Ford Fiesta Door Lock & Latch Problems

Owners have filed 184 complaints about locks & latches problems with the Ford Fiesta — 6% of all Fiesta complaints. The worst model years are 2012 (57), 2013 (47) and 2011 (41). Problems typically start around 53,000 miles. 5 related recalls have been issued.

184complaints
2012worst year
53ktypical miles
5related recalls
1crashes
0fires

Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year

20112012201320142015201620172018201941574730621
Door Lock & Latch complaints per model year, Ford Fiesta.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
201813%97,000 miles
201621%63,000 miles
201562%60,000 miles
2014306%50,000 miles
2013477%52,000 miles
2012579%45,000 miles
2011416%65,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Doors › Latch
    88
  • Hood › Latch
    2

Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1812%
  • 25k–50k
    5638%
  • 50k–75k
    3524%
  • 75k–100k
    2316%
  • 100k–150k
    117%
  • 150k+
    53%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's door latch failed to latch as needed, and the front passenger's door failed to close securely. The contact used duct tape to prevent the door from opening unexpectedly. The contact stated that the failure started shortly after the vehicle was purchased. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact the cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 89,072.

2015 Fiesta · Doors › Latch · 89,000 miles · Nov 2020

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side front door inadvertently opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V177000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

2015 Fiesta · 60,000 miles · Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the hood and door lights were inadvertently illuminated. Additionally, the key fob was not recognized while placed in the ignition switch. The failures were intermittent. The dealer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that she had to pay out of pocket for the fob key replacement. Lilliston Ford Inc (833 N Delsea Dr, Vineland, NJ 08360) and Carman Ford (193 S Dupont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720) were also made aware of the failures and informed the contact to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

2014 Fiesta · 135,000 miles · Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while he was cleaning the vehicle and attempting to close the front and rear passenger's side doors, the doors failed to latch securely. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V246000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The dealer was made aware of the failure but stated that the recall had expired in 2020. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

2014 Fiesta · 101,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while making a left turn at the traffic light, with her grandchild in a car seat in the rear passenger seat, the rear passenger's side door opened inadvertently. The contact stopped in the middle of the road. A bystander attempted to close the rear passenger's side door; however, the door failed to closed. The bystander was able to keep the door closed by using a cord. The contact moved her grandchild to the rear middle seat. The contact also stated that while driving on another occasion, the front driver's side and front passenger's side doors inadvertently opened. Additionally, the contact stated while driving on a slight incline, the vehicle inadvertently rolled back. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the failed to respond. …

2013 Fiesta · Doors › Latch · 32,000 miles · Aug 2018 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's door unintendedly opened. The contact immediately pulled over to attempt to close the door; however, the door failed to close. The contact used a rope to keep the door closed with the rear passenger's door on the driver's side door. The vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages), and the vehicle was inspected and determined that there was no failure with the doors. The vehicle was not repaired at that time, and the recall was closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the door latch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

2013 Fiesta · 78,000 miles · Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 50 mph and coming to a stop, she heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle started shuddering and inadvertently stalled. The "Transmission Failure" message appeared on the instrument panel along with several other unknown warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The contact stated the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. …

2012 Fiesta · 105,000 miles · Jun 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle and closing the front driver's side door, the door failed to latch properly. While driving 70 MPH, the front driver's side door opened. The contact secured the door with a bungee cord and continued driving. A dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V246000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). Additionally, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, was notified of the failure by phone, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

2012 Fiesta · Doors › Latch · 190,000 miles · Sep 2026

Related recalls (5)

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 23V-775 · Nov 17, 2023 · 45,173 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 20V-331 · Jun 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 20V-177 · Mar 23, 2020 · 288,110 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American…

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 17V-210 · Mar 27, 2017 · 191,432 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 15V-246 · Apr 24, 2015 · 456,440 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015.

NHTSA investigations

Door Latch Failures

NHTSA investigation RQ19005 · opened Dec 19, 2019 · closed Feb 7, 2022 · led to recall 20V-177

In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.

Door Latch Failure

NHTSA investigation PE14028 · opened Sep 11, 2014 · closed Mar 18, 2015 · led to recall 20E-010

On September 11, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE14-028) to investigate claims of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta vehicles. ODI has received 207 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with sixty-five claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.

Door Latch Failure

NHTSA investigation EA15002 · opened Feb 27, 2015 · closed Nov 13, 2015 · led to recall 15V-246

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta, MY 2013 Ford Fusion and MY 2013 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Fiesta years have door lock & latch problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (57), 2013 (47), 2011 (41), 2014 (30) and 2015 (6) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2012.

Is there a recall for Ford Fiesta door lock & latch problems?

Yes — 5 recalls, including 23V-775 (latch, Nov 17, 2023); 20V-331 (latch, Jun 8, 2020); 20V-177 (latch, Mar 23, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Ford Fiesta door lock & latch problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the doors › latch (88 mentions), followed by the hood › latch (2).

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.