RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2012 Ford Focus recalls
18 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2012 Ford Focus with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 10
- U.S. recalls
- 08
- Total campaigns
- 18
Transport Canada recalls
10- Fuel System#2026338
110,138 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles the recall repairs completed by a Ford dealer during recall 18S32 (Transport Canada recall no. 2018-577) may not have been done correctly. As a result, a another repair is required. On certain vehicles, the canister purge valve (CPV) may stick open and cause the fuel tank to deform. If this happens, the fuel gauge could read incorrectly and there could be a loss of power to the wheels. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2018-577. Vehicles repaired under that recall also require this repair. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the powertrain control module (PCM) software and, if necessary, replace the CPV. If the CPV is replaced, the dealer will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module, as necessary. In the interim, owners are advised to maintain at least 1/2 tank of fuel until the recall repair is performed.
- Other#2019420
5,327 units affected
Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.
- Fuel System#2019338
408 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles repaired under recall 2018-577 (Ford Recall #18S32), the software for the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was not properly updated. As a result, a second repair is required. The software allows the PCM to detect a Canister Purge Valve (CPV) that is not working properly. A CPV that is not working properly could cause a malfunction indicator light (MIL) to turn on in the instrument cluster, erratic readings on the fuel gauge, and/or the engine may stall. Note: Owners are advised to keep their fuel level above half-full until the recall repairs are completed. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ford will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software.
- Fuel System#2018577
136,272 units affected
On certain vehicles, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may stick open and cause excessive vacuum in the fuel system that could deform the fuel tank. If this were to occur, it could cause: a malfunction indicator light (MIL) to illuminate, erratic readings on the fuel gauge, and/or the engine may stall. This could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software and replace the CPV as necessary. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. Note: In the interim, owners are advised to maintain at least 1/2 tank of fuel until the recall repair is performed.
- Electrical#2018443
1,324 units affected
Certain plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles were supplied with a 120V convenience charge cord that may be susceptible to overheating if there is a poor connection at the electrical outlet. This could result in increased cord temperatures, melting, and an increased risk of fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the factory supplied 120V convenience cord with the latest version of the cord that includes thermal protection.
- Structure#2016432
233,034 units affected
On certain vehicles, the pawl spring tab in the side door latch could break. This condition typically will prevent the door from latching. In certain situations where the door is able to be closed, the door may be partially latched and could unlatch while driving. This could increase the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant seated next to the door, or result in damage to property. Correction: If a door will not latch, dealers will replace all four door latches with a more robust part. Note: A door that is partially latched can cause the courtesy light to remain on, set a door ajar message in the instrument cluster and sound a door ajar chime to alert the driver that there is a door latch problem.
- Powertrain#2013371
162 units affected
Certain Focus Electric vehicles may experience a sudden loss of motive power while driving, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module. Note: If this condition occurs, a red triangle and "stop safely now" message will be displayed in the instrument cluster. Power steering and brakes will continue to operate normally and the vehicle can often be restarted after going through a shutdown process.
- Electrical#2013340
929 units affected
Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention. No audible chime is provided when the door is opened and the electronic key code remains in the ignition. This could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update vehicle software.
- Lights And Instruments#2013261
1,100 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps may not comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The front side marker lights may be inoperative and the daytime running lamp (DRL) operation telltale may not illuminate as required by the standard. These issues could render the vehicle less visible to other road users, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the headlamp assemblies and reconfigure the DRL system.
- Visual System#2012120
19,062 units affected
On certain vehicles, a seal plug may have been dislodged from the wiring harness connector to the passenger side wiper motor during vehicle assembly. This could allow water or other contaminants to enter and accumulate in the connector, resulting in an intermittent or inoperative passenger side wiper motor. An inoperative passenger side wiper may result in reduced driver visibility in certain driving manoeuvres, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Note: The driver side wiper uses a separate motor that does not use a seal plug within the connector and is not susceptible to this condition. Correction: Dealers will inspect, clean and properly seal the passenger side wiper motor connector. Inoperative wiper motors will be replaced.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
08- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER#26V369000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
Risk: An engine that stalls while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH#20V331000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE#19V515000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. Therefore, the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system.
Risk: The excessive vacuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S22.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE#18V735000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
Risk: The excessive vaccuum may result in an engine stall while driving, without warning and without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module. Dealers will also check for fault codes and replace the CPV as needed. If the CPV is replaced, dealers will inspect and replace the carbon canister, fuel tank and fuel delivery module as necessary. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Ford Customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S32. Note: Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, owners are advised to keep the fuel tank at least halfway full.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH#16V643000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING#13V335000
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013. Due to a wiring incompatability, the front side marker lamps may not function. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.
- EQUIPMENT#12E035000
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Yakima Products, Inc. for use on model year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not by Ford. Certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems, part numbers 8000124 and 8000728, do not fully contact the door frame.
Risk: Without proper contact of the rooftop rack clip to the door frame, there is insufficient clamping pressure and friction. The system may slide off the vehicle when loaded with accessories, possibly becoming a road hazard to other vehicles or causing injury to pedestrians.
Remedy: Yakima will notify owners, and Yakima or a Yakima dealer will refund the purchase of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. There is no replacement system available for the 2012-2013 model year Ford Focus. The safety recall began on October 15, 2012. Only vehicles equipped with the vehicle rack system are affected. This recall is being conducted by Yakima, not Ford. Owners may contact Yakima at 1-888-925-4621.
- VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING#12V149000
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FOCUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 2011. A SEAL IN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE MISSING.
Risk: WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE CONNECTOR, RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR, REDUCING VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND AS NECESSARY, CLEAN AND PROPERLY SEAL THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR CONNECTOR. ANY INOPERATIVE WIPER MOTORS WILL BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2012 Ford Focus VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.