Used 2012 Ford Fiesta Consumer Reviews
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Disappointed more with Ford than the car…
Simon, 09/28/2016
updated 11/04/2024
2012 Ford Fiesta S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this used 2012 Fiesta about 4 months ago and have had way too many mechanical and electrical problems with a car barely 4 years old. Car needed new wheel bearings, then the check engine light came on the catalytic converter had failed, then the audio went out (thought a fuse blew. the problem is intermittent now). Update: 3/30/2020 the radio went out completely a few months after it started having issues. Was quoted $700 to fix it from Ford Ann about $500 from a local shop. The Evap emissions control module is throwing an engine error code. Local shop said similar models had recalls and couldn’t find a leak. Took it to Ford. They replace the purge valve, wiring harnesses, fuel pump, for $1,500 and didn’t fix the issue. They had it for another week and could find the problem. Had another shop look at it and they can’t identify the issue either. Update: 4/16/2022 Still driving this car. At one point in 2021 the check engine light was thrown on and it went into 'limp' mode making it undrivable. The code was for the evap emissions control module... not needed to throttle the engine for that...Took it to a local mechanic who couldn't find any leaks in the emissions system. They said it was probably electrical. Took it to Ford. $1,600+ and two week later they couldn't figure out the problem. Took it to another mechanic and a day ant $50 later they had replaced a wiring harness which corrected the issue. Fall 2021 the motor that changes the direction of cabin airflow behind the glove box is making a clicking noise every time the car is turned on. Looks like an issue with the limit meter and it trying to keep turning despite being maxed out. AC stopped working. Everything mechanical is fine on this car. Everything electrical is falling apart. 10/19/2022: still running. Mechanically sound. I finally got around to looking at the radio and found the reason it didn’t work… All the wires were unplugged and taped to the bottom of the radio. Looking back through my notes, I noticed the radio stopped working shortly after I took my car into Ford for the recall for programming the passenger airbag. I can’t prove it, but I believe a Ford technician unplugged it so they could ‘sell’ me a radio. Update: April 2024. Car still running. Mechanically sound. 160,000+ miles. AC stopped working again. Still throws random check engine light for Evap Emission Control system. Can’t fill up at the pump without Unhooking the vent tubing. Replaced vapor canister, vent control valve, and vent tubes with no success at correcting the problem. Update :November 2024. Still having problems with the fuel fill tank. Following the vent tube from the evap canister leads to an end behind the rear driver tire. Disassembled the valve(?) cleaned it out and reassembled. Gas tank filled fine three times after that and reverted back to the same issue. Repeated the process without the same success as before. Engine light comes and goes still P052 & P054 codes. HO2S Heater Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2, Sensor 1 & 2). Oxygen sensors were replaced without correcting the issue. Wiring was checked as best I could without seeing any issue. At ~170,000 miles brakes are ready to be replaced again. Rotors look like they need replacement. At the same time, something in the lumbar support in the driver seat snapped. Fuel economy is slipping slightly, ~30 MPG. All the rubber around the windows is falling apart. The rubber trim and plastic under the hood at the base of the windshield is also starting to crumble away.
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Great car
SS, 08/22/2016
2012 Ford Fiesta S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Great little car. I've kept up with maintenance and had no problems.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Such a LEMON!!
rebel_gurl314, 05/01/2013
2012 Ford Fiesta SE 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2012 Ford Fiesta in Jan 2013 and it had 5,000 miles on it. 3 days after I brought it home I had it back to the shop due to the transmission was slipping, the car made horrible grinding noises (like in jeepers creepers when the girl didn't know how to get the car in the correct gears) and it would not pull a hill. I was told the car was fine and nothing was wrong with it. From then on out I have had the car at the shop 8 times would be more but they wouldn't take the car, ever time I was told nothing was wrong with the car. There is something defiantly wrong with the transmission and FORD knows it but they don't want to take responsibility for it!
Transmission Safety
bizyb, 06/06/2014
2012 Ford Fiesta SE 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Transmission would not shift was going down the road and just stopped moving , brought it to a dealer was ground bold and module had no charge to fix but feel this could be a safety issue and could result in death if it happen on a highways thing about this 3 to 4 lanes and your car will not go into gear. Also had a click in Radio when they fie the ground that went away
More than what you expect, but know what you are buying
chicoandee, 10/20/2012
2012 Ford Fiesta SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
First, I must say that I've read some horrible reviews on the transmission of this car. It is sold as an automatic, but it is actually a manual with a computer controlled clutching system. It ran well until about 500 miles when after it broke in, some hesitation in shifting and noises could be heard - just like a manual transmission. This is normal but the dealers should be upfront about this. Other than that, MPG is as advertised, it has lots of interior creature comforts, and overall I am very happy with the car.