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Used 2012 Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews

3.1 out of 5 stars
45 reviews
List Price Range
$6,483 - $9,590

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1 out of 5 stars

Two thumbs down for ford!

David, Sacramento, CA, 05/19/2016
updated 12/10/2018
Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
110 of 116 people found this review helpful

Been sent in for transmission issues 4 times since first purchased new in 2012. Everything from grinding slipping and rolling backwards no repairs every worked just told that's how it works , now at 56k miles the transmission quit completely! Radio repairs multiple times now it just flashes " indexing " car should have been recalled. Nobody in their right mind would own or purchase this unit.

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

Do NOT buy this car

Madison, Fort Washington, MD, 08/18/2015
Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
22 of 23 people found this review helpful

I bought my 2012 Ford Focus in September of 2014. I got it Pre-Certified with only 16,000 miles on it. When I test drove it, it was a great ride, pretty quiet, and comfy. I noticed a little jerking when starting from a dead stop and I thought it was just because it was touchier than my old car. So I fell in love with it and purchased it. About 2 months later, the jerking was so bad that my passengers were complaining about it. I took it into McCafferty Ford where I purchased it and had it serviced. The mechanic told me this was a common problem so he "reprogrammed" the transmission and sent me on my way. A month or two later I took it back and the clutch needed to be replaced after putting about 2,000 miles on it. Now, I am going through the same issue for the SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. When I go back to the dealership Thursday, I am claiming lemon law and getting a different car. I also got hit by a tractor trailer when I was merging because the transmission stuck and wouldn't accelerate. It's dangerous. Seriously, don't waste your money.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2012 Ford Focus for sale
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1 out of 5 stars

transmission problems"only 6 months"

D, Houston, TX, 08/07/2015
Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

I brought this car 6 months ago. At first I would hear a clicking sound when I slowed down and I took it to the dealership, and they told me that it was not cause of the dual clutch . So I didn't worry about it, but know it has a huge problem, where the engine makes a clicking sound when I turn the car on. When it does this the car wont go pass 30mph. I took it to the dealership about 3 times, were it stay in there for about a week and each time I get it back I drive it about two or three days and the problem comes back. So I figured the dealership doesn't know how to fix it , so they just get it and guess and take your money

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

Transmission will kill you

Tony, Los Angeles, CA, 06/16/2016
Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
23 of 25 people found this review helpful

The redesigned transmission for this model is completely flawed. Been stuck on the freeway and unable to even shift my car into neutral to move it two separate times. The Ford delearships have refused or been unable to permanently fix it. The resale value of the car is now garbage and i will have to eat the cost for trade-in. My car was bought certified pre-owned with 6k miles on it and had transmission problems from the beginning. Ford has lied to its consumers about this car and its going to get people killed. Dont buy and stop considering this car..

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 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 out of 5 stars

Absolute Underachiever

Nick, Ocala, FL, 11/06/2016
Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

The 2012 Ford Focus is the Detroit Lions of cars. Unreliable, ugly, underachieving, and sad. Funnily enough, they're both from Detroit and the two most stressful and irritating parts of my life. Most of the Ford Focus' issues stem from the problematic Automatic-Manual Dual-Clutch transmission. The purpose of this transmission was to increase MPG, which it does, but at a ver large cost. The transmission causes the car to constantly jerk, shudder, and roll backwards on hills. Personally, this isn't even close t the worst part about my Focus. My Focus decides when to start. Yep, you heard that right, it decides. Sometimes it takes me 10-12 turns of the key to start the damn thing. This is caused by the TCM (Transmission Control Module) which is the little computer inside the car that controls the gears. This little computer will often not register that my car is in park, and won't let me turn it on. Not only is this very problematic, but will probably end up with shelling out handfuls of cash to the dealership. Another cool driving "feature" is that the car will occasionally get stuck at 4000-6000 rpm and won't let you accelerate past 25 mph. this is incredibly terrifying when it happens, but I guess is part of the 2012 Ford Focus experience (tm). The Focus also has the most poorly designed interior that I have seen in my entire life. The cloth that the seats are made out of stains when touched by water. You know, just that substance that covers over 70% of the Earth and falls from the gosh darn sky. Another issue is that the auxiliary port makes its home in the glovebox. This leaves you with two options. Drive around with the glovebox open like a goober, or subject your aux cord to heavy strain and eventual breakage. While we are on the topic of phone related things, there is nowhere to put your phone in the car. This car was made in 2012, everyone and their mother's own phones. Overall, the interior feels incredibly cheap and uncomfortable. Honestly, all you really need is a car that takes you from point A to point B, and this thing can't even do that. At least being a Lions fan doesn't cost 8,000+ dollars.

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