2017 Ford Fiesta Problems
Compared with other Ford Fiesta years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.2× that of a typical Ford Fiesta year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 21 of its 74 complaints were filed by the end of 2019.
- Most reported problem: Jerking, hesitation and hard shifting (transmission) (20 complaints, median 65,000 mi).
Open NHTSA investigationTiming Belt Failure
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2019
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 74filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 51,500miles, 52 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 31 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 37 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Ford Fiesta (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2017 Fiesta most often describe transmission trouble — jerking, hesitation, hard or delayed shifts and occasionally a loss of power — and a separate, very common pattern of stalling or refusing to restart right after refueling. Both themes recur across many miles, from low-mileage cars to ones well past 100,000 miles, and several owners report the same repair being done more than once.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Jerking, hesitation and hard shifting (transmission)
- 20 complaints (27%)
- median 65,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (15 state mileage)
- filed 2019–2025
Complaints describe the car shuddering or jerking under acceleration, shifting harshly between low gears, hesitating before it engages, and occasionally losing motive power or failing to move when a gear is selected. Some owners report a 'Transmission Failure - Service Now' or transmission-overheat message on the instrument panel, and a few describe the car lunging forward after being stopped. Dealers are reported to have replaced the clutch, the transmission control module, or the transmission itself; in some cases owners say the problem returned after the repair. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 126,000 miles, with many complaints clustered between 50,000 and 110,000 miles.
What to check: Drive the car at low speed and from a stop, feeling for shudder, delayed engagement and harsh 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, and ask for service records showing whether the clutch, TCM or a software update has already been done.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I recently purchased the 2017 Ford Fiesta, (just hit the 30 day mark), and about a week in I noticed the car do this jolt thing while accelerating. I thought I may have been just laying my foot too hard on the gas by accident but now, on a few different occasions, while slowing the car down it has violently jumped forward. It started as seeming to have a hard time switching gears on acceleration but these few times I was slowing with my put on the brake and it thrusted forward, violently.”
NHTSA complaint #11180719, filed 2019-02, 42,000 miles“Alarm system going off for no reason. Battery drained and engine wouldn't start. I had battery tested at auto repair shop and it had burnt out cell inside battery. I purchased new battery last week. The automatic transmission is sluggish at times, feels like it hesitates to get into the next gear. Unknown reasons for cause of issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11640776, filed 2025-02 - Fuel system
Stall or no-start right after refueling
- 16 complaints (22%)
- median 60,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
- filed 2019–2026
Owners report that shortly after filling the tank the engine stumbles, idles roughly, stalls, or will not restart on the first attempt, sometimes taking several tries or a jump start. The check engine light is usually on, and complaints repeatedly mention evap-system codes such as P0456 and P1450 and a diagnosis of a leaking or stuck-open canister purge valve. Several owners say the valve was replaced once or more and the symptom came back, and some were told the repair was not covered by warranty. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 102,000 miles, and typically right after a fill-up.
What to check: Ask whether the canister purge valve has been replaced and how recently, then after a fill-up start the car and watch for a rough idle, a hard start or a check engine light.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Not sure if it's the fuel system or the power train but I am having the same problem as lots of other people with this car! The check engine light is on and has read a code for a valve. My car is a 2017 and will not start right away after I add gas! I've been told its the engine valve and have had no luck finding anyone to cover it under warranty! Ford needs to recall this vehicle!”
NHTSA complaint #11337832, filed 2020-07, 70,000 miles“The car evap purge valve stays open. The car idles and dies everytime I put gas in. The purge valve was replaced less than a year of purchasing the car and it's gone bad again. The check engine light and engine malfunction warning came on then two days later the car died after I added gas and took 2 hours to start. I bought a new battery and drove it another week. It still idles after adding fuel even with the new battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #11309426, filed 2020-02, 96,000 miles - Engine
Overheating and coolant loss
- 10 complaints (14%)
- median 70,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- filed 2019–2026
Complaints describe the engine overheating, sometimes with coolant loss, a flashing oil light or the car dropping into limp mode, and occasionally with coolant found in the cylinders at diagnosis. One owner reports an oil pump failure that led to an engine replacement recommendation; another describes overheating on a very cold night followed by a no-start. Repairs described range from diagnostics and partial work to full engine replacement, and some owners say the manufacturer declined assistance. Reported from about 59,000 miles upward, including one case above 100,000 miles; several mentions of cold weather.
What to check: Check coolant level and condition, look for residue or staining around the coolant reservoir and hoses, confirm the engine reaches and holds normal temperature on a test drive, and ask whether the timing and oil pump belts have been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving down a very busy highway about 60 mph when my oil light started flashing on my dash and my check engine light came on and when I tried to push my brake pedal to stop my car I couldn't push it in. My brakes were very hard, I had to pull my emergency brake to stop my car and coast into a gas station so I didn't hit anyone. I have done a lot of research online and this same issue is already under recall on 2 other Ford Models as well as a class action lawsuit against Ford because of this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11574597, filed 2024-02“On the coldest night of the winter the engine overheated. Pulled over immediately; , , now car will not start believe lit cracked the head or head gasket”
NHTSA complaint #11647793, filed 2025-03 - Vehicle speed control
Unintended acceleration or revving at low speed
- 6 complaints (8%)
- median 2,600 mi at 1.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2017–2025
A small group of owners describe the engine revving on its own while stopped at a light or when shifting from park into drive, requiring hard braking, and in some cases the car surging forward. Complaints also describe a delayed throttle response followed by sudden acceleration, and in two cases a crash followed a sudden surge. Several owners attribute the behavior to the transmission or shift-control software rather than the pedal itself. Mostly reported on low-mileage cars, from delivery up to a few thousand miles.
What to check: On a test drive, sit at a stop in gear with the brake held and watch for idle flare or creeping, and check with the dealer whether any software updates have been applied to the transmission control module.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On july 15th 2019, my son was going around a sharp right corner when the car sped up out of control and crashed into a utility pole head on. My son was driving on a city street and was going approximately 30 miles an hour. He's uncertain what caused the sudden acceleration. The car was totaled and my son has a severely broken foot.”
NHTSA complaint #11232774, filed 2019-07, 3,200 miles“When I moved gearshift from park to drive, car accelerated violently. I do not believe I accidentally used the accelerator, this occured in parking lot.after moving about 20 feet I hit a heavy gate with enough force to do extensive damage to car including bent chassis.”
NHTSA complaint #11091300, filed 2018-05, 2,000 miles
Buying note. Give a 2017 Fiesta a thorough test drive covering stops, low-speed traffic and a fill-up, and ask for records of any transmission clutch, TCM or purge valve work already done. A pre-purchase inspection that includes transmission codes and a coolant check is worth the cost on this model year.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 74 consumer complaints for the 2017 Ford Fiesta. 52 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,500 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 12 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 93 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 8 Ford Fiesta model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine19 26%
- Fuel system16 22%
- Other or unknown8 11%
- Electrical system7 9.5%
- Brakes5 6.8%
- Engine cooling4 5.4%
- Vehicle speed control4 5.4%
- Wheels4 5.4%
- Steering3 4.0%
Also reported: Air bags (2), Electronic stability control (2), Seats (2), Body and structure (2), Exterior lighting (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle engine stalls when in traffic. When I decelerate and engage the clutch (manual transmission), sometimes the engine speed will go so low, the engine stalls. It usually happens in very heavy traffic and I have to engage the clutch. This always happens when the vehicle is in motion. This happens pretty much anywhere, street, highway, freeway, drive way. It only happens when the clutch is engaged. If the car is in gear and the clutch is not engaged, it wont stall. I did take it to hemborg Ford in norco, ca and they reflashed the computer, but it still is happening. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243699, filed 2019-08, 15,000 milesEngine: “My car been acting like it don't wanna start back in march its been saying engine malfunction service now and I been in contact with Ford about it for the longest. I wanted them to fix it because I got the car from them and I knew I was still in my warranty. Then my car was only a year and a half old. They been telling me the part been on back order and some people said they don't a order for my car but 3 weeks ago from today I was driving my car and it started slowing down on was on martin luther king drive . …”
NHTSA complaint #11246582, filed 2019-08, 73,824 milesFuel system: “Engine light continues to come on. After adding gas to vechicle, ℂ𝕒𝕣 will stall. Sometimes takes several minutes to start. Was told by several mechanics it's the fuel system bc there is no cap, only the flap that doesn't close properly. Car has stalled while driving several times. Only 58,300 miles on vechicle. I've seen many complaints on this particular issue with this model. It is a safety issue when car stalls on highway or while driving. This has happened several times! Car always has issues starting after adding gasoline.”
NHTSA complaint #11322787, filed 2020-04, 58,300 milesOther or unknown: “The door latch chrome has delaminated and acts like a razor blade severely cutting my finger. This is the second time that this has happened. It occurs when I am opening the door and the chrome detaches from the latch and cuts.”
NHTSA complaint #11403044, filed 2021-03, 24,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
44% of the 52 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 31,135 and 73,824 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Ford Fiesta. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta · sedan FWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.3% risk |
| Fiesta · hatchback FWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.3% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 Ford Fiesta version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Fiesta FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Fiesta SFE FWD | 1.0L 3-cyl | 5-speed manual | 31 | 41 | 35 | $1,900 |
| Fiesta ST FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2017 Ford Fiesta in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 93 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11036546Aug 25, 2026Other or unknown, Engine. Customer Satisfaction Program 26L02 Certain 2014-2021 Model Year Various Vehicles 1.0L Fox Classic Engine Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt Interval Change
- 11030282Mar 25, 2026Other or unknown, Back-over prevention (rear camera), Lane…. Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system, Body and structure. Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code…
- 11025837Nov 26, 2025Electrical system. This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not…
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025…
- 11001174May 27, 2024Other or unknown. This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018…
- 10254138Apr 24, 2024Equipment. All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should…
- 10251952Mar 6, 2024Engine cooling. 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…
- 10240743Jun 8, 2023Equipment. The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article…
- 10235153Apr 4, 2023Body and structure. For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement…
Other model years of the Ford Fiesta
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 105 | 51,000 | 3 | 4 | 30 | 5 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 35 | 37,000 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2017 | 74 | 51,500 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2016 | 179 | 57,183 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 258 | 49,210 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2014 | 504 | 40,050 | 7 | 4 | 30 | 99 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 668 | 31,483 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 617 | 45,000 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 89 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 730 | 56,000 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 90 · More | Falling |
All Ford Fiesta model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
Owners of the 2017 Fiesta most often describe transmission trouble — jerking, hesitation, hard or delayed shifts and occasionally a loss of power — and a separate, very common pattern of stalling or refusing to restart right after refueling. The issues reported most often: Jerking, hesitation and hard shifting (transmission); Stall or no-start right after refueling; Overheating and coolant loss.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Ford Fiesta have?
NHTSA recorded 74 consumer complaints for the 2017 Ford Fiesta as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Ford Fiesta is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 22 complaints (30% of the total), followed by engine with 19.
Has the 2017 Ford Fiesta been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Ford Fiesta do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Ford Fiesta 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Ford Fiesta get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Ford Fiesta (Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 27 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Ford Fiesta reported?
Among the 52 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,500 miles and the middle half falls between 31,135 and 73,824 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.