FaultScore

2012 Ford Fiesta other reported problems

78 of the 833 complaints about the 2012 Ford Fiesta are about the other systems — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 55,500 miles.

C

78

Complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 78 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Ford Fiesta year

2011 58 15.4%
2012 78 20.7%
2013 91 24.1%
2014 78 20.7%
2015 36 9.5%
2016 22 5.8%
2019 14 3.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Martinsburg, WV Crash Fire 3 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My daughter and 2 friends were driving on the highway, the dash flickers and goes back to normal, flickered again and the car started slowing down so she pulled over, ( car still moving) and puts the car in park but the car still continues to move. Passenger notices out the side mirror the car is on fire, she jumped out; the car then accelerates ( still in park) and hits the “jersey wall “ where the rest of the car eventually went into flames. My daughter & friend ( who was in the back) got out thru the driver side door, the back doors would not open and the Airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA complaint #11734326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maryville, MO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The drivers side door latch will not latch, the door will swing open because the latch is defective. I have seen that this is a common issue with this vehicle and has been recalled on other 2012 ford fiestas but mine has not been.

NHTSA complaint #11706125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington Beach, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The door latches have a safety recall and needs to be fixed or observed to ensure proper road safety. In addition I cannot move onto my vehicle registration renewal until this recall is repaired. I do not see any visible malfunction but the doors do have to slam shut to ensure they are properly closed. No individuals have been put at risk. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or service center, nor inspected by any party. No warning signals, signs or lights appeared on the car telling me about the particular issue or area with issue.

NHTSA complaint #11697545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burlington, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car has had transmission issues since I purchased the car, and the problems has gotten worse and now the car is not drivable. I have purchased parts after parts and still the problem. I have reached out to the company numerous times, and reached out to programs. Iam stuck without a car now.What do I need to do

NHTSA complaint #11683659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brockton, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving along the transmission slipped into neutral and would not move forward.Could have been hit from behind.

NHTSA complaint #11674126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Incident= on February 15, 2023 While vehicle is in drive, upon stopping going up a slight hill, the vehicle started rolling backwards.I did not do anything except slow down/stop. It failed to engage in any gear after it started sliding back, including reverse to try to get me out of traffic ( the gear shifter was just sliding without resistance) except park for almost 15 minutes. My mother and my dog were in the car with me at this time. We were also in the left lane of traffic/ during moderate traffic. The car is an automatic. The vehicle finally engaged in low gear and I was able to drive 10mph to get home. Mechanic, the next morning, stated that my transmission is slipping/not engaging properly. He also advised against driving. And, gave me a really long list of diagnostic codes pertaining to my transmission. My check engine light is also on, now. My check engine light has been going on and off for a few weeks because my catalytic converter is starting to go out, but was off until this incident. I do have the list of diagnostic codes from the mechanic. My vehicle is not driveable because I can't guarantee that it will get me from point A to point B without slipping out of gear again and putting my life and other drivers on the road in harm's way.

NHTSA complaint #11508234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

York, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2012 ford fiesta check engine light on codes reading o2 sensors, catalytic intake, misfires, fuel injection, etc. I have had my fiesta at 3 mechanics all very known for there reliability all diagnosing it different issue recommending me to go to dealership which I was turned away because the recalls for the vehicle isn’t an issue for any of the possible diagnostics. Single mother of 3 now no vehicle, no money and no way of providing without transportation. Less than 150,000 Miles owned less than two years and the amount of money put into the vehicle ford should be ashamed. Shuddering and accelerating issue was told clutch and transmission issue but no help or actual known diagnosis since ford won’t diagnose the suspected diagnosis from any of the mechanics I have taken the vehicle to and they can’t for sure diagnose it until ford confirms the diagnosis since this is a known issue. They also sent me two recalls but refused to fix the recalls because I wasn’t 100% sure my vehicle needed the repair and threatened to charge me 150 diagnostic charge for the recall after I already poured my heart out to them about the issue I can’t seem to even get repaired due to there lack of care care as a manufacturer

NHTSA complaint #11506531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greeley, CO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The door is not closing or locking I want to open the door and get groceries down and then when I went to close it it wouldn’t close the latch on it is not working

NHTSA complaint #11481508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The transmission is slipping and jerking. I can't change gears without a issue and the car stops. The engine revs even when I am not going fast.the transmission says it is overheating and I got my fan fixed months ago and had done it before but seemed to repair itself so I thought.

NHTSA complaint #11476753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethesda, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

started and moved the gear lever from "P" mode to "D" mode to move the vehicle forward. But couldn't move the vehicle. So tried to changed the gear mode and move but couldn't do. Then switched off the engine and tried to switch on. But couldn't do it. Tried several times and started the vehicle but couldn't move the vehicle, because the gear lever moved only physically. The "Check engine" light was lit all the time on the dash board. We had to tow the vehicle to the dealership since we couldn't drive the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11438291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Springfield, IL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS TOLD FROM A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC THAT MY DUAL TRANSMISSION WAS THE MAIN CAUSE FOR THE CAR STUTTERING AND HAVING A HARD TIME ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING AND IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN'T FIX ONLY FORD CAN, THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT STOP SIGN AND TURNING CORNERS

NHTSA complaint #11366199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fajardo, PR

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DOOR LATCH IS BROKEN, THE DOOR IS OPEN . I CALL A FORD DEALER AND THEY TELL ME, THAT THEY CAN'T DO THE SERVICE BECAUSE FORD DOESN'T HAVE THIS PART AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11360179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,600 miles Cottonwood, AZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DOOR LATCH FAILURES X 3 AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ALL PER RECALL NOTICE 15V-246. (12/2015)

NHTSA complaint #11355123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Willowick, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 20S30 (20V-331). CALL MY DEALER TO TAKE IT IN. "NO ONE HERE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU. CAN YOU CALL BACK?" I RESPONDED, "IT'S FORD'S SAFETY RECALL - I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CALL YOU BACK. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO LEAVE MY NUMBER AND YOU CALL BACK." NO, IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. WHAT A LOUSY WAY TO RESPOND. [XXX] ON 8/12/2020 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11348858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles Burlington, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM JERKS WHEN TRYING TO TURN HARD TO GO UP AN INCLINE SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11323986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,000 miles Millville, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE LOW BEAMS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. I NOW CANNOT DRIVE AFTER DARK AND IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY WITH ONE OF MY THREE KIDS I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THEM ANYWHERE. HIGH BEAM AND PARKING LIGHTS WORK. REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULBS AND STILL WON'T WORK. THERE WAS A RECALL IN CANADA BUT NOT THE USA. IT'S BEEN MONTHS AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE FUSE BOX REPLACED. RADIO HAS ALSO STOPPED WORKING FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS

NHTSA complaint #11291897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,857 miles Charlotte, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I JUST BOUGHT A 2012 FORD FIESTA FROM A DEALERSHIP BACK IN AUGUST. I SEARCHED THE WEBSITE, ONCE THE ISSUE CAME TO SURFACE, AND IT IS PART OF A RECALL. THE RECALL IS THE EXACT ISSUE THAT STARTED ON MY CAR LAST NIGHT. THE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE AT ALL/THE LATCH DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE BEEN PAYING MONTHY PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND NOW I NEED SOME INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET MY CAR FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #11280495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesapeake, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN 2017 MY BACK DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT SHUT, I DROVE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LATCHES ON FORD FIESTA 2012 WERE RECALLED AND THAT ALL THE LATCHES HAD TO BE REPLACED. LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH BROKE AGAIN AND I TO IT BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD BEEN FIXED BEFORE UNDER RECALL AND WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET, I SAID I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS EVER FIXED, AND I WAS TOLD THAT PART WAS ORDERED IN 2017. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD NOT TAKE MY CAR UNTIL I FOR THE ANALYSIS RAN ON IT, WHICH WE ALREADY KNEW WHAT WAS AND I COULD HAVE GOTTEN DONE FOR FREE, I WAS TOLD IT SHOWED THAT MY LOCK HAD TO BE CHANGED ALSO, BUT WHEN I WAS CALLED TO AND TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS READY AND A DIFFERENT PRICE WAS QUOTED IT WAS DIFFERENT, WHEN ASKED WHY I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ONLY THE LATCH THAT WAS BROKEN. I TRIED TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE NEVER CALLED ME BACK OUT OF THE FOR TIMES THAT CALLED, AND ON TOP OF ALL THAT A SALES REP HAD THE AUDACITY TO CALL ME TO "SEE IF THEY COULD GET ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE"! I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR NEARLY FIVE YEARS AND IT'S ONLY BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE, ONCE FOR A PROBLEM WITH MY DOOR THAT WAS RECALLED AND FOR LATCH WAS REPLACED AFTER A RECALLED LATCH WAS REPLACED. I TRIED TO REPORT THIS TO FORD HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD TO KEEP MY RECEIPT FOR MY MY JUST IN CASE

NHTSA complaint #11245483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I WAS A 24 YEAR OLD SINGLE FEMALE WHEN I WENT TO THE FOX FORD DEALERSHIP IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI IN EARLY 2012. WHEN I SAW THE FORD FIESTA IN THE SHOWROOM I THOUGHT IT WAS 'CUTE.' I TEST DROVE IT AND THOUGHT IT SOUNDED A LITTLE LOUD BUT DIDN'T REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS SO I IGNORED IT AND TOLD THE SALESMAN I WANTED TO START THE PURCHASE PROCESS. I ENDED UP LEASING THE CAR IN MARCH 2012. BY SEPTEMBER 2012, I MOVED TO ARIZONA AND TOOK A JOB WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. I STARTED NOTICING MY CAR JERKED A LOT AROUND 20,000 MILES (EARLY 2013). WHENEVER I WENT IN FOR MY OIL CHANGE AT EARNHARDT FORD IN CHANDLER, AZ I MENTIONED THE SHUDDERING AND JERKING OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS JUST A 'CHARACTERISTIC' OF THE CAR AND IT COULDN'T BE FIXED. I MENTIONED THIS MULTIPLE TIMES BUT WHEN THE TECHNICIAN WOULD LOOK AT THE CAR, IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR STARTED TO GET WORSE AND BEING A CHILDREN'S CASE MANAGER MEANT THAT I HAD TO DRIVE CHILDREN AROUND FREQUENTLY FOR MY JOB. I STARTED TO FEAR THAT I WOULD GET IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN TURNING SINCE THAT IS WHEN MY CAR WOULD SHUDDER AND STOP WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION. I KNEW THAT I NEEDED TO START DOCUMENTING THE ISSUES IN CASE ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #11234892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,200 miles Tulare, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

" TAKATA RECALL " TANSMISSION LIGHT KEEPS LIGHTING ON , A/C DOES NOT WORK CAR SHIFT BY ITS SELF DTCS,PO7A5 TRANSFICTION ELEMENT B STUCK DP56 PIDS FOUND FRICTION ELEMENT B BINDING CAUSED BY SHIFT FORK ASSY

NHTSA complaint #11229599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,109 miles Gary, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR HESITATES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. A MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION AND THE OTHER MESSAGE SAYS NEEDS SERVICE NOW. ANOTHER PROBLEM APPEARS AS YOU APPLY THE BRAKES IT TENDS TO SPEED UP BEFORE COMING TO A STOP.

NHTSA complaint #11195018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,556 miles Austell, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL FOR MY 2012 FORD FIESTA SE. THERE IS A HESITATION/JUMPING MOTION WHEN ACCELERATING. I WAS TOLD IT HAS TO DO WITH TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS.

NHTSA complaint #11181992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,750 miles Jacksonville, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LEFT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH POPPED OPEN WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ALL THE RECALL DOOR LATCHES. A YEAR LATER THE RIGHT BACK PASSENGER DOOR LATCH DID THE SAME THING. IT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY THAT WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. TWO DAYS AGO, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAS POPPED. IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, SO IT IS AN UNEXPECTED OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE COMBINED WITH A RENTAL WHILE MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP. SO NOW, THREE OUT OF FOUR REPLACED RECALL PARTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. SO IF THE RECALL REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT WORKING, HOW OFTEN AM I GOING TO BE IN THE SHOP WITH UNRELIABLE RECALL REPLACEMENTS?

NHTSA complaint #11165270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Aptos, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND HESITATES ALL THE TIME. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUES DUE TO WHEN ACCELERATING TO MOVE INTO TRAFFIC IT SHUDDERS AND HESITATES AND WON'T ACCELERATE WHILE DOING THIS. I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS WHILE THE ENGINE DIED IN TRAFFIC BUT I OVERLOOKED IT WORRYING ABOUT PAYING MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. 2 DAYS AGO, THE CAR COULDN'T REVERSE AND THE NEXT DAY, IT COMPLETE DIED ON ME.

NHTSA complaint #11150202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Slidell, LA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY FORD FIESTA 2012 WAS PART OF RECALL 15S16 FOR LATCH FAILURE. ON 9/15/2018 MY LEFT REAR LATCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING. FORD IS CLAIMING THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER RECALL, BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT EITHER THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED AS STATED OR IT WAS FIXED WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS. FORD AT THIS TIME IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND SATISFY THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11129834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Brockport, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS NO POWER. THE TRANSMISSION THEN KICKS BACK AND IT GOES FLYING OVER 4000 RPMS BEFORE IT WILL SHIFT. WHILE DRIVING, IT WILL RANDOMLY GIVE A SLIGHT KICK AND LOSE POWER, DESPITE NOT INCREASING OR DECREASING PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS, I THEN GOT IT "FIXED" UNDER WARRANTY (TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY) BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM, AND THEY WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS OR EMAILS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY EITHER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR ONLY A YEAR AGO AND THE KBB VALUE HAS ALREADY DROPPED TO LESS THAN WHAT I STILL OWE, PRESUMABLY IN PART DUE TO THE LAWSUIT. I AM AT A LOSS FOR WHAT TO DO NOW. NOT ONLY AM I FINANCIALLY HURTING BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT TRIPS TO THE SHOP AND THE LOSS OF VALUE, MEANING I WILL NEVER GET OUT FROM UNDER THIS CAR, BUT I AM LEGITIMATELY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND MY LIFE, AND FORD DOESN'T CARE. I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS DEATH TRAP BUT AS IT'S WORTH FAR LESS THAN WHAT I OWE, I CAN'T GET ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE MY FUNDS ARE WRAPPED UP IN THIS ONE.

NHTSA complaint #11091599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orange Park, FL Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 FOR ONE DOOR NOW I HAVE ANOTHER DOOR OR THE RIGHT SIDE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS ALSO WHEN I PRESS ON MY GAS IT STOPS WHEN I'M NOT EVEN IN PARK AND THAT ALSO CAUES A PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11089264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Schaumbueg, IL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH SHUT,,, FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING......

NHTSA complaint #11082264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westland, MI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I RECEIVED A FORD FOCUS/FIESTA TRANSMISSION SETTLEMENT CARD IN THE MAIL. FORD FIESTA 2011 - 2016 MODELS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER SHIFT DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE 8,000.00 OR MORE ON THIS CAR. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME WITH A FEW DISABILITIES. I SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FORD PROBLEMS. HELP! I'M AFRAID OF BEING KILLED IN A FORD PRODUCT. THE CAR SHUTTERS, STALLS, JERKS, HESITATES WHEN DRIVING. BUT THE DAY I PURCHASED IT I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG IN THE WAY IT DROVE

NHTSA complaint #11081329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elizabethtown, KY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH

NHTSA complaint #11004142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Ford Fiesta problems

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