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Research · Subcompact Cars

2012 Ford FiestaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 617 owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Fiesta. Most complaints involve power train (274) and structure (128). The EPA rates it 32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
32mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2020
Owner complaints
617
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jun 8, 2020NHTSA 20V331000

Latches

Remedy pending

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Apr 24, 2015NHTSA 15V246000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 5, 2012NHTSA 12V488000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

617 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Sep 2026
  1. Power train274
  2. Structure128
  3. Engine68
  4. Electrical system66
  5. Latches/locks/linkages57
  6. Vehicle speed control40
  7. Exterior lighting22
  8. Service brakes15
  9. Air bags15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Fiesta model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2011730
2012617
2013668
2014504
2015259
2016179
201774
201835
2019105
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

274 reports
“While driving, my son's car started to have issues when it was shifting gears (it's an automatic). Then a warning came up on the dash saying something like "Transmission malfunction, service immediately". We were on our way to a mechanic to pick up another vehicle so we left it with them. They confirmed the issue and stated it is related to the clutch system (which I believe is the dry clutch system that has been recalled with similar car models). We have not taken it to the manufacturer/Ford dealership yet, but are trying to figure out our options on this faulty transmission design. Not aware of any issues prior to this incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2026Power trainODI 11726329

Structure

128 reports2 crashes
“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. The car then displayed error lights (yellow CEL, yellow wrench icon, HEAD unit showed "transmission issue service immediately" This is a direct result of the DPs6 transmission put into all 7th gen Ford Focus/Fiesta models. This DCT transmission has been replaced 3 times for this particular car and failed the same manner each time - meaning 3 near accidents have occured because this transmission fails. Across the USA; more than 50 people have been injured as a result of this transmission failing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2025Power train, Structure, Vehicle speed controlODI 11696374

Engine

68 reports2 crashes2 fires
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11506531
All 2012 Fiesta problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AM6) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Fiesta FWD
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293732$2,000278
Fiesta FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293732$2,000278
Fiesta SFE FWD
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293832$2,000278
  • Fiesta FWD
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Fiesta FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Fiesta SFE FWD
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 38 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ford Fiesta 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Overall
4 / 5
Ford Fiesta 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6415Vehicle 6414
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Fiesta questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Ford Fiesta problems?

Owners filed 617 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (274), structure (128), engine (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Ford Fiesta get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Ford Fiesta at 32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Ford Fiesta?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Ford Fiesta 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026