FaultScore

Ford Fiesta steering problems

73 of the 4,342 complaints filed about the Ford Fiesta are about the steering — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2011.

73

Complaints

2%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

1

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

2011 Fiesta 26 35.6%

Median failure at 45,070 miles

2012 Fiesta 13 17.8%

Median failure at 26,000 miles

2013 Fiesta 4 5.5%

Median failure at 46,500 miles

2014 Fiesta 11 15.1%

Median failure at 18,000 miles

2015 Fiesta 8 11.0%

Median failure at 37,194 miles

2016 Fiesta 7 9.6%

Median failure at 4,230 miles

2017 Fiesta 3 4.1%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

2019 Fiesta 1 1.4%

What owners said

2015 Ford Fiesta 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.

2011 Ford Fiesta Elyria, OH

STEERING

While driving my car with my two little nieces in the backseat, I heard a sound that made me think a wheel was coming off. As long as I was driving straight, the vehicle seemed to be okay. But when I made a turn onto the next road, something broke underneath the car and we began to spin around. It felt like the wheels were rubbing under the floor of the car and we were in the middle of the street. When I got out, I saw the rear wheels were cocked at an angle to the rest of the car. I thank God we weren't on a busy highway where we could have all been killed.

NHTSA complaint #11691605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Fiesta at 68,000 miles Philadelphia, PA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear. The contact noticed smoke coming from an unknown location of the vehicle and the vehicle started to shake. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to operate. The transmission warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that she received a notification of Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM and clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided two case numbers and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA complaint #11550370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Fiesta Fulton, MO

STEERING

While driving with 54,500 miles on car,owned since new 4 miles on it when bought. Steering went real loose, then went back to normal. Checked rack and pinion did not see any breaks or leaks. Checked steering arms and ball joint all checked out.

NHTSA complaint #11544386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford Fiesta Angleton, TX

STEERING

While driving car suddenly jerked wheel out of drivers hands and almost pulled the car into a ditch on the right side. Lights on the dash say steering assist unavailable service now. There has been a recall on Ford cards with this EPAS system but somehow this system has still not been fixed and is going to kill more people if your agency keeps allowing it to not be a total recall on all vehicles with this system installed.

NHTSA complaint #11452339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford Fiesta at 41,000 miles EL Paso, TX

STEERING

I WAS HEADING OUT IN REVERSE THE CAR FELT SLOW WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS IT TOOK A WHILE TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP THE WHEEL FELT STIFF AND SHAKY. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO TURN, BUT IT WOULDN'T GO. IT FELT LIKE THE GAS WAS SUFFOCATING IT WASN'T MOVING AND THE WHEEL FELT STIFF AND HARD TO TURN IT TOOK A AWHILE TO MOVE. I GOT SCARED AND DROVE BACK HOME. I TOOK IT TO FORD LEFT IT THERE TO GET CHECKED. I ASKED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE LIGHT HAD TURNED ON. I WAS TOLD THEY RESET THE MODULE AND THAT THEY SENT ME AN ESTIMATE TO MY EMAIL IF I WANTED TO DO THE REPAIRS THAT THEY RECOMMENDED. I ASKED IF IT WAS OK TO DRIVE THE CAR THEY SAID YES, THAT I WOULD FEEL IT SHUDDER, BUT THAT IT WAS OK TO GO. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT TO WORK, BUT IT STILL TAKES A WHILE WHEN I PRESS THE GAS.

NHTSA complaint #11355009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Fiesta at 648 miles Bonham, TX

STEERING

ONLY HAD VEHICLE A MONTH.HAD 2 BLOW OUTS ON TIRES.HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION SINCE THAT TIME.HAD TO SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACE MORE TIRES DUE TO WARE.HAVE PROBLEMS WITH STEERING MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL CONTINUES

NHTSA complaint #11351931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Fiesta at 80,000 miles Grants Pass, OR

STEERING

ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST SPONTANEOUSLY FAILS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON DASH SCREEN. VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED ON AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11330240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Fiesta Middletown, DE

STEERING

RANDOMLY MY STEERING WHEEL WILL GET LOCKED UP WHEN DRIVING. IT MAKES IT HARD TO TURN. THE SAFETY WARNING COMES ON. SOMETIMES I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON A HALF HOUR LATER AND THE PROBLEM JUST DISAPPEARS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES LONGER.

NHTSA complaint #11320632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Fiesta at 790 miles West Bloomfield, MI Crash

STEERING

I HAVE A 2015 FIESTA THAT HAS 811 MILES ON IT. THE VIN # [XXX]. I BOUGHT FOR MY DAUGHTER AND SHE HAS HAD THREE ACCIDENTS. SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE LAST 1 YEARS, AS THE HIDE ORIGINAL MESSAGE POLICE SAID IT WAS HER FAULT, ALTHOUGH SHE SAID THAT THE CAR JUST MOVED FORWARD! AT THAT TIME WE DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA THAT THE FIESTA HAD ANY PROBLEMS. SHE ALSO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE THIS WENT AGAINST HER RECORD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, AND HIRE SOMEONE ABOUT EVERY SIX MONTH TO COME AND SERVICE THIS CAR. MAY I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER REFUNDING TO ME THE PRICE I PAID AND YOU CAN THEN HAVE THIS CAR BACK. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY CONSIDERATION. KIND REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11317584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Fiesta Evans, GA

STEERING

REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH ON 2015 FORD FIESTA 23 JAN 2020 AND WAS NOTIFIED BY THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER AT FAIRWAY FORD IN EVANS, GA, THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING SYSTEM WAS NOT INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. THIS ALSO DID NOT LOCK GEAR SHIFTER. WE ARE NOW HAVING TO HAVE IT INSTALLED AND PAYING TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. LUCKY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #11301535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Fiesta at 35,000 miles Mastic, NY

STEERING

CAR HAS APPROX 35K MILES. CAR DROVE FINE TO LOCATION. UPON STARTING CAR TO LEAVE LOCATION, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. SHUTTING OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTING RESOLVED THE ISSUE, HOWEVER, LEAVES CONCERNS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY OF THE POWER STEERING AS NO IMMEDIATE CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED BY MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #11290693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford Fiesta at 14,000 miles NEW Port Richey, FL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THE STEERING LOST POWER, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRIENDLY KIA (877-544-6719, LOCATED AT 5819 US-19, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HUMIDITY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO FORD OF PORT RICHEY (727-233-7143, LOCATED AT 10715 US-19, PORT RICHEY, FL 34668) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

NHTSA complaint #11254430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Fiesta Royal OAK, MI

STEERING

WE BOUGHT OUR 2012 FORD FIESTA ABOUT A 2 YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 MECHANICS AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND LURCHES FORWARD AT RANDOM. THE CAR HAS MAJOR ISSUES ACCELERATING AND HAS ALMOST GOTTEN US IN MANY ACCIDENTS. THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT GETS STUCK IN A LOWER GEAR AND WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF IT EVEN AS YOUR FOOT IS PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11232535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Fiesta Shelby Twp., MI

STEERING

MY CAR SHUDDERS A LOT WHEN STOPPING ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY OR MERGING OFF THE HIGHWAY' ALSO HAPPENS IN CITY OR SUBURBS IF GOING OVER 40 MPH; , GEAR SLIPS WHEN STATIONERY BEFORE HITTING GAS TO MOVE CAR, SPEED SLOWS DOWN OR HESITATES WHEN HITTING GAS PEDAL, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AND NOTHING EVER GOT FIXED. FORD SENT A LETTER STATING THAT I WOULD GET DOUBLE THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER STATING THIS, BUT WILL NOT CONFIRM ANYMORE. PROBLEMS OCCURED AFTER I PURCHASED THIS FIESTA IN JUNE 2012 BUT DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY UNTIL THE RECALL CAME OUT AND I TOOK IT IN FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS "TOO LATE" TO GET ANYTHING TO FIX IT OR HAVE IT TAKEN BACK BY FORD BECAUSE I HAD WAITED A YEAR. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS WORKING POORLY! IT WAS BRAND NEW AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE WAY IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT AS NOTICABLE. IT GOT MUCH WORSE AS TIME PASSED. I HAVE REPAIR INVOICES BUT I NEED TO FINE THEM. I WANT MY COMPLAINT FILED NOW SO THAT I AM NOT FORGOTTEN. I HAD A LEMON LAWYER CONTACT ME NAMED TROTT, WHO TOLD ME THAT IF I ACCEPTED A CLAIM HE WOULD PUT IN FOR ME, IT WOULD BE THE BEST DEAL I WOULD GET IN TERMS OF ATTONEMENT. HE SAID HE GOT $8K AND TOOK $3K FOR HIS WORK. I RECEIVED A CHECK FOR $5K. I ASKED MR.TROTT IF I SHOULD GET THE CAR REPAIR WITH THIS MONEY. HE SAID PEOPLE ARE KEEPING THE MONEY AND GETTING RID OF THEIR CARS. I KEPT MY CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER ONE REGARDLESS OF THE $5K I RECEIVED. I DO NOT USE MY CAR VERY MUCH NOW BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE THAT IT SHUDDERS WHEN I USE THE BRAKES AND THAT IT SLOWS DOWN WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL. I WILL UPLOAD THE DOCUMENTATION YOU ASK FOR WHEN I LOCATE IT.

NHTSA complaint #11217823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Fiesta at 2,000 miles Montebello, CA Crash 2 injured 1 killed

STEERING

TURNING A CURVATURE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD STEERING LOCKED AND BRAKES FAILED CAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN AS A RESULT PASSANGERS THREE WERE INJURED AND ONE FATALITY.

NHTSA complaint #11202706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Fiesta at 42,000 miles Asheville, NC

STEERING

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE AT 42,000 MILES. UPPER JOINT HAS FAILED.THIS COMPRISES STEERING GREATLY. NEW PART ORDERED REPLACING MYSELF AS THIS IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #11161819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Fiesta at 20,000 miles Orange Park, FL

STEERING

DOOR LATCHES TO NOT WORK WHEN I WAS DRIVIN MY LEFT DOOR IN THE BACK OPEN WIDE HAD ONE ACCIDENT OF IT

NHTSA complaint #11157214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Fiesta at 60,000 miles ST. Louis, MO

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED MAKING STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT NARROWLY AVOID ACCIDENT

NHTSA complaint #11154534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Fiesta at 37,000 miles Constable, NY

STEERING

TAKATA RECALL" AS I DON'T HAVE NO WHERE'S TO GET THIS CAR FIX YET MORE ISSUES ANOTHER PROBLEM TO ADD IS WHEN GOING PUT GAS IN THE TANK AT FIRST FUEL WAS COMING OUT LIKE IT US FULL HAVE HI LD THE PUMP UPSIDE DOWN THAN UNDER MY DASH BOARD WE HAD A SEVER RAIN STORM WHEN I GOT IN TO DRIVE UP WHEN LET UP WATER WAS RUNNING DOWN THE HAD AND BREAK PEDDLE AND I HAVE FILL VIOLENT UP 2X IN LESS 5 WEEKS I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING PAST 2 WEEKS OFF AND ON SMELLS BURNING SMELL LIKE FUEL NOT ALL THE TIME THIS WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND THE WINDOW WIPERS THEY GO FAST BUT LIKE WASN'T WORKING WELL WHEN TANNING MORE THAN A LITTLE RAIN AS YOU HAVE ALL OTHER ISSUES LISTED BAILY FORD'S WROTE THE DON'T WANT ME THERE AND REFUSED ME SERVICE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING 2 HALF YEARS JUST TELL ME IN AUGUST MY WARRANTY RAN OUT NOT MY ISSUES 19,001 DOLLARS CAR THEN THERE SEEMS MY STEERING WHEEL HAS SLOP ON IT AND HAVE ISSUES ISSUES FROM DAY ONE JUST DON'T GET AND BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES NO GARAGES WANT TO TOUCH IT ONE BECAUSE TO MUCH TO FIX ANDBTIME THEY DON'T HAVE THE MAN POWER HEAD TOLD CHEAPER TO GET ANOTHER NEW CAR

NHTSA complaint #11132315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Fiesta problems