MYRModel Year Report

2012 Ford Fiesta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Ford Fiesta
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
617
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1991: 2 complaints 1991 2001: 1 complaint 2002: 1 complaint 2002 2011: 730 complaints 2012: 617 complaints 2012 617 2013: 668 complaints 2014: 502 complaints 2014 2015: 258 complaints 2016: 178 complaints 2016 2017: 74 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 101 complaints
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1991: 2 complaints 1991 2001: 1 complaint 2001 2002: 1 complaint 2002 2011: 730 complaints 2011 2012: 617 complaints 2012 617 2013: 668 complaints 2013 2014: 502 complaints 2014 2015: 258 complaints 2015 2016: 178 complaints 2016 2017: 74 complaints 2017 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 101 complaints 2019
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1991: 2 complaints 1991 2001: 1 complaint 2001 2002: 1 complaint 2002 2011: 730 complaints 2011 2012: 617 complaints 2012 617 2013: 668 complaints 2013 2014: 502 complaints 2014 2015: 258 complaints 2015 2016: 178 complaints 2016 2017: 74 complaints 2017 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 101 complaints 2019

2012: 617 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19891
19912
20011
20021
2011730
2012617
2013668
2014502
2015258
2016178
201774
201835
2019101

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

45% · 276 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving to work this morning; the car made a horrible "clunk" when I accelerated to around 20 then lost power and nearly crashed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-10-29

Also filed under Structure and vehicle speed control

Structure

21% · 129 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-21

Also filed under Engine

Engine

11% · 68 reports
CRASHFIRE

Electrical system

11% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and ignition.

FIRE

Latches/locks/linkages

9% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle and closing the front driver’s side door, the door failed to latch properly. While driving 70 MPH, the front driver’s side door opened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-09

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 617 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2012-10-26Air bags12V488000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2014-09-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-18 Door Latch Failure
  4. I
    2015-02-27Engineering analysisClosed 2015-11-13 Door Latch Failure
  5. R
    2015-12-18Latches/locks/linkages15V246000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2019-12-19Recall queryClosed 2022-02-07 Door Latch Failures
  7. R
    2020-07-27Latches/locks/linkages20V331000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Ford Fiesta — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 276 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 129 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 68 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V488000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V246000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 20V331000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Ford Fiesta reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Ford Fiesta is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.