Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Ford Fiesta
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Ford Fiesta has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 617 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V331000 Doors May Open While Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V246000 Doors may Unexpectedly Open NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V488000 Passenger Side Curtain Air Bag/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 274 complaints
- Structure 128 complaints
- Unknown or Other 78 complaints
- Engine 68 complaints
- Electrical System 66 complaints
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 57 complaints
Of the 617 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 617 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Ford Fiesta has multiple recalls and numerous owner complaints, especially regarding power train and door latch issues, affecting reliability and overall satisfaction.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 50,000–80,000 miles | $1,000–$2,500 | very common |
| door latch | 30,000–60,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| structure components | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | common |
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $800–$2,000 | occasional |
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Replace brake pads
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Air filter replacement
- Rotate and balance tires
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission slipping or jerking
- Door latch issues
- Engine misfires or rough idling
- Unusual noises from suspension
- Intermittent electrical issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Ford Fiesta at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.