2012 Ford Fiesta vs 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Ford Fiesta | 2012 Volkswagen Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 616 | 65 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 86 | 1,074 |
| Investigations | 3 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 4 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 32 | 24–25 |
| Median reported mileage | 45,673 mi | 26,399 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Fiesta | Volkswagen Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 274 | 2 |
| Structure | 128 | 5 |
| Electrical System | 66 | 12 |
| Engine | 68 | 6 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 56 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 15 | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting | 22 | 1 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 115 | 0 |
| Stalling | 91 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 59 | 0 |
| Shifting problems | 34 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 24 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 19 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 19 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 18 | 0 |
2012 Ford Fiesta
2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Compare all Ford Fiesta vs Volkswagen Beetle years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.