Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Ford Fiesta problems

Owners filed 504 complaints about the 2014 Ford Fiesta with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (208).

Complaints
504
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
23
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train208
  2. Engine84
  3. Structure54
  4. Electrical system45
  5. Latches/locks/linkages30
  6. Fuel/propulsion system30
  7. Vehicle speed control25
  8. Air bags18
  9. Service brakes11
  10. Steering11
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)11
  12. Engine and engine cooling8
  13. Suspension8
  14. Wheels6

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
201436
201567
201685
201757
201838
201999
202038
202115
202210
202322
202414
202517
20266

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

208 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Brand new OEM ford clutch slave cylinder failed while in traffic. Part number DG9Z-7A564-B fell apart during test drive after it was newly installed. Lost ability to use the clutch pedal and could not pull the car out of gear while in traffic. Component was not inspected by manufacturer yet, there were no warning lights on the dash when it occurred. Was able to get the car back home and noticed brake fluid pouring out from inside the bell housing of the transmission where the slave cylinder is housed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2026Power trainODI 11736922

Engine

84 reports2 crashes3 fires
“The "Engine Oil Pressure Low, Stop Safely" warning appeared on the information screen as the car was starting up. The car is available for inspection, but I have not taken it to a Ford dealership or a mechanic for inspection. Google just said that it is a severe "wet timing belt degradation" issue and that I should NOT drive the car. The closest dealer is 21 miles away. I am worried that the engine will fail. This is my only transportation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026EngineODI 11770495

Structure

54 reports2 crashes
“I WAS TOLD WAY BACK WHEN THAT DOOR LATCHES HAD A DEFECT. THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. COLONIAL FORD OF DANBURY CT AVOIDED DOING THE COMPLETE RECALLS. SUCH IS SO THAT I PAID OUT OF POCKET A TRANSMISSION REBUILD AND TOOK FORD 2 YEARS TO REEMBURSE ME THE COST. BUT THE DOOR LATCH RECALL WAS STILL IN EFFECT. IT TURNS OUT THAT IM GETTING A DOOR OPEN WARNING ON DASH WHILE DOORS ARE CLOSED. THIS WAS A DEFECT RECALL GOING BACK 5-6 YEARS BUT WAS NEVER REPLACED. NOW DEALER TELLS ME MY CAR WAS'NT PART OF THE RECALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11728773

Electrical system

45 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The vehicle has experienced ongoing failures with the DPS6 PowerShift transmission system. Symptoms included slipping between gears, failure to engage 6th gear, jerky shifting, and bucking during acceleration. A transmission warning light appeared multiple times. These issues occurred daily and worsened over time. Eventually, the vehicle became unsafe to drive—it would over-rev, buck violently, and lose power during traffic conditions. A retired Ford Senior Master Technician confirmed the issue is consistent with a faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM), which is covered under Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 14M02. Despite this, the dealership refused to replace the TCM. Instead, they replaced a speed sensor and returned it to me. The vehicle broke down again within minutes and had to be returned. The dealership has now suggested dropping the transmission for further inspection at a cost of $2,500, rather than honoring CSP 14M02. They also encouraged me to trade in the vehicle instead of repairing it. The TCM failure has not been resolved, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11659807

Latches/locks/linkages

30 reports4 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2024Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11595527

Fuel/propulsion system

30 reports2 crashes2 fires
“THROTTLE SENSOR. THROTTLE BODY AND THROTTLE BOX. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THIS. IT'S SAYING MECHANICAL FAILURE. AND AFTER CHECKING IT'S STILL SAYS THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11329170
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.