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 where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Ford Fiesta problems by model year
23 recall entries across 9 model years and 3,175 owner complaints across 11 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 2 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fiesta | 3 | 106 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2018 Fiesta | 0 | 35 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2017 Fiesta | 0 | 75 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2016 Fiesta | 0 | 179 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2015 Fiesta | 4 | 259 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2014 Fiesta | 7 | 504 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2013 Fiesta | 3 | 668 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2012 Fiesta | 3 | 617 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2011 Fiesta | 3 | 730 | 4.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2002 Fiesta | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2001 Fiesta | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
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 train1,499 complaints
- engine508 complaints
- structure409 complaints
- unknown or other399 complaints
- electrical system340 complaints
- vehicle speed control198 complaints
- latches/locks/linkages185 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system135 complaints