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2012 Ford Fiesta

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Ford Fiesta
Pictured: Ford Fiesta ST-Line (VII, Facelift) – f 30012023. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
4dr Hatch Se/Ses, 4dr Sedan S/Se/Sel
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 29 city / 38 hwy
Length
160.2–173.6 in
Curb weight
2,557–2,579 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2012 subcompact car (21.7 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints446 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 34 for similar models — most often about the power train.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Ford Fiesta is a subcompact car offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 160 inches long and 68 inches wide on a 98-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,579 lb (4dr Hatch Se/Ses).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 38 highway), 47% better than the 2012 subcompact car average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 446 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Fiesta — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Fiesta →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Hatch Se/Ses160.2 in67.7 in57.9 in98 in57.9 / 57.9 in2,579 lb59/41
4dr Sedan S/Se/Sel173.6 in67.7 in57.9 in98 in57.9 / 57.9 in2,557 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Fiesta FWD1.6L 4-cylAutomatic (AM6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+47%$2,100278
Fiesta FWD1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+47%$2,100278
Fiesta SFE FWD1.6L 4-cylAutomatic (AM6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 38 / 32+47%$2,100278
Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.7 MPG2012 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Ford Fiesta.

Similar 2012 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Ford Fiesta (this car)32 MPGNot rated3
2012 Toyota Yaris33 MPGNot rated5
2012 Hyundai Accent32 MPGNot rated2
2012 MINI Countryman30 MPGNot rated0
2012 Volkswagen Beetle25 MPGNot rated6
2012 MINI Clubman30 MPGNot rated0
2012 Hyundai Veloster31 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (3)

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Jun 8, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · 2,147,323 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Apr 24, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V246000 · 456,440 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
Air Bags · Oct 5, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V488000 · 154,471 vehicles

Problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner's guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No. 208.
Risk
An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.
Fix
Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Ford Fiesta is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

446Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
58,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train212
Unknown Or Other72
Engine59
Electrical System55
Structure › Body38
Vehicle Speed Control29
Structure › Body › Door19
Exterior Lighting17
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/11: 423/01: 323/02: 323/04: 123/05: 123/06: 123/07: 223/08: 223/09: 223/12: 124/01: 224/02: 124/03: 124/08: 224/09: 125/04: 125/07: 225/08: 225/10: 125/11: 125/12: 126/03: 126/04: 126/09: 122/1123/0423/0723/1224/0325/0425/1026/03max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Ford Fiesta buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 212 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 59 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 55 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 58,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Fiesta. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Fiesta years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Fiesta31159.8 in★★★★★3105
2018 Fiesta31159.8 in★★★★★035
2017 Fiesta35159.8 inNot rated074
2016 Fiesta35159.8 inNot rated0179
2015 Fiesta35159.8 inNot rated4258
2014 Fiesta35159.8 inNot rated7468
2013 Fiesta32160.2 inNot rated3497
2011 Fiesta33160.2 inNot rated3449

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →