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Used 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback Consumer Reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars
168 reviews

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Cons
1 out of 5 stars

Horrible Transmission

Matt, 08/09/2017
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I purchased my 2012 Ford Focus in February 2013 as Ford Certified Pre-Owned with 8,500 miles on it. I originally was test-driving a 2013 Fiesta S model and wish I hadn't fallen for all the electronics in the Focus. I have had the stuttering transmission/rollback on hills issue for a few years now. I paid it off in two years, before the issue really became drastic, and now I have no point to trade it in because it holds zero value thanks to this issue. I will drive it until it blows up or Ford stops fixing the transmission for free. I have had it reprogrammed multiple times, and what generally happens is that it will work fine for about a week and then begin to stutter all over again. I have stopped reprogramming it just because it is such an inconvenience just for it to happen again. It also caused my check engine light to come on a few weeks ago and was cutting my acceleration in and out. I will drive this until it blows up and will never purchase a Ford again, which is sad because my wife has a 2009 Focus that we bought at 71K miles and are at 116K miles without any major issues at any point at all.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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1.25 out of 5 stars

Stalling and Gear Issues

jenn74really, 03/13/2014
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

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 don't 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.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

New Focus

krunr4, 08/18/2011
2012 Ford Focus Titanium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Just purchased a 2012 Focus with the Titanium package. Candy Blue. About all I did not get was the sun/moon roof and nav. I figured I'd buy a Garmin for much less $$ and be just as happy. It's nice to have a smaller car that fits in the garage with more space, gets better mileage...so far 27.2 with around 450 miles on it, it looks good, and has a great stereo. Transmission is sometimes sluggish when initially taking off from a stop and yesterday, some gas dripped on the pavement from somewhere under the car when I topped it off. I'll have to look to see about that.

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4 out of 5 stars

Why this transmission, Ford?

06/13/2012
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

There's a lot to like about this car: cool styling, good fuel economy, comfortable, and handles well. My only gripe, and it's a biggy, is the "automated transmission." It is very disconcerting driving this car. If test-driving this car, make it a point to do a left or right turn from a dead stop. The car searches for a gear and lurches when it finds one. Not pleasant.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Great economical sport hatch

grizpin, 02/21/2012
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

I searched for months to trade in my Dodge Nitro (19mpg) for a more family friendly economical/sporty car. Nothing I found compared value wise (space + economy) until I found the Ford Focus Hatchback (32mpg). I enjoy driving again with the Focus's German designed handling. I am able to maneuver swiftly through traffic so I not only save money on gas but I save time from my commute. I also still have enough cargo space to take my kids on weekend road trips when we want to get away. The dual clutch transmission takes about 2k miles to break in but once it does she runs as smooth as a standard automatic so drive it like you stole it for a while ;) Great car!

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