2018 FORD Fiesta Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

POWER TRAIN

7 complaints

Hello, I have zero idea why I am emailing, I may be secretly hoping for...anything. I drive a 2018 Ford Fiesta SE, I have owned it since 2019 as that is when I purchased it used. Over the weekend I experienced transmission issues and an auto shop informed me that I am in need of a transmission rebuild due to the clutch going out. The estimated cost is 3.4k. I came across this article from 2019: [XXX] Within the article Ford notes: "The transmissions (dual-clutch automatic transmissions known as DPS6 designed for fuel efficiency) were introduced in the 2011 model year Fiesta and 2012 Focus. They were used until the Focus was discontinued with the 2018 model year and until the 2019 Fiesta". The article then goes onto state: "technical analysis, warranty data and customer feedback show that the DPS6 transmission in Focus and Fiesta vehicles from 2016 (model year) through 2019 MY are improved from prior model years. They perform well and have competitive levels of customer satisfaction.” But I don't believe that to be true given the clutch issues that have just happened with my 2019 Ford Fiesta. It gets a bit more odd because I think Ford is lying about the 2019 model year being 'improved'. The mechanic I am going through put a pause on rebuilding my transmission because Ford reached out to them with potential fixes per an 'internal bulletin'. Those potential fixes include a redesigned clutch kit for the transmission...why would that be a thing if my model year was 'improved'. Also, they are not covering any repairs. I don't even know if I have the right to demand that they do? Given my model year wasn't included in the lawsuit, despite it being the last year Ford made the Fiesta. I also did find this update [XXX] I just want help or something done. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Jan 09, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the "Transmission Malfunction Service Now” message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the RPM's increased rapidly, but the vehicle did not respond. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Dec 04, 2023

Since around 20,000 miles, my 2018 Ford Fiesta SE has had a grinding noise after shifting at certain gears. I got the car serviced at that time. Now I'm at 70,000 miles and the noise has persisted, and has gotten worse. My transmission slipped at 0mph when I was accelerating, almost causing me to lose control of my car.

Nov 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 37,000.

May 16, 2022

The component that failed was the clutch pedal assembly. The part is currently still installed in the vehicle. The clutch pedal randomly will stay full depressed, and requires manually reaching and grabbing the pedal to pull it out. The operator being distracted because they cant get the car into the correct gear and have to pull off the road to reset/pull the clutch pedal back into position. The component has not be inspected. There were no warning signs or symptoms before the failure happened.

May 04, 2022

+ 2 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

6 complaints

Back-up camera goes in and out intermittently, sometimes the image is very faint and then totally disappears into a black screen, or says it is not available at this time, then goes black. This started about 4 months ago and I have not been able to identify a triggering factor, rain nor heat does not appear to be the factor that causes it. My car was purchased 2018 with 13 miles and I now have only 21,897 miles never been in an accident or anything to cause this issue. The dealer said my vehicle is not under the recall guidelines although it completely mimics the recalled issues listed under NHTSA#23S48/25V273 also the dealer says the issue has to be present for the mechanic to see. When I took it to the dealer today 10/14/2025 the camera was functioning and I have no idea when it will go back out again to show them. This can definitely become a safety issue and a cost I should not have to be responsible for because there is an indication this could be a production issue. Please assist me with this issue.

Oct 14, 2025

I bought my Ford Fiesta new in 2018. I have less than 35k miles on my car. My car recently started bucking while I stop at stop signs or red lights. My car revs up and tries to go forward. I took my car to the dealership hours later. They did a diagnosis and asked me what kind of gas I use. They said I shouldn't buy my gas from there. I was then told my valve is sticking from the gas and the valve is trying to open and it can't so it bucks and lurches. The part they need is on back order. The part is not available any where in the country. So does that mean the whole country side uses the same gas I do? That is why that part is on back order?

May 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while shifting gears after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated before returning to normal operation. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal sometimes had to be depressed multiple times before the vehicle accelerated properly. The vehicle also displayed several electrical shortages. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a defective canister purge valve. The canister purge valve was replaced and several unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

May 26, 2022

My neighbor has been hacking my radio frequencies of my car and has now hacked into my car. He’s following me and controlling my car. I’m afraid he is obsessed with me and will cause my car to have an accident. The police will not and have not helped me and this guy lives right next door to me

Apr 25, 2022

Hello. While traveling in the right lane on the Interstate (I-43) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, heading southbound with a semi-truck in the center lane, the rear of my vehicle seemed to Lift/Rise off the ground and move (as if the rear of my auto was floating) to the right. I was at the point of being between at the semi-trucks front right tire and his bumper. I was involved in an accident with said semi-truck, thinking he was changing lanes from center lane to right lane and bumped my Left-Rear-Quarter-Panel. After much though and calming down, it seems as if my auto was pushed or lifted in a hydro plane effect by the air between my auto and the semi-truck. The day was clear and dry out around 10:45 AM, on July 15th. 2021. My question is: How many of these Ford Fiesta cars (with manual transmission) have had some type of highway collision with a semi-truck? Or, an unexplained loss (effect) of control while driving on the Interstate. Yes, a rear kind of Hydro-Plane affect with air pressure. Did I really have this happen to me while driving this car, I believe so.

Aug 04, 2021

Crash: 1

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

Purchased vehicle at the end of 2018 and this is the third time I have had to replace the horn. It's not a fuse, it's not wiring, it is the actual horn that either shorts or dies with no notice.

Apr 23, 2025

Trunk randomly pops open during driving. Or when you put it in gear.

Apr 10, 2024

FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE BATTERY DRAINS. WHEN THIS WAS LOOKED INTO, IT WAS FOUND TO BE A BAD BODY CONTROL MODULE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PART FAILURE ISSUE FOR FORD. WE NEED THIS REPLACED/FIXED. BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING IN STATIONARY POSITION, WORK SOMETIMES WHILE MOVING AND BATTERY TO CAR DRAINS WHILE STATIONARY OVERNIGHT. *TR

May 27, 2020

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY ON THE 2018 FORD FIESTA. NO POWER, NO ENGINE, NO LIGHTS, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FUNCTIONED. NO HAZARD FLASHERS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND A STATE HIGHWAY. THE CAR COASTED AND I STEERED IT BETWEEN LANES TO AS SAFE A SPOT AS I COULD REACH. THE SITUATION WAS DANGEROUS WITH A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR HARM. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT AND NO ACCIDENTS RESULTED. AFTER A TWO WEEK REPAIR ON A NEW CAR I HAD OWNED FOR ONLY TWO WEEKS THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE A BROKEN CABLE CONNECTOR UNDER THE BATTERY.

Apr 24, 2019

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

The contact’s grandmother owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving up a hill, the vehicle started sputtering, vibrating, and jerking. The sputtering was severe, causing the front driver's side seat belt to be activated. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

Dec 21, 2023

Fan stopped working out of no where causing car to over heat happened multiple times even after being replaced. Airbag lights say airbag on passenger side is off even when someone is in the seat this happens alot. Back driver side turn signal will not work and everything has been changed and looked at by several mechanics. When driving it sometimes does not want to shift wants to just stay at one rpm and jerk

Jun 05, 2022

ON 7/2/2019 MY WIFE AND I WAS IN A PRETTY BAD WRECK TOTALING OUR CAR. THERE WAS MASSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WITH THE DAMAGE DONE THERE'S NO REASON THE AIR BAGS SHOULDN'T HAVE WENT OFF. WE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED

Jul 10, 2019

Crash: 1

ENGINE

2 complaints

My engine has been malfuctioning over the following year. I've gotten repairs and it continues to do so. I'm asking for a recall.

Sep 12, 2024

My engine is acting up. According to the Auto Repair Shop they say that my car is suffering from Carbon Build Up which is affecting my engine. As well as the throttle body in the car. My car just keeps stopping to the point my engine refuses to start. So I decided to clean it myself only to no avail.

May 19, 2024

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

2 complaints

CAR SHUDDERS UPON ACCELERATION FROM STANDSTILL. LOSES POWER SEVERELY GOING UPHILL. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SHAKES SHUDDERS ENGINE RACES AND QUICKLY ACCELERATES AFTER LOSS OF POWER THEN DECREASES AGAIN. WHEN MOVING FROM STOP CAR SHUDDERS MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND THEN SLOWLY ACCELERATES BEFORE DECREASING RPM AND THEN RACES AGAIN. *TR

Jun 11, 2020

WHILE DRIVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS WHEN GOING INTO SECOND GEAR AND STALLS BEFORE ACCELERATING. SOME TIMES THE CAR WON'T START AND IT'S NOT RELATED TO THE BATTERY OR THE STARTER. IT ALSO HAD A PURGE VALVE REPLACEMENT THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. A FEW MONTHS LATER I HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN THIS TIME IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2018 AND IT HAD ALL THESE ISSUES IN 2018 AND OCTOBER OF 2019 IS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHUTTER. *TR

Apr 15, 2020

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side door independently opened. The door ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 97,260.

Jul 01, 2024

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

My fuel canister purge valve needs replacement less than 70,000 on car. The cap less gas cap defective as well. Why did they make these cuz everyone is having problems with the purge valve and cap less. It all on YouTube. Where is the recall,.

May 28, 2024

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

12/4/2023 while attempting to pull into a parking spot in a parking garage car suddenly accelerated forward at a very fast rate, just prior to acceleration felt like it shuddered. Afraid that it would keep going and go over edge so I pulled to the right while trying to brake and hit a concrete barrier. Terrifying! October 23, 2019 another couple had this happen in another parking garage downtown Indianapolis and they were killed. Car went over the edge. Must have been on my mind! Have owned this car since 02/23/2022, no problems whatsoever, checked out in September of this 2023, all maintenance up to date. Weather was dry and floor pads were not in way (bringing this up because I was asked this by a friend). Been driving 50+ years and never had a car do this. Hit the front drivers side of the car, air bags did NOT deploy, but the insurance company totaled my car. The Capitol Police happened to be in the garage at the time making rounds and were on the scene in seconds from when it happened. Luckily that morning I decided to park on the upper level of the garage and no one else had their car damaged and nobody was hurt including myself. Just prior to trying to turn into the parking space the car had been traveling uphill to the 5th floor - going very slow. A lot of people walking and other cars around trying to park. Don't know if this has anything to do with it but on Tuesday, December 19th, another employee had the same thing happen in the same garage. Her car was a different make and model and was not damaged hardly at all but her airbags deployed! The only thing in common is same garage and there has been extensive construction going on in the garage for months now. Not trying to get anything out of this but this could have had far more serious consequences if this had happened at one of the half dozen intersections I went through that morning before arriving in the garage. Lucky no one was hurt or killed. Apparently this happens a lot!

Dec 31, 2023

Crash: 1

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the backup camera displayed a distorted image. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Jun 09, 2022

ENGINE,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle would stall while at a complete stop. The contact would restart the vehicle and continue to drive. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and had worsened. The contact stated that the vehicle would only start after several attempts and would only gain motive power after depressing the accelerator pedal several times. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The canister purge valve was replaced three times. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was invalid.

May 24, 2022

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEN WHEN FUEL TANK WAS FILLED, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONG TIME FOR THE ENGINE TO START UP. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO TRIED PUTTING A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK TO AVERT THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FENTON FORD ADA (1600 LONNIE ABBOTT BOULEVARD, ADA, OK 74820, (580)332-6161 TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE CODE WITH THE EVAPORATOR FUEL VALVE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK INTO CHARCOAL CANISTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 88,000.

Dec 10, 2020

SUSPENSION,WHEELS,SEATS

1 complaint

WHEN DO PURSHASE THE CAR THE SPEAKER ON R SIDE HAD ALOT OF STATIC AND WHEN I WOULD DRIVE THE WHEELS SEEM TO WOBBLE,AND FELT VER IN SAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I WAS TO TAKE CAR IN THE COVID CAME AND CLOSED EVERYTHING DOWN. WHEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN I TOOK CAR IN AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS WRONG SO THEY REPLACED THE SPEAKER AND SAID THE R SIDE UNDER WHEELS WERE REALLY BAD AND IT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. I DIDN'T REMEMBER TO LET SERVICE KNOW ABOUT THE INSIDE PARTS THAT WAS BROKE AND MISSING. THEN THEY HAD TO CLOSE AGAIN. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET OIL CHANGE AND WHEELS ROTATE IT I MANAGED TO TALK TO THE SALES AGENT AND EXPLAIN TO HIM WHAT WAS GOING ON AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR IN TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE AND HE WOULD GIVE ME HIS DISCOUNT PRICE. THIS STUFF WAS DAMAGED BEFORE I EVEN PURCHASED THE CAR SO I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING. NOW SOMETHING UP UNDER MY CAR IS MAKING SOUNDS WHEN I BREAK AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE BRAKE PADS OR THE SHOES BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOUND AND IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING ELSE. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND EVEN BEFORE TAKING IT OFF THE LOT AND BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 IT'S BEEN VERY HARD TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO GET THINGS TAKEN CARE OF I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW BECAUSE WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS AND GET READY TO GO INTO THE BREAK IT SOUNDS VERY STRANGE. I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THIS CAR HAD A LOT OF DAMAGES COULD HAVE BEEN IN A CRASH PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE CAR AND IT'S JUST NOT SAFE. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR A YEAR AND WHEN I PURCHASED A CAR IT WAS 38,437 AND NOW MY CAR IS 40,000 I WILL TRY TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE I DRIVE IT AND PUT MYSELF AND MY GRANDKIDS IN DANGER.

Dec 06, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

SEVERAL PROBLEMS ONE THE CAR VENT SYSTEM ACTUATOR FAILING TO OPEN VENT MAKING CRACKLING NOISE, SECOND PROBLEM WATER COOLANT CONTAINER LINES START LEAKING FAILING CAUSING ENGINE TO BURN UP CHEAP PLASTIC CONNECTIONS FAILING NO WATER LINES SHOULD AT THE CONTAINER OTHER THAN REFILL POOR ENGINEERING NEED HARDER INSPECTORS

Nov 08, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD... ABS, BRAKE, TSC LIGHTS KICKED ON AND THE CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE AND SLOWED DOWN ABOUT 10MPH... AS I KEPT GOING IT LIT UP AGAIN AND JERKED HARD... AS I GOT SPEED TO ABOUT 55MPH DID IT A FEW MORE TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP COME GET IT..

Oct 07, 2020

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

BEEN NOTICING NOW WITH THE FORD FIESTA 2018 THAT MY THIRD GEAR. LOSES THE GRIP GOING UP HILL. BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A FEW WEEKS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER. TWO TIMES HAVE THEY REPAIR IT. YET, SADLY SEEMS THAT THIS WILL BE THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME. CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T DO DURABLE MANUALS ANYMORE. THE ISSUES ARE A LOT ON THE HIGHWAY. CAN'T AFFORD A CRASH OR ACCIDENT.

Jun 20, 2019

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4.7/5.0

50 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2018 FORD Fiesta have?

The 2018 FORD Fiesta currently has 34 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2018 FORD Fiesta?

The most common problems reported for the 2018 FORD Fiesta are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2018 FORD Fiesta problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2018 FORD Fiesta comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.