Ford Fiesta complaints by model year
3,172 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 105 | 13 | 1 | 3 |
| 2018 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 74 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 178 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 258 | 16 | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 | 502 | 23 | 8 | 7 |
| 2013 | 667 | 12 | 4 | 3 |
| 2012 | 617 | 12 | 5 | 3 |
| 2011 | 730 | 32 | 5 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 2002–2019. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 2002 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | 1 | 366 | 274 | 391 | 208 | 104 | 101 | 22 | 10 | 21 |
| Engine | 0 | 108 | 68 | 109 | 83 | 69 | 33 | 19 | 6 | 10 |
| Structure | 0 | 125 | 128 | 78 | 54 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown or other | 0 | 58 | 78 | 91 | 78 | 36 | 22 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 96 | 66 | 62 | 45 | 19 | 26 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 57 | 40 | 43 | 25 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 0 | 41 | 57 | 47 | 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 30 | 41 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Ford Fiesta recalls (12)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Fiesta model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V695000 | Oct 13, 2025 | Rearview Camera Image May Not Display | 2019 | 1.1% |
| 24V951000 | Dec 20, 2024 | Rearview Camera Image May Not Display | 2019 | — |
| 23V775000 | Nov 17, 2023 | Doors May Open While Driving | 2015 | 32% |
| 20V331000 | Jun 8, 2020 | Doors May Open While Driving | 2011–2014 | 58.4% |
| 20V177000 | Mar 23, 2020 | Doors May Open While Driving | 2014, 2015 | 64.1% |
| 19V629000 | Aug 28, 2019 | Front Brake may Drag | 2019 | 99% |
| 17V209000 | Mar 27, 2017 | Engine Cylinder Head may Leak Oil | 2014, 2015 | 72.4% |
| 17V210000 | Mar 27, 2017 | Doors may Unexpectedly Open | 2014 | 62.6% |
| 15V246000 | Apr 24, 2015 | Doors may Unexpectedly Open | 2011–2014 | 70.4% |
| 15V005000 | Jan 9, 2015 | Improper Plating on Fuel Pump may Result in Stall | 2014, 2015 | 72.2% |
| 14V402000 | Jul 2, 2014 | Fuel Tank may Leak | 2014 | 86.3% |
| 12V488000 | Oct 5, 2012 | Passenger Side Curtain Air Bag/FMVSS 208 | 2011, 2012, 2013 | — |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Crash-test stars by model year
| Model year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Tested as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2018 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2017 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2016 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2015 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 2★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2014 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 2★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2013 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2012 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2011 | ★★★★☆ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Source: NHTSA NCAP, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
Ford Fiesta FAQ
How many recalls has the Ford Fiesta had?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns that cover at least one Ford Fiesta model year from 1988 to 2019. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which Ford Fiesta year has the most complaints?
Among the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 2011 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (730) and the 1988 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common Ford Fiesta problems?
Across the 2002–2019 model years, owners most often name the power train, engine, structure in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the Ford Fiesta get?
EPA rates the 2019 Ford Fiesta at 28 to 31 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.