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Ford FiestaModel year report

2018 Ford Fiesta Problems

Compared with other Ford Fiesta years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

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
35filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
37,000miles, 17 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
30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 35 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Ford Fiesta (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ford Fiesta. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown (9) and electrical system (6). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 65% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 55 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. 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.

Also reported: Seats (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving the automatic transmission shutters when going into second gear and stalls before accelerating. Some times the car won't start and it's not related to the battery or the starter. It also had a purge valve replacement three months after purchase. A few months later I had to replace it again this time it wasn't under warranty. I purchased this car brand new in 2018 and it had all these issues in 2018 and october of 2019 is when the transmission began to shutter.”

NHTSA complaint #11321226, filed 2020-04, 70,000 miles

Other or unknown: “The 2018 Ford Fiesta is having the same problem as the 2014 Ford Fiesta. Program # 14m01 excessive transmission clutch shudder. Error code p087e. This needs to be repaired as well”

NHTSA complaint #11265600, filed 2019-10, 9,574 miles

Electrical system: “Driving down the road... Abs, brake, tsc lights kicked on and the car jerked to the right-hand side and slowed down about 10mph... As I kept going it lit up again and jerked hard... As I got speed to about 55mph did it a few more times before I finally shut the car off and had the dealership come get it..”

NHTSA complaint #11363296, filed 2020-10, 39,982 miles

Engine: “Car shudders upon acceleration from standstill. Loses power severely going uphill. Engine/transmission shakes shudders engine races and quickly accelerates after loss of power then decreases again. When moving from stop car shudders makes a grinding noise and then slowly accelerates before decreasing RPM and then races again.”

NHTSA complaint #11328346, filed 2020-06, 10,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

65% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 64,000 miles.

18%0–1029%10–2518%25–5024%50–7512%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (17 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 37,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2019202072021202272023202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 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.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Fiesta · hatchback FWD★★★★☆5 / 4454 · 14.3% risk
Fiesta · sedan FWD★★★★☆5 / 4454 · 14.3% risk

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: 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 2018 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Fiesta FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic273731$2,150
Fiesta FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual273530$2,250
Fiesta ST FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual263329$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 2018 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. 55 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 55 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Fiesta

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201910551,00034305 · FewerRising
20183537,00004300 · FewerStable
20177451,50004310 · FewerStable
201617957,18304300 · FewerFalling
201525849,210443050 · TypicalStable
201450440,050743099 · MoreStable
201366831,483343299 · MoreFalling
201261745,000343289 · MoreFalling
201173056,000343290 · MoreFalling

All Ford Fiesta model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Ford Fiesta have?

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2018 Ford Fiesta as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Ford Fiesta is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 9.

Has the 2018 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 2018 Ford Fiesta do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 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 2018 Ford Fiesta get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Fiesta (Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Ford Fiesta reported?

Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,000 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 64,000 miles; 65% 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.