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ProblemsByVin File / 2019-FORD-FIESTA NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford

2019 Ford Fiesta problems

The 2019 Ford Fiesta has 93 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2019 Ford Fiesta has 93 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 21 complaints, typically surfacing around 64,581 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Ford Fiesta owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2016 Fiesta 178 0
2017 Fiesta 73 0
2018 Fiesta 35 0
2019 Fiesta (this page) 93 3
2019 Ford Fiesta
Photo: Matti Blume / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Ford Fiesta
0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2019 Fiesta?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 4/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 Ford Fiesta 5 HB FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2019 Ford Fiesta? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 64,581 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2019 Ford Fiesta

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
21 reports · fails ~64,581 mi · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
9 reports · fails ~24,943 mi · avg $450
severe
airbags
8 reports · fails ~45,450 mi · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
7 reports · fails ~93,500 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
6 reports · fails ~9,000 mi · avg $3,100
severe
cruise control
3 reports · avg $600
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2019 Fiesta's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2019 Fiesta?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2019 Fiesta · brakes
Brakes started seizing up while driving. Became extremely dangerous as the car would rock at speed and also would not start moving if I came to a stop. Went immediately to a shop, when I arrived into the shop, inspection found that the caliper was locked onto the wheel…
2019 Fiesta · engine Injury
Catastrophic Engine Failure due to the manufacturer's recommendation and use of conventional motor oils in the form of Synthetic Blend Motor Oil or Super Premium Motor Oil, a specification WSS-M2C945-B1 , from the 2019 Ford Fiesta Owner Manual. It leaves the driver and…
2019 Fiesta · powertrain
The contact called on behalf of her son who owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated her son informed her that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting hard. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while her son…
12/05/2022 · at 33,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11496090.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2019 Fiesta · brakes Crash
On monday december 2, 2019 on my way to work I was going straight on the street with heavy traffic and seen that there was needed to be a stop up front so I slowly stepped on the brakes and nothing was happening and then I pressed on the brakes firmly and the pedal went nearly…
12/03/2019 · at 2,670 mi · NHTSA ODI #11286770.0 · see brakes pattern →
View all 93 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2019 Ford Fiesta? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 25V695000 October 13, 2025

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

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 24V951000 December 20, 2024

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 19V629000 August 28, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Fiesta vehicles

The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2019 Ford Fiesta reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Ford Fiesta is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2019 Ford Fiesta?

The 2019 Ford Fiesta is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2019 Ford Fiesta?

Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 21 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 64,581 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2019 Ford Fiesta a good used car to buy?

It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 93 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 64,581 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2019 Ford Fiesta?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 64,581 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 64,581 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Fiesta has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Ford Fiesta?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 93 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Ford/Fiesta. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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