VehicleVerdict

2015 Ford Fiesta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2015 Ford Fiesta carries two red flags at once: 367 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.5× the Fiesta norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Timing Belt Failure). It is one of the Fiesta years to avoid. Complainants reported 42 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 105 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

367

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

28

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

42

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Fiesta years?

Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted1,039 complaints1978: 0 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1991: 3 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints2011: 1,039 complaints2012: 833 complaints2013: 917 complaints2014: 652 complaints2015: 367 complaints2016: 253 complaints2017: 104 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 113 complaints
Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fiesta years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Ford Fiesta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission10529%
Engine7420%
Fuel System4512%
Other3610%
Electrical System205%
Airbags144%
Speed Control134%
Body & Structure123%
Brakes92%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Steering82%
Latches & Locks62%
Suspension62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Lighting21%
Seat Belts21%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2015 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

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

23V775000Latches & LocksNovember 17, 2023 · 45,173 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.

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.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25020

Timing Belt Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 44 complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. These vehicles are equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission. Some consumers report a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. Based on a preliminary review of data currently available to ODI, this may be due to fragments of timing belt material that wear off and accumulate inside the oil pump. This debris can gradually clog the oil pump pick-up screen and result in sudden oil starvation of the engine and ultimately engine seizure. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening 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.

“MANY TIMES, MY CAR DOES NOT DOWN SHIFT AFTER BEING IN A PASSING GEAR AND THEN LETTING OFF THE GAS. IT STAYS AT 5,000 RPM FOR A FEW SECONDS. JULY, 2018, MY CAR WAS STOPPED AS I WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I PRESSED ON THE GAS TO TURN LEFT, MY CAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 4, 2018 · crash

“VEHICLE LOST POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ANF A YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT ALSO DID COME ON THIS OCCURED ON THE TURNPKE AT HIGH SPEED SHUT ENGINE DOWN RESART WRENCH LITE GONE BUT BARELY DRIVABLE CODE READER SAYS DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY FORD HAS RECALLED ONE AND HALF MILLION CARS FOR THIS ITS DANGEROUS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 3, 2016 · crash

“ON APRIL 11, 2021, THE 2015 FORD FIESTA I WAS DRIVING UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED INTO A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT A SHOPPING MALL. THE CAR HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF ACCELERATING WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PRIOR TO THE FINAL INCIDENT WHERE THE CAR RAN INTO A WALL AND WAS TOTALED. THE CAR HAD NEVER EXHIBITED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 11, 2021 · crash

“I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH TOTALING THE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 22, 2016 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 15, 2020 · crash

2015 Ford Fiesta — common questions

Is the 2015 Ford Fiesta reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 367 complaints put the 2015 model at #5 of 15 Fiesta years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Fiesta years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Fiesta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (105 complaints), engine (74 complaints), fuel system (45 complaints).

Does the 2015 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Ford Fiesta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 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 2015 Ford Fiesta?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Ford Fiesta earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.