Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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.
The contact owned a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to engage. The contact had to apply pressure to the brake pedal to glide the vehicle to a stop. Additionally, the contact added that the front passenger side door became stuck and failed to open and the front driver's side door failed to remain closed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact then stated that three days later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, attempting to make an undisclosed turn onto the interstate when she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to slow. As a result, the wheels caught onto the ground gravel and spun off the road and rolled over, flipping the vehicle to a complete 180-degree turn. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal the brakes would grab and jerk causing the vehicle to abruptly stop and making the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the brake pads, brake rotors, and brake lines but the vehicle continue to exhibit the failure. After reexamining the vehicle it was determined that the ABS module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the contact became aware that the braking system had overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
2014 Ford Fiesta manual sedan exhibiting recurring, dangerous hood latch malfunction (recently noticed) where hood unlatches while driving/parked & experiencing sudden power loss when AC is used (fuse removed to prevent this dangerous condition). Potential safety hazards: obstructed vision, hood detachment, engine tampering, sudden loss of control. Ford Service Advisor admitted hood latch "should" be a recall, yet dealership attempts to charge $350-$500 ($250 diagnostic) for repair instead of initiating recall. This raises concerns Ford prioritizes profit over safety, esp. since Fiesta is discontinued. Other issues include previous brake pad lock-up requiring costly ABS Hydraulic Control Unit repair & door latch recall 20S15 ("door may unlatch while driving"). Multiple recurring issues suggest vehicle may be a lemon overall. …
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Fiesta years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (17), 2012 (17), 2019 (13), 2014 (12) and 2013 (11) model years. Brake complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Ford Fiesta brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 19V-629 (caliper, Aug 28, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Fiesta brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles; 63% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
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.