Recall 12V488 affects 154,471 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta vehicles for passenger-side curtain air bag suppression. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 154,471 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles under recall 12V488 because the passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. That leaves the right rear occupant without side curtain air bag coverage, increasing injury risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The passenger side curtain air bag in a 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta is designed to drop down along the side windows during a side impact collision. Its job is to help protect occupants on that side of the vehicle from contact with the door, glass, or outside object.
On these Fiestas, the system suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty. That behavior is part of the air bag design, but Ford did not explain it in the owner's guide as required for occupant crash protection. The defect is the missing owner information about when that air bag deploys.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not see a warning light or hear a sound that shows this condition, because the issue is how the system is documented and how it responds in that side impact scenario.
Who's affected?
Covers three Fiesta model years tied to the same air bag system.
| 2012 Ford Fiesta | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Fiesta | air bag system |
| 2011 Ford Fiesta | air bag system |
| Units affected | 154,471 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
In a side impact crash, the right rear occupant lacks passenger-side curtain air bag coverage when the front passenger seat is empty. That increases the risk of injury to the right rear passenger. Keep passengers aware of that seating risk and schedule the software reprogramming. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask whether the free software reprogramming is open for your VIN.
- Ask the dealer to reference recall number 12V488 when checking the repair.
- Schedule the software update that stops suppressing the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty.
- Bring the Ford owner notice if you have it.
What happens at the repair
Ford's remedy for this Fiesta recall is a software reprogramming at a Ford dealer. A Ford technician updates the vehicle's software so the passenger side curtain air bag is no longer suppressed when the front passenger seat is empty, matching the owner's guide description. The filing says the safety recall began on October 26, 2012. The dealer repair is free once campaign service is open for your VIN.
Timeline
| October 5, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 26, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V488?
Recall 12V488 covers 154,471 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta vehicles with passenger side curtain air bag software that suppresses deployment when the front passenger seat is empty. In a side impact, the right rear passenger lacks that air bag coverage. Ford dealers reprogram the software for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Fiesta is included in recall 12V488. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the software reprogramming. Reference recall number 12V488 when you call. Ford also lists 1-866-436-7332 for owner questions.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will reprogram the vehicle software free of charge. The update stops the system from suppressing the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is limited to a side impact with the front passenger seat empty and an occupant in the right rear seat. In that condition, the right rear occupant lacks coverage from the passenger side curtain air bag, increasing injury risk. The dealer software update fixes that behavior.
What if I bought my Ford Fiesta used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2011-2013 Fiesta is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 12V488.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V488000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V488 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V488000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →