Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Ford Fiesta problems

Owners filed 730 complaints about the 2011 Ford Fiesta with NHTSA between Aug 2010 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is power train (366).

Complaints
730
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
32
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
34
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train366
  2. Structure125
  3. Engine108
  4. Electrical system96
  5. Vehicle speed control57
  6. Latches/locks/linkages41
  7. Steering26
  8. Air bags23
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)18
  10. Fuel/propulsion system15
  11. Service brakes14
  12. Engine and engine cooling12
  13. Exterior lighting12
  14. Fuel system, gasoline11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20109
201142
201232
201344
2014154
2015131
201677
201737
201832
201976
202037
202113
202216
202313
20247
20259
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

366 reports10 crashes
“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road on several occasions. The vehicle was able to restart after 10 minutes; however, the failure recurred upon resuming driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15B22 (Transmission Control Module Reprogramming for Overt TCM Failure Warning). The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 15B22. The contact stated that upon towing the vehicle to the dealer, the dealer refused to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 106,902.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2025Power trainODI 11684826

Structure

125 reports4 crashes1 fire
“I have a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle has a really serious issue relating to the fuse box that is mounted under the hood. This issue has a recall and I scheduled it for service at the Ford dealer in bryan, ohio. (Bryan Ford) I have issues with this vehicle that make it extremely unsafe for me and my family to drive. The headlights randomly go out while driving, both passenger and drivers side are affected by this. The doors will not lock and I have no horn now either, making us a target for car jacking. About a month before I found out there was a recall for this I hit a racoon and it knocked off the plastic wheel cover. After I took it in to have the recall fixed Bryan Ford refused to repair this recall due to the missing plastic. I believe my family and I are going to be seriously injured in this vehicle because of the electrical problems related to the recalled fusebox. I blow a headlight approximately once a week and the fuses blow constantly. I believe they do not want to fix this because it is a very time consuming repair that they feel isn't worth thier time. The anxiety I have while driving this car after dark is excruciating and i feel that my…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lighting, StructureODI 11564159

Engine

108 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Ford has had a long known issue with 2011-2015-FIESTA ( Cuautitlan ) they issued a Customer Satisfaction Program that ended June 2025. I purchased the car July 2026 used w/o none issues. Checked VIN for recall and Maryland Inspected. Driving it one week and the check engine light comes on. Apparently the TCM recognized a change in driving pattern but FORD will not honor the replacement. How is it not a safety issue with the vehicle can decide not to engage risking a collision? I am willing to pay for the labor of the part but would like the part covered as it should.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026EngineODI 11758235

Electrical system

96 reports1 crash1 fire
“I am having issues with the fuse box under the hood. I keep shorting out on my headlights ans AC clutch relay. I've purchased new head lights (bulbs), replaced them and they still didn't work. I checked the fuses after investigation online and they have blown. I had my AC completely fixed and it ran fine for a while, then stopped working. I had it checked and was told the AC relay clutch fuse was loose. I replaced it. Three weeks later it shorted out, again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2025Electrical systemODI 11678059

Vehicle speed control

57 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Upon acceleration from a stop the transmission seriously shutters and stalls the vehicles engine seriously putting the occupants life and safety at risk as well as others. I also noticed that the vehicle shutters badly at speeds 3mph through 25mph bucking and stalling the engine all the way through making driving the vehicle a real danger and threat to the safety of others on the road. This is a serious and dangerous situation I’ve been placed in and by this vehicle being my only source of transportation endangers my life and safety and the safety of others on the road due to the stalling and hesitation upon entering traffic it’s deadly. Weather conditions also contribute to the life threatening dangers while traveling. Vehicle has not been inspected by a certified technician due to to my extended hours of required employment with no other source of transportation yet I am more than willing to get a free inspection by a Ford Facility. Yes there is a yellow check engine light on the dashboard that was never present up until the shuttering and stalling started 3 to 4 months ago. Please update me with any solutions you may have ASAP to address this urgent and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2023Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11526239

Latches/locks/linkages

41 reports2 related recalls
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V246000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER, MOSES AUTO GROUP (1433 MACCORKLE AVE, ST ALBANS, WV 25177, (304) 722-4900) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH AND WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE SECURELY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2020Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11348609
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.