Ford Fiesta MK7 (2008–2017)
Generation-specific owner insights from 38+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2008–2017 Fiesta?
3,026
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2008–2017
20
recall campaigns
power train
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners overwhelmingly describe the automatic PowerShift dual-clutch transmission as the defining flaw of this generation, with shuddering, jerking, and hesitation at low speeds being very frequent complaints.
13 problems reported (2 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 7 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentPowerShift automatic transmission shuddering, jerking, and hesitation at low speeds
- Very frequentTransmission clutch failure requiring replacement
- RecurrentTransmission control module (TCM) failure and recalls
+ 10 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentScraping or clunking noise during gear changes
- RecurrentTransmission input shaft seals leaking fluid onto the clutch
- RecurrentExtended cranking when starting, possibly due to fuel pressure loss or fuel pump priming
- IsolatedBattery management system needing reset after battery replacement
- IsolatedDoor lock issues and recalls
- IsolatedSYNC infotainment system being unreliable
- IsolatedExhaust heat shield corroding and falling off
- IsolatedStarter failure or wear around 76,000 miles
- IsolatedRough idle and stalling possibly caused by vacuum leaks or PCV valve issues
- IsolatedAir conditioning compressor not engaging
The version owners recommend
Manual transmission versions are the clear consensus pick. Owners repeatedly state that with a manual gearbox, the Fiesta is reliable, durable, and enjoyable, with one owner reporting 65,000 miles of abusive driving without issues and another noting a friend's 2011 model never broke a fuse.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Honda Fit, Mazda2, Volkswagen Rabbit, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.
Is a 2008–2017 Fiesta right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owners overwhelmingly describe the automatic PowerShift dual-clutch transmission as the defining flaw of this generation, with shuddering, jerking, and hesitation at low speeds being very frequent complaints. The manual transmission versions are praised as reliable, fun to drive, and economical, with several owners reporting hard use without issues. The car's interior quality, fuel economy, and styling receive positive mentions, but the automatic transmission problems dominate the ownership experience and lead many to swear off the brand entirely. No meaningful early-versus-late model year difference emerges from the discussions.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners cross-shopping the Fiesta against the Honda Fit note the Fiesta has less cargo space but better fuel economy, a nicer interior, and a significantly lower used price. The Mazda2 is described as more engaging to drive, while the Fiesta offers more technology. Volkswagen Rabbit and Golf are suggested as alternatives with superior build quality, ride comfort, and power, though with similar maintenance costs. The Ford Focus is mentioned as a nicer all-around car but shares the same problematic automatic transmission.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the manual transmission without exception. The automatic PowerShift is described as a "hunk of failure" and buyers are told to "run as far as you can" from it. A 2013 manual with around 70,000 miles is cited as a good value at roughly $5,000, with the caveat that a pre-purchase inspection by a reputable mechanic is essential.
General recommendations
Buyers should only consider this generation with a manual transmission. Automatic versions should be avoided entirely, especially without warranty coverage, as the transmission is described as unsafe and prone to failure. For those considering an automatic anyway, owners advise checking for extended warranty coverage on the transmission and clutch, and being prepared for repeated dealer visits. A pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended, and buyers should verify that any outstanding recalls, particularly for door locks, have been addressed. The car is best suited as a budget commuter or highway cruiser, with city driving being the automatic transmission's weak spot.
Remarks
Owners note that the automatic transmission is technically an automated manual with a dual-clutch setup, not a traditional automatic, and that Ford extended warranty coverage on the transmission and clutch to 10 years or 100,000 miles in some markets. One owner reported a drop in fuel economy from 37 to 31 mpg after a TCM software update. The transmission issue is described as one of the most expensive automotive blunders in recent history, with some owners reporting months-long waits for replacement clutches. Analysis based on approximately 38 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 74 | 0 | power train |
| 2016 | 178 | 0 | power train |
| 2015 | 258 | 4 | power train |
| 2014 | 502 | 7 | power train |
| 2013 | 667 | 3 | power train |
| 2012 | 617 | 3 | power train |
| 2011 | 730 | 3 | power train |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2015 · engine and engine cooling:enginecampaign 17V209000
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.
2015 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 15V005000
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.
2015 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 20V177000
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.
2015 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 23V775000
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.
2014 · engine and engine cooling:enginecampaign 17V209000
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.
2014 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 17V210000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. 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.
2014 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 15V246000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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.
2014 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 15V005000
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.
2014 · fuel system, gasoline:storagecampaign 14V402000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured October 25, 2013, to February 27, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, the fuel tank may leak.
2014 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 20V177000
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.
2014 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 20V331000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. 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.
2013 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 15V246000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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.
1 more recall not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.