Used 2012 Ford Focus SEL Sedan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Ford Focus SEL Sedan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2012 Ford Focus- don't buy.
Christie Andryc, Montpelier, OH, 04/06/2016
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
My car has transmission problems. Every single time I start and stop the car shudders and hesitates. The car is unsafe to drive. Also the car's cruise control broke within 3 months of owning the car, it was fixed and then broke again a month later. And hasn't worked in 2 years. This car is junk. I have taken it to three different ford dealerships and they refused to fix the problem. … They would tell me there was nothing wrong with the transmission it was the way I drive. Every time I took it in for the cruise control Ford would tell me that they were unable to fix the problem because the cruise was working that day, when it never worked for me. They refused to fix the problems and I finally ran out of a warranty and gave up. I don't have the money to pay to have this car fixed when I bought a brand new car I college to not have to worry about getting work done to a car. This has been the biggest disappointment and I just want them to be recalled. Ford owes it to all the customers that are currently stuck with this car and paying big money for a car that doesn't work. I don't not feel safe allowing my family in the car because it is too dangerous to drive. It stresses me out on a daily basis having to drive this car and never knowing when it's going to stop working. I have been having these problems since I bought the car in July of 2012.
Big disappointment!
T, North Charleston, SC, 11/24/2015
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
I was completely in love with this car when I first bought it back in aug. 2014. I was upgrading from a falling apart suzuki forenza. Honestly, even though my forenza was falling apart, it drove smoother and was a lot more quiet. My focus shutters, hesitates, sticks in gear, has loss of power, sometimes I can barely get it to move which is scary when I am turning at a traffic light....It … is also very loud! The entire interior rattles like a tin can, the dash, the door panels and the headliner and its super loud. The engine does this really annoying ticking sound that nobody at the dealership seems to care about. I have brought this car in over 5 times now and to 2 different dealerships and I keep getting the "its normal" for that transmission to drive wacky. But seriously, I pay good money to have a car that drives rough and sounds like a rattling tin can and you cant fix it or even attempt to because it wont give the "proper" readings for them to be allowed to order the parts? This is my first and last Ford and I gotta say it sucks. I am bummed out because I really do love the car but I hate the things that are wrong with it even more.
Buyer-Beware!!! Terrible Transmission
Mark, Chesterfield, VA, 04/03/2016
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
We bought our 2012 Ford Focus SEL 4cyl. Automatic w/overdrive, leather heated seats, tech pkg and even tinted the Windows. This car was purchased main reason of saving on fuel expenses. What are we soon found out was that the transmission works on a dual dry clutch system that has proven to be a reoccurring nightmare month-to-month. I would urge buyers to do in-depth research before … purchasing this vehicle as it is and will be a vehicle that needs to go to the shop regularly for transmission resets in computer module issues. In the 1 year we owned the car, I lost hours upon hours of my time waiting on a tow truck to come and pick it up and take it down to the dealer. Also had to open two major cases against Ford motor company. They did nothing about it, therefore I will never buy a Ford vehicle again! Sad to say because I'm a patriot and love the thought of buying American. Just traded it in and lost $3500 to negative equity. Shame on Ford!
DO NOT BUY THE 2012 FORD FOCUS
Lisa Cooke, Stamford, CT, 09/09/2016
2012 Ford Focus SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6AM)
I bought a used 2012 Ford Focus SEL. While its a sharp looking car, the amount of time it has spent in the shop is ridiculous. The dual clutch is a joke. It went into the shop for shuddering, they replaced the TCM or reprogrammed it (not sure which one).. It lasted a few months but then had to go back into the shop for the same thing. they replaced the clutch. That was 4 mons ago and … it is now back in the shop to replace the clutch AGAIN. if I didn't have a warranty, I would be trading it in just to get rid of the headache
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Ford Focus SEL Sedan
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Nimble handling
- Pro:refined and quiet ride
- Pro:stylish and well-made interior
- Pro:lively engine
- Pro:abundant list of upscale and high-tech options.
- Con:Infotainment controls are finicky to learn and use
- Con:backseat is a little short on legroom
- Con:quirky automatic transmission response.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Ford Focus Sedan
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Ford Focus in South Dakota is:
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