Ford · Known Issues
2008-2019 Ford Fiesta Problems: 32 Known Issues
2008-2019 model years · 1,830+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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2008-2019 model years · 1,830+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,830+ owner reports, the 2008-2019 Ford Fiesta has 32 documented known issues, with 11 rated critical. The most serious are DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure ($0-$3,500 repair), Door Latch Failure — Doors May Open While Driving ($0-$300 repair), Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light ($250-$700 repair), 1.0L EcoBoost Degas Hose Coolant Loss & "EcoBoom" Overheating Engine Failure ($200-$4,500 repair), DPS6 Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure — Loss of Engagement, No-Start, U0101 (Extended Warranty 14M02) ($0-$1,200 repair), Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist ($350-$1,500 repair), Wet Belt (Belt-in-Oil) Timing Belt Degradation Clogging Oil Pump Pickup ($600-$8,000 repair), Fiesta ST 1.6L EcoBoost Cylinder Head Overheat, Crack & Oil Leak Fire Risk — Coolant Level Sensor Recall (17V209) ($0-$6,000 repair), 2019 Front Brake Calipers Built With Wrong Assembly Fluid — Seal Swell & Brake Drag (Recall 19V629) ($0-$0 repair), Passenger Side Curtain Airbag Suppressed When Front Seat Empty — Software Reprogram (Recall 12V488) ($0-$0 repair) and In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure — Stall Without Warning (Recall 15V005000) ($0-$900 repair). The most commonly reported issue is DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure with 950 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $15 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
+ 2 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,830+ owner reports, the 2008-2019 Ford Fiesta has 32 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure, Door Latch Failure — Doors May Open While Driving, Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light. Of these, 11 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2008-2019 Ford Fiesta has 32 known issues documented across 1,830+ owner reports. 11 issues are rated critical: DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure and Door Latch Failure — Doors May Open While Driving and Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light and 1.0L EcoBoost Degas Hose Coolant Loss & "EcoBoom" Overheating Engine Failure and DPS6 Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure — Loss of Engagement, No-Start, U0101 (Extended Warranty 14M02) and Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist and Wet Belt (Belt-in-Oil) Timing Belt Degradation Clogging Oil Pump Pickup and Fiesta ST 1.6L EcoBoost Cylinder Head Overheat, Crack & Oil Leak Fire Risk — Coolant Level Sensor Recall (17V209) and 2019 Front Brake Calipers Built With Wrong Assembly Fluid — Seal Swell & Brake Drag (Recall 19V629) and Passenger Side Curtain Airbag Suppressed When Front Seat Empty — Software Reprogram (Recall 12V488) and In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure — Stall Without Warning (Recall 15V005000). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Fiesta issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure, typically costs $0-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Ford Fiesta. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2008-2019 Ford Fiesta with 32 documented issues documented across 1,830+ owner reports.
The Ford Fiesta equipped with the DPS6 PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission is one of the most complained-about vehicles in recent history. The dry dual-clutch design causes severe shuddering, jerking, hesitation, and complete loss of power during acceleration. The clutc… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: high.
Ford recalled over 2 million vehicles including 2011-2015 Fiesta sedans and hatchbacks because of faulty door latches that can break internally. When the latch fails, the door may not close securely or may open unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving. The problem is caused by a… Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: high.
The drive-by-wire electronic throttle body (ETB) develops an internal electronic/motor fault (not just dirt) that causes the powertrain control module to command reduced power. The car drops into limp mode with a wrench/powertrain-malfunction light, often storing throttle-positio… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: high.
The 1.0L EcoBoost uses a brittle nylon degas/coolant return hose running from the top of the expansion tank to the engine. Over thousands of heat cycles the nylon becomes brittle and cracks or snaps, often at highway speed. Because the engine has a very small coolant capacity and… Repairs typically run $200-$4,500. Severity: high.
Separate from the clutch-pack shudder already documented: the DPS6 PowerShift's Transmission Control Module, mounted on the transmission and exposed to heat, fails electrically. The car suddenly loses drive while moving, will not start, drops into limp mode, or the cluster throws… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.
Fiestas can display 'Power Steering Assist Fault — Service Required' and lose electric power-steering assist, sometimes intermittently while driving. Root causes include torque-sensor faults and intermittent electrical connections in the steering column/gear that stop the control… Repairs typically run $350-$1,500. Severity: high.
The 1.0L EcoBoost uses a 'wet' timing belt that runs submerged in engine oil. When oil is old, over-extended, or not to Ford's WSS-M2C948-B spec, the belt's rubber breaks down and delaminates ('pilling'). Shed fragments migrate through the sump and clog the oil pump pickup screen… Repairs typically run $600-$8,000. Severity: high.
Distinct from the 1.0L EcoBoost degas-hose failure: the 1.6L EcoBoost in the 2014-2015 Fiesta ST has cylinder-head coolant passages that develop localized hot spots. If coolant is lost (the ST has no low-coolant warning from the factory), the head overheats and can crack, leaking… Repairs typically run $0-$6,000. Severity: high.
A batch of 2,624 US-market 2019 Fiestas built at Cuautitlán between July 22 and Aug 1, 2019 received front brake calipers assembled with the wrong fluid. The incorrect fluid makes the caliper's rubber seals swell, so the pistons do not fully retract; the brakes drag, overheat, an… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On 2011-2013 Fiestas built Nov 3, 2009 through Sept 21, 2012, the restraints control module software suppressed the passenger-side curtain airbag whenever the front passenger seat was unoccupied. In a side impact with an empty front seat, a right-rear passenger has no curtain cov… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Improper nickel plating of internal components in the Bosch in-tank fuel pump can cause the pump to fail, letting the engine stall without warning and increasing crash risk. Ford issued NHTSA recall 15V005000 covering certain 2014-2015 Fiesta (and related Fusion/MKZ) vehicles bui… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: high.
Like other direct-injection engines, the Fiesta ST's 1.6L EcoBoost has no fuel washing over the back of the intake valves, so oil vapor from the PCV system bakes into carbon deposits on the valves and ports over time. Owner tear-down 'case reports' confirm measurable buildup that… Repairs typically run $400-$800. Severity: medium.
Fiestas — especially the 1.6L EcoBoost ST — commonly throw misfire codes and run rough at idle from failing ignition coils and fouled spark plugs. Owners report oil creeping onto the coil boots and, notably, rainwater entering the spark-plug wells via the washer-jet routing, whic… Repairs typically run $150-$550. Severity: medium.
The naturally aspirated 1.6L Ti-VCT (Sigma) engine in 2011-2019 Fiestas uses oil-pressure-driven cam phasers controlled by VCT solenoids. Dirty oil, extended drain intervals, or small debris cause the solenoid to stick, and worn phasers rattle for a few seconds on cold start. The… Repairs typically run $40-$1,200. Severity: medium.
Manual-transmission Fiestas (5-speed B5/IB5) commonly develop clutch judder, a soft/sinking pedal, and inability to select gears when the concentric slave/release cylinder or clutch master cylinder fails. Owners report the clutch going to the floor when stopped and gears becoming… Repairs typically run $600-$1,400. Severity: medium.
The suspension coil springs fracture, typically near the bottom coil, often triggered by corrosion at the spring seat combined with road-input stress from speed bumps and rough surfaces. This is a very frequently reported Fiesta failure — front springs are most commonly cited but… Repairs typically run $200-$500. Severity: medium.
The plastic thermostat housing on the 1.6L engine develops cracks and leaks coolant. The plastic becomes brittle from heat cycling over time. This can lead to overheating if coolant loss goes unnoticed. Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: medium.
Fiestas commonly get wet passenger (and sometimes driver) footwell carpets from rainwater entering via the scuttle panel at the base of the windscreen. Leaves and debris block the scuttle drain, or the scuttle-to-windscreen seal fails, letting water pool and overflow into the cab… Repairs typically run $80-$500. Severity: medium.
Diesel Fiestas frequently suffer diesel particulate filter (DPF) blockage and incomplete/failed regeneration, especially on cars used mainly for short, low-speed journeys that never reach regeneration temperature. Soot accumulates, the DPF warning light appears, and the car may e… Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Fiestas fitted with rear discs (ST, Titanium and higher EU trims) suffer seized rear caliper slide pins and stuck parking-brake actuating levers. Road salt corrodes the pins and the lever pivot, so the pad drags constantly: rapid inner-pad wear, a hot wheel and burning smell afte… Repairs typically run $60-$500. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.