2012 Ford Focus Battery: How to Choose the Best One

Nov 27, 2020

A dead or dying battery always seems to sneak up on you at the most inopportune time. If you need a new battery for your 2012 Ford Focus, you definitely want the correct type and size to get you back on the road.

2012 Ford Focus - Photo by Ford

What’s the best battery for a 2012 Ford Focus?

The 2012 Ford Focus requires a Group Size 96R, lead acid, 12-volt with 600 Cold Cranking Amps, 740 Cranking Amps, and a 90-minute Reserve Capacity. There is no lithium-ion or SLI variant battery that will fit the 2012 Ford Focus.

2012 Ford Focus Battery Group Size Explained

Battery group sizes are a universal standard used across the auto industry. The group size tells you two bits of data: The actual dimensions of the battery and the positioning of the terminals.

Here are the exact dimensions of a Group Size 96R battery:

Length: 9 & 9/16″
Width: 6 & 13/16″
Height: 6 & 7/8″

Fortunately, the “Group Size” is always printed on the label of every battery. No need to break out the tape measure and find the exact dimensions.

Lead Acid, Lithium-Ion, or SLI?

Ford moved to introduce more lithium-ion batteries into their model lineup starting in model year 2014. There is no lithium-ion or SLI battery made in Group Size 96R, so the 2012 Ford Focus is strictly limited to the lead acid variety of battery. That’s okay, though, because this battery has been around for many decades and works just fine!

OEM vs. Aftermarket: What’s the Difference?

If you have a Ford dealer replace the battery, you’ll likely receive an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) battery. They cost a little bit more, but feature a great two- or three-year replacement warranty.

When it comes to aftermarket batteries, you have a lot to choose from. It might almost be too many choices! Aftermarket parts are not sourced by the manufacturer — Ford, in this case — but they can be comparable to, or in some cases superior to, an OEM battery.

2012 Ford Focus - Photo by Ford

If you take your 2012 Ford Focus to an independent auto shop, chances are they will offer you an aftermarket 96R battery in order to save you a few bucks. And if you’re replacing the battery yourself, it makes sense to go with aftermarket on a vehicle as “old” as a 2012 Ford Focus. You’ll save a lot of money.

If You Do Go Aftermarket, Here’s What We Suggest

There are just too many aftermarket battery brands in the 96R Group Size to recommend a single one. We suggest a battery from one of the national chains of auto parts stores, such as Pep Boys, NAPA, O’Reilly’s, AutoZone, and so on.

Each store will have a “recommended” brand, but more importantly is the replacement warranty they come with.

Tip: How to Change Your 2012 Ford Focus Battery without Breaking Anything

Just look at that little box that your 96R battery is situated in on the driver’s side of your 2012 Ford Focus! How are you going to get the battery out without breaking the battery casing?

After you disconnect the negative and positive terminals (in that order), take a look at the front panel of the battery casing box. Notice the two clips on the top front left and right corners of the box.

Grab the front panel that has the positive cable connected to it. Lift it up approximately 1/4- to 1/2-inch and then unsnap the left and right clips by pulling the side panels outward. Now the front panel should tilt toward you (away from the steering wheel in relation to the car).

Now you have room to slide the battery out without cracking the casing or breaking any of your fingers! The front panel of the battery casing box should easily snap back into place when you put the new battery in. You’re welcome.

Photos: Ford

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Bob M

Bob M. is an author and award-winning speaker whose TV commercials have appeared on every news network. Whenever he’s cruising in the minivan with his large family, he’s actually daydreaming about a two-seater sports car.