The Ford Fiesta spans 2011–2026 with 29 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2011, 2013, 2012 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2020, 2021, 2022. It delivers up to 35 mpg combined and 4-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Ford Fiesta is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2011 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Ford Fiesta VIN — every digit explained
Every Ford Fiesta carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Ford and the country it was built in (real Ford codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Fiesta.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1F1 · 1F7 · 1FA · 1FB · 1FM · 1FT
- Canada2FA · 2FM · 2FT · 2LM · 2LN · 2ME
- Mexico3FA · 3FB · 3FM · 3FT · 3LN · 3MA
- GermanyWF0 · WF1
- Norway1FL
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Fiesta, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Ford Fiesta have?
The Ford Fiesta has 29 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2019 Ford Fiesta recalls 3
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk. A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S75.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Fiesta vehicles. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with the incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
Risk. The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake fluid and replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S27.
2015 Ford Fiesta recalls 4
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. 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.
Risk. Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. 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 manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Risk. If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. 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.
Risk. If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
2014 Ford Fiesta recalls 7
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. 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. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured October 25, 2013, to February 27, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, the fuel tank may leak.
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. Ford has notified the affected owners. Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S12.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. 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 manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Risk. If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. 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 vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. 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.
Risk. If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
2013 Ford Fiesta recalls 3
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. 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. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Air Bags
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. 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.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. 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 vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
2012 Ford Fiesta recalls 3
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. 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. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Air Bags
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. 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.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. 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 vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
2011 Ford Fiesta recalls 3
Air Bags
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. 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.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. 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 vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. 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. 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.
Risk. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Best and worst years for the Ford Fiesta
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 16 tracked years, the worst years are 2011, 2013, 2012 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2020, 2021, 2022.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Fiesta | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2012 Fiesta | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2013 Fiesta | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2014 Fiesta | Power Train | Average | |
| 2015 Fiesta | Power Train | Average | |
| 2016 Fiesta | Power Train | Average | |
| 2017 Fiesta | Power Train | Average | |
| 2018 Fiesta | Power Train | Average | |
| 2019 Fiesta | Back Over Prevention | Average | |
| 2020 Fiesta | — | Best | |
| 2021 Fiesta | — | Best | |
| 2022 Fiesta | — | Best | |
| 2023 Fiesta | — | Average | |
| 2024 Fiesta | — | Average | |
| 2025 Fiesta | — | Average | |
| 2026 Fiesta | — | Average |
What are the most common Ford Fiesta problems?
The most-reported Ford Fiesta problems are Seats (25 reports), Tires (10 reports) and Engine (503 reports) — out of 3,147 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Ford Fiesta specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Ford Fiesta. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Ford Fiesta window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
How the Fiesta's size changed by generation:
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2017 | 160″ | 68″ | 58″ | 98″ | 2,579 lb |
| 2011 | 160″ | 68″ | 58″ | 98″ | 2,557 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Ford Fiesta cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Fiesta holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 85 cu ft of passenger volume and 15 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Ford Fiesta tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Ford Fiesta get?
The Ford Fiesta returns up to 35 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,800/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2017 Ford Fiesta (1L 3-cyl) gets 35 mpg combined and costs about $1,800/yr to fuel, emitting 254 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 8/10, smog 6/10) — that's about $2,000 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Fiesta | 31 | 41 | $1,800 | 254 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2016 Fiesta | 31 | 41 | $1,800 | 252 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2015 Fiesta | 31 | 41 | $1,800 | 252 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2014 Fiesta | 31 | 41 | $1,800 | 252 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl |
The 2019 Ford Fiesta (1.6L 4-cyl) gets 31 mpg combined and costs about $2,000/yr to fuel, emitting 286 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 7/10, smog 3/10) — that's about $1,000 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fiesta | 27 | 37 | $2,000 | 286 | 3/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 Fiesta | 27 | 37 | $2,000 | 286 | 3/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 Fiesta | 27 | 37 | $2,000 | 286 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2016 Fiesta | 27 | 36 | $2,100 | 294 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 Fiesta | 27 | 36 | $2,100 | 294 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2014 Fiesta | 28 | 37 | $2,000 | 285 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2013 Fiesta | 29 | 37 | $1,950 | 275 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2012 Fiesta | 29 | 37 | $1,950 | 278 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2011 Fiesta | 29 | 38 | $1,900 | 269 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Fiesta stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Fiesta's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Ford Fiesta have? Power & range
The Ford Fiesta is offered with 2 powertrains — 1L 3-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cyl | 1.0L · 3-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Ford Fiesta cost to own?
A used Ford Fiesta sells for a median of about $6,950 for a 2019 — most listed between $3,200 and $9,500, from 360 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fiesta | $3,200–$9,500 | 38 | |
| 2018 Fiesta | $4,500–$8,900 | 26 | |
| 2017 Fiesta | $4,500–$10,478 | 31 | |
| 2016 Fiesta | $3,900–$9,999 | 47 | |
| 2015 Fiesta | $3,450–$7,999 | 70 | |
| 2014 Fiesta | $2,650–$7,990 | 49 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Fiesta is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Ford Fiesta holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Fiesta loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $9,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Fiesta ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Ford Fiesta to insure?
A Ford Fiesta costs about $1,494 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 4% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (104, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Fiesta's HLDI loss index. See Ford insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Ford Fiesta safe?
The Ford Fiesta earns up to 4-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2017 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2014 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2013 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2012 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2011 Fiesta | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
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How many miles does a Ford Fiesta last?
A well-maintained Ford Fiesta typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Ford Fiesta’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Fiesta’s VIN free →All Ford Fiesta model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Ford Fiesta — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Fiesta | 0 | — | |
| 2025 Fiesta | 0 | — | |
| 2024 Fiesta | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Fiesta | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Fiesta | 0 | — | |
| 2021 Fiesta | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Fiesta | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Fiesta | 3 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2018 Fiesta | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2017 Fiesta | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2016 Fiesta | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2015 Fiesta | 4 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2014 Fiesta | 7 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2013 Fiesta | 3 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2012 Fiesta | 3 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2011 Fiesta | 3 recalls | ★★★★☆ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Fiesta?
By owner-complaint volume, 2011, 2013, 2012 drew the most reports. 2020, 2021, 2022 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Fiesta have?
29 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Fiesta get?
Up to 35 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Fiesta safe?
The Fiesta earns up to 4-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Fiesta last?
A well-maintained Fiesta typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Fiesta reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Fiesta is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Ford Fiesta warranty?
New Ford models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Ford dealer.
Where is the Ford Fiesta made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Fiesta's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Ford may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Fiesta have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.