The low beam lights work intermittently. They shut off while driving. This causes an unsafe condition for the driver, passengers, pedestrians and oncoming vehicles. This happens both while the vehicle is stationary and in motion. It happens in all weather conditions and temperatures. It occurs both during city driving conditions and highway driving conditions. There seems to be a short between…
2012 Ford Fiesta electrical problems
severe 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
4fires
When does it fail?
Of the 47 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Ford Fiesta, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Owners have filed 47 electrical 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.
Among the 9 model years of Ford Fiesta in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the headlights, the headlights failed to respond. The contact stated that several attempts were needed for the headlights to become operable. However, the failure reoccurred, and the low-beam headlights failed to function as needed. The contact checked the high-beam headlights and the high-beam headlights…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
It's a meaningful issue. 47 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 46,000 and 114,000 miles, with the median around 87,754. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 114,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.