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Ford Fiesta — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford Fiesta model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
42
Years to Avoid
2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Years
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979
2019
94 complaints3 recalls41 TSBs
2018
46 complaints0 recalls55 TSBs
2017Avoid
104 complaints0 recalls1 invest.91 TSBs
2016Avoid
253 complaints0 recalls1 invest.108 TSBs
2015Avoid
355 complaints4 recalls2 invest.92 TSBs
2014Avoid
647 complaints7 recalls2 invest.107 TSBs
2013Avoid
914 complaints3 recalls3 invest.89 TSBs
2012Avoid
831 complaints3 recalls3 invest.86 TSBs
2011Avoid
1,039 complaints3 recalls3 invest.85 TSBs
2010Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2009Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2008Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002
1 complaints0 recalls
2001
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991
3 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989
1 complaints0 recalls
1988
1 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978
0 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford Fiesta Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 Ford Fiesta are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford Fiesta, consider the 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

42 model years analyzed