Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Safety recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
444
Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 10 mention a crash, 10 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
Ford has had a long known issue with 2011-2015-FIESTA ( Cuautitlan ) they issued a Customer Satisfaction Program that ended June 2025. I purchased the car July 2026 used w/o none issues. Checked VIN for recall and Maryland Inspected. Driving it one week and the check engine light comes on. Apparently the TCM recognized a change in driving pattern but FORD will not honor the replacement. How is it not a safety issue with the vehicle can decide not to engage risking a collision? I am willing to pay for the labor of the part but would like the part covered as it should.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11758235 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
46
Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
I am having issues with the fuse box under the hood. I keep shorting out on my headlights ans AC clutch relay. I've purchased new head lights (bulbs), replaced them and they still didn't work. I checked the fuses after investigation online and they have blown. I had my AC completely fixed and it ran fine for a while, then stopped working. I had it checked and was told the AC relay clutch fuse was loose. I replaced it. Three weeks later it shorted out, again.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11678059 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
14
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
Brake peddle started to feel soft. Performed front brake job. Peddle still felt soft. Took to local mechanic said back breaks needed replacing along with some other items. Took vehicle to second mechanic for second opinion. At that time they replaced brake master cylinder all rear brake components, brake fluid flush and after completing that work mechanic came to us and said this vehicle will be needing a whole new ABS system and that cannot be done because Ford and other companies stopped making the parts to complete the job. He then said the Venice is unsafe to drive and can not be fixed due to lack of parts.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11487482 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
21
Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
While driving my car with my two little nieces in the backseat, I heard a sound that made me think a wheel was coming off. As long as I was driving straight, the vehicle seemed to be okay. But when I made a turn onto the next road, something broke underneath the car and we began to spin around. It felt like the wheels were rubbing under the floor of the car and we were in the middle of the street. When I got out, I saw the rear wheels were cocked at an angle to the rest of the car. I thank God we weren't on a busy highway where we could have all been killed.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11691605 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
28
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 18 mention a crash, 19 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
ON AUGUST 5 I FELL ASLEEP AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK STOPPED AT A LIGHT. MY KNEE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL BAG DID NOT AND THE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD BRUISING MY STERNUM AND CAUSING SURROUNDING MUSCLE INFLAMMATION THAT IS STILL SORE TODAY.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11363779 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
160
Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the airbags sensor light illuminated, and the steering wheel was making abnormal clicking sounds while driving. The contact also stated that the driver’s side door could not be opened from inside as the door handle was broken. The dealer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11435938 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
17
Most reports here involve corrosion. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11551016 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 730 complaints on file, more than the 2012 (617). That is the most of the 9 model years of the Ford Fiesta we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.