2018 Ford Fiesta

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 35 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train8
100
Unknown or Other7
100
Engine5
000
Electrical System5
000
Air Bags5
200
Seats1
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 13, 2026AZ

The back up camera quit working. The back seats are taller and it has made it very difficult to see if there are children behind my vehicle. I reported it to the dealership and now I have to pay $200.00 to have them check it.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 14, 2025DC

Back-up camera goes in and out intermittently, sometimes the image is very faint and then totally disappears into a black screen, or says it is not available at this time, then goes black. This started about 4 months ago and I have not been able to identify a triggering factor, rain nor heat does not appear to be the factor that causes it. My car was purchased 2018 with 13 miles and I now have only 21,897 miles never been in an accident or anything to cause this issue. The dealer said my vehicle is not under the recall guidelines although it completely mimics the recalled issues listed under NHTSA#23S48/25V273 also the dealer says the issue has to be present for the mechanic to see. When I took it to the dealer today 10/14/2025 the camera was functioning and I have no idea when it will go back out again to show them. This can definitely become a safety issue and a cost I should not have to be responsible for because there is an indication this could be a production issue. Please assist me with this issue.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 23, 2025TX

Purchased vehicle at the end of 2018 and this is the third time I have had to replace the horn. It's not a fuse, it's not wiring, it is the actual horn that either shorts or dies with no notice.

Power Train
Filed Jan 9, 2025MI

Hello, I have zero idea why I am emailing, I may be secretly hoping for...anything. I drive a 2018 Ford Fiesta SE, I have owned it since 2019 as that is when I purchased it used. Over the weekend I experienced transmission issues and an auto shop informed me that I am in need of a transmission rebuild due to the clutch going out. The estimated cost is 3.4k. I came across this article from 2019: [XXX] Within the article Ford notes: "The transmissions (dual-clutch automatic transmissions known as DPS6 designed for fuel efficiency) were introduced in the 2011 model year Fiesta and 2012 Focus. They were used until the Focus was discontinued with the 2018 model year and until the 2019 Fiesta". The article then goes onto state: "technical analysis, warranty data and customer feedback show that the DPS6 transmission in Focus and Fiesta vehicles from 2016 (model year) through 2019 MY are improved from prior model years. They perform well and have competitive levels of customer satisfaction.” But I don't believe that to be true given the clutch issues that have just happened with my 2019 Ford Fiesta. It gets a bit more odd because I think Ford is lying about the 2019 model year being 'improved'. The mechanic I am going through put a pause on rebuilding my transmission because Ford reached out to them with potential fixes per an 'internal bulletin'. Those potential fixes include a redesigned clutch kit for the transmission...why would that be a thing if my model year was 'improved'. Al

Engine
Filed Sep 12, 2024CA

My engine has been malfuctioning over the following year. I've gotten repairs and it continues to do so. I'm asking for a recall.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 1, 202497,260 milesNC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side door independently opened. The door ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 97,260.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 30, 2024NV

I bought my Ford Fiesta new in 2018. I have less than 35k miles on my car. My car recently started bucking while I stop at stop signs or red lights. My car revs up and tries to go forward. I took my car to the dealership hours later. They did a diagnosis and asked me what kind of gas I use. They said I shouldn't buy my gas from there. I was then told my valve is sticking from the gas and the valve is trying to open and it can't so it bucks and lurches. The part they need is on back order. The part is not available any where in the country. So does that mean the whole country side uses the same gas I do? That is why that part is on back order?

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 28, 2024GA

My fuel canister purge valve needs replacement less than 70,000 on car. The cap less gas cap defective as well. Why did they make these cuz everyone is having problems with the purge valve and cap less. It all on YouTube. Where is the recall,.

Engine
Filed May 19, 2024CA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2024MN

Trunk randomly pops open during driving. Or when you put it in gear.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 31, 2023IN

12/4/2023 while attempting to pull into a parking spot in a parking garage car suddenly accelerated forward at a very fast rate, just prior to acceleration felt like it shuddered. Afraid that it would keep going and go over edge so I pulled to the right while trying to brake and hit a concrete barrier. Terrifying! October 23, 2019 another couple had this happen in another parking garage downtown Indianapolis and they were killed. Car went over the edge. Must have been on my mind! Have owned this car since 02/23/2022, no problems whatsoever, checked out in September of this 2023, all maintenance up to date. Weather was dry and floor pads were not in way (bringing this up because I was asked this by a friend). Been driving 50+ years and never had a car do this. Hit the front drivers side of the car, air bags did NOT deploy, but the insurance company totaled my car. The Capitol Police happened to be in the garage at the time making rounds and were on the scene in seconds from when it happened. Luckily that morning I decided to park on the upper level of the garage and no one else had their car damaged and nobody was hurt including myself. Just prior to trying to turn into the parking space the car had been traveling uphill to the 5th floor - going very slow. A lot of people walking and other cars around trying to park. Don't know if this has anything to do with it but on Tuesday, December 19th, another employee had the same thing happen in the same garage. Her car was a differen

Air Bags
Filed Dec 21, 202364,000 milesME

The contact’s grandmother owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving up a hill, the vehicle started sputtering, vibrating, and jerking. The sputtering was severe, causing the front driver's side seat belt to be activated. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

Power Train
Filed Dec 4, 202374,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the "Transmission Malfunction Service Now” message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the RPM's increased rapidly, but the vehicle did not respond. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 27, 2023MI

Since around 20,000 miles, my 2018 Ford Fiesta SE has had a grinding noise after shifting at certain gears. I got the car serviced at that time. Now I'm at 70,000 miles and the noise has persisted, and has gotten worse. My transmission slipped at 0mph when I was accelerating, almost causing me to lose control of my car.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Filed Jun 9, 2022IL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the backup camera displayed a distorted image. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 5, 2022SC

Fan stopped working out of no where causing car to over heat happened multiple times even after being replaced. Airbag lights say airbag on passenger side is off even when someone is in the seat this happens alot. Back driver side turn signal will not work and everything has been changed and looked at by several mechanics. When driving it sometimes does not want to shift wants to just stay at one rpm and jerk

Unknown or Other
Filed May 26, 202220,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while shifting gears after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated before returning to normal operation. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal sometimes had to be depressed multiple times before the vehicle accelerated properly. The vehicle also displayed several electrical shortages. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a defective canister purge valve. The canister purge valve was replaced and several unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

Engine
Filed May 24, 202220,000 milesWV

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.

Power Train
Filed May 16, 202237,000 milesDC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 37,000.

Power Train
Filed May 4, 2022WA

The component that failed was the clutch pedal assembly. The part is currently still installed in the vehicle. The clutch pedal randomly will stay full depressed, and requires manually reaching and grabbing the pedal to pull it out. The operator being distracted because they cant get the car into the correct gear and have to pull off the road to reset/pull the clutch pedal back into position. The component has not be inspected. There were no warning signs or symptoms before the failure happened.

20 of 35 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2011
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2019100310Routine
2018 — this page35001Fatalities reported
201774011Fatalities reported
2016178011Fatalities reported
2015258400Above average
2014502780Above average
2013667340Above average
2012617350Above average
2011730353Fatalities reported
20021000Routine
20011000Routine
19912000Routine

Compare every Fiesta year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.