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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train208
- Engine84
- Structure54
- Electrical system45
- Latches/locks/linkages30
- Fuel/propulsion system30
- Vehicle speed control25
- Air bags18
- Service brakes11
- Steering11
- Electronic stability control (esc)11
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Suspension8
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
36
67
85
57
38
99
38
15
10
22
14
17
6
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 36 |
| 2015 | 67 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2017 | 57 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 99 |
| 2020 | 38 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 6 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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”
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.