Ford

Fiesta (6th)

2011-2019 · Subcompact Sedan · 4 engines
Best Engine Recommended (5.0)
3,129 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
24 Fire Reports
127 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

2ZR-FE

1.8L 4-cyl / 132 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1
safety systems
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (1 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

FORD Fiesta (2011-2019)SATURN Ion (2008-2008)JEEP Wrangler (2007-2018)TOYOTA Scion Fr-S (2014-2014)TOYOTA Corolla (2014-2018)TOYOTA Scion Tc (2014-2014)TOYOTA Yaris (2012-2018)MERCEDES-BENZ Sprinter 3500 Cargo Van (2023-2023) +17 more

L35

4.3L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

CHEVROLET M Van (2001-2001)CHEVROLET T10 (2001-2001)GMC S/T Jimmy (2001-2001)GMC L Series (2003-2003)CHEVROLET Trailblazer (2000-2000)FORD Fiesta (2011-2019)CHEVROLET C Series (2001-2001)CHEVROLET S-10 (2001-2001) +99 more

1.6L Ti-VCT Premium Fuel

1.6L 4-cyl / 197 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

FORD Fiesta (2011-2019)

Ford

2.0L 4-cyl / 132 hp
Recommended (4.7)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1
interior
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Interior Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

FORD Crown Victoria (2000-2011)KIA Optima (2011-2015)FORD Fiesta (2011-2019)FORD Explorer (2011-2019)FORD Explorer (2000-2000)MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-Class (2016-2022)HONDA Pilot (2009-2015)FORD Fusion (2006-2012) +53 more

Recalls (12)

25V695000Oct 12, 2025serious
Back Over Prevention

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.

24V951000Dec 19, 2024serious
Back Over Prevention

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.

23V775000Nov 16, 2023serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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.

20V177000Mar 22, 2020serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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.

20V331000Aug 5, 2020serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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.

19V629000Aug 27, 2019serious
Service Brakes

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.

17V209000Mar 26, 2017serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

17V210000Mar 26, 2017serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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.

15V246000Apr 23, 2015serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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.

15V005000Aug 31, 2015serious
Fuel System

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.

14V402000Feb 6, 2014serious
Fuel System

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.

12V488000May 9, 2012serious
Air Bags

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta problems?

The 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta has accumulated 3,129 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Interior, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Ford Fiesta engine is most reliable?

The 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta a good used car?

The 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 3,129 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta have?

The 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta has 3,129 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Ford Fiesta?

Before buying a used Ford Fiesta, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Interior, Brakes, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,129 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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