NHTSA has 617 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Fiesta[1]. The biggest group names the power train, with 274 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Power Train. 274 complaints[2]. Owners describe shuddering and grinding when the car shifts, rolling backward after the brake is released, and a car that feels like it drops into neutral for a moment.
- Structure. 128 complaints[6]. Owners describe doors that bounce back instead of closing, and latches that stop working so the door will not stay shut.
- Unknown Or Other. 78 complaints[7]. This group does not point to one named part.
- Engine. 75 complaints[8]. Owners describe loud noises and shaking as the car changes speed, and hesitation on hills.
- Electrical System. 66 complaints[9]. Owners describe a Sync module that quit working, a car that stalls at red lights, and a door lock actuator that would not engage.
- Latches/Locks/Linkages. 57 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 40 complaints[11].
- Exterior Lighting. 22 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Fiesta is necessarily included.
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (20V331), June 2020. About 2,147,323 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (15V246), April 2015. About 456,440 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags (12V488), October 2012. About 154,471 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 29 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 |
| Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 29 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 |
| Fiesta SFE FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] | 29 / 38 / 32 | $2,100 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ford Fiesta with 1.6L 4-cylinder[19] | 118 to 120 hp |
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 730 | 3 |
| 2012 | 617 | 3 |
| 2013 | 668 | 3 |
| 2014 | 504 | 7 |
| 2015 | 258 | 4 |
| 2016 | 178 | 0 |
| 2017 | 74 | 0 |
| 2018 | 35 | 0 |
| 2019 | 105 | 3 |
NHTSA's counts for the Fiesta show 617 complaints and 3 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 9 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 2 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2018 (35) and the most are for 2011 (730)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Fiesta?
The 2012 Ford Fiesta has a clear pattern in owner reports. Complaints about the power train lead the list[2], and door latch problems show up under structure[6]. Owners also describe some safety worries, since some complaints mention fires[1]. These are unverified reports to NHTSA and are not adjusted for sales. Treat them as a checklist of things to test on a drive and to ask a seller about.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems do owners report with the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
- In the stories we read, the power train is the biggest complaint group[2], followed by door and structure problems[6]. See the problems section above.
- Does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have recalls?
- Yes, the page lists recalls for this model year, and the count is in the by-year fact[3]. See the Recalls section for details.
- How is the gas mileage of the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
- See the fuel economy section of this page, which is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2012 Ford Fiesta reliable?
- Owners filed a lot of complaints with NHTSA[1], led by the power train[2]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what to check.
- Is 2012 the best year for the Ford Fiesta?
- See the by-year comparison on this page to compare model years of the Fiesta.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Fiesta
Compare all model years of the Ford Fiesta
Other Ford models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: subcompact cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 617 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Fiesta (12 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 274 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fiesta model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 128 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,600). NHTSA vehicle records
- 78 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 75 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 66 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,255). NHTSA vehicle records
- 57 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,172). NHTSA vehicle records
- 40 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,550). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 111,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V331, filed June 8, 2020: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V246, filed April 24, 2015: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V488, filed October 5, 2012: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Fiesta SFE FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 38 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Ford Fiesta with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 118 to 120 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov