Skip to main content

Used 2012 Ford Focus Consumer Reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
334 reviews

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
1.88 out of 5 stars

Avoid this unreliable car

wrenthamma, 10/19/2013
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

In addition to transmission-related grinding, shuddering and halting described by every other reviewer, I have experienced the following problems: At 5,500 miles, the "body control module" failed, resulting in loss of instruments, headlamps, tail lights, turn signals, etc. while driving. The car was, of course, not road worthy, and required 3 days of repairs. At 9,000 miles, the "audio control module" failed, requiring two days of repairs. The vehicle's electrical system is still not quite right. Recently (26,000 mi) a bearing required replacing (2 days of repairs). Finally, the clutch needs replacing (2-3 days estimated repairs). Bottom line: This car is not reliable and should be avoided.

Report Abuse

3.13 out of 5 stars

First Ford bought, Last Ford bought

gonzales393, 08/14/2013
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This car looks good, and thats where I stop praising the 2012 focus, right of the lot I felt a shudder when taking off and car was sluggish didn't think much of it, started to notice hesitation when accelerating from a low speed after coast down, harsh or late 1-2 upshift, harsh shifting. 1st trip to shop was told it was bad gas, next 2 trips it was reprogrammed, problem still here and MPG went from 32 to 29mpg, finally was told that this was just the way the new transmission was, and there was nothing to be done, Also A/C randomly quits blowing cold air, I should of kept my SRT 4.

Report Abuse
2012 Ford Focus for sale near you
Showing 3 of 25 listings
See all 25 listings

5 out of 5 stars

Well built.

tnansel23 , 11/18/2019
2012 Ford Focus Titanium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

Just passed 170K miles. Under the hood all I’ve had to change was the original fomoco battery (2017) gone through bulbs in heads and fogs, just replaced all four rotors @160k (129.00 on amazon for the set). Now another detail about the toughness of this little escape pod looking beast is that when I hit a deer head on doing 45 or so mph. Bottom plastic cracked (zip tied up) only slight bend in front of hood (fixed myself) headlight housing and hood prop housing cracked/split (zip tie fix) that’s it! I get 32.4 mpg and it’s most all highway, I live at 2800ft and work at 80 and I also drive moderately (maybe it’s the handling package with 18” wheels) 2012 Titanium Hatch seats arctic white, navigation, 5 speed, handling package.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse

3.25 out of 5 stars

A good vehicle with some critical flaws

quasirev, 06/14/2014
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

The Focus is a fun to drive and comfortable car. The exterior styling is well done. That's all that's 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 it's 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 you'll be driving it on. 4)Cramp rear seat

Report Abuse

4 out of 5 stars

Great Car

Dean, 01/21/2017
2012 Ford Focus SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

Have no problems. Have 57,000 miles on car. Trans does shaft fast and cant pull out fast because trans shafts fast. When driving normal car is great. Was allays a GM man and first Ford ever owned and will by a ford again.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
Items per page:
5