2012 Ford Fiesta Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 15 airbag complaints for the 2012 Ford Fiesta, 2% of its 617 total complaints that year, tied to 8 crashes and 6 injuries. A related recall (12V488000) addressed software that suppressed airbag deployment.
- Airbags complaints
- 15
- 2% of 617
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 61,932 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Frontal airbags failed to deploy in moderate-speed collisions, including impacts around 30 mph and 35-40 mph.
- Curtain and side airbags reportedly did not deploy even when the vehicle was struck on the side.
- Several owners reported crashes into stationary or oncoming objects, including a tree and a parked vehicle, with no airbag deployment.
- The airbag warning light stayed illuminated in at least one case, accompanied by unrelated acceleration jerking.
- One owner reported the airbag simply did not work, alongside a broken rear door latch and other unrelated issues.
- Median mileage at failure across these complaints was about 61,932 miles, though failures were reported at both low and high mileage.
When 2012 Ford Fiesta airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 18, 2012, latest Aug 12, 2024.
Airbags recalls for the 2012 Ford Fiesta
- NHTSA 12V488000Oct 5, 2012Airbags154,471 vehicles
Air bags
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner's guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No. 208.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Airbags complaints by Fiesta model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does the 2012 Ford Fiesta have?
- NHTSA lists 15 airbag complaints for the 2012 Ford Fiesta, which is 2% of its 617 total complaints for the model year.
- Is there a recall for airbags on the 2012 Ford Fiesta?
- Yes. Recall 12V488000 covers 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles built between November 3, 2009 and September 21, 2012, for software that suppressed airbag deployment. Ford's remedy was a free software reprogramming.
- Did the airbag problems cause injuries or crashes?
- NHTSA data links these 15 airbag complaints to 8 crashes and 6 injuries, with no reported fires.
- At what mileage do airbag failures typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure among these complaints was about 61,932 miles.
- How does the 2012 Fiesta compare to other years for airbag complaints?
- The 2012 Fiesta had 15 airbag complaints (2% share), lower than 2011's 23 complaints (3% share) but higher in count than 2016-2019 model years, though 2018 had a higher share at 14%.