YearToAvoid

2015 Ford Fiesta Engine Problems

Owners filed 84 engine complaints for the 2015 Ford Fiesta, 33% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 52,500. A related recall (17V209000) covers coolant sensor issues on the 1.6L GTDI engine in 2014-2015 Fiesta ST models.

Engine complaints
84
33% of 258
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
52,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of power or throttle response while accelerating or driving at highway speed, sometimes triggering a wrench warning light and limp mode.
  • Vehicle stalls or hesitates when releasing the clutch or idling after refueling, occasionally while moving in traffic.
  • Throttle body actuator faults reported through diagnostic codes, causing the car to lose acceleration and coast to the shoulder.
  • Abnormal vibration at low speed traced to head gasket failure, sometimes alongside leaking front shocks.
  • Jumpy or shaky shifting between first and second gear described as feeling like a stall.
  • Restarting the engine temporarily restores normal operation before the power loss recurs a short distance later.

When 2015 Ford Fiesta engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 4, 2015, latest Apr 30, 2026.

2015 Ford Fiesta engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62015 Q22016 Q32018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32022 Q22024 Q12026 Q1
84 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q3 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Ford Fiesta

  1. NHTSA 17V209000Mar 27, 2017Engine208,584 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Engine complaints by Fiesta model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2011156 (21%)
  2. 201298 (16%)
  3. 2013136 (20%)
  4. 2014109 (22%)
  5. 201584 (33%)
  6. 201642 (24%)
  7. 201724 (32%)
  8. 20186 (17%)
  9. 201915 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA list for the 2015 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA lists 84 engine-related complaints for the 2015 Fiesta, which is 33% of the 258 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2015 Ford Fiesta?
Yes. Recall 17V209000 covers 2014-2015 Fiesta ST vehicles with 1.6L GTDI engines for insufficient coolant conditions; Ford installs a coolant level sensor and updated software.
At what mileage do 2015 Fiesta engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2015 Fiesta is 52,500 miles.
Did the 2015 Fiesta engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 1 injury linked to engine complaints for the 2015 Fiesta, with no reported fires.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.