The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and went into the LIMP mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred several times while veering to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer; however, the vehicle would not exceed 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM), the transmission clutch assembly, and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Campaign Number: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,870.
2012 Ford Fiesta: engine stalls while driving
82 of the 617 complaints about the 2012 Ford Fiesta describe engine stalls while driving.
- owner complaints
- 82
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 62,143
- recalls
- 0
Engine stalls while driving by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH while driving back to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power train module to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available. The contact purchased the parts at an auto parts store and brought them back to the dealer. The dealer stated that the computer failed to code the module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The contact's son owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and was unable to reverse with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage); however, the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, while the vehicle was changing gear, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. While attempting to reach a safe area, the vehicle stalled twice. The contact was able to restart the vehicle both times however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the Hill Assist warning light and two additional unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while in a safe area, the vehicle failed to restart. The local dealer was contacted and arranged for the vehicle to be towed to their location; however, the contact was unsure if the vehicle had been towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the dealer mentioned that the failure might be related to an unknown Technical Service Bulletin for the TCM. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty for repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact initially stated that after making a complete stop, the vehicle would jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the transmission clutch was replaced. The contact then stated that while driving at 25 MPH, an abnormal noise had emitted from the vehicle as the vehicle stalled out without warning. The contact was able to restart the engine but the vehicle had failed to accelerate. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective PCM(Powertrain Control Module); the contact was also informed that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
I am writing this email in prayers that I can receive some resolution to the ongoing issues with my 2012 Ford Fiesta. In 2019 I purchased this vehicle through a third party ford dealer in Massachusetts. I have been experiencing issues with the car shutting off since the beginning of purchase such as, slow acceleration and gear slippage. The dealership had my car examined by their service center and replaced spark plugs. Somehow the car passed inspection and was given back to me a couple of weeks later but the issue continued. Unfortunately I was past the 30 day warranty so the dealer would not honor lemon law and any further inspections/ repairs would be my responsibility. The car has had acceleration issues since then despite tuneups, oil changes, battery replacements. I have tried it all. No codes were popping up related to transmission. After relocating to Fort Myers May 2021 I began experiencing more frequent but brief issues with acceleration and stalling. The car was inspected at Ford for a door latch recall. My issues with transmission were reported for Ford but I was advised that I would need another appointment as this is a separate issue and would require a $200 diagnosis fee as well as possible repairs and labor fees. Due to limited income I was discouraged to book this appointment. At that time they were booked out 6 weeks for diagnostic. I researched the codes popping up and discovered a major lawsuit for these very same codes. Upon reaching out to Ford I was told the extended customer satisfaction had expired by 2 months, December 2021. I have tried multiple times to have them rectify the fact that their staff and corporate representatives never made me aware of their fee and repair waivers or settlements I was entitled to. I initially made my complaints to them about the car in September 2021 and was completely dismissed and deceived by their warranty. I was pretty much discouraged with enough time for their extended warranty to expire.
The vehicle is a 2012 Ford Fiesta, purchased on 3/4/2016 by 9/8/2016 I had to have the car repaired for transmission issues. As I was driving to work on the freeway on 9/30/21 I experienced warning lamps from the coolant system and the oil lamp (consistently stayed on since 7/08/21) I exited the freeway, and as soon as I did the vehicle shut off and the gear shifter froze not moving from park to drive or neutral nor would the car start. At this point, I was in the middle of workday traffic and had to get out of my car and put on my safety vest, and direct traffic around my vehicle to keep traffic from lining up right behind the car. Nonetheless I was fortunate that I was able to get off the freeway. I had the vehicle towed to an AAA mechanic who stated the ECM was "shot" and they could not get the vehicle into gear. This caused me to have difficulty getting a tow because the driver could not move the vehicle and a wheel lift had to be used instead of a flatbed tow truck. Multiple times the car was "repaired" at the dealership and since I have a parts warranty I then had the car towed again to the dealership. I found at this time the PCM computer was not communicating with the car allowing it to start. This dealership representative has been the one who worked on the vehicle in the past. At times they were able to reproduce problems or complaints I had regarding stuttering, jerking as if it were going to stall. On 8/7/20, the entire dashboard set of warning lights (engine, oil change reminder, engine oil pressure, power train reduced power) lit up as I was driving the vehicle stuttered jerked, and stalled in the middle of the street. Although I am not a mechanic, I believe the PCM, ECM, and TCM computers are related and cause the car to be unsafe. My fear is the car is a dangerous and unreliable vehicle and I have informed the dealer service representative that I do not wish to repair the vehicle at this time even if I could afford to do so.
While my 16 yr old twin sons were driving on freeway, a loud pop of pressure release from motor occured, and steam blew out from under hood obscurring their visibilty. they were able to pull over safely and call me. Upon arrival, after confirming they were ok, I checked under hood to see that the intake manifold had built up to much pressure for the PCV hose and the recirculating hose that connects to top of valve cover. Oil had sprayed out everywhere and car will not start. Ive lost compression in 2 cylinders now from the fast overheat. My childrens safety was severily compromised by this chain reaction of a failed PCV valve. Ive since found out of recalls.This is whats stated for my 2015 Ford Focus, but happened to my 2012 Ford Fiesta Oct 22,2018 Manufacturer Recall Number18S32 the federal safety agency Recall Number18V735 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, THE PCM SOFTWARE MAY NOT ADEQUATELY DETECT A STUCK-OPEN CANISTER PURGE VALVE (CPV) WITHIN THE FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM. IF THE CPV MALFUNCTIONS AND STICKS OPEN, IT CAN LEAD TO EXCESSIVE VACUUM IN THE FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM, POTENTIALLY DEFORMING THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THIS CAN CAUSE THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: ILLUMINATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WITH CERTAIN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) INACCURATE OR ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE INDICATION INACCURATE DISTANCE TO EMPTY (DTE) ENGINE STALL AND/OR OTHER DRIVABILITY CONCERNS RELATED TO STUCK OPEN CPV Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING OR WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART, AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. I now have 2 auto loans im upside down on for recalls that I cant even get my car to Ford because I cant afford the tow. I pay over $500 monthly for lemons.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 50 mph and coming to a stop, she heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle started shuddering and inadvertently stalled. The "Transmission Failure" message appeared on the instrument panel along with several other unknown warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed, and the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V331000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The contact stated the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that occasionally there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure still occurred. The contact then towed the vehicle to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The transmission keeps stalling and shifting in low gears. Stuttering transmission.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, while stopped and attempting to move off from the stopped position, the vehicle rolled backwards before the transmission engaged with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that there was a hesitation before the vehicle responded when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,500.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Certain 2011-2013 Model Year Fiesta Vehicles Operated in the USA Corrosion States Battery Junction Box...
- Some 2011-2014 Fiesta and 2012-2014 Focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 transmission may experience a...
- To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored fluorescent engine...
- The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic...
- Ford: after a cold start, the timing belt cover is emitting a whirring, buzz or saw type noise from...
- Ford: engine noises (whirring, buzz or saw) is heard after a cold start between 950-1200 RPM from timing...
- Ford: due to snow entering through cowl top area and melting, allowing the water to enter blower motor and...
- Ford: blower motor freezes after snow melts or water enters, during overnight below temperatures, causing...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2012 Ford Fiesta stalling
Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
82 of 617 owner complaints about the 2012 Ford Fiesta (13%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
There are 0 recalls and 11 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2012 Ford Fiesta
Door locks 130Jerking 83Shudder 80Grinding brakes 42Hesitation 42Slipping 32Check engine light 30Headlights 28Transmission failure 28Loss of power 22Won't shift 20Won't start 12No deployment 8Fire or smoke 7Engine failure 5
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