Is the 2014 Ford Fiesta a bad year?
504 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 208, 9.5× a quiet Fiesta year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 12k–55k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 146 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Fiesta owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 32,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 208 (41%) | 12k–55k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 54 (11%) | 38k–61k miles · ahead | — |
| Engine | 91 (18%) | 23k–78k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 45 (9%) | 18k–58k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 25 (5%) | 6k–53k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 18 (4%) | 30k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 12 (2%) | 17k–78k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 11 (2%) | 16k–46k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 32 (6%) | 40k–68k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 30 (6%) | 34k–82k miles · ahead | — |
| Stability control | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 32,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 504 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 26 say the car was towed.
6 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Engine light came on in the middle of traffic on span leading to the gw bridge-message stated transmission hot, turn off vehicle for 6 minutes.
The vehicle shakes during shifting. Sometimes there is a loss of power. Other times the car accelerates more than expected.
Transmission shifts into neutral upon aggressive acceleration. Jerky shifting at normal driving speeds.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 32,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Ford Fiesta: 7
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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. If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing. If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a manufacturing error, the fuel tank may leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 100
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Ford Fiesta. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Control…
Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date…
Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket
Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Timing Belt Failure
Timing Belt Failure
Door Latch Failures
Neighbouring years
2013 Fiesta: 668 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2015 Fiesta: 259 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford Fiesta year
2001 · 2002 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Fiesta years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 Ford Fiesta a bad year?
504 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 208, 9.5× a quiet Fiesta year. At 32,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 12k–55k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 146 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Fiesta?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (208), body structure (54), engine (91), electrical system (45), speed control (25). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 12k–55k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Fiesta have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Latches and locks (NHTSA 20V-331), Latches and locks (NHTSA 20V-177), Latches and locks (NHTSA 17V-210), Engine (NHTSA 17V-209) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.