Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that occasionally there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure still occurred. The contact then towed the vehicle to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the headlights, the headlights failed to respond. The contact stated that several attempts were needed for the headlights to become operable. However, the failure reoccurred, and the low-beam headlights failed to function as needed. The contact checked the high-beam headlights and the high-beam headlights functioned properly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 19B22 - Corrosion due to road salts in the Battery Junction Box (Electrical System, Visibility). The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH at night, the low-beam headlights stopped working. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he engaged in the high-beam headlights and continued driving. The contact, who is an electrician, diagnosed that the relay that controlled the low-beam headlights was corroded in the battery junction box. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he had to pay out of pocket for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 19B22. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH at night, the low-beam headlamps failed to operate as needed. The contact mentioned that the high beam was needed to be able to see the roadway correctly. The dealer was not contacted. The contact was a mechanic and diagnosed that there was corrosion on the junction box that caused the failure of the headlamps. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated to move forward or backwards. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition key had failed to operate as intended also. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.
2012 ford fiesta check engine light on codes reading o2 sensors, catalytic intake, misfires, fuel injection, etc. I have had my fiesta at 3 mechanics all very known for there reliability all diagnosing it different issue recommending me to go to dealership which I was turned away because the recalls for the vehicle isn't an issue for any of the possible diagnostics. Single mother of 3 now no vehicle, no money and no way of providing without transportation. Less than 150,000 Miles owned less than two years and the amount of money put into the vehicle ford should be ashamed. Shuddering and accelerating issue was told clutch and transmission issue but no help or actual known diagnosis since ford won't diagnose the suspected diagnosis from any of the mechanics I have taken the vehicle to and they can't for sure diagnose it until ford confirms the diagnosis since this is a known issue. …
My engine light came on so I took it to Ford dealership and they told me it's the car computer not understanding when the engine is turned off and that it is not an urgent issue to keep driving it since they are backed up. A week later while driving the car just stopped the engine light started glitching. After 2 minutes it starts again. So I called Ford explained what happened they could check it a week later so I start calling around. Found Ford dealership that can check it immediately, then they told me that the issue is a wiring problem that Ford has sent them a bulletin about but it is not a recall. I told them that it should be a recall if Ford knew that a wiring issue can make your car just stop in the middle of traffic with no warning whatsoever. …
Transmission Malfunction, this is the 4th time that I am having to replace the transmission. I am taking the car back to dealership to get the transmission fixed for the 5th time. The car jerks when it comes to a stop. Hard time accelerating or does not accelerate. I put the car in R and it did not budge at all, even turned the car off and turned it back on same thing. This car should not be permitted on the road. Does not shift gears properly, the RPM run very high. I am afraid to drive this car constantly, even after I get it out of the shop because I just know that the transmission will eventually malfunction on me again. Very unsafe and unreliable to drive.
I was driving down a city street in my friend's 2012 Ford Fiesta I noticed a weird smell, I kept going about a quarter of a mile til I reached my destination. My friend gets in the car he noticed the smell . I looked out the windshield and I see a lil smoke coming from the hood, all the sudden alot of smoke comes out . I pop the hood shut the car off and get out of there . My friend runs and grabs fire extinguishers him and another man try to open the hood it won't open you could see the flames coming underneath the car then there is a pop . They take a shovel beat on it enough to open it enough where they could put the fire out. Thank god they were there,no one got hurt. I am enclosing pictures of my car, my friend didn't have full coverage insurance so he's without a car right now . …
While my 16 yr old twin sons were driving on freeway, a loud pop of pressure release from motor occured, and steam blew out from under hood obscurring their visibilty. they were able to pull over safely and call me. Upon arrival, after confirming they were ok, I checked under hood to see that the intake manifold had built up to much pressure for the PCV hose and the recirculating hose that connects to top of valve cover. Oil had sprayed out everywhere and car will not start. Ive lost compression in 2 cylinders now from the fast overheat. My childrens safety was severily compromised by this chain reaction of a failed PCV valve. …
Electrical complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 11% of the model year's 617 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Fiesta electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.