2012 Ford Fiesta Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 616 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Ford Fiesta overview page.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE…”NHTSA complaint 10639137 — filed 09/25/2014
“SIX MONTHS AGO I HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERS FOR A FAILED DOOR LATCH ON MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND LIGHTNING STRUCK AGAIN. I WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10636960 — filed 09/17/2014
“2012 FORD FIESTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHAKE, MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, JERK, VIBRATE, HESITATE…”NHTSA complaint 10631827 — filed 09/10/2014
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Ford Fiesta: 269 of 616 complaints on file (43.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have in total?
616 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
