Three problems related to tail light switch have been reported for the 2012 Ford Focus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Ford Focus based on all problems reported for the 2012 Focus.
The rear tail lights are subject to a "brake lamp bulb fault" due to the shoddy wiring and wiring harness that affixes the wires to the trunk lid. After many open and close iterations of the trunk lid, wires become brittle and fray, and eventually fault. The problem is widespread throughout the forums with many individuals resorting to cutting the cables and resoldering or reattaching them with reduced wire tension. This is a major problem and can cause potential rear end accidents when the brake and tail lights fail to illuminate. The fault appears as soon as the car turns on, and can sporadically go away when driving. As sporadically as it disappears, it reappears and remains. This is absolutely a design flaw with wiring not shielded in any way and simply wrapped in tape.
Started with horn and tail light intermittently not working. Then intermittently as you are driving the car shuts off with no warning. This is a major safety issue! everything locks up and you attempt to make it safely to the side of the road. All dash lights work but car won't start. Found same complaints on internet and youtube but no recall. Took to local Ford dealer and they cannot find the issue. The diagnostic machine did not issue a code. I explained in detail the issue and asked for documentation of the issue. The paper they gave me said runs rough when ac is on. I said that is not the issue. They said don't worry the ticket is still open in the system. I asked if they could put a reader on the car while driven to catch the diagnostic code and they said no. So I am in same situation as other owners where my safety and others are at stake each time this car shuts off. Also dealer said they h horn with a screwdriver to make it work for now. So no horn, tail light and car shutting off intermittently are serious safety issues. Ford needs to recall this problem and fix it!.
So many of these listed vehicles running at night with no tail lights. Headlamps and dash lights on. Why is Ford not being made to fix this problem? it is a safety issue to the rest of us on the road. This is for Ford Focus, escape, others 2011, 2012, 2013.