Common problems · Ford

Ford Fiesta common problems and recalls

20 sourced problems across the Fiesta's generations since 2012, plus 16 DVSA recalls. Enter a registration to see the ones that apply to your exact car.

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Fiesta Mk8 (2017–2023)

Acknowledged by the manufacturer

Recalls, extended warranties, compensation schemes, service actions and statements.

Reported by owners and the motoring press

Problems at least two independent publishers report, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not every car.

DVSA recalls for the Fiesta Mk8

Listed by DVSA for this model during these build years. Not every car is affected — check yours by VIN on GOV.UK.

  • The front suspension lower ball joint bolt/nut may not be torqued correctly on a small number of Fiesta vehicles.R/2023/189 · 28/06/2023

    The front suspension lower ball joint bolt/nut may not be torqued correctly on a small number of Fiesta vehicles.

    Remedy: Affected vehicles need to be returned to a Ford Authorised Dealer to have the torque confirmed.

    Listed for: FIESTA · built 2023

  • The wiring harness for the crankshaft position sensor may not be secured correctly into positionR/2021/348 · 27/10/2021

    Due to a production error the wiring harness for the crankshaft position sensor may not be secured correctly into position.

    Remedy: The crankshaft position sensor harness securing clip must be pushed into the vacant hole on the engine front cover.

    Listed for: FIESTA · built 2021

  • On the affected vehicles an incorrect Instrument Cluster has been fitted. This results in the speedometer not correctly displaying the maximum vehicle speed.R/2023/274 · 27/09/2023

    On the affected vehicles an incorrect Instrument Cluster has been fitted. This results in the speedometer not correctly displaying the maximum vehicle speed.�

    Remedy: Affected vehicles will have the instrument cluster exchanged.��

    Listed for: FIESTA ST · built 2022–2023

  • X-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software UpdateR/2025/094 · 19/12/2024

    Affected vehicles may develop a crack in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

    Remedy: Update software to prevent a cracked DPF. Test and replace DPFs that are already cracked.

    Listed for: MONDEO, CMAX, KUGA, FOCUS (SDPF), S-MAX, GALAXY, TRANSIT CUSTOM, FOCUS MCA, FOCUS, ECOSPORT, B-MAX, FIESTA MCA, TRANSIT… · built 2014–2022

Show 6 more
  • Rear seat latches and centre seat belt retractor bolts may not be tightened to specificationR/2019/410 · 19/12/2019

    Rear seat latches and centre seat belt retractor bolts may not be tightened to specification.

    Remedy: Affected bolts are to be torqued to specification.

    Listed for: FIESTA · built 2019

  • The MHEV battery connections may become looseR/2021/008 · 18/01/2021

    There is a potential that the vehicle's MHEV battery connections may become loose.

    Remedy: Inspect and check torque on 48 volt battery cable connections

    Listed for: FIESTA MHEV, PUMA MHEV · built 2020

  • Brake servo may failR/2018/039 · 15/03/2018

    Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a brake booster which may have a faulty diaphragm plate. This could lead to a loss of brake servo assistance.

    Remedy: An affected brake booster can be identified by its date of manufacture. This can be found on a label on the brake booster. An affected brake booster must be removed and replaced a new one.

    Listed for: FIESTA · built 2017

  • Vehicle seatbelts may have a defective low g locking mechanismR/2021/123 · 14/04/2021

    Vehicle seatbelts may have a defective low G locking mechanism.

    Remedy: Inspect the seat belt label for date range. If within suspect range exchange seat belt retractor.

    Listed for: ECOSPORT, FIESTA · built 2021

  • CrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software UpdateR/2025/359 · 08/09/2025

    On affected vehicles a software problem may result in issues with the rear-view camera that reduce the driver’s view or with it remaining on after a reversing event.

    Remedy: Update the vehicle software to the latest level.

    Listed for: KUGA, TRANSIT, MONDEO, FIESTA, GALAXY, FOCUS, TRANSIT COURIER, TRANSIT CUSTOM, ECOSPORT, EXPLORER, PUMA, TOURNEO CUSTOM… · built 2018–2023

  • Out of specification steering columnR/2019/426 · 08/01/2020

    Out of specification steering column

    Remedy: Replace the steering column

    Listed for: FIESTA · built 2019

Measured at MOT: how a 2020 Fiesta fails more often

Based on 169,701 first MOT tests of this model at 6 years old (cars first used 2018–2019), compared against every car of the same age and fuel.

Nothing stands out. No category fails clearly more often on this model than on cars of the same age and fuel.

    How to read this

    These are MOT outcomes for other cars of the same model, age and fuel — not a prediction about this one, and not a fault diagnosis. A high rate means the category is worth checking, not that this car has a problem.

    A comparison is only shown where it survives its own margin of error. Where a model is only slightly above average, both rates are shown and no multiple is given, because the data cannot tell the difference.

    MOT results reflect how a car has been used and maintained as much as the model itself. High mileage, short journeys and deferred servicing all show up here.

    Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Failure rates derived by FindServiceHistory from the DVSA anonymised MOT test and failure-item extracts.

    Fiesta Mk7 (2008–2017)

    Acknowledged by the manufacturer

    Recalls, extended warranties, compensation schemes, service actions and statements.

    Reported by owners and the motoring press

    Problems at least two independent publishers report, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not every car.

    DVSA recalls for the Fiesta Mk7

    Listed by DVSA for this model during these build years. Not every car is affected — check yours by VIN on GOV.UK.

    • Rear suspension bolts may failR/2012/012 · 28/02/2012

      Vehicles may have rear axle mounting bolts that do not meet the required specification. It is possible that the head of the bolt may shear and result in reduced retention of the rear axle.

      Remedy: Fit replacement bolts of the correct specification.

      Listed for: FIESTA, FUSION · built 2011

    • Seat belt anchor bolt securityR/2016/239 · 27/10/2016

      It has been identified that during production a small number of Fiesta's may not have had the right-hand side front seatbelt top anchor bolt tightened to the correct specification. This may result in the mounting not performing as intended if the vehicle is involved in a collision.

      Remedy: Recall all affected vehicles to torque the right-hand side front seatbelt top anchor bolts to the correct specification.

      Listed for: FIESTA · built 2016

    • X-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software UpdateR/2025/094 · 19/12/2024

      Affected vehicles may develop a crack in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

      Remedy: Update software to prevent a cracked DPF. Test and replace DPFs that are already cracked.

      Listed for: MONDEO, CMAX, KUGA, FOCUS (SDPF), S-MAX, GALAXY, TRANSIT CUSTOM, FOCUS MCA, FOCUS, ECOSPORT, B-MAX, FIESTA MCA, TRANSIT… · built 2014–2022

    • Rear seat belt buckle latch may failR/2015/008 · 16/01/2015

      The rear seat belt buckle (catch) could be defective. In the event of a frontal impact a defective buckle could fail causing the rear seat occupant to be unrestrained by the seat belt.

      Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check the rear seat belt buckles and if found to be part of the defective batch new buckles will be fitted.

      Listed for: FIESTA · built 2014

    Show 4 more
    • Brake servo may failR/2018/039 · 15/03/2018

      Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a brake booster which may have a faulty diaphragm plate. This could lead to a loss of brake servo assistance.

      Remedy: An affected brake booster can be identified by its date of manufacture. This can be found on a label on the brake booster. An affected brake booster must be removed and replaced a new one.

      Listed for: FIESTA · built 2017

    • Rear axle may detachR/2016/231 · 14/10/2016

      There may not be adequate welding on one of the rear axle side arm bush housings. Therefore it is possible for the twist beam to become detached from the vehicle.

      Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit a new rear twist axle.

      Listed for: FIESTA · built 2016

    • Possible risk of fireR/2014/102 · 05/11/2014

      On affected vehicles the diesel engine Glow Plug Control Module can be affected by wet conditions. The GPCM is not waterproof and water ingress into the module may cause overheating with the potential to result in a fire. As the GPCM has a permanent electrical live feed there is also a potential risk of an unattended…

      Remedy: Replace existing module with waterproof version

      Listed for: FIESTA · built 2010–2011

    • Relay may overheat and catch fireR/2015/033 · 04/03/2015

      On affected vehicles the diesel engine Glow Plug Control Module previously repalced under Recall R/2014102 may not be not waterproof and water ingress into the module may cause overheating with the potential to result in a fire. As the GPCM has a permanent electrical live feed there is also a potential risk of an unat…

      Remedy: Recheck those vehicles which may have had a suspect replacement fitted and replace module with correct waterproof version

      Listed for: FIESTA · built 2010–2011

    Measured at MOT: how a 2013 Fiesta fails more often

    Based on 171,341 first MOT tests of this model at 13 years old (cars first used 2011–2012), compared against every car of the same age and fuel.

    Nothing stands out. No category fails clearly more often on this model than on cars of the same age and fuel.

      How to read this

      These are MOT outcomes for other cars of the same model, age and fuel — not a prediction about this one, and not a fault diagnosis. A high rate means the category is worth checking, not that this car has a problem.

      A comparison is only shown where it survives its own margin of error. Where a model is only slightly above average, both rates are shown and no multiple is given, because the data cannot tell the difference.

      MOT results reflect how a car has been used and maintained as much as the model itself. High mileage, short journeys and deferred servicing all show up here.

      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Failure rates derived by FindServiceHistory from the DVSA anonymised MOT test and failure-item extracts.

      MOT failure rate: the Fiesta against vehicles its age

      In our analysis of DVSA's anonymised MOT data for 2024 and 2025, 34.7% of 2,721,534 initial MOT tests on the Ford Fiesta failed at the first attempt — 14% more often than vehicles of the same ages and fuel types, which failed 30.4%.

      FiestaCars of the same age and fuel (all makes)

      Ford Fiesta initial MOT failure rate by age band, against vehicles of the same age and fuel
      AgeTestsBarsFiestaSame age & fuelDifference
      3–5 years333,296
      		13.7%13.7%About the same
      6–9 years821,797
      		28.1%22.9%22% higher
      10–14 years986,076
      		40.6%35.3%15% higher
      15–19 years487,516
      		46.6%42.8%8% higher
      20–40 years92,849
      		44.7%40.4%10% higher

      These describe the model, not one car: how vehicles are used and maintained shows up as much as how they were built. Differences are the conservative end of a 95% confidence interval.

      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Rates and comparisons are FindServiceHistory's own analysis, not DVSA figures.

      These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for, and a recall may already have been done on yours. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.

      Recalls are listed by DVSA for the model around its build date — check a specific car by VIN at GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

      Common questions

      What are the most common Fiesta problems?

      For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: Automatic gearbox: jerky changes or outright failure; SYNC 3 infotainment glitches; Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging and repair bills; Engine oil leaks on earlier cars; Door seals can fail and let water into the cabin. Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.

      Has the Fiesta been recalled?

      Yes. DVSA lists recalls for the Fiesta built from 2012, shown above by generation. A recall covers a range of chassis numbers, so not every car is affected — check a specific car by VIN on GOV.UK, or by registration with our checker.

      Does my Fiesta have these problems?

      Not necessarily. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Enter your registration above to see the problems for your exact generation and engine, and whether DVSA records an outstanding recall on it. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history check shows.

      Has this Fiesta had the work done?

      A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car — and there's no charge if we find nothing.

      Check a Ford service history

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