general problems of the 2012 Ford Fiesta - part 1

125 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2012 Ford Fiesta. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Ford Fiesta based on all problems reported for the 2012 Fiesta.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/18/2026

While driving, my son's car started to have issues when it was shifting gears (it's an automatic). Then a warning came up on the dash saying something like "transmission malfunction, service immediately". We were on our way to a mechanic to pick up another vehicle so we left it with them. They confirmed the issue and stated it is related to the clutch system (which I believe is the dry clutch system that has been recalled with similar car models). We have not taken it to the manufacturer/Ford dealership yet, but are trying to figure out our options on this faulty transmission design. Not aware of any issues prior to this incident.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/29/2025

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.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to a gas station for servicing, the contact was informed that the brake calipers were sticking, and the calipers and rotors were extremely hot. The calipers and rotors were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission axle shaft had damaged the splines. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/08/2025

Transmission unexpectedly malfunctions. Car lost the ability to shift into reverse and even numbered gears. Rough shifting when it can shift. Slipping when attempting to drive. Unable to accelerate from a stop sign. Based on simple web searches, the Ford Fiesta and focus with the dps6 transmission are notorious for defective transmissions.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2024

It is widely known that this vehicle has irreparable transmission problems. My car shudders, loses power, has issues shifting, etc because of known issues. It feels dangerous to drive at times. The dealer no doubt willingly sold it to me used knowing about the problem. I feel taken advantage of as I had to purchase the car during covid when inventory was low and prices were high. I owe over twice as much on car than it’s worth. No one in their right mind would buy it. I’m on medical leave without pay and in no position to trade it. I bought it after all the class action suits were settled. It doesn’t appear to fall under lemon law. I’m basically waiting for it to completely break down. Praying nobody is hurt when it happens. I’m writing because I’m aggravated and feel I have no recourse.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/04/2024

Driving down the street and car started bucking and shifting improperly. I took it in to the dealership and the said the tcm might be under warranty. Then they just said the transmission is bad.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/21/2023

I purchased a 2012 Ford Fiesta se on 3/3/23 from auto nation dealership in florida. I started noticing the excessive jerking & hesitating when I hit the gas petal. I can't pinpoint exactly when it started but it got progressively worse. I scheduled an appt. With mechanic for 7/26/23 after almost driving into car in front of me and concerned about getting hit from behind or even worse plowing into a pedestrian. The mechanic concluded problem with transmission- dual clutch b. After doing research I find out about Ford recalls as a result of all the lawsuits and complaints on transmissions for this very vehicle. I then brought car to Ford and was told that the recall didn't apply to my specific issue and would require upwards of $4000 to fix either by replacing specific pieces within the transmission or installing a new transmission. They also classified the vehicle as "unsafe to drive" the bottom line is Ford knew the transmission was faulty when they manufactured the car. Whether it's electrical or mechanical they're splitting hairs at this point. It's a failure with their transmission period. I've read many complaints concerning the issue I'm facing, and consumers shouldn't have to dish out thousands of dollars to correct anything that involves the transmission. It's unacceptable that a car I've own for 4 months is sitting in my garage and deemed "unsafe" any issues concerning the transmission should be included in the existing recall and Ford should take ownership and pay for any repairs.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2023

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact received notification of technical service bulletin 16-0109 dps 6 automatic transmission. However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.  the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.  the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the shift gear was inoperable inadvertently the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/26/2022

Transmission will randomly stop working without any codes or lights warning me it will happen. Driving 60mph the transmission acts like it looses all it power making it hard to get it to a safe place to pull over. This happens when it wants too and at random times it will not go back to first gear in order to take off. I have to turn off the car and wait a few minutes before starting it back up and then put it in drive in order for it to go , sometimes it will not move until I unplug the battery and wait for 15 minutes up to an hour before it will work as it should again. This transmission has left me out in intersections , on hills, in traffic, on the sides of roads and on highways where there is no place I can pull over because there are concrete walls three feet away from the white line . Also at times there is no reverse and has had me about to cause a major accident because I was sideways in the road trying to back up but it would not move and it was in reverse. Again no lights no warning at all anytime. . . . I use to love Ford now I would love to sell my Ford . . . I have spoken to alot of people and this is a common problem with these cars from Ford. Why hasnt this been recalled? Ford use to be the best on the roads , what happened? I guess they dont care about their reputation anymore. . . . Im so mad at this car and I cant afford to buy a new transmission my car has 65,000 miles on it. This shouldnt happen, ask any other car manufacturer.

10 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2022

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, he heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 mph while driving back to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power train module to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available. The contact purchased the parts at an auto parts store and brought them back to the dealer. The dealer stated that the computer failed to code the module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

11 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2022

Loss of power transmission shudder 100,500 miles now started as a small issue at about 94,000 but not constantly, its bad now.

12 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/16/2022

Transmission malfunction reported on console at around 89,000 miles after care failed to engage in reverse. Took to dealer which resulted in over 5k in repairs to rebuild transmission.

13 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2022

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.

14 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/26/2021

Car won’t go in reverse. Transmission buckles and shifts violently at times.

15 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/30/2021

I am writing this email in prayers that I can receive some resolution to the ongoing issues with my 2012 Ford Fiesta. In 2019 I purchased this vehicle through a third party Ford dealer in massachusetts. I have been experiencing issues with the car shutting off since the beginning of purchase such as, slow acceleration and gear slippage.  the dealership had my car examined by their service center and replaced spark plugs. Somehow the car passed inspection and was given back to me a couple of weeks later but the issue continued. Unfortunately I was past the 30 day warranty so the dealer would not honor lemon law and any further inspections/ repairs would be my responsibility. The car has had acceleration issues since then despite tuneups, oil changes, battery replacements. I have tried it all. No codes were popping up related to transmission. After relocating to fort myers may 2021 I began experiencing more frequent but brief issues with acceleration and stalling. The car was inspected at Ford for a door latch recall. My issues with transmission were reported for Ford but I was advised that I would need another appointment as this is a separate issue and would require a $200 diagnosis fee as well as possible repairs and labor fees. Due to limited income I was discouraged to book this appointment. At that time they were booked out 6 weeks for diagnostic. I researched the codes popping up and discovered a major lawsuit for these very same codes. Upon reaching out to Ford I was told the extended customer satisfaction had expired by 2 months, December 2021. I have tried multiple times to have them rectify the fact that their staff and corporate representatives never made me aware of their fee and repair waivers or settlements I was entitled to. I initially made my complaints to them about the car in September 2021 and was completely dismissed and deceived by their warranty. I was pretty much discouraged with enough time for their extended warranty to expire.

16 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/06/2021

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 approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

17 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/23/2021

I have owned this Fiesta almost two years buying it used. It has shuttering and bucking problems intermittently from a stop-to-go situation. More severe symptoms are approaching a stop sign and/or traffic light and applying the brakes and having the car continue to lurch forward and almost go thru an intersection - where I totally lost control of the car - and had to pull over more than once to shut the car off to stop it. I have spoken to Ford corporate to please buy the car back from me and crush it so it doesn't wind up on the road again to injure someone. Ford will do nothing. Now, because of the lurching forward and erratic behavior, a Ford dealership did a diagnostic and said I need a new clutch which is the cause of the problem but I am not sure this is the case. Even though Ford admitted they designed a faulty transmission, they will not do a thing to help me out, saying the warranty expired on the clutch and to look down the road, that they may have a recall on it again some day to extend the warranty. I want your organization to know I believe these cars are an accident waiting to happen and should be taken off the road. It is very stressful for me to drive this vehicle knowing at any time I could lose control of it and cause an accident. As it is, because of my experience I now stop almost one and a half car lengths in back of a car when braking so it doesn't lurch forward and I rear end someone. I do not park in front of buildings for the same reason, if the car lurches forward I may go thru the building. I just want to be on the record with my observations of this vehicle.

18 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/12/2020

The transmission keeps stalling and shifting in low gears. Stuttering transmission.

19 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/02/2020

This vehicle only has 80000 mi and has a engine code of p0606. The computer malfunction and stopped at the light and almost caused an accident. Something needs to be remedied about this.

20 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2020

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, while stopped and attempting to move off from the stopped position, the vehicle rolled backwards before the transmission engaged with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that there was a hesitation before the vehicle responded when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,500.

21 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/03/2020

Transmission kicks in and out of gear when starting out. Seems to be dangerous at an intersection.

22 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2019

I have experienced repeated and frequent problems with my vehicle: shuts off for no reason daily, often at a traffic light or just after I begin accelerating; the transmission is faulty (has already been replaced once at 97,000 miles at great expense) and simply stops working at unexpected times (e. G. While driving down the road it slips into neutral and won't move, shudders, etc. I have to turn my Fiesta off and restart to get it to move). . This is a very dangerous vehicle and I cannot afford to replace it. I read that Ford has been aware of these issues from date of manufacture, and has not publicly acknowledged. It is my understanding that engineers of the Fiesta are now going public. When is something going to be done? why do I have to wait until I have been seriously injured, or worse, to get redress for what Ford motor company was aware of, and covered up, even while these vehicles were being manufactured? this is a continuing issue, not a single or even a 20 time occurance.

23 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2019

Car will stop at times you have to let it sit for an hour, vibrates, sound like plastic moving around when car is on, hard to go up hill no acceleration, jerks. I was on a city street it stopped in traffic so I'm only able to go to the store I have to leave it at a friends home scared to drive it home as we live into different counties were you have to get on the highway not safe. I was actually looking up transmission cost when this appeared I was told by a mechanic that is the issue and it needs to be replaced.

24 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/02/2019

Hasn't been right since day one. It was originally diagnosed as engine, but clearly it's been the transmission all along.

25 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/14/2019

Just bought the car. Next day the transmission started acting up while in stop and go traffic. Jerking, bucking like a wild bronco, smelled hot. Took it in to Ford and discovered I need to replace clutch. It will be the 3rd clutch on a car with 79,000 miles.

26 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/25/2019

I recently purchased this one from local dealer he said all is good. But transmission is not good at all.

27 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/22/2019

The transmissions does not shift correctly, the car shutters and does not accelerate correctly.

28 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2019

My 2012 Ford Fiesta's transmission has been shuttering, slipping in and out of gear, and stalling on hills or in intersections on busy highways or city streets. I've taken it to the dealership numerous times and I get the same response, (there is nothing wrong sir) is what they tell me. I love the car, love the fuel economy, but every time I drive it it makes me worry about breaking down in the middle of busy traffic and leaving me stranded, with no other way to get to work. I feel like if Ford would do a recall to replace these faulty transmissions, then there would be a world of difference on the way that car makes me feel while driving.

29 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/24/2019

" takata recall " tansmission light keeps lighting on , a/c does not work car shift by its self dtcs,po7a5 transfiction element b stuck dp56 pids found friction element b binding caused by shift fork assy.

30 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2019

I have a 2012 Ford Fiesta which has had nothing but problems over the course of the time I've had the car. On the Thursday before the memorial day weekend I put the car into reverse and the car wouldn't stop. We were going very slow and thank goodness didn't hit anything. We hit a curb behind us that stopped the car. I shifted into drive and it moved forward. We took it into the dealership that next morning and they replaced the brake master cylinder and the clutch. I've done multiple warranty claims & I've had ongoing trans/clutch issues that finally resulted with as replacement last month. Now the car is no longer jerking and slipping but it's slower with decreased gas mileage. I've had a sync issue/ radio electrical issue and took it in multiple times, it's still not fixed. Recently the radio/sync completely fails but it's intermittent. Now I'm being told that because the sync/radio issue is intermittent, I have to wait until it's not working completely to take it in. In the last 6 weeks the car has been in twice for brake issues, (I took it back twice in the same day + trans replacement) then again two weeks later. I'm on the third time to the dealership over the sync system in the last year, that is still not fixed.

31 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/19/2019

My 2012 Ford Fiesta will randomly lose power and not engage to shift. This happens so randomly, on side streets, major roads, from stop, while mocing, anytime. This problem is getting progressively worst. I try to avoid highways if possible due to the fact that this occur once on a highway and it almost cause a major accident. I definitely don't feel safe driving this vehicle any longer.

32 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/14/2019

Vehicle has surged at stop signs on city streets and at times on the highway will seem to lose power. These incidents have never resulted in an accident, but it seems as though the transmission is faulty.

33 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/03/2019

This car has been a disaster from day one. The transmission issues that Ford is aware of have almost caused numerous accidents. The car bucks and carries on all the time. While stopped for a red light you push on gas and it doesn't move them all the sudden it darts into traffic. About 6 months ago low beams stopped working and nobody knows why. Then 2 weeks ago all the sudden car overheats and within 2 minutes dies causing $2000 worth of damage. Im told these are common and im lucky it didn't catch on fire. What's next. Fyi, the lights still don't work which causes a safety hazard. Why is this car not recalled??.

34 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2018

While driving the engine will accelerate wildly, appearing to be in neutral. Car will then pop into gear. Took it in and they said it was a transmission module. They fixed it and less than a month later same thing happens. Took it back, it was same transmission module. Service tech at Ford said to get rid of it as it is going to continue to happen.

35 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/16/2018

I bought a 2012 Ford Fiesta . I made a clutch that went out took it to the shop . The half fix it now I'm out of warrantery I will never by a Ford again . . . . .



Fiesta Service Bulletins
Fiesta Safety Recalls
Fiesta Defect Investigations