2019 Ford Fiesta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good 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, 3 recalls, and a top problem area of Collision Avoidance & Cameras (31 complaints, 30% share).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #7 of 9 Fiesta years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 103
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2019 Ford Fiesta problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes, including a tree-stump collision and a crash into an electrical pole.
- Owners describe the brake pedal sinking nearly to the floor with little stopping power, leading to a rear-end collision.
- The automatic transmission was reported to shift poorly, fail to engage reverse, and run rough at highway-relevant speeds.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolling forward on its own while parked at a gas station and striking another vehicle.
- A heated seat was suspected of causing an electrical fire that destroyed the vehicle.
- The backup camera reportedly malfunctioned during reverse, leading to a collision with a parking garage structure.
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 rates 'Good' with a complaint index of 25, ranking 7th worst of 9 years tracked. NHTSA lists 103 complaints and 3 recalls for this year.
- What is the top problem area for the 2019 Ford Fiesta?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras is the top problem area, with 31 complaints making up 30% of all reported issues and a median failure mileage of 51,000.
- Does the 2019 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Fiesta: two rearview camera recalls (campaigns 25V695000 and 24V951000) and one brake caliper recall (19V629000) involving incorrect assembly fluid.
- What year Ford Fiesta should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, the 2011 through 2013 Fiestas rate 'Avoid,' with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75. The 2019 model, by comparison, rates 'Good' with an index of 25.
- How many Ford Fiesta complaints involve brakes?
- NHTSA lists 13 brake-related complaints for the 2019 Fiesta, including reports tied to a caliper recall, with a median failure mileage of 23,500.