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 2024-08Related service bulletins
- 10231028Jan 13, 2023Certain 2011-2013 Model Year Fiesta Vehicles Operated in the USA Corrosion States Battery Junction Box Clean and Seal In some of the affected vehicles, the position of the…
- 10144182Jul 3, 2018This article supersedes TSB 18-2024 to update the model years. Some 2011-2018 Fiesta vehicles may exhibit a lack of heat resulting from a frozen blower motor. This may be caused…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10055017Jan 29, 2014Ford: due to snow entering through cowl top area and melting, allowing the water to enter blower motor and when its below freeze overnight, refreezes, causing a lack of heat…
- 10052115Nov 8, 2013Ford: blower motor freezes after snow melts or water enters, during overnight below temperatures, causing a lack of heat. Models 2011-2013 fiesta. *pe updated 1/15/14.
- 10054373Sep 1, 2013Ford: the noise coming from engine, like buzzing or sawing, when rpm range is 950 and 1200 and can be pinpointed, by using a stethoscope, back to timing belt tensioner area and…
- 10053416May 1, 2013Ford: engine noise like a buzz or saw, occurring with a range of 950rpm and 1200rpm on some vehicles, and can be pinpointed back to timing belt tensioner, if stethoscope is used…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Fiesta
274 complaintsBody and structure
128 complaintsOther or unknown
78 complaintsEngine
68 complaintsElectrical system
66 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEquipment
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