RoadVitals

2012 Ford Fiesta Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Apr 22, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 616 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Ford Fiesta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Apr 22, 2025

My brakes on my ford fiesta are not giving me enough pressure to stop on time , which is an hazard. The master cylinder and calipers have been replaced and my brakes are still not working properly and safely. The brake pads have been replaced , the rotors as well and nothing is still working. I’ve been driving like this for more than 6 months and it’s a hazard. I’ve taken it to different mechanics , etc nothing still not working. When pressing the brakes it’s no pressure and I have to mash it all the way to the ground which still feels Iike it does not want to stop for me.

NHTSA ID
11655985
Incident
Sep 24, 2024
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jan 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while attempting to close the doors, the four doors failed to latch properly. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to be repaired; however, while driving off the lot, the contact became aware that the radio was inoperable, and the brake pedal was firm and difficult to depress. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11503786
Incident
Jun 26, 2012
Mileage
127,000 mi
BrakesExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 20, 2021

TRANSMISSION REPLACED4 TIMES

NHTSA ID
11389065
Incident
Jan 3, 2013
Mileage
75,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2019

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO. SLOW TO START FROM A COMPLETE STOP; HARD TO ACCELERATE FOR PASSING; LATE TO STOP BECAUSE DOWNSHIFTING IS LATE.

NHTSA ID
11233204
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Mileage
8,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 11, 2019

I HAVE A 2012 FORD FIESTA WHICH HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OVER THE COURSE OF THE TIME I'VE HAD THE CAR. ON THE THURSDAY BEFORE THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. WE WERE GOING VERY SLOW AND THANK GOODNESS DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. WE HIT A CURB BEHIND US THAT STOPPED THE CAR. I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND IT MOVED FORWARD. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THAT NEXT MORNING AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CLUTCH. I'VE DONE MULTIPLE WARRANTY CLAIMS & I'VE HAD ONGOING TRANS/CLUTCH ISSUES THAT FINALLY RESULTED WITH AS REPLACEMENT LAST MONTH. NOW THE CAR IS NO LONGER JERKING AND SLIPPING BUT IT'S SLOWER WITH DECREASED GAS MILEAGE. I'VE HAD A SYNC ISSUE/ RADIO ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND TOOK IT IN MULTIPLE TIMES, IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. RECENTLY THE RADIO/SYNC COMPLETELY FAILS BUT IT'S INTERMITTENT. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE SYNC/RADIO ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT, I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT'S NOT WORKING COMPLETELY TO TAKE IT IN. IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS THE CAR HAS BEEN IN TWICE FOR BRAKE ISSUES, (I TOOK IT BACK TWICE IN THE SAME DAY + TRANS REPLACEMENT) THEN AGAIN TWO WEEKS LATER. I'M ON THE THIRD TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER THE SYNC SYSTEM IN THE LAST YEAR, THAT IS STILL NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ID
11230967
Incident
May 24, 2019
Mileage
86,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 6, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FIESTA. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV WHILE IN NEUTRAL AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INTERMITTENTLY AS IF IT WOULD STALL, BUT THEN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP UNTIL THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,143.

NHTSA ID
10904214
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
62,143 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 19, 2016

TODAY, 1/19/2016 IS MY 6TH VISIT TO FORD DEALER SERVICE SINCE 2014 AUGUST. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED IN TO SERVICE LOCATION WITH CONDITION OF TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS EXCESSIVELY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH A IN-OPERATING TRANSMISSION. IT IS VERY SAD, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NO MORE THAN 15 MILES IF I CAN. TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH HAS BEEN FIXED FOR 3 TIMES. EVERY TIME I HAVE TALKED TO FORD CUSTOMER REP. THEY ARE TELLING ME I SHOULD BE OKAY BECAUSE THEY EXTEND MY TRANSMISSION COVERAGE TO 100.000 MILES. SHOULD I TOSS MY CAR AFTER 100.000 ? I DEFINITELY DO NOT FEEL I CAN MAKE IT TO 100.000 WITHOUT AN INJURY!!! WILL COMPANY WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GET INJURED FOR A BUYBACK POLICY? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIME I SPENT ON THE ISSUE?

NHTSA ID
10821148
Incident
Jan 19, 2016
Mileage
49,937 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 13, 2015

THE FORD FIESTA WE HAVE HAS HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR A WHILE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN 4 TIMES, TWICE THEY CLAIMED THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AND REPLACED THE CLUTCH. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO NOTICE THE VEHICLE JERKING OR PULSATING WHEN ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. FORD HAS YET TO RESPOND TO US WITH A RESOLUTION DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THEM ADDRESS THE ISSUE. OUR SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AND PUT OUR SAFETY IN JEOPARDY.

NHTSA ID
10790136
Incident
Nov 11, 2015
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2015
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATLY 45 MPH ON ST RT 28 IN MILFORD OHIO AND MY DOOR WAS LOCKED AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT FAILED TO INDICATE ANY FAILURE IN SECURING THE DOOR APROPIATLY, WELL AS I BEGAN BRAKING TO REDUCE SPEED MY DOOR FLEW OPEN AND I REACHED OUT TO SHUT IT AS I WAS APPLIEING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND THEY COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN MY FRONT, UPOUN IMPACT THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVE T SIDE ONLY FAILED TO DEPLOY THERFORE CAUSING A SUSTANTIALLY GREATER AMOUNT AND LONGER LASTING INJUYS. THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT ON MY WRIST CAUSING DEBILUTATING AND LIFE ALTERING INJURY'S INCLUDING THE LOSS OF MY 5 YEAR CAREER AS A EXTERIOR FINISH CARPENTER DUE TO LOSS OF ABILITY TO PERFORM GENERAL TASKS THAT I WAS ABLE TO NOT ONL PERFORM BUT ACTUALLY MASTER BEFORE MY AUTO ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID
10748286
Incident
Oct 20, 2014
Mileage
13,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 6, 2015

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2013 FROM THE FIRST WEEK I OWNED THE CAR I HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR: SHUDDERS AND GURGLES AT TAKE OFF WITH NO POWER WHAT SO EVER, GOING UP A STEEP HILL HAS NO POWER AT ALL THE CAR GURGLES AND THEN ONCE IT CATCHES THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD VERY FAST, WHEN BREAKING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR SHUDDER, THE RPMS REV HIGH AT TAKE OFF. 1ST APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD IT WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND IT HAD TO LEARN THE WAY I DEPRESS THE GAS. 2ND, 3RD, 4TH APPOINTMENT SAME THING....5TH APPOINTMENTCLUTCH RESET TO RE-LEARN THE SHIFTING PATTERNS.....6TH APPOINTMENT - CLUTCH REPLACED. CALLED TO ASK WHAT TO DO BECAUSE ITS NOT FIXED. I WAS ADVISED TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER CARE THAT MAYBE THEY WOULD GIVE ME A LOANER CAR SO THE DEALER COULD KEEP THE CAR LONGER....6/22/15 - I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS I WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CALL FORD CUSTOMER CARE BACK TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS...6/30/15 - THE CLUTCH WAS RESET TO RE-LEARN THE SHIFTING PATTERNS, AND WAS ADVISED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BREAKS...6/30/15 - CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE WITH THE DIAGNOSIS, WAS ADVISED THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS DOING THE STEPS TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE PER FORD. ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR...7/2/15 - SUPERVISOR CALLED, INFORMED ME THAT I DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE BUY BACK PROGRAM, THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT FORD IS TELLING THEM TO DO AND THAT I CAN BUY A NEW CAR AND MENTION THE CUSTOMER LOYALTY FORD FIESTA PROGRAM TO RECEIVE MONEY TOWARDS MY NEW PURCHASE. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE HIGHER UP; SHE ADVISED ME THAT SHE WOULD HAVE SOMEONE CALL ME BUT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TELL ME THE EXACT SAME THING...7/6/15 - WAITING ON A CALL

NHTSA ID
10732140
Incident
Apr 23, 2013
Mileage
30 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 2014

BRAKES SQUEEK. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. STILL SQUEEKS, BUT NOW ALSO SQUEEKS EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT BRAKING. IT IS A HIGH PITCHED SQUEEL, AND IS EMBARRASSING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652212
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
12,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 28, 2014

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN JULY OF 2012 AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE MAIN ISSUE BEING THE HORRIBLE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR SPUTTERS AND SHAKES UPON TAKE OFF; THE RPMS REV UP VERY HIGH AND YET THE CARE GOES NOWHERE; THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT NEEDS TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR, BUT DOESN'T; THERE IS A HUGE DELAY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS, THE CAR SITS THERE BEFORE IT ACTUALLY GOES ANYWHERE; THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN YOU ARE IN SITUATIONS LIKE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS AND THE CAR HAS HAD 3 CLUTCHES SO FAR. THE NEWEST PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS A HORRIBLE SQUEALING COMING FROM THE BRAKES. I'VE HAD TWO NEW SETS OF BRAKES AND A DEGLAZING OF THE BRAKES, ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. I'VE TAKEN THIS CAR IN FOR A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THIS WEEK WILL BE THE 4TH TIME FOR THE BRAKES. THESE CARS ARE A ROAD HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE BBB AUTO LINE. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR KNOWING ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK IN THESE CARS AND THEY OBVIOUSLY DON'T CARE. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED BEFORE FORD DECIDES TO ADMIT THEY SOLD A HORRIBLE PRODUCT AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
10617532
Incident
Jan 28, 2013
Mileage
5,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Mar 17, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED OF IN TOWN, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MY BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT WITH STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME AND STARTED BRAKING. I CONTINUED TO BRAKE BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKE PRESSURE. IT FELT LIKE MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHING THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD BUT NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. MY CAR PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A STOPPED TRUCK AT ABOUT 35-40MPH. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CAME AWAY WITH ACHES AND PAIN BUT FORTUNATELY WAS NOT BADLY INJURED. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN TELLING FORD SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR THAT THE BRAKES MAKE AN AWFUL SQUEALING NOISE. FINALLY AFTER TWO YEARS THEY "SERVICED" THE BRAKES AND THEN A MONTH LATER THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10572998
Incident
Mar 2, 2014
Mileage
44,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 27, 2013

BRAKE FAILURE, THE CAR PULLED SO HARD TO THE RIGHT IT LITERALLY CHANGED THE LANES. CAR IN LEFT LANE HAD TO LOCK UP HIS BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE TO AVOID ANOTHER CAR PULLING INTO MY LANE. BRAKES FAILED THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND I BARELY MISSED THE COLLISION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR AND THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS 6 TIMES. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE TECH SAYS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL 2012 FORD FIESTAS HE TEST DROVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10500673
Incident
Feb 25, 2013
Mileage
14,150 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2013

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO SLOW DOWN FAST BUT NOT AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION THE CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT TO THE POINT YOU ARE PULLED INTO THE LANE BESIDE YOU. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP 4 TIMES TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10496883
Incident
Apr 5, 2012
Mileage
2,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Oct 18, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE SURFACE STREETS, THE CARS BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I PUMPED THE BRAKES THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY LOCKED AND I SLID ON THE ROAD AND REAR ENDED A VEHICLE. THE IMPACT WAS QUITE INTENSE AND THE DAMAGED WAS QUITE LARGE. FOR SOME REASON THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BEING THAT THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ALL THE WAY IN-TILL THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10480947
Incident
Oct 11, 2012
Mileage
17,050 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 19, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE POSITIONED VERY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS ONE PEDAL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE OTHER AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ UPDATED 01/30/12

NHTSA ID
10440385
Incident
Dec 17, 2011
Mileage
5 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .