2012 Ford Fiesta recalls and problems
The 2012 Ford Fiesta has 3 safety recalls and 617 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2012 Ford Fiesta vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2012 Ford Fiesta recalls
Recall 20V-331: Latches/Locks/Linkages
Problem: 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.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Recall 15V-246: Latches/Locks/Linkages
Problem: 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.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
Recall 12V-488: Air Bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
2012 Ford Fiesta problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 276 | |
| Structure | 129 | |
| Unknown or Other | 78 | |
| Engine | 68 | |
| Electrical System | 66 | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 57 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 22 | |
| Air Bags | 15 | |
| Service Brakes | 15 | |
| Steering | 13 | |
| Seats | 8 |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 80
- Structure › Body › Door — 44
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 26
- Power Train › Clutch Assembly — 4
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 4
- Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 2
- Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. — 2
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 2
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 45,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2012 Ford Fiesta complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Ford Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Ford Fiesta: 20V-331 (latches/locks/linkages), 15V-246 (latches/locks/linkages), 12V-488 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
Owners report power train problems most often (276 reports), followed by structure (129). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 45,000 miles.
Are Ford recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.