2012 Ford Fiesta Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 11%of 617 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,798miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 11% of the 617 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,798 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My transmission continues to slip repeatedly after I took it to Ford where they told me nothing was wrong and that I didn't know what I was talking about . They were rude and inconsiderate. It has slipped in all forms of movement . When I've been braking ,driving urban or highway. I took it back to a different dealer ship and they told me my transmission was bad.”
NHTSA complaint #11351381, filed 2020-08, 103,876 miles“I took my car to a Ford dealership to take action on recall 14m01. They replaced the clutch under warranty and returned my car to me. A day later my car flashed a check engine light while I was 45 minutes away from home on the highway. Codes that came up were addressed & the vehicles condition worsened until it went fully into limp mode while returning from an attempt to restart the computer.”
NHTSA complaint #11101272, filed 2018-06, 67,000 miles“Ford Fiesta 2012 transmition shakes everytime I go from stop to first and second gear, it vibrates and hesitates horrible, and the dealers keep saying it is normal even though I test drove a new Ford Fiesta and it does not have the same issue. I really do not know what to do now. I would not be able to sell it like this, and it can not be repaired because it is normal !”
NHTSA complaint #10837638, filed 2016-02, 50,000 miles“After 6 months I started having vibration/ transmission slippage issues. I took it back to the dealer and they fix the transmission fluid leak. Six months later the problem persists. The car was repair 3 times for the same defect. Now is 20,120 miles still have the same problem, and the dealership where I bought it don't want to repair it anymore.”
NHTSA complaint #10564883, filed 2014-02, 8,010 miles“At at stop light making a left turn the car failed to accelerate. I hit the gas and nothing happened. The car was still running but did not move. I had to turn the car off and restart it. Twice. The same thing happened on the highway about 15 minutes later after traffic came to a stop. The car has a voluntary recall to fix the trans but the parts are not available. I have been waiting over 2 months for the parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10724618, filed 2015-06, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10148720Oct 4, 2018Some 2011-2014 Fiesta and 2012-2014 Focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 transmission may experience a fluid leak between the engine and transmission. Be aware that the engine oil…
- 10140309Jan 26, 2018Some 2011-2017 Fiesta vehicles may exhibit a lack of heat resulting from a frozen blower motor. This may be caused by snow entering through the cowl panel grille and prior screen…
- 10095154Jan 10, 2017To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine oil dye is available. Workshop manual (wsm), section 303-00 has been…
- 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…
- 10056210May 8, 2014Ford: engine noises (whirring, buzz or saw) is heard after a cold start between 950-1200 rpm from timing belt cover.
- 10056135May 8, 2014Ford: after a cold start, the timing belt cover is emitting a whirring, buzz or saw type noise from engine. Model 2012-2014 fiesta.
- 10052838Aug 1, 2013Ford: some vehicles may experience a hood cable buzz noise like an exhaust type of noise, from drivers side exterior bulkhead during light/medium acceleration after coasting in…
- 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: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 | 10% |
| 2018 | 6 | 17% |
| 2017 | 19 | 25% |
| 2016 | 34 | 19% |
| 2015 | 69 | 27% |
| 2014 | 84 | 17% |
| 2013 | 110 | 16% |
| 2012 | 68 | 11% |
| 2011 | 108 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Fiesta
274 complaintsBody and structure
128 complaintsOther or unknown
78 complaintsElectrical system
66 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Fiesta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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