VehicleVerdict

2019 Ford Fiesta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2019 Ford Fiesta sits mid-pack among Fiesta years: 113 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 104, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (27), transmission (21), and other (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

113

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Fiesta years?

Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fiesta years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Ford Fiesta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2724%
Transmission2119%
Other1211%
Brakes1110%
Engine1110%
Electrical System98%
Airbags87%
Speed Control44%
Fuel System44%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Body & Structure11%
Steering11%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2019 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

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

25V695000Driver AssistanceOctober 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

24V951000Driver AssistanceDecember 20, 2024 · 30,715 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.

Consequence

A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed January 22, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S75.

19V629000BrakesAugust 28, 2019 · 2,624 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Fiesta vehicles. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with the incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.

Consequence

The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake fluid and replace the front brake calipers and brake hoses, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S27.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“- Backup camera malfunction. Hit a parked car. - My son in the back seat was at risk. - yes - yes - Yes, the backup camera has always been faulty. The manufacturer has failed to promptly remedy this safety recall for my vehicle. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · October 31, 2025 · crash

“MY 2019 FORD FIESTA AUTOMATIC DOES NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY, MY CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE AND THEREFORE CAUSED A SMALL FENDER BENDER. IT HAS NO SPEED AND RUNS ROUGH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 23, 2020 · crash

“- Backup camera malfunction. Hit a parked car. - My son in the back seat was at risk. - yes - yes - Yes, the backup camera has always been faulty. The manufacturer has failed to promptly remedy this safety recall for my vehicle. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 31, 2025 · crash

“ON MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2019 ON MY WAY TO WORK I WAS GOING STRAIGHT ON THE STREET WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC AND SEEN THAT THERE WAS NEEDED TO BE A STOP UP FRONT SO I SLOWLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING AND THEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES FIRMLY AND THE PEDAL WENT NEARLY TO THE FLOOR AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 2, 2019 · crash

“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward and crashed into the rear of another occupied vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 14, 2023 · crash

2019 Ford Fiesta — common questions

Is the 2019 Ford Fiesta reliable?

It is close to typical for the Fiesta: 113 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2019 Fiesta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (27 complaints), transmission (21 complaints), other (12 complaints).

Does the 2019 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Ford Fiesta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 2019 Ford Fiesta?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 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.