Ford Fiesta Engine Problems

Engine complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Cooling system › Radiator assembly
  2
• Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM)
  2
• Exhaust system
  1
• Cooling system › Fan
  1
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  1
• Cooling system
  1
• Exhaust system › Emission control
  1
• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pump
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  14135%
• 25k–50k
  6917%
• 50k–75k
  8621%
• 75k–100k
  5514%
• 100k–150k
  4712%
• 150k+
  92%

What owners report

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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle displayed an engine overheating warning on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and waited for the engine to cool down before continuing to drive. The contact stated that the failure was most prominent during warmer weather and became increasingly persistent over time, causing the contact to conclude that the failure was due to the extreme heat this summer. The contact opted to stop driving the vehicle due to the persistent failure. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and believed that it may be related to the symptoms his vehicle was experiencing. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. …

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.

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 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. …

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the transmission was not working as designed. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle accelerated abruptly. While changing gears at low speed, the vehicle was shaking and shuddering. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the RPM raised up to 3,000 RPM. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle failed to move. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a vapor valve replacement was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Related recalls (1)

NHTSA investigations