2019 Ford Fiesta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#7 most-complained of 9 Fiesta years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Ford Fiesta has a complaint index of 25, ranking 7th of 9 model years, and earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other Fiesta years. NHTSA lists 103 complaints, 13 crashes, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive orders for this year.
- Complaints
- 103
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27 city / 35 hwy
Top 2019 Ford Fiesta problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras31 (30%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (20%)
- Other16 (16%)
- Engine15 (15%)
- Brakes13 (13%)
- Electrical System11 (11%)
- Airbags8 (8%)
- Fuel System4 (4%)
- Structure & Body3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy during frontal or side impacts, including crashes involving trees, poles, and a deer strike.
- Backup camera reportedly malfunctions or shows a blank/distorted image, in one case leading to a reverse-gear crash into a parking structure.
- Brake pedal reportedly goes nearly to the floor with delayed stopping power during heavy traffic.
- Automatic transmission reportedly fails to shift properly and struggles to engage reverse, causing a minor collision.
- Vehicle reportedly rolls forward on its own while parked, striking another car.
- A heated seat reportedly shorted out and caused a total vehicle fire.
2019 Ford Fiesta recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs 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.
- NHTSA 24V951000Dec 20, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras30,715 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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.
Risk: 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 March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S75.
- NHTSA 19V629000Aug 28, 2019Brakes2,624 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
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.
Risk: 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.
2019 Ford Fiesta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 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.
2019 compared with other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Ford Fiesta reliable?
- Relative to other Fiesta model years, the 2019 is rated 'Good' with a complaint index of 25, ranking 7th of 9 years from worst to best. It has fewer NHTSA complaints (103) than the 2011-2015 Fiesta years.
- Does the 2019 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Fiesta: two involving the rearview camera (campaigns 25V695000 and 24V951000) and one involving brake calipers with incorrect assembly fluid (campaign 19V629000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2019 Ford Fiesta?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras is the top problem area, with 31 complaints making up 30% of all complaints and a median failure mileage of 51,000 miles.
- How does the 2019 Fiesta compare to earlier Fiesta years?
- The 2019 Fiesta has a complaint index of 25, far below the 2011 Fiesta's index of 100 and the 2013 Fiesta's index of 88, both rated 'Avoid'.
- What is the median mileage at failure for 2019 Ford Fiesta complaints?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 51,000 miles overall, with Brakes issues appearing earlier at a median of 23,500 miles and Engine issues at 38,000 miles.