VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford Fiesta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 833 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.0 times the median Fiesta year — the 2012 model ranks #3 of 15 Fiesta years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 27 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 276 reports (33% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

833

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

27

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Fiesta years?

Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1,039 complaints1978: 0 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1991: 3 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints2011: 1,039 complaints2012: 833 complaints2013: 917 complaints2014: 652 complaints2015: 367 complaints2016: 253 complaints2017: 104 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 113 complaints
Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fiesta years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford Fiesta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission27633%
Body & Structure12915%
Other8410%
Electrical System759%
Engine759%
Latches & Locks567%
Speed Control405%
Lighting223%
Brakes172%
Airbags152%
Steering132%
Seats81%
Fuel System81%
Tires & Wheels61%
Visibility & Wipers30%
Seat Belts30%
Suspension30%

Does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V331000Latches & LocksJune 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

15V246000Latches & LocksApril 24, 2015 · 456,440 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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.

Consequence

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 all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.

12V488000AirbagsOctober 5, 2012 · 154,471 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner's guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No. 208.

Consequence

An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE TRANSMISSION ON THE CAR WILL START GIVING OUT AND WHEN YOUR TRYING TO DRIVE IN ROAD IT WILL START TO SLOW DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR FOR SERVICE TO FORD FOR THE SAME REASON AND OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM FORD. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE BOUGHT BACK I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 1, 2014

WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE IT WAS SNOWING. ALL OF THE OTHER VEHICLES WERE SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT BLOCKING OFF THE HIGHWAY. EVENTUALLY WE ALL CAME TO A STOP. AFTER WE STOPPED THERE WAS A YUKON THAT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BECAUSE OF CONDITIONS AND ITS LOAD AND HIT US FROM BEHIND. HE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 1, 2014 · crash

OK WHEN I GOTTEN THIS CAR I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED 4 TIMES MY DOOR LATCHES ARE BROKEN SO WHEN I DRIVE A DOOR FLYS OPEN WITHOUT ME EVEN KNOWING I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW I HAD ONE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF MY DOOR UNLOCKING TRYIN TO HOLD IT CLOSE SO I CAN PULL OVER AND I GOTTEN IT FIXED BEFORE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 18, 2018 · crash

THE FUSE BOX IS GETTING MOISTURE CAUSING HEADLIGHTS NOT TO WORK PROPERLY AND NO FUSES OR RELAYS CAN BE CHANGED BECAUSE THEY ARE CORRODED IN THE BOX. CAR LOSES POWER, RADIO CAUGHT FIRE, DOORS LOCK ON THERE OWN OR DON'T LOCK AT ALL, MAJOR MALFUNCTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. 2011 AND 2013 WERE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2018 · fire

OK WHEN I GOTTEN THIS CAR I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED 4 TIMES MY DOOR LATCHES ARE BROKEN SO WHEN I DRIVE A DOOR FLYS OPEN WITHOUT ME EVEN KNOWING I ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW I HAD ONE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF MY DOOR UNLOCKING TRYIN TO HOLD IT CLOSE SO I CAN PULL OVER AND I GOTTEN IT FIXED BEFORE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 18, 2018 · crash

2012 Ford Fiesta — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford Fiesta reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 833 complaints put the 2012 model at #3 of 15 Fiesta years. It is one of the Fiesta years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Fiesta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (276 complaints), body & structure (129 complaints), other (84 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford Fiesta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Ford Fiesta under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Fiesta years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Fiesta years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among Fiesta years belongs to 1978.

How safe is the 2012 Ford Fiesta?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Ford Fiesta earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.