Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (43.7% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train complaints here are 5.1× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 269 · 43.7% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 80 · 13% | Investigation closed | RQ19005 → recall 20V177000 · RQ19005 → recall 20V331000 · EA15002 → recall 15V246000 · EA15002 → recall 20E010000 |
| Engine | 68 · 11% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 63 · 10.2% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body:door | 44 · 7.1% | Investigation closed | RQ19005 → recall 20V177000 · RQ19005 → recall 20V331000 · EA15002 → recall 15V246000 · EA15002 → recall 20E010000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 39 · 6.3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 616 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V246000 · 2015 · reported 04/24/2015
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V488000 · 2012 · reported 10/05/2012
An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · 2020 · reported 06/08/2020
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE…”NHTSA complaint 10639137 — filed 09/25/2014 · POWER TRAIN
“SIX MONTHS AGO I HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERS FOR A FAILED DOOR LATCH ON MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND LIGHTNING STRUCK AGAIN. I WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10636960 — filed 09/17/2014 · POWER TRAIN
“2012 FORD FIESTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHAKE, MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, JERK, VIBRATE, HESITATE…”NHTSA complaint 10631827 — filed 09/10/2014 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 269 of 616 NHTSA complaints (43.7%), followed by structure:body (80), unspecified/other issues (78), engine (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
616 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V246000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
