Owning a car is one of the most liberating things you can do. As soon as you have the keys in your hand, you’re free to hit the open road whenever the moment takes you. However, your automotive freedom can be taken away just as quickly if your car is likely to break down, and some cars are more unreliable than others.

Discontinued by the automaker in 2023, the Ford Fiesta has a reputation for being one such vehicle. So if you’re an owner — or if you’re thinking about becoming one — make sure to read this first. Here we’ll go over the common mechanical problems experienced by Ford Fiesta owners, reasons for past recalls, and the potential cost of any repairs on this small car.

Common Problems with Ford Fiestas

As you would expect, there are a number of Ford Fiesta mechanical problems that are more common than others. According to information over at Car Complaints, many owners have experienced:

1. Transmission Problems

Owners of this hatchback report a significant number of transmission problems, especially where models with PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission are concerned. These range from hesitation when trying to accelerate to stalling and loud noises. Often, this happens relatively early in the car’s lifetime (before the 50,000-mile mark) and requires the clutch to be completely replaced.

2. Engine Problems

Engine problems are also commonplace, usually resulting in the ‘check engine’ light coming on. Oil leaks are often the root cause, with some reports of the catalytic converter needing to be replaced. To owners’ frustration, issues with the engine appear to rear their heads not long after transmission problems are resolved.

3. Interior Accessories Problems

Switching to the inside of the little car, a number of interior accessories suffer from common issues. For example, door latches often break, and stereos die without warning.

4. Wider Powertrain Problems

There are over 350 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain for the 2013 Ford Fiesta alone, showing just how significant an issue it can be for particular models. While a number of different symptoms are reported, they are generally severe and usually result in the transmission control module being replaced. There have been a number of Ford Fiesta recalls regarding the transmission specifically.

Frequent Recalls for Ford Fiestas

According to the NHTSA database, the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 Ford Fiesta models were subject to recalls over safety concerns. While associated repairs are always covered by the manufacturer, their frequency highlights just how unreliable (and unsafe to drive) Ford Fiestas can be.

Ford Fiesta 2011, 2012, and 2013 Recalls

There are three recalls for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Ford Fiesta models, two of which are due to doors opening unexpectedly when driving — an obvious safety concern. The passenger side curtain airbag also failed to deploy in a side impact collision if the front passenger seat was empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.

Ford Fiesta 2015 Recalls

The 2015 Ford Fiesta was subject to four recalls. The first two were due to the same door concerns as previous models. Another was due to the engine cylinder head potentially leaking oil and increasing the risk of a fire. The final recall was due to improper plating on the fuel pump, which could potentially hurt fuel efficiency, resulting in a stall, or ultimately cause a crash.

Owner Complaints: Voices of Experience

We can tell a lot from the facts and figures, but opinions speak volumes, too. Across social media and forums, there are plenty of first-hand accounts from Ford Fiesta owners who aren’t happy with their vehicle’s performance. Looking at the CarComplaints database for the 2015 Ford Fiesta specifically (which had the most recalls), we can see a number of negative comments for this not-so-reliable car:

Problem: Transmission Jerking and Slipping

“My Ford Fiesta has less than 9500 miles and is already having problems with the manual transmission. I almost had a collision due to the slip on the manual transmission in first gear.“ – Humberto S., Laredo, TX

Problem: “Hood Open” Warning Showing

“I am so scared to drive it. I have to pull over to see if the hood is open.” – Katherine L., Malone, NY

Problem: Fan Does Not Work

“Moisture builds up in the fan unit. If the outside temperature is below freezing, moisture turns to ice. Iced fan unit does not turn fan blades to heat the interior of the car. The car cannot be driven on public roads.” – A M., SoBo, ME

The Cost of Repairs: Financial Considerations

For those who haven’t yet purchased a Ford Fiesta, it’s worth considering potential future repairs and how much they might impact you financially. RepairPal puts the estimated annual maintenance cost for a Ford Fiesta at around $552, but some repairs can set you back much more. If we take a look at the cost to fix the most common Ford Fiesta mechanical problems, we can get a clearer picture of what you can expect to spend:

• Powertrain control module replacement: $485 to $499
• Clutch replacement: $1,067 to $1,247
• Head gasket replacement: $1,585 and $1,901
• Catalytic converter replacement: $1,031 and $1,086

Extended Warranties: Mitigating the Risks

While repairs related to a recall are always covered by the automaker, unreliable vehicles are much more likely to experience unexpected component failure — which you, as the owner, are fully responsible for. When this happens, parts and labor can set you back hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. But there is a way to keep your money in your pocket: extended auto protection.

A traditional extended warranty does exactly what the name implies by extending the coverage of your vehicle’s factory warranty (the manufacturer warranty provided with every new car) beyond the expiry date. This means that when things go wrong out on the road, you won’t have to pay a penny as long as the protection is in place. While this might sound great on paper, there are a few significant drawbacks to this kind of coverage.

For example, as traditional extended warranties can only be purchased via a dealership or directly from your manufacturer, all repairs must be carried out at an authorized dealership. To make matters worse, you’re only eligible to sign up while your factory warranty is still active, ruling out used car owners.

As a result, the universally preferred alternative is a vehicle service contract (VSC) from a third-party provider like Endurance Warranty. Offering almost as comprehensive protection at an even better price point, third parties are incentivized to give you the best bang for your buck, often throwing in extra perks to sweeten the deal. Work can be carried out at the licensed repair facility of your choice, and you don’t need a factory warranty to qualify. As long as you and your vehicle meet the provider’s eligibility criteria, you’re good to go.

Ford Fiesta FAQs

If you still have questions about the Ford Fiesta, you should find the answers right here:

Is the Ford Fiesta unreliable?

RepairPal awards the Ford Fiesta a fairly respectable 4/5 for reliability, but this is in contradiction with the frequent recalls the model has faced. In particular, models between 2011 and 2015 were recalled the most frequently, with problems ranging from doors opening unexpectedly while driving to the engine cylinder head leaking flammable fluids. Cars that featured Ford’s PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission were particularly affected by component failure — often before the car had reached 50,000 miles.

What year did the Ford Fiesta have problems?

The 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Ford Fiesta compact cars experienced the most problems, many of which stem from the transmission. It’s recommended that anyone interested in purchasing a Ford Fiesta avoid these model years. Not only can driving them be unsafe, but transmission repairs are likely to be costly and time-consuming.

What year did the Ford Fiesta have a bad transmission?

The Ford Fiesta is notorious for transmission problems, with the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 models struggling most significantly. This is most likely due to Ford’s PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission, which is featured in the affected models and is notorious for failing prematurely.

Is a Ford Fiesta a safe car?

In the past decade, several Ford Fiesta models have been recalled for critical issues, raising safety concerns for drivers. Even if these problems are rectified, the sheer frequency of recalls is worrying and ultimately increases the chances of further problems occurring later in the car’s lifespan.

What are the pros and cons of buying a used Ford Fiesta?

One major pro of buying a used Ford Fiesta is that the majority of transmission issues occur early in the car’s lifespan, meaning that they have most likely already been discovered and rectified by the previous owner. On the other hand, purchasing a vehicle so notorious for problems and recalls opens you up to further unexpected component failure, costing you time and money and potentially putting you in danger on the road.

Get Endurance Warranty for Total Driving Confidence

It’s an unfortunate reality that even the most reliable of vehicles will break down eventually. When it does, you can bet your bottom dollar it’ll happen at the worst possible moment, leaving you stranded by the roadside and faced with an expensive repair bill you’d struggle to afford. For total driving confidence — and to combat the ever-rising cost of car ownership — American drivers are investing in extended warranties. And Endurance is the nation’s most trusted vehicle service contract provider.

Whether you’re a casual commuter, a rideshare driver, a high-mileage car owner, or even if you drive a luxury car, we have you covered. If our base plans quite don’t meet your individual needs and budget, our team will be more than happy to customize a vehicle protection plan that does.

We don’t just offer customizable market-leading coverage; we also throw in some of the best-added benefits in the business. Every Endurance plan comes with 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption protection as standard. Better yet, all Endurance customers can choose to activate a free year of our Elite Benefits, adding on up to four tire repairs or replacements annually, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, up to $1,000 in total loss protection, and more.*

Call an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote, or shop online to see your price now. Make sure to check out our car buying guides and more helpful articles on our extended warranty blog.