Ford Fiesta reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 3,166 complaints about the Ford Fiesta with NHTSA since 2011, most often about transmission and drivetrain and engine. Ford has filed 12 warranty extensions and 4 service campaigns for it, and there are 12 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Fiesta? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Fiesta a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2011 on.
- Owner complaints
- 3,166
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 12
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 4
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 12
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Fiesta with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 105 | Backup camera and rear sensors (30%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 35 | Transmission and drivetrain (29%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 74 | Transmission and drivetrain (30%) | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 178 | Transmission and drivetrain (57%) | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 257 | Transmission and drivetrain (40%) | 4 | 11 |
| 2014 | 502 | Transmission and drivetrain (41%) | 7 | 14 |
| 2013 | 668 | Transmission and drivetrain (59%) | 3 | 12 |
| 2012 | 617 | Transmission and drivetrain (44%) | 3 | 12 |
| 2011 | 730 | Transmission and drivetrain (50%) | 3 | 13 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Fiesta model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Fiesta, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionNov 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2011–2015
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission; Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Non-Ford Part Usage: ⢠Vehicles that are still covered…
- Warranty extensionJul 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2015
Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2015
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2015
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended Warranty Coverage
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2014–2015
Certain 2014 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2014 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Clutch Warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionFeb 2017· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2015
Certain 2011 Through 2015 Model year fiesta and 2012 Through 2016 Model year focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 automatic transmission - transmission control module extended warranty coverage
- Warranty extensionAug 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Certain 2011 Through 2014 Model year fiesta and focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 automatic transmission - transmission clutch shudder / transmission input shaft seal warranty extension.
- Warranty extensionJun 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2015
Certain 2011 Through 2015 Model year fiesta and 2012 Through 2015 Model year focus vehicles equipped with a DPS6 automatic transmission - transmission control module extended warranty coverage
- Warranty extensionMar 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Customer satisfaction Program 14M01 - Supplement #5 Certain 2011 thr ough 2014 Model Year Fies ta and Focus vehicles equipped with a DKPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Clautch Shudder/Transmission Input Shaft Seal warranty Extension
- Warranty extensionAug 2015· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Ford 2011 Through 2014 Fiesta and focus vehicles: Service bulletin regarding excessive transmision clutch and transmission leak warranty extension. *lj updated 10/08/2015
- Warranty extensionFeb 2015· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2015
Ford fiesta 2011-2015 Extended warranty for the automatic transmission control module. Seee documet search button for owners letter.
- Service campaignAug 2026· Engine· model years 2014–2017
Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt Interval Change
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2015–2018
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignSep 2020· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2015
This customer satisfaction program updates the TCM software in affected vehicles to provide improved detection and over warning of electrical circuit failures in the TCM.
- Service campaignNov 2010· Engine and cooling· model years 2011
The engine block heater can become loose and leak coolant. Engine could run rough as well as white exhaust smoke, no start, and engine damage.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Fiesta model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain1,497 (47%)
- Engine506 (16%)
- Body and structure405 (13%)
- Other or unspecified396 (13%)
- Electrical system338 (11%)
- Cruise control and speed control197 (6%)
- Doors, latches and locks175 (6%)
- Fuel and propulsion108 (3%)
Safety recalls
12 recalls cover at least one Fiesta model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The brake calipers may have been manufactured with the incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles…
Due to a manufacturing error, the fuel tank may leak.
The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA26004Engineering analysis· opened Jul 2026, still open· Engine and cooling· model years 2014–2017
Timing Belt Failure
- PE25020Preliminary evaluation· opened Dec 2025, closed Jul 2026· Engine and cooling· model years 2014–2017
Timing Belt Failure
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2011–2015
Door Latch Failures
Led to recall 20V177000.
- EA15002Engineering analysis· opened Feb 2015, closed Nov 2015· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2011–2013
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 15V246000.
- PE14028Preliminary evaluation· opened Sep 2014, closed Mar 2015· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2011–2013
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 20E010000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2019 Ford Fiesta has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Fiesta reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2011 on: 3,166 owner complaints, 12 warranty extensions and 4 service campaigns Ford filed, and 12 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2011 (730), 2013 (668), 2012 (617). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Fiesta?
Across every model year since 2011, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (47%), engine (16%), body and structure (13%). Ford has filed 12 warranty extensions covering the Fiesta, listed on this page.
Which Fiesta model years have the most complaints?
2011 (730), 2013 (668), 2012 (617). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Fiesta with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Fiesta?
Yes: equipment and accessories (model years 2011–2015); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2011–2015); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2011–2014), and 9 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Fiesta?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 12 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.