Most common 2019 Ford Fiesta problems
Share of the 105 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 →
2019 Ford Fiesta recalls (3)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025.
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake fluid and replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019.
What 2019 Ford Fiesta owners say
Driver assistance all 32 →
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving in reverse the backup camera had malfunctioned and the vehicle crashed into an apartment building parking garage attachment. During the crash the vehicle sustained damage to the passenger side rear bumper. No damage to the garage attachment had occurred. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact later received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V659000(BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 52,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the back over prevention system became inoperable. The contact's spouse reported that the rearview camera image was flickering. The contact was informed by Turo that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, parts to complete the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the parts were not yet available and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 21 →
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward and crashed into the rear of another occupied vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power with the message "Transmission Hot Wait 5 Minutes" displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a defective dual transmission clutch. The contact was informed that although the transmission could be repaired, the failure might likely return, and the mechanic could not warranty the repair. The contact called several other transmission shops and was provided the same information. Despite the initial repair, the contact stated that the failure returned approximately 15,000-20,000 miles later. The vehicle was taken to back to the independent mechanic where the transmission was replaced another time. …
Brakes
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed over a pothole, the vehicle made a clunking sound, and the front passenger's side wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the front brake system had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the brake pads had previously been replaced a year before the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V629000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. 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 75,000.
The contact owned a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor on the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with ABS control modular failure. The contact was informed that during the production of the vehicle, the manufacturer used brake fluid which caused the brake pads to swell and corrode. The contact was informed that the front and rear brake pads and rotors had seized. The contact was informed that the failure was a fire risk. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact agreed to a voluntary buy back. The failure mileage was approximately 65,400.
2019 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 | 25 / 32 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2019 Ford Fiesta a good car?
Based on 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Fiesta rates better than average: 70% 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 2019 Ford Fiesta?
The driver assistance — 32 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about blind spot detection. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (21) and brakes (13).
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Fiesta have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2019 Ford Fiesta, the most recent from October 13, 2025 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2019 Ford Fiesta problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 46% 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.