Ford Fiesta — the 9 years we've written up
2011–2019, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 9 of the 9 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 9 Ford Fiesta model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Ford built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Ford Fiesta by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
PowerShift automatic: 'Transmission Hot Wait 5 Minutes', a lunge from a standstill into the car ahead, stuck in Park — $0 if inside Ford's extended coverage; $1,200–$2,200 for a clutch pack; $800–$1,500 for a control module
PowerShift automatic slips at a standstill, grinds after shifts, and shows 'Transmission Malfunction Service Now'; one manual's clutch pedal stuck down — $0 if inside Ford's extended coverage; $1,200–$2,200 for a clutch pack; $800–$1,500 for a control module; $200–$500 for a manual clutch pedal assembly
PowerShift automatic: hard shifts, 'Transmission Failure - Service Now', a new control module that fails again in a week — $0 if still under Ford's extended coverage; $1,200–$2,200 for a clutch pack; $800–$1,500 for a transmission control module
PowerShift dual-clutch shudder and failure — $1,500-$3,000 per clutch job
PowerShift dual-clutch transmission (automatic) — $1,500-$4,000
PowerShift automatic shudders from day one, hunts gears at 45 mph, and eats clutches; manuals have their own slave-cylinder failures — $1,200–$2,200 for a clutch pack; $800–$1,500 for a transmission control module; $500–$1,000 for a manual's clutch slave cylinder and fluid
PowerShift dual-clutch shudders and hesitates from a stop, grinds, then loses drive altogether — $1,200–$2,200 for a clutch pack; $800–$1,500 for a transmission control module; $3,500–$5,000 for a complete transmission
PowerShift automatic: 'Transmission malfunction, service immediately', violent jerks, slipping clutch, refusal to shift — $1,200–$2,200 for a clutch pack; $800–$1,500 for a transmission control module; $3,500–$5,000 for a complete transmission
PowerShift dual-clutch shudders, slips, lunges and stalls; clutch packs and control modules fail repeatedly — $1,200–$2,200 for a clutch pack; $800–$1,500 for a transmission control module; $3,500–$5,000 for a complete transmission
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Ford Fiesta in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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