2012 Ford Fiesta transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 23, 2026COTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving, my son's car started to have issues when it was shifting gears (it's an automatic). Then a warning came up on the dash saying something like "Transmission malfunction, service immediately". We were on our way to a mechanic to pick up another vehicle so we left it with them. They confirmed the issue and stated it is related to the clutch system (which I believe is the dry clutch system that has been recalled with similar car models). We have not taken it to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11726329 · source
2. Filed Oct 29, 2025CO1 injuredBody & StructureAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving to work this morning; the car made a horrible "clunk" when I accelerated to around 20 then lost power and nearly crashed. The car then displayed error lights (yellow CEL, yellow wrench icon, HEAD unit showed "transmission issue service immediately" This is a direct result of the DPs6 transmission put into all 7th gen Ford Focus/Fiesta models. This DCT transmission has been replaced 3 times for this particular car and failed the same manner each time - meaning 3…

   NHTSA complaint #11696374 · source
3. Filed Aug 13, 202542,000 miOHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to a gas station for servicing, the contact was informed that the brake calipers were sticking, and the calipers and rotors were extremely hot. The calipers and rotors were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission axle shaft had damaged the splines. The dealer determined that the transmission…

   NHTSA complaint #11680428 · source
4. Filed Jul 13, 2025CTTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission unexpectedly malfunctions. Car lost the ability to shift into reverse and even numbered gears. rough shifting when it can shift. slipping when attempting to drive. Unable to accelerate from a stop sign. Based on simple web searches, the Ford fiesta and Focus with the DPS6 transmission are notorious for defective transmissions.

   NHTSA complaint #11673126 · source
5. Filed Sep 10, 202412,000 miILElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated to move forward or backwards. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition key had failed to operate as intended also. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11613873 · source
6. Filed Mar 1, 2024WVTransmission & Drivetrain

   It is widely known that this vehicle has irreparable transmission problems. My car shudders, loses power, has issues shifting, etc because of known issues. It feels dangerous to drive at times. The dealer no doubt willingly sold it to me used knowing about the problem. I feel taken advantage of as I had to purchase the car during Covid when inventory was low and prices were high. I owe over twice as much on car than it’s worth. No one in their right mind would buy it. I’m on…

   NHTSA complaint #11574926 · source
7. Filed Jan 18, 2024FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   Driving down the street and car started bucking and shifting improperly. I took it in to the dealership and the said the tcm might be under warranty. Then they just said the transmission is bad

   NHTSA complaint #11566316 · source
8. Filed Sep 9, 2023WATransmission & Drivetrain

   2012 Ford Fiesta DPS6 Automatic transmission failed as described in Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 rendering the car unable to maintain speed on an interstate highway, leading to a significant collision risk. This transmission was recently replaced (2 years, 10k miles ago) due to the same issue with the previous transmission. The car displayed a "TRANSMISSION FAILED SEEK SERVICE" message or similar on the entertainment console with a wrench icon appearing on the…

   NHTSA complaint #11543606 · source
9. Filed Sep 8, 2023119,000 miNMTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact received notification of Technical Service Bulletin: 16-0109 (DPS 6 Automatic Transmission – Excessive Transmission Clutch Shudder and/or Transmission Fluid Leak); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift properly with…

   NHTSA complaint #11543491 · source
10. Filed Aug 17, 2023FLTransmission & Drivetrain

    I purchased a 2012 Ford Fiesta SE on 3/3/23 from Auto Nation Dealership in Florida. I started noticing the excessive jerking & hesitating when I hit the gas petal. I can't pinpoint exactly when it started but it got progressively worse. I scheduled an appt. with Mechanic for 7/26/23 after almost driving into car in front of me and concerned about getting hit from behind or even worse plowing into a pedestrian. The mechanic concluded problem with transmission- dual clutch B.…

    NHTSA complaint #11539089 · source
11. Filed Jul 15, 2023TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    The dual-clutch transmission on this 2012 Ford Fiesta has ceased to shift gears correctly once it heats up after driving briefly, and becomes unable to shift in reverse. The engine also seems to occasionally be overspeeding between gears. The transmission control module, though recalled, is functioning properly and has been determined to not be the source of the issue. A similar problem occurred approximately the week before this issue began when the transmission control…

    NHTSA complaint #11532490 · source
12. Filed Jul 7, 2023NYTransmission & Drivetrain

    On a relatively short trip I experience problems with the automatic Transmission. It was not shifting properly. Downshift from high gear to low gear way to quickly. RPMS up above 2500. Also too many rpms at stop; had be sure to hold down brake. Very poor deceleration. Danger to merger. This happened one day before we received "Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02" from Ford. Which offered to replace TCM. Before contacting Ford dealer took to my mechanic who confirmed…

    NHTSA complaint #11530864 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology