For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford Fiesta engine problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Ford Fiesta have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 73,824 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Fiesta | 28 |
| 2014 Fiesta | 55 |
| 2015 Fiesta | 39 |
| 2016 Fiesta | 14 |
| 2017 Fiesta (this page) | 13 |
| 2018 Fiesta | 3 |
| 2019 Fiesta | 6 |
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 13 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Ford Fiesta, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket. Although oil may collect on the turbocharger, it is very rare for a turbocharger to leak oil. To isolate the source of the leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method procedure. When an oil leak is present at a turbocharger oil supply or drain tube, remove the affected oil tube and inspect for damage, and replace the O-ring seals, pedestal gasket or oil tube as required. Refer to WSM, Section 303-04. For c
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2016-2019 Fiesta vehicles built on or before 19-Feb-2019 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0128 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to some PCM software parameters related to engine temperature. To resolve the condition, reprogram the PCM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014-2017 Fiesta, 2015-2018 Focus, 2018-2019 Ecosport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit coolant consumption,white smoke and/or a runs rough condition. Refer to the extended coolant pressure test in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-03. If no external coolant loss is confirmed, further investigation of the integrated exhaust manifold (IEM) interface is required. Carefully inspect the manifold port area for cracks. If a crack is found, follow the cost cap tool for component replacement. Follow WSM, Section 303-01 for the repair procedures
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Fiestas describe multiple engine-related failures across the fleet. Coolant entering the combustion chambers causes cylinder misfires (cylinders 1, 3, and 4 affected in documented cases), with one owner calling it a fire hazard. Dealerships struggle to fix this: one replaced a spark plug, but misfires recurred within 10 miles in different cylinders, and Ford told the owner no assistance program exists.
Oil pump failure is the most serious recurring complaint. Owners lose motive power at highway speeds after hearing engine knock, followed by oil warning lights and overheating. Two dealerships recommended full engine replacement rather than pump repair. One owner's engine was declared failed at 106,000 miles after overheating from coolant loss.
Throttle body failure appears early—one owner's car showed "engine malfunction" warnings at 1.5 years old, with parts on backorder during warranty, then failed completely after warranty expired. Engine overheating happens even in minor conditions: one owner's engine wouldn't restart after overheating on a cold winter night, with suspected head gasket or head cracking.
A motor mount plate fractured during a minor accident, revealing manufacturing porosity in the cast aluminum. One owner also reported violent forward thrust while braking within 30 days of purchase. Check engine lights and EVAP system leaks round out owner complaints, with most repairs not completed and Ford offering minimal support.
Same Ford Fiesta engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant ingress causing cylinder misfire
Coolant enters cylinders 1 and 3, causing misfires. One owner reported this as a fire hazard. A dealership initially attributed it to a cracked spark plug, but the problem recurred across different cylinder combinations after repair, suggesting an underlying coolant leak into the combustion chambers.
When: 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cylinder 1 and cylinder 3 misfire; Coolant in cylinders; Check engine light; Misfire code recurrence after initial repair
Codes mentioned: Cylinder 1 misfire, Cylinder 3 misfire, Cylinder 1 and 4 misfire (after first repair)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced spark plug and performed diagnostics; problem returned within 10 miles. Second visit also failed to resolve misfires.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Motor Company stated no assistance program available.
Engine oil pump failure
Oil pump malfunction causes loss of engine oil pressure and motive power during highway driving. Owners report abnormal knocking, power loss, and illuminated oil warning lights. At least one case involved loss of coolant due to pump failure, leading to overheating and limp mode. Dealerships recommended engine replacement rather than repair.
When: Unknown mileage; one case at 106,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking sound from engine; Loss of motive power at highway speed (65 MPH); Oil warning light; Engine overheating; Check engine light; Limp mode activation
Codes mentioned: Engine overheating fault, Oil pressure fault
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pump belt replacement noted in one case. Dealerships estimated cost of engine replacement in other cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V905000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) referenced; vehicle reported not included in recall coverage despite similar failure mode.
Engine overheating and failure
Engine overheats due to coolant loss or pump failure, eventually leading to complete engine failure or head cracking. One owner experienced overheating on the coldest night of winter and suspects a cracked head or head gasket. Another owner's engine was declared failed after an oil change followed by overheating symptoms.
When: 126,000 miles (one case); cold winter conditions (one case); early in ownership (one case at oil change)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Loss of coolant; Engine will not start after overheating; Check engine light; Oil warning light
Codes mentioned: Engine overheating, Coolant loss fault
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement estimate provided in one case. Head gasket or cracked head suspected in another.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referred to NHTSA Hotline; no repair warranty assistance provided.
Throttle body failure
Throttle body malfunction causes engine starting issues and rough idle. One owner's car exhibited 'engine malfunction' warning during warranty period, with parts on backorder. After warranty expiration, the throttle body failed, causing skipping and no-start conditions.
When: 1.5 years old (warranty period); shortly after warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Engine does not want to start; Engine malfunction service warning; Engine skipping; Hard acceleration response; Slow power loss while driving
Codes mentioned: Engine malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership determined throttle body replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford claimed parts on backorder during warranty period; repair performed after warranty expired (no coverage noted).
Motor mount (engine mount plate) fracture under crash load
Passenger-side motor mount plate fractured during a minor accident, showing gas porosity in the cast aluminum. The fracture allowed the engine to shift excessively, increasing collision damage. Local Ford service center noted clear manufacturing defect in the cast part.
When: Minor accident during ownership; defect present from manufacture
Symptoms owners cite: Motor mount plate exploded during accident; Engine shifted backward on passenger side; Gas porosity visible in fractured aluminum
Repairs/costs cited: Engine mount plate replacement; vehicle restored to running condition by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford service center recommended contacting Ford manufacturing; owner unable to reach Ford by phone.
Check engine light with pedal sensor and battery issues
Check engine light appeared after a tune-up and persisted through multiple independent mechanic visits. Dealership diagnosed a defective pedal sensor and replaced the battery, which cleared the light. However, an oil warning light appeared after a subsequent oil change at another shop, suggesting underlying electrical or sensor problems.
When: After tune-up service; recurred after oil change at different shop
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Oil warning light after oil change; Engine overheated after oil warning (eventual failure)
Codes mentioned: Check engine, Oil warning
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement and pedal sensor replacement attempted; full engine replacement estimated at 126,000 miles after overheating.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline; no warranty repair offered.
EVAP system leak
Check engine light indicates EVAP emission control system leak. One owner also reported car stalling and difficulty starting after refueling, consistent with EVAP canister issues.
When: 79,250 miles; 60,000 miles (another case)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Car stalls after refueling; Difficulty restarting; Engine hesitation
Codes mentioned: EVAP system leak
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in documented cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford stated no interest in addressing EVAP issues per one owner.
Violent forward thrust during braking or acceleration
Vehicle exhibits sudden violent forward thrust while braking or jerky acceleration response. Occurs shortly after purchase (within 30 days). Owner initially suspected transmission shift issues but problem manifests as unintended acceleration while decelerating.
When: Within 30 days of purchase (vehicle recently purchased)
Symptoms owners cite: Violent forward thrust while braking; Hard acceleration jolts; Difficulty with gear changes during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Not yet diagnosed or repaired.
Oil completely drains after oil change
Oil completely drained from engine after an oil change service, with no visible leak from the oil pan drain plug or filter housing. Failure determined to be untightened oil filter—a service error, but the complaint suggests possible design vulnerability if the filter does not seat securely.
When: After oil change service
Symptoms owners cite: Complete oil loss; No visible leak
Repairs/costs cited: Oil filter was untightened; likely refilled after discovery.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
After and while gassing up car stalls and does not start up right way.. Sounds like EVAP sensor and canister issues and Ford does not want to know about it..and car only has 60000 miles
My name is [XXX] (phone [XXX] , email: [XXX] ) I bought a Ford Fiesta 2017 VIN # [XXX] in Feb 2021. The car with 25K. Currently, at 59K Cylinder 1 and Cylinder 3 misfire because coolant gets in both cylinders, diagnosed by a local car mechanic! When driven, the car is a fire hazard!!! I’ve submitted a claim to Ford Motor Company [XXX], and they replied they don’t have a program that can help…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact had initially taken her vehicle to an independent mechanic for a tune-up. The check engine light appeared on the instrument panel soon after service and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic six more times. Despite multiple visits, the engine light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the failure as an EVAP emission system leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,250.
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Ford Fiesta?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 56,000 and 106,000 miles, with the median around 73,824. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,000; a quarter make it past 106,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/Fiesta.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.