Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was involved in a MINOR motor vehicle accident. 9/21/2022 during the accident my 2017 ford fiesta suffered considerable damage(which I was ticketed for, they said wreckless driving.. I wasn't speeding and I have police reports to back this up). The car did its job and no one was substantially hurt. When I got a chance to look at the car further I noticed the passenger side motor mount(plate not the entire mount) exploded during the crash and allowed the engine to be pushed back. On that side. After retrieving the pieces that remained, there was a clear issue with the part previously mentioned. There is obvious gas porosity in the cast aluminum part. The car has since been brought back to running and driving condition. My over all concern is people potentially being charged criminally over what could be a manufacturing flaw. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact had initially taken her vehicle to an independent mechanic for a tune-up. The check engine light appeared on the instrument panel soon after service and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic six more times. Despite multiple visits, the engine light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective pedal sensor. The contract also replaced the battery which removed away the check engine warning light. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic for an oil change; after the oil change, the oil warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to a dealer where they informed her that the engine had overheated and led to engine failure. The contact was given an estimate for a new engine. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with a purge valve solenoid. The contact was informed that the purge valve solenoid was stuck in the open position. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within four years. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 71,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated due to a loss of coolant. The vehicle went into Limp Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine oil pump was faulty, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the failure as an EVAP emission system leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,250.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was discovered that the engine oil pump belt needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the mechanic linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was then towed to a dealer and the cause of the failure was confirmed, but the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was then provided with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with the same information. The vehicle was not repaired. …
I was driving down a very busy highway about 60 mph when my oil light started flashing on my dash and my check engine light came on and when I tried to push my brake pedal to stop my car I couldn't push it in. My brakes were very hard, I had to pull my emergency brake to stop my car and coast into a gas station so I didn't hit anyone. I have done a lot of research online and this same issue is already under recall on 2 other Ford Models as well as a class action lawsuit against Ford because of this issue. My model however is not listed under the recall because it has a manual transmission and they said that those models are not affected but that's clearly not true.
I was driving down [redacted] headed to Columbia and as I was approaching a stop light and getting ready to press my break my oil light on my dash started flashing, and when I attempted to push my brake pedal I couldnt. My brake pedal was hard as a rock and wouldn't press in at all. The highway I was traveling on is a very busy 4 lane highway, I was traveling about 60mph and had to pull my emergency brake and practically stand on my brake pedal to get my car to slow down and coast into a gas station parking lot. I barely missed hitting the car in front of me by a few inches.
Check engine light illuminated. Dealer retrieved DTC P0457 for an EVAP leak. Dealer performed EVAP diagnostic testing and determined that the canister purge valve was leaking. Purge valve was replaced at owner expense. After replacement, EVAP leak verification passed and DTC was resolved. I am reporting the failure because Ford has previously identified canister purge valve failures on other Ford vehicles and I believe similar failures may be occurring on Ford Fiesta vehicles.
I believe oil pump has malfunctioned. I had a significant loss of power while driving, that could cause sudden accident, had I not been proactive. After the loss of power, I heard a knocking from the engine, then the oil light came on and alerted me. I believe it can be inspected, but have not been able to have it towed to the dealership.
NHTSA investigations
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles).
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles).
Engine complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 Ford Fiesta, 28% of the model year's 74 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ford Fiesta engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2017 Ford Fiesta. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Ford Fiesta engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries and 1 death to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.