Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal continually for the vehicle to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. …
I was driving to work this morning; the car made a horrible "clunk" when I accelerated to around 20 then lost power and nearly crashed. The car then displayed error lights (yellow CEL, yellow wrench icon, HEAD unit showed "transmission issue service immediately" This is a direct result of the DPs6 transmission put into all 7th gen Ford Focus/Fiesta models. This DCT transmission has been replaced 3 times for this particular car and failed the same manner each time - meaning 3 near accidents have occured because this transmission fails. Across the USA; more than 50 people have been injured as a result of this transmission failing.
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". On March 6, 2015, I went to turn left across two lanes of on coming traffic and it shuttered at acceleration and nearly stalled. Keep in mind this is automatic. I was nearly broad sided. I made arrangements for a vehicle because I was told that they did not have a loaner for me to drive while they repaired mine. …
I have had multiple incidents with the transmission of my 2012 Fiesta, beginning roughly in November of 2014. The first specific incident I can recall occurred on December 18, 2014. I was driving from toledo, ohio to the detroit, mi airport and back. I had two other passengers in my car who noticed the violent shaking/shuddering problems that my vehicle was having when trying to accelerate. The shuddering occurs at both low speeds and high speeds. The shuddering does not occur daily but roughly 4-5 days a week, causing difficulties with acceleration, breaking, and controlling the vehicle. About two months ago I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection. When I began to accelerate my car started shaking so violently that it could not move forward any more. At that time a semi-truck was coming up behind me and had to swerve to avoid hitting me. …
I traded my cube for Fiesta. There are two recalls I found the attached in the glove compartment. I took it to sloan Ford. They told me if it doesn't meet the specifications of a recall they won't do the repair work. Tues they provided a shuttle service. I need the car to work. The car won't kick in from stop to start. It's a concern to me at a stop light. The window cover in passenger side dog chewed on the handle won't get replaced. Also the window switch on front passender won't close. I'm concerned, I want to keep the car, but I can't have it stall out on me. I was told by the dealership they'd give free repair and loaner car. I got it from roberts Honda in downingtown, and have an appointment sloan Ford. It looks like prior owner had it looked at didn't bring it in for the repair. I also wasn't given a second key to the car. Kindly help. It needs to kick in.. …
When starting to accelerate, there is no power. The transmission then kicks back and it goes flying over 4000 rpms before it will shift. While driving, it will randomly give a slight kick and lose power, despite not increasing or decreasing pressure on the gas pedal. There was a class action lawsuit regarding this, I then got it "fixed" under warranty (total replacement of the clutch assembly) but the problem still persists. I have contacted the dealership I bought it from, and they will not return my calls or emails. I contacted Ford and they will not take any responsibility either. I bought this car only a year ago and the kbb value has already dropped to less than what I still owe, presumably in part due to the lawsuit. I am at a loss for what to do now. …
Multiple problems were reported to me by the dealer as potentially being the cause when I took the car in for loss of power while driving, intermittent check engine light and wrench light along with shuddering in the transmission while driving. The dealer replaced (for the second time in 12-months) the clutch assembly, the seals, the clutch release lever and the clutch slave but stated that while the throttle body was bad and in need of replacement, the problem was not caused by the clutch nor did it contribute to the clutch problem and would not be covered by the extended Ford warrantee of the clutch. I had taken the car in with the same issue several months back but, because the check engine light was not on at the time, they dismissed the issue as normal functioning of the clutch. The same issue was the cause for the initial clutch assembly replacement a year ago. …
Vehicle has been taken in several times for noise in front of the car and transmission jerking when trying to shift gears ,changing lanes on a highways taking turns and going up and down hills. The clutch system is causing shifting problems and every time I slow down or brake the rattling noise upfront gets louder, I was in the middle of changing lanes when the car jerked gears did not shift and I almost got hit by another car. It is very dangerous and have been getting a run around about getting it fix.the car's electrical system could cause the transmission's electronic controls to shut down or not allow the car to start at all, as I was told by the servicer I looked it up and other cars have the same problem I need assistance as I did my research found there are hundreds of Ford Fiesta that are having the same problems.
Today, 1/19/2016 is my 6th visit to Ford dealer service since 2014 August. My car has been towed in to service location with condition of transmission shudders excessively. I was not able to drive the car with a in-operating transmission. It is very sad, I do not feel safe to drive the vehicle no more than 15 miles if I can. Transmission and clutch has been fixed for 3 times. Every time I have talked to Ford customer rep. They are telling me I should be okay because they extend my transmission coverage to 100.000 miles. Should I toss my car after 100.000 ? I definitely do not feel I can make it to 100.000 without an injury!!! Will company wait until someone get injured for a buyback policy? Who is responsible for the time I spent on the issue?
When car is stopped or driving the transmission feels like it is going to slop. Feels like it is going to stall. Went t dealership and they said this is normal. This is not normal. Jerks and feels like chocking when driving or stopped. When accelerating jerks and feels like the transmission slips and isn't shifting. Went to dealership several times and they will not look into this. Looked online and noticed several forums and other people having the same troubles with the car. Needs to be corrected as it is a safety issue. Expressed. Concern with dealership that it was having troubles that it was either the transmission but looked at me. Like I did t know what I was talking about because I'm a chick.
Acceleration complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 6% of the model year's 617 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Fiesta acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Ford Fiesta, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Fiesta acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.