VehicleVerdict

2014 Ford Fiesta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2014 Ford Fiesta carries two red flags at once: 653 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 6.2× the Fiesta norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Timing Belt Failure). It is one of the Fiesta years to avoid. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 211 reports (32% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

653

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

37

Crash-involved

13

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Fiesta years?

Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted1,040 complaints1978: 0 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1991: 3 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints2011: 1,040 complaints2012: 833 complaints2013: 917 complaints2014: 653 complaints2015: 368 complaints2016: 253 complaints2017: 105 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 120 complaints
Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fiesta years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Ford Fiesta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission21132%
Engine9114%
Other7912%
Electrical System589%
Body & Structure548%
Fuel System335%
Latches & Locks305%
Speed Control254%
Airbags183%
Brakes122%
Steering112%
Tires & Wheels102%
Suspension81%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Seat Belts41%
Lighting30%

Does the 2014 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V331000Latches & LocksJune 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

20V177000Latches & LocksMarch 23, 2020 · 288,110 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.

17V209000EngineMarch 27, 2017 · 208,584 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

17V210000Latches & LocksMarch 27, 2017 · 191,432 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.

15V246000Latches & LocksApril 24, 2015 · 456,440 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.

15V005000Fuel SystemJanuary 9, 2015 · 54,543 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.

14V402000Fuel SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 175 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford has notified the affected owners. Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S12.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA26004

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, ODI investigated a potential failure/degradation of the timing belt that may affect oil pump function resulting in a lack of engine lubrication and potential loss of motive power. The complaints commonly allege a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. Some complaints allege that a sudden loss of motive power or engine seizure occurred without warning or prior detectable symptoms. ODI’s analysis supports that this failure can occur without sufficient and advanced warning to the driver that a loss of motive power/engine seizure is imminent. ODI found that the timing belt material may degrade and create debris that clogs the mesh oil pump pick-up screen, resulting in reduced oil pressure in the engine. As additional debris accumulates on the screen, this can progress to a loss of motive power while driving due to a lack of engine lubrication. The failure data provided in response to this investigation revealed an average failure mileage of approximately 70,000 miles, and that 98% of the failures occurred prior to the 150,000 mile timing belt replacement interval per the vehicles’ maintenance schedule. Based on evidence collected via consumer surveys and an engine teardown, failures have occurred despite evidence of proper and routine oil maintenance. The oil pump pick-up screen is not serviceable, so debris accumulation cannot be inspected or manually removed without removing the engine from the vehicle. On June 2, 2026, Ford informed ODI of a non-safety customer satisfaction program for global vehicles with the 1.0L Fox Classic Timing Belt. This program will notify customers globally of a revised maintenance interval for the timing belt, reducing the original 150,000 mile interval down to 100,000 miles/6 years. This customer satisfaction program will also offer reimbursement to eligible customers who previously paid to have their engine repaired or replaced due to a timing belt related issue. Based on NHTSA’s analysis of the data, failure rates, information provided by Ford, preliminary engine teardown analysis, and precedent recalls regarding loss of engine oil pressure with the presence of driver facing warnings, ODI believes there is an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis to perform component-level and vehicle testing. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“My 2014 Ford Fiesta started to "Smoke". There was a smoldering Electrical short emitting smoke from fusebox. The car would not Start after this incident. I have a letter from Ford indicating the Fusebox had a recall on this Issue due to a corrosion defect. I took it to local Ford dealer who…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 24, 2023 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BEAU TOWSEND FORD (1020 W. NATIONAL RD, VANDALIA, OH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2019 · fire

“THE 2014 FORD FIESTA HAS A VERY SLUGGISH SHIFT BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND GEARS AND THE UPSHIFT BOGS DOWN AS IF THE VEHICLE MIGHT STALL. THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT INCLUDES BUCKING, KICKING, JERKING, HARSH ENGAGEMENT, AND DELAYED ACCELERATION AND LURCHING. I HAD AN INCIDENT WHEN CHANGING LANES AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 3, 2014 · crash

“My 2014 Ford Fiesta started to "Smoke". There was a smoldering Electrical short emitting smoke from fusebox. The car would not Start after this incident. I have a letter from Ford indicating the Fusebox had a recall on this Issue due to a corrosion defect. I took it to local Ford dealer who…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 24, 2023 · fire

“MY FORD FIESTA 2014 HAS A RECALL WITH THE MODULE VALVE. AT PRESENT I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. 1) RICHMOND HIGHWAY 2/2014 2) 9/2015 AND 3) 3/2016 AT PRESENT MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 10 WEEKS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 16, 2016 · crash

2014 Ford Fiesta — common questions

Is the 2014 Ford Fiesta reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 653 complaints put the 2014 model at #4 of 15 Fiesta years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Fiesta years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Fiesta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (211 complaints), engine (91 complaints), other (79 complaints).

Does the 2014 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Ford Fiesta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Ford Fiesta under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Timing Belt Failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford Fiesta years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Fiesta years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among Fiesta years belongs to 1978.

How safe is the 2014 Ford Fiesta?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Ford Fiesta earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.