Most common 2018 Ford Fiesta problems
Share of the 35 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Fiesta complaints by model year
Best Fiesta years: 2018, 2017, 2019. Years to avoid: 2011, 2013, 2012. Compare all years →
What 2018 Ford Fiesta owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the "Transmission Malfunction Service Now" message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the RPM's increased rapidly, but the vehicle did not respond. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 74,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 37,000.
Electrical system
The electrical system shut down completely on the 2018 Ford Fiesta. No power, no engine, no lights, no electrical component functioned. No hazard flashers in rush hour traffic at the intersection of an interstate highway and a state highway. The car coasted and I steered it between lanes to as safe a spot as I could reach. The situation was dangerous with a high potential for harm. Fortunately no one was hurt and no accidents resulted. After a two week repair on a new car I had owned for only two weeks the cause was found to be a broken cable connector under the battery.
For the past 6 months, the brake lights do not come on properly and occasionally the battery drains. When this was looked into, it was found to be a bad body control module. This seems to be a common part failure issue for Ford. We need this replaced/fixed. Brake lights not working in stationary position, work sometimes while moving and battery to car drains while stationary overnight.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle would stall while at a complete stop. The contact would restart the vehicle and continue to drive. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and had worsened. The contact stated that the vehicle would only start after several attempts and would only gain motive power after depressing the accelerator pedal several times. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The canister purge valve was replaced three times. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was invalid.
My engine is acting up. According to the Auto Repair Shop they say that my car is suffering from Carbon Build Up which is affecting my engine. As well as the throttle body in the car. My car just keeps stopping to the point my engine refuses to start. So I decided to clean it myself only to no avail.
2018 Ford Fiesta engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 27 / 37 / 31 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 35 / 30 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 26 / 33 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Ford Fiesta a good car?
Based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Fiesta rates better than average: 92% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Fiesta at the same age. It is one of the best Fiesta years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Fiesta?
The transmission & drivetrain — 10 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (6) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Fiesta have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2018 Ford Fiesta. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Fiesta?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2017 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2013 and 2012. See the full Ford Fiesta years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Fiesta problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 65% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.