2012 Ford Fiesta Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 274about this part
- Share
- 44%of 617 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 274 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 44% of the 617 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission balks on acceleration. When entering expressway on ramps the transmission slips and causes trouble merging with the up to speed traffic. From a stop it often operates flawlessly but sometimes will not accelerate without surges forward and backward. This unpredictability is dangerous. I will not let my wife or daughter drive this car. It is downright dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11233506, filed 2019-07, 101,200 miles“My 2012 Ford Fiesta will randomly lose power and not engage to shift. This happens so randomly, on side streets, major roads, from stop, while mocing, anytime. This problem is getting progressively worst. I try to avoid highways if possible due to the fact that this occur once on a highway and it almost cause a major accident. I definitely don't feel safe driving this vehicle any longer.”
NHTSA complaint #11208487, filed 2019-05, 5 miles“The transmission on the car will start giving out and when your trying to drive in road it will start to slow down. I have taken my car for service to Ford for the same reason and other repairs have been done to the car since I bought it brand new from Ford. I believe my car should be bought back I have to keep taking it to get work done on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10680513, filed 2015-02, 4,500 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“My vehicle while stopped at an intersection lurched forward almost hitting another vehicle. I was stationary with my foot fully compressing the brake. Then out of nowhere my engine area started making a strange noise and I lurched forward several feet almost colliding with a vehicle in the intersection. This was on a country road in an intersection. I believe this may be due to the recent transmission issues Ford has admitted to.”
NHTSA complaint #11287755, filed 2019-12, 97,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237441May 4, 2023Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10226944Nov 7, 2022Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission; Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10199780Jul 30, 2021Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever…
- 10180371Sep 2, 2020This customer satisfaction program updates the TCM software in affected vehicles to provide improved detection and over warning of electrical circuit failures in the TCM. As…
- 10164620Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Service…
- 10164606Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164604Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty…
- 10164615Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164612Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module…
- 10163594Jul 12, 2019Short-Term DPS6 Dealer Customer Handling Direction
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 21 | 20% |
| 2018 | 10 | 29% |
| 2017 | 22 | 29% |
| 2016 | 101 | 56% |
| 2015 | 105 | 41% |
| 2014 | 208 | 41% |
| 2013 | 391 | 59% |
| 2012 | 274 | 44% |
| 2011 | 366 | 50% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Fiesta
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 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 30, 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