BE REPLACED. AVIS WANTS $200+ TO REPLACE A TIRE THAT SEEMS TO HAVE A SERIOUS SIDEWALL PROBLEM; A TIRE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON A RENTAL IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10564155

• Front tire exploded at 40 mph and the car hit a curb; dealer said the tire was underinflated, and another tire had sidewall bubbles. · filed Aug 2012
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS WITH CONTINENTAL ROAD TIRES, SIZE: 215/ 50 R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SLIGHTLY CRASH INTO A CURB. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE WAS UNDER INFLATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXHIBITED SEVERAL BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALL. THE DEALER PUNCTURED THE BUBBLES IN ORDER TO DEFLATE THE TIRE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS UNDER INFLATED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,436....UPDATED 10/11/12 *BF UPDATED 10/15/2012 *JS

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10469949