revturtle › All models › Ford Focus
Used car guide
Used Ford Focus: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Ford Focus from 2012 to 2018: what each year typically sells for (about $6,000 to $9,000), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2017–2018. Look harder at or skip 2012–2016.
2012–2018 Ford Focus
A fun-handling, efficient compact with a hot ST version.
Years to target: 2017–2018. Look harder at or skip: 2012–2016. It has a below-average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $6,000 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~135,000 |
| 2013 | $6,500 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~125,000 |
| 2014 | $6,500 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~115,000 |
| 2015 | $7,000 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~110,000 |
| 2016 | $7,500 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2017 | $8,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2018 | $9,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~80,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Skip 2012–2016. The automatic transmission in these years shudders and slips, and many needed repeated clutch replacements. A manual avoids the problem.
- 2012: owner complaints spike (3,801, mostly the transmission).
- 2014: owner complaints spike (2,656, mostly the transmission).
- A manual avoids the automatic problems, but RS models had head gasket issues, so check coolant levels and service records.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the SE: it adds alloy wheels, SYNC and heated seat options over the S. Favor manual transmissions, since the PowerShift automatic is notoriously troublesome.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: not offered in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2011–2012 · $8,000–$9,000
- Acura TSX 2010–2011 · $7,500–$8,500
- Toyota Yaris 2015–2017 · $7,500–$8,500
Find one near you
Is the Focus the right car for you?
Answer 12 quick questions and get three used cars worth test-driving, picked for how you drive and what you can spend. Free, no sign-up.
Start the 12 questionsLooking at a specific listing? Check if it's a good buy.
Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.