Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle began to vibrate violently, after which the contact observed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact also stated that there was a coolant odor throughout the interior of the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The overheating and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. …
I just got the car in June 1st.2022 it's broken down 5x stopped in middle of us.19 North 2x it won't keep oil it's leaking out running hot blowed the hose loose 1x last week,it started weeks ago refused to start up and shutting down now, shuddering, it's at machanic shop now in largo, Florida he stated the car is not usable and unsafe to drive any longer the motor as well is gone and white smoke is coming from the muffler.the used car dealership truecars on park blvd.is trying to force me to keep the car I haven't driven the car in 2wks.this week will be 3 I have fixed Alot of things on the car in little time I can't afford to replace something that was damaged already my first to be car and it's been a bad experience.but I do know I will not put my life or anyone else lives in danger to fix the serious major damage with this car someone please contact me and help guide me as to what to …
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. …
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. …
My vehicle was having trouble changing gears and felt as though it was going to die at the intersections. I took my vehicle to the dealership where they performed a "reprogram PCM and TCM". Within a month of this repair, my vehicle was exhibiting the same issue! I took it to a dealership in phoenix, az and it took almost 5 weeks to get the new transmission delivered to the dealership due to the part being out of stock with the numerous requests for new transmission on this year vehicle. I had to fight with the dealership to keep the rental car I was provided with. They continually called me requesting I bring the rental car back although my vehicle was not yet repaired. …
I've already reported on this site before regarding my 2012 Ford Fiesta with clutch failure (in December 2013 at just over 32,000 miles). Recently my car was acting sluggish and I made an appointment a few weeks from when I called (when an appointment was available). Then one morning while trying to start my car it died and refused to start. I had it towed to Ford, and it had a transmissional control module (TCM) failure which I guess caused my transmission to fail/engine not to start. This was at 48,000 miles. They fixed it and returned the car to me on 11/7 but the clutch still doesn't feel right. My car shudders, shakes, and has trouble kicking into gear which makes it feel dangerous to drive especially in city traffic or in the hilly areas of colorado. I just had the clutch replaced at just over 32,000 miles and now at 48,000 miles it's giving out again!? …
Engine complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 12% of the model year's 617 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Fiesta engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.