YearToAvoid

2017 Ford Fiesta Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#8 most-complained of 9 Fiesta years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Ford Fiesta ranks 8th of 9 model years with a complaint index of 13 and a Best verdict. It has 74 complaints, 0 recalls, and its top problem area is the Engine at 32% of complaints.

Complaints
74
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
7 / 1
Injuries / deaths
12 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30.5
27 city / 36 hwy

Top 2017 Ford Fiesta problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine24 (32%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain22 (30%)
  3. Fuel System16 (22%)
  4. Other8 (11%)
  5. Brakes7 (9%)
  6. Electrical System7 (9%)
  7. Structure & Body4 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
  9. Steering3 (4%)
  10. Airbags2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal failing to engage while driving, sometimes paired with the steering seizing without warning.
  • Some describe sudden, unintended acceleration or engine revving from idle to 3,000-4,000 rpm at stops, forcing hard braking.
  • Drivers report the vehicle jerking, shuddering, and stalling, with diagnoses pointing to a faulty transmission control module.
  • Others describe the car losing power and being unable to exceed 40-50 mph while the transmission fails to shift properly.
  • One owner reported an airbag deploying late and catching fire after a crash.
2017 Ford Fiesta complaints: complaints filed per quarter82017 Q32019 Q32020 Q32021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42025 Q1
100 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (8).

2017 Ford Fiesta recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 Ford Fiesta fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
36 MPG
Combined
30.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,125
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Fiesta years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201120122013201420152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution50258430
2016Good38178030
2017Best1374030.5
2018Best035030
2019Good25103330

All Ford Fiesta years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford Fiesta reliable compared to other Fiesta years?
Yes, relative to other Fiesta years. It has a complaint index of 13, the second-lowest of the 9 model years covered, and carries a Best verdict.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
The Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 24 of 74 complaints (32%), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 30% and Fuel System at 22%.
Does the 2017 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2017 Ford Fiesta, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
Are there brake problems in the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
Brakes account for 7 of 74 complaints (9%), including 3 crashes and 1 fire, with a median mileage at failure of 3,200 miles.
How does the 2017 Fiesta compare to the worst Fiesta year?
The 2011 Fiesta is the worst year with a complaint index of 100 and 730 complaints, far above the 2017 model's index of 13 and 74 complaints.

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.