Ford Fiesta 2011–2019
6th generation (Mk6; sometimes numbered Mk7) · B299 (hatchback) / B409 (sedan), Ford global B-car
NHTSA data through 12 August 20264,333 complaints, 3,342 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 18,000 and 73,824 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (0.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 2,500
- 25%
- 18,000
- Median
- 45,000
- 75%
- 73,824
- 90%
- 103,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 412 | 12.3% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 164 | 4.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 146 | 4.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 158 | 4.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 132 | 3.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 140 | 4.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 143 | 4.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 166 | 5.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 187 | 5.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 162 | 4.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 171 | 5.1% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 127 | 3.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 157 | 4.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 125 | 3.7% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 133 | 4.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 112 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 91 | 2.7% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 91 | 2.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 75 | 2.2% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 56 | 1.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 75 | 2.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 47 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 40 | 1.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 27 | 0.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 31 | 0.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 23 | 0.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 19 | 0.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 20 | 0.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 25 | 0.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 21 | 0.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 10 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 13 | 0.4% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 8 | 0.2% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 10 | 0.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 0.1% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,333 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2019 Ford Fiesta, and 3,342 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 18,000 and 73,824 miles. The median is 45,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (34.8% of complaints, typically around 41,000 miles), the engine (11.6% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles), body structure (9.5% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
12 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline41,000median 41,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 72,000
- Engine48,000median 48,000 miles, middle half 14,000 to 78,000
- Body structure45,000median 45,000 miles, middle half 34,000 to 64,000
- Problems owners could not categorise50,000median 50,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 70,000
- Electrical system58,000median 58,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 92,000
- Throttle and speed control28,000median 27,500 miles, middle half 9,000 to 65,000
- Latches and locks50,000median 49,884 miles, middle half 36,000 to 76,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 1,508 | 34.8% | 41,000 | 12,000–72,000 |
| Engine | 503 | 11.6% | 48,000 | 14,000–78,000 |
| Body structure | 411 | 9.5% | 45,000 | 34,000–64,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 394 | 9.1% | 50,000 | 25,000–70,000 |
| Electrical system | 338 | 7.8% | 58,000 | 25,000–92,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 197 | 4.5% | 28,000 | 9,000–65,000 |
| Latches and locks | 183 | 4.2% | 50,000 | 36,000–76,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 134 | 3.1% | 55,000 | 38,000–75,000 |
| Airbag system | 104 | 2.4% | 47,000 | 23,000–79,000 |
| Brakes | 75 | 1.7% | 36,000 | 13,000–75,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 45,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 34.8% of complaints (1,508 reports, 1,194 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 41,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 72,000 miles.
A single system taking 34.8% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The engine accounts for 11.6% of complaints (503 reports, 377 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 14,000 and 78,339 miles.
Body structure accounts for 9.5% of complaints (411 reports, 356 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 34,012 and 64,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 9.1% of complaints (394 reports, 261 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 70,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.8% of complaints (338 reports, 246 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 58,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 92,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 4.5% of complaints (197 reports, 160 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 27,500 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,900 and 65,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2011 model year drew the most — 1,039 complaints — while 2018 drew the fewest at 46. The median year sits at 368.
That makes 2011 an outlier: roughly 2.8 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around latches and locks (5), the reversing camera and sensors (2), the fuel system (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 4,333 complaints filed against this generation, 206 reported a crash; 43 reported a fire; 213 reported an injury; 13 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 18,000 and 73,824 miles, with a median of 45,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 41,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission (dps6 Powershift Dual-Clutch) 2011–2019 (2011–2016 covered by settlement)
Dry dual-clutch shudder on take-off, slipping, bucking, hesitation and loss of motive power. Root causes are degradation of the dry clutch friction material and input shaft seal leakage that contaminates the clutch faces. The Vargas v. Ford class action settlement (final approval 5 March 2020) covered 2011-2016 Fiesta and 2012-2016 Focus, with vehicle repurchase and cash remedies; separate later suits allege the defect continued into 2017-2019 Fiestas. This is the defining failure mode of the model in the US.
Transmission Control Module 2011–2016
DPS6 transmission control module failure causing sudden loss of transmission engagement or unintended vehicle movement; NHTSA recall covering 2011-2016 Fiesta.
Door Latches 2011–2015
Door latch pawl spring tab can fracture, letting a door appear latched but open while driving; NHTSA recall.
Clutch Actuator 2011–2019
Clutch actuator and input shaft seal leakage contaminating the dry clutches - the mechanical precursor to the shudder complaints above, and the reason repeated clutch replacements often failed to cure the symptom.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,039 | 851 |
| 2012 | 833 | 664 |
| 2013 | 917 | 754 |
| 2014 | 653 | 509 |
| 2015 | 368 | 261 |
| 2016 | 253 | 164 |
| 2017 | 105 | 72 |
| 2018 | 46 | 24 |
| 2019 | 119 | 43 |
Recalls (12)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V695000 | 2026-01-02 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 23V775000 | 2023-12-20 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch |
| 20V177000 | 2020-09-21 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch |
| 20V331000 | 2020-07-27 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch |
| 19V629000 | 2019-10-10 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper |
| 17V209000 | 2018-01-05 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 17V210000 | 2017-05-01 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch |
| 15V246000 | 2015-12-18 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch |
| 15V005000 | 2015-02-27 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 14V402000 | 2014-07-21 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage |
| 12V488000 | 2012-10-26 | Air Bags |
| 24V951000 | — | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
What owners reported
Our 2011 Ford Fiesta started experiencing problems while driving. It was not shifting properly and running really jagged at times. Also the check engine/transmission light came on. On wednesday september 14, 2016 i took in the car to our local Ford dealer colley Ford in glendora,ca. They told me it was probably the…
2011 · Transmission and driveline
From the time of purchase, this vehicle has experienced issues at the time of acceleration after being stationary. Due to this condition, the vehicle has been called back by the manufacturer, Ford motor company, for a software update various times. However, after a short amount of time, the vehicle starts experiencing…
2011 · Transmission and driveline
Since new the car's transmission has had lurching and jerking issues when shifting that have progressively gotten worse. Multiple times the car has lurched and stalled missing the next gear and almost caused us to get side swiped while making a turn. We were left stranded and had to replace the control module which…
2011 · 2 miles · Transmission and driveline
My headlights keep going out and i keep changes the fuses. It lasts for about a month, then happens again. It's the fuse box. If canada can have a recall on this, because you need headlights to drive, it's a safety issue. Why can't the united states recall these cars and fix them. What's the difference. Canada…
2011 · 2 miles · Electrical system
Built from 3,342 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page