Owners have filed 368 complaints
about the 2015 Ford Fiesta with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 38
Against the median year of the Ford Fiesta. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 58
11.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 62
36% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Body
1137.9%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
517.2%
Clutch Assembly
413.8%
Body Control Module/Bcm
26.9%
Latch
26.9%
Windshield
26.9%
Automatic Transmission
26.9%
Clutches/Bands
13.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
197.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
259.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
3714.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
5019.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
5420.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4517.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
259.6%
150,000+ miles
62.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2015peak 17Jul 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Ford Fiesta
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
1
investigation is
still open.
EA26004Opened 31 Jul 2026Still openENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, MY 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport and MY 2016-2018 Focus vehicles with a 1.0L engine and automatic transmission were analyzed as peer vehicles because they utilize a wet timing belt comprised of similar material as the timing belt in the subject vehicles. Through the PE, O...
PE25020Opened 18 Dec 2025Closed 31 Jul 2026ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Timing Belt Failure
On December 18, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE25020 to investigate instances of timing belt failure in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford), equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission (subject vehicles). Additionally, MY 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport and MY 2016-2018 Focus vehicles with a 1.0L engine and automatic transmission were analyzed as peer vehicles because they utilize a wet timing belt comprised of similar material as the timing belt in the subject vehicles. Through the PE, O...
RQ19005Opened 19 Dec 2019Closed 7 Feb 2022LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Door Latch Failures
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl sprin...
Recalls on the 2015 Ford Fiesta
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
23V775000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
Risk: Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
20V177000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
17V209000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Risk: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
15V005000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 150,000 milesCincinnati, OHCrash12 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle with his foot on the brake pedal and off the accelerator, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated to an undisclosed speed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a fence, where it stalled, and the contact was unable to restart it. The air bags did not deploy. The transmission warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. A police report was filed. 12 individuals suffered injuries, with 7 being transported to the ER and treated for various injuries. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission as well as the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11525715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesCincinnati, OHCrash12 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle with his foot on the brake pedal and off the accelerator, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated to an undisclosed speed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a fence, where it stalled, and the contact was unable to restart it. The air bags did not deploy. The transmission warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. A police report was filed. 12 individuals suffered injuries, with 7 being transported to the ER and treated for various injuries. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission as well as the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11525715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesEvans, GACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owned a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to engage. The contact had to apply pressure to the brake pedal to glide the vehicle to a stop. Additionally, the contact added that the front passenger side door became stuck and failed to open and the front driver’s side door failed to remain closed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact then stated that three days later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, attempting to make an undisclosed turn onto the interstate when she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to slow. As a result, the wheels caught onto the ground gravel and spun off the road and rolled over, flipping the vehicle to a complete 180-degree turn. The contact sustained bruising to the chest, the right thigh, and a scratch on the right leg. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. UPDATE 07/03/2023- Consumer would like update on the report submitted May 2023.
NHTSA complaint #11524656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MICrash
AIR BAGS
This goes with Incidents 11500972 & 11500985 2015 Ford Fiesta SE purchased 2.8.18 Crest Ford in Center Line, MI From my other reports, car has had all kinds of issues. This is 3/5 and these are all ACCIDENTS. In early 2019, I was coming home from a medical appointment in the morning. I was the 4th car, sitting at the busy intersection of 9 Mile and Kelly, which was ON 9 Mile, going West. The light was red. I had my seat belt on, like always, my foot on the brake, looking straight ahead at the light. Suddenly, the car shook, like as if a semi was going by, but no one was moving. And even tho my foot was squarely on the brake, the car took off, like someone had pressed the accelerator peddle! Quickly I pressed as hard as I could down further on the brake, but it didn't matter. The car kind of jumped, then took off, again, like someone was had stomped on the accelerator. I was in the right-most lane, I slammed into the Sedan in front of me, which shoved his car off the road, up the edge, and onto the sidewalk, so I was almost sideways. I was horrified. My air bags did not deploy. The man driving and a 2nd man got out, they were furious, screaming what was wrong with me? I didn't know how to explain that the car took off on its own, while my foot was on the brake! He was yelling and screaming, luckily his air bags didn't do off either. This dented his bumper, but he didn't have insurance, didn't want to get the police involved or make a report, which was fine with me. Since, I have been very cautious stopped at lights, always expecting this to happen again, and it has! Not as dramatically, but sitting stopped, foot on brake, no rhyme or reason, car suddenly jumps, accelerates. I thought I must be going crazy, I've never heard of a car doing this. Well reading the reports of the Ford Fiesta problems, I see other cars doing this too. I won't take it across like a bridge, imagine it accelerating over the side into the Great Lakes. Very dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11501018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MICrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This goes with Incidents 11500972 & 11500985 2015 Ford Fiesta SE purchased 2.8.18 Crest Ford in Center Line, MI From my other reports, car has had all kinds of issues. This is 3/5 and these are all ACCIDENTS. In early 2019, I was coming home from a medical appointment in the morning. I was the 4th car, sitting at the busy intersection of 9 Mile and Kelly, which was ON 9 Mile, going West. The light was red. I had my seat belt on, like always, my foot on the brake, looking straight ahead at the light. Suddenly, the car shook, like as if a semi was going by, but no one was moving. And even tho my foot was squarely on the brake, the car took off, like someone had pressed the accelerator peddle! Quickly I pressed as hard as I could down further on the brake, but it didn't matter. The car kind of jumped, then took off, again, like someone was had stomped on the accelerator. I was in the right-most lane, I slammed into the Sedan in front of me, which shoved his car off the road, up the edge, and onto the sidewalk, so I was almost sideways. I was horrified. My air bags did not deploy. The man driving and a 2nd man got out, they were furious, screaming what was wrong with me? I didn't know how to explain that the car took off on its own, while my foot was on the brake! He was yelling and screaming, luckily his air bags didn't do off either. This dented his bumper, but he didn't have insurance, didn't want to get the police involved or make a report, which was fine with me. Since, I have been very cautious stopped at lights, always expecting this to happen again, and it has! Not as dramatically, but sitting stopped, foot on brake, no rhyme or reason, car suddenly jumps, accelerates. I thought I must be going crazy, I've never heard of a car doing this. Well reading the reports of the Ford Fiesta problems, I see other cars doing this too. I won't take it across like a bridge, imagine it accelerating over the side into the Great Lakes. Very dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11501018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northville, MICrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Goes with Incidents: 11501018, 11500972 & 11500985 I am 100% Disabled, but work occassionally via SSA Ticket to Work program, for Amazon, using Ford Fiesta to deliver packages. 2.1.22 I bought 4 new tires from Costco. 2.3.22 I was delivering in a rural area, about 3:30PM. It had snowed. I had delivered to a farm, drove back to main road, but on the way, stopped to look at and take photo from car of some cute horses wearing coats. No one around, road pretty flat. As I went to move forward, this is really bad, the road went UP and it was angled, the car again, took off, as in my other report. Luckily I had my seatbelt on. I believe I had just shifted to Drive, foot still on brake, and this car was like I had stomped down on the accelerator. Also luckily, I was not facing those horses! I couldn't believe it, car went flying UP this road, brakes not working, I could steer, it was taking me right towards a BUSY ROAD. My heart was pounding, going UP this angled road, should have stopped the momentum, it did not. I turned the steering wheel, hard, to the right. Somehow as the tracks in the snow showed, the car did go to the right, but it kept going, across the road I was on, to the left side, into a ditch and a bale of hay! This was about 1 house from that main, busy road. With new tires. 1st a FedEx driver saw what happened, asked about the tracks going to one side then the other. He tried to pull me out, but couldn't. Then a nice farmer and his gf stopped, he had a large 4-wheel drive, after an hour, even with shovels, we couldn't get out, he went back home, brought a 2nd truck, some ropes, they slowly dragged me out, away from hay stacks. They also noticed my basic S-curve, I couldn't stop, so I drove into the hay! This Ford did what it did before, took off with no pressure on the accelerator. It was stopped. I certainly didn't stomp down, I was braking and steering. I was stuck in freezing cold for 2+ hours. Then spent $325 on new brakes, rotors.
NHTSA complaint #11501025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
El Paso, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car sputters everytime I put gas in it. Sometimes shuts off. It’s every time I put gas. I’m not filling up the gas tank because I notice if I do fill it up. It gives me more problems .. occurring problem
NHTSA complaint #11750704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesTucson, AZ
POWER TRAIN
The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs; however the issue persisted. After the repairs, while mother was driving on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The clutch became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not further diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11740709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Independence, MO
ENGINE
I have taken the vehicle to 2 auto places both have confirmed it has engine failure. It only has 140,000 miles
NHTSA complaint #11734975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Custer, WA
POWER TRAIN
I was driving for couple hours then my oil light came on check engine light came on. Vehicle started to shake very badly. I had to pull over and see what happened. I started the vehicle up again and the oil light and check engine light are still on. I know that these vehicles have the wet belt system on the automatics. But they don't have one for the manual transmission. There should be a recall for these just like the automatics.
NHTSA complaint #11734102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Custer, WA
STEERING
I was driving for couple hours then my oil light came on check engine light came on. Vehicle started to shake very badly. I had to pull over and see what happened. I started the vehicle up again and the oil light and check engine light are still on. I know that these vehicles have the wet belt system on the automatics. But they don't have one for the manual transmission. There should be a recall for these just like the automatics.
NHTSA complaint #11734102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on the highway, and my car started shaking. All of the sudden I couldn't push on the gas anymore, and out of the blue a notification popped up on my screen that said "transmission failure, service immediately" and the car fully stopped working. I was forced to coast to the side of the highway, where I ended up in an incredibly dangerous spot. I had to call the cops, have them come so I wouldn't get hit (it was fully night time), and had to wait for a tow truck to come tow me and my car off the side of the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11734158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
SUSPENSION
I was driving on the highway, and my car started shaking. All of the sudden I couldn't push on the gas anymore, and out of the blue a notification popped up on my screen that said "transmission failure, service immediately" and the car fully stopped working. I was forced to coast to the side of the highway, where I ended up in an incredibly dangerous spot. I had to call the cops, have them come so I wouldn't get hit (it was fully night time), and had to wait for a tow truck to come tow me and my car off the side of the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11734158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on the highway, and my car started shaking. All of the sudden I couldn't push on the gas anymore, and out of the blue a notification popped up on my screen that said "transmission failure, service immediately" and the car fully stopped working. I was forced to coast to the side of the highway, where I ended up in an incredibly dangerous spot. I had to call the cops, have them come so I wouldn't get hit (it was fully night time), and had to wait for a tow truck to come tow me and my car off the side of the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11734158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Custer, WA
ENGINE
I was driving for couple hours then my oil light came on check engine light came on. Vehicle started to shake very badly. I had to pull over and see what happened. I started the vehicle up again and the oil light and check engine light are still on. I know that these vehicles have the wet belt system on the automatics. But they don't have one for the manual transmission. There should be a recall for these just like the automatics.
NHTSA complaint #11734102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manteca, CA
POWER TRAIN
No
NHTSA complaint #11726852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manteca, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
No
NHTSA complaint #11726852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manteca, CA
ENGINE
No
NHTSA complaint #11726852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clara, CA
POWER TRAIN
Transmission going out with car having only 71,000 miles on it .a know fact that Ford knew when I bought this car new .and going out when on freeways or just about anywhere could me in danger
NHTSA complaint #11721112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boswell, OK
ENGINE
Low pressure oil light came on and I stopped driving it 18 miles later drove about 25-30 mph hoping it wouldn’t seize on me before I got home. because I figure the oil pump is clogged with timing belt fragments and I can’t afford to replace the timing belt right now. Afraid to drive it because I have read it could seize up the engine. 1.0 eco boost manual transmission. Car ran great and I had no issues with it until the low pressure oil light came on. Been sitting since March. I have started it 4 times since then and it has been moved around the yard but never ran longer than a few minutes. Still starts just afraid with the low pressure oil light on that it could seize up if I drive it again.
NHTSA complaint #11707044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, ID
ENGINE
This vehicle has experienced the exact issue of a Ford recall for other model year fiestas. The oil pump belt has experienced premature wear and failure, leading to a sudden loss of power. My local Ford dealer says that this vehicle should have been included in Ford recall #23S64 and that I should report this to NHTSA to document and hopefully expand the recall to all years that result in this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11695600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesTampa, FL
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as expected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the Transmission Control Module. The contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11686615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 199,000 milesPort St. Lucie, FL
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that after the battery was replaced, the message "Transmission Malfunction Service Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the RPMs fluctuated, and the engine revved abnormally. Whenever the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, the engine jerked, and the transmission failed to shift as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module); however, the VIN was not included. The failure persisted, and the vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The contact had parked the vehicle out of safety concerns. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
NHTSA complaint #11680738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesDayton, OH
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, and upon jumpstarting the vehicle, the message "Transmission Failure - Service Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the VIN was included in an unknown recall, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The dealer replaced the TCM at the contact's expense. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11680379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, AZ
POWER TRAIN
MALFUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODULE.REVERSE NOT ENGAGING.SLIPPING OF GEARS WHILE OPERATING.DIAGONISIS CONFIRMED AT PEORIA FORD PEORIA AZ ON 8/25.4 WEEKS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED!!!!!!!!!! CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT TIME OF MALFUNCTION.VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ABLE TO CONTROL AUTO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11680511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesWoodland, CA
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the "Engine Malfunction Service Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel at start up. The vehicle was taken to dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission control module extended warranty coverage); however, the dealer refused to honor the warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #11679056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMaize, KS
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted, and after several attempts, the vehicle started. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with TCM failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed of an unknown recall for the TCM however, the recall had expired. The contact had not received a recall notification. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11675654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quinton, AL
ENGINE
In 2020, Documents were subpoened proving that Ford falsified doors and used a dangerous faulty transmission in Ford Fiesta and Focus Moodels from 2011-2015. There were so many lawsuits, they settled through arbitration. The judicial system only required an extended waranty- no recall or redesign. These vehicles are dangerous, and when transmission overheats, the cars stop in the middle of the road. Many will not go in Reverse. Ford is recouping their arbitration settlement money by continuing to sell these cars on the Used Car Market with the same DPS6 Transmissions which they knew were faulty and dangerous, and falsified documents about, with Clean Car Faxes, often low mileage- because heat starts transmission failure, and that is not fair. The pledge does not say...."WitH liberty and justice for ALL WHO CAN AFFORD IT!" I HAVE AMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED TWICE, because car stops when Trans gets hot. One driver of a 4'4 truck, speeding around a blind spot, swerved into oncoming lane, rolled down his window, pointed a pistol at me, cursing because I ALMOST made HIM WRECK! although my safety flashers were on. There are no shoulders on these rural roads. This car is DANGEROUS! WHY WAS FORD ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? Falsification of documents about a cars safety is fraud. There are tens of thousands with Clean Car Faxes still being sold unfairly to unknowing victims with modest incomes who TRUST CAR FAX DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #11675245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willits, CA
ENGINE
In May, my 2015 Ford Fiesta SE went into "limp mode" before reaching the speed limit of 25mph. Immediately afterwards it was taken into a local shop, Mobile Mechanic, where no codes were active and coolant level was between min and max level. Next day, car experienced misfiring check engine light and overheating before being looked at by a mechanic. Mechanic replaced spark plugs due to code reading misfiring in cylinder 3. Car still continued to misfire and due to slight lower level of coolant, Engine overheated and cracked a cylinder block in the 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. This car is used to travel with two children under [XXX] and [XXX]. The beginning of June the car overheated on a hot day traveling home with the two kids and myself. We had to sit in the heat for close to an hour before temperature gauge returned to normal, I checked the coolant and it was still between min and max levels. On the same trip, it was on the verge of overheating again due to climbing the hill before our house. After finding out the cylinder block was cracked by my mechanic we discovered there has been a recall issue with the same engine, Recall 17S09, that began in January 2018, a month before I purchased my car from Redwood Ford in Ukiah California ([XXX]). I called W. C. Sanderson Ford in Healdsburg, California on July, 15th, 2025 to see if it would be possible to see if this recall was actually fixed on my vehicle, which they responded that the recall has nothing to do with my car and they can't do anything about my car. The representative specifically said that due to my car being 10 years old it has been disqualified of the recall and is no longer attached to my VIN. I have taken this car to the same local mechanic 4 times since the ending of May, 2025 for the same issues before we discovered the cracked cylinder block, mechanic took pictures of fluid and water inside cylinder 3. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11675419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pearland, TX
POWER TRAIN
The transmission control module (TCM) on my 2015 Ford Fiesta was failing at 81,000 miles. It was difficult to accelerate the car even at low speeds (25-30 mph) and my check engine light was on. I took my vehicle to the nearest Ford Dealership (Big Star Ford in Manvel, TX) who assessed my vehicle and determined the TCM needed to be replaced. They replaced the part but told me it was not under the 14M02 warranty. My check engine light did come on once back in May and the car was struggling to speed up but when I took it to a car shop the check engine light was not on and the mechanic said it was fine.
NHTSA complaint #11675178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesSeattle, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local O'Reilly's and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not eligible for Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Extended Warranty Coverage for TCM) related to the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #11675002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.