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Engine coolingPart report

2012 Ford Fiesta Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
1%of 617 total for the year
Median mileage
16,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 1% of the 617 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have been experiencing a shudder when I go from a dead stop. When I had experienced this I took it to my Ford dealership. After they looked it over they said they didn't find anything and it is a year later and it is still doing it and now my check engine light is on. I'm not happy about this at all because I did take to the dealership to get it taken care of and it wasn't. Please help me.”

NHTSA complaint #10678668, filed 2015-01, 27,000 miles

“Purchased my Fiesta in march 2012. Shortly after purchase started having problems with the shuttering and hesitating issue due to this new clutch design. The vehicle has been in to the service department where I purchased it the first time the clutch issue was repaired the second time they installed a part of the clutch system. The third time it was in to the service department there was no repair done. The warranty guidelines required the failure to rate at a 270 my failure was a 250. I have contacted a lawyer to get me released from this death trap . …”

NHTSA complaint #10701598, filed 2015-03, 822 miles

“While driving the vehicle, driver was entering the freeway, the vehicle shifted through all the gears rapidly leaving the vehicle moving at ~40 - 45mph and not speeding up. The acceleration pedal was to the floor and the care didn't increase in speed and was almost rear ended because all other drivers on the road way were moving at ~60mph. The driver then let off the accelerator and pressed down again the vehicle then revved real high then shifted very hard and shook throwing the passengers forward and back causing a whip-lash type of movement among passengers. …”

NHTSA complaint #10450356, filed 2012-03, 800 miles

“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission module and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. While driving, the vehicle continued to jerk and there was smoke coming through the vents. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal booming sound detected. …”

NHTSA complaint #11501099, filed 2023-01, 28,100 miles

“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle began to vibrate violently, after which the contact observed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact also stated that there was a coolant odor throughout the interior of the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The overheating and check engine warning lights were illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11610228, filed 2024-08

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201911%
201745%
201611%
201552%
201482%
201341%
201271%
2011122%

Other parts of the 2012 Ford Fiesta

Transmission and drivetrain
274 complaints
Body and structure
128 complaints
Other or unknown
78 complaints
Engine
68 complaints
Electrical system
66 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
57 complaints
Vehicle speed control
40 complaints
Exterior lighting
22 complaints
Brakes
17 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Equipment
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Fiesta

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology