Several recalls for different parts have been issued since the purchase of this car. The transmission does not engage all the time causing the car to jerk and move forward quickly without notice and cause damage to the car. Go up hills the transmission has cut out before and then shot forward as previously described. Door latches can and will come open allowing for the door to open while the…
2012 Ford Fiesta body problems
moderate 118 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
118
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 118 body complaints filed for the 2012 Ford Fiesta, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Ford Fiesta we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 118.
Owners have filed 118 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2012 Ford Fiesta?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 118 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 105 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 35,000 and 55,055 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 55,055. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/Fiesta.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.