Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
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.
This car has had 2 door latches fail and need replacement after only 50,000 miles and no collisions. In October of 2014, the rear passenger side door latch failed and required replacement as per the dealership. The car was outside the bumper-to-bumper warranty at this time. However, I believed this was a major safety concern as the door would not close, requiring me to tie it down with a bungee cord. I contact Ford motor company multiple times and they would not offer any sort of assistance with the repair. After paying for the repairs out of pocket, the front passenger side door latch failed in March of 2015. Once again, I contact Ford. This time my case was escalated to a regional customer service manager but the end result was the same. This car is only 3 years old with 50,000 miles on it and two door latches have failed. This is a major safety issue. …
My door will not shut and is currently duct taped shut. I don't feel safe driving my car because Ford says that my doors May open while you are driving. There is a notice of a recall out but, I can't get my door fixed because Ford doesn't have the parts. However, I was still never offered a rental or any other form of help on this matter from Ford. I spoke to them on the phone and emailed them and my car is at their service center right now and I have not been offered a solution. Also, I have issues with my transmission. I drive a manual and when I go to back out of a parking spot, etc. It will often grind. I have to try several times to get it into either first gear and reverse. Last October (2014), there was a service bulletin so Ford rebuilt my transmission. This did not resolve the issues though so in May of 2015 I finally emailed Ford but I never got a response. …
While operating the vehicle on 04/18/2017, the rear passenger door of the vehicle inadvertently opened while the vehicle was in motion. I received safety recall notice 15s16 on January 2016 regarding this issue that stated: "it May be possible for the pawl spring tab inside one or more of the side door latches in the vehicle to break, preventing the door from latching". This is exactly what occurred to me today on 04/18. Shortly after receiving the recall notice, I contacted a Ford dealership in the kansas city metro area where I was living and they stated that parts were so back ordered and "to try again in a few months". As life moved on, I put this on the backburner and relocated to omaha, ne for a new job. …
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.. …
My mother borrowed my car and went to pick up pet food about 15 minutes away from our home. She came out of pet store and opened rear passenger side door,loaded the items then went to close door. My mother said the door just banged back open. She tried several attempts to close the door. She called me in a panic,stating the my car door wouldn't close. I told her to go into the dollar tree and get some rope or bungee cord. She called me back,and was still in distress that she couldn't drive the car home. I asked her why,she said that the interior lights stayed on,and she wouldn't be able to see. It was 8:30 at night on January 11th,2017. I have had several people look at the door,and said that it looks like the spring came out. I've been driving around with the door ratchet strapped since the incident happened. I'm not in a position to fix the door,as I am unemployed. …
Early nov. While the car was parked, and while entering the front right passenger door the latch stuck so the door would not close. This is the third time this has happened. All were on different doors. The previous two times were the doors on the drivers side. We immediately took the car to the grand prairie Ford for repairs. The service rep told us that they would only repair any doors that were non-operational. Our response was that this was the third time we had to put the car in the shop for the same repair, and the recall notice said that all four doors would be repaired. We were then told that the dealership would have to order parts and it should take about two weeks. It is now two and one half months later. The car is still in the shop waiting on parts to come in. Several times we have been given dates the parts would arrive only to be told a new date when this does not occur.
I have a 2012 Ford Fiesta se we were driving and turned a corner and the rear door flew open we pulled over and the door would not stay latched. Bought a bungy cord and tied the two doors together, went to Ford the next day and they stated that there was a known problem with the door latches I called customer service brought the car in, contacted by the service adviser stating it would not be covered since my car is out of warranty they want $175 to analysis the problem and + parts and time to fix. I refuse to pay it since the latch should of been recalled. Its a known problem but they will not take action or accept responsibility. I am appalled. What poor customer service they have at Fiesta Lincoln and berge Ford in mesa, az. They do not listen or respond with a solution, call Ford if you want too, was their suggestion.
As I was backing out of my driveway my alert light pinged on letting me know my passenger door was open. I leaned over to shut it and the latch of the door wouldn't catch and actually close. I got out of the car and walked around my vehicle thinking I had something in the way and I couldn't find anything. I kept attempting to close it and check the latch but I couldn't find a reason as to why my door wouldn't shut. I attempted to tape it shut to drive it to the dealership but it didn't hold, and neither did rope. I had to call roadside assistance and have my vehicle towed to a Ford dealership for this safety concern. Very upset that I'm not even out of my 3 year warranty yet, and come to read more this is a huge issue that is being investigated right now and no actual recall for the problems.
The right rear-door on my 2012 Ford Fiesta one day failed to latch, and it hasn't latched since. The door is now sitting ajar at all times and I have to tie it closed. The "door ajar" warning light on the dash comes on randomly as I drive down the road or turn corners, and the "door ajar dinging sound" plays randomly. I took it in to a Ford dealership to have it looked at, as well as see if anyone else has had this issue. The gentleman said no one has had any door latch issues on the 2012 Ford Fiesta. He gave me an estimate of $418 to have it replaced -- but I found this article that says different. Http://www.autoblog.com/2014/09/15/NHTSA-Ford-Fiesta-door-latch-investigation/
Body complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 128 complaints about the body & structure of the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 21% of the model year's 617 complaints. The component named most often is body (80 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Fiesta body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to body & structure 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.