Reliability & cost of ownership
Ford Fiesta Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Ford Fiesta? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars — then open the year you're shopping for a full reliability and repair-cost forecast.
Ford Fiesta problems by model year
23 recall entries and 3163 owner complaints on file across 11 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fiesta | 3 | 100 | 4.0 | Reliability forecast → |
| 2018 Fiesta | 0 | 35 | 4.0 | Reliability forecast → |
| 2017 Fiesta | 0 | 74 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2016 Fiesta | 0 | 178 | 4.0 | Reliability forecast → |
| 2015 Fiesta | 4 | 258 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2014 Fiesta | 7 | 502 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2013 Fiesta | 3 | 667 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2012 Fiesta | 3 | 617 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2011 Fiesta | 3 | 730 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2002 Fiesta | 0 | 1 | No NCAP test | Full reliability report → |
| 2001 Fiesta | 0 | 1 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Ford Fiesta, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- power train1498 complaints
- engine505 complaints
- structure409 complaints
- unknown or other395 complaints
- electrical system337 complaints
- vehicle speed control197 complaints
- latches/locks/linkages185 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system135 complaints