2012 Ford Fiesta Door Lock & Latch Problems

Which parts fail

• Doors › Latch
  26
• Hood › Latch
  1

Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  36%
• 25k–50k
  2854%
• 50k–75k
  1325%
• 75k–100k
  36%
• 100k–150k
  24%
• 150k+
  36%

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 50 mph and coming to a stop, she heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle started shuddering and inadvertently stalled. The "Transmission Failure" message appeared on the instrument panel along with several other unknown warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The contact stated the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle and closing the front driver's side door, the door failed to latch properly. While driving 70 MPH, the front driver's side door opened. The contact secured the door with a bungee cord and continued driving. A dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V246000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). Additionally, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, was notified of the failure by phone, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while attempting to close the doors, the four doors failed to latch properly. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to be repaired; however, while driving off the lot, the contact became aware that the radio was inoperable, and the brake pedal was firm and difficult to depress. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. While traveling 65 MPH, the front passenger side door fractured without warning and opened while the vehicle was in motion. The contact had to pull the vehicle over and make a quick adjustment to the door due to the failure. The internal lights remained illuminated due to the failure, which drained the battery for months. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages), but the dealer was not able to provide the part for several months, which was not in a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The contact was unable to determine when the part would become available. The contact was still experiencing the failure. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V488000 (air bags). The dealer was unable to determine when that recall repair would be performed. …

The rear passenger door unlatched while turning a corner (child-lock was on). My 3 yr old and 10 yr old was in the back when it happened. They both have autism. Thankfully, no one was hurt!! The door will not shut. I just received a call from the dealer and they said the latch is broken. Are you kidding me??? Even worse....the repair is 501.63. What???? This is a safety issue!!! My car is so only 3 years old. There should be a recall on the latch, asap!! This is ridiculous!! Thank god my 3 yr old is restrained in his car seat and didn't put his hand/arm out when the door opened. If it had been my 10 yr old....he might've jumped out (he has zero sense of fear due to his autism). I will sue everyone in my path of a hair on my child's head gets harmed. As a parent, I do everything I can to protect my children. I shouldn't have to worry about my car door opening for no reason!! …

Latch failed. My passenger needed to put some possessions in the back seat because there wasn't enough room in the front. He proceeded to put his things in the back, then came to the front and got into the passenger seat. I started the car and the radio display notified me that a door was ajar. I asked him to re-close the back door and when he attempted too, it wouldn't latch. We tried pulling the door handle on both the inside and outside, locking and unlocking the car, and pushing as hard as we could on the door, but the door wouldn't latch shut. I ended up having to duct tape the door close, but the interior light remains on and reduces my visibility through the front windshield due to the glare. I feel very unsafe leaving my car in public places due to the risk of theft, and leaving items back there for fear of them flying out of the vehicle while in motion.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. While parked, the rear passenger side door would not latch. As a result of the door not latching, all the interior lighting illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the latch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Nine months later, the front passenger side latch failed causing the door to open while the contact was driving at approximately 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. While in park, the latch inside of the rear passenger door fractured. As a result, the contact was unable to close the door. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, ten months later, the front passenger side latch inside of the vehicle fractured. The vehicle was taken to multiple mechanics and a dealer who all diagnosed that the latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the rear driver side door would not close and remain shut. The vehicle was taken to de paula Ford (1101 central ave, albany, ny) and the door latch was replaced. The failure was remedied, but the same failure recently occurred on the front driver side door. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V246000(structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recalls. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages) and repaired; however, the door ajar warning light remained illuminated. The dealer repaired the vehicle again, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who informed the contact that the repair parts were on back order. The failure mileage was 64,979.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Fiesta years