2019 Ford FIESTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
100 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Back Over Prevention is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 100 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 18.0% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 14.0% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention | 29 |
| Power Train | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Back Over Prevention: 29; Power Train: 21; Unknown Or Other: 15; Engine: 10; Service Brakes: 9; Air Bags: 8; Electrical System: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 26 |
2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 13; 2024: 7; 2025: 34; 2026: 26
Pattern summary
Back Over Prevention leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11210169 · 2019-05-27 (May 27, 2019)
THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWERSHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IT'S VERY SLUGGISH WHEN SHIFTING WHEN YOU TAP THE ACCELERATOR WITH YOUR FOOT AFTER BEING AT A STOP SIGN THE CAR JOLTS LIKE PREVIOUS YEAR AND MODELS OF THIS CAR
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11210169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11228742 · 2019-07-01 (July 1, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS WERE AT 1,100. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS A DELAY, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THE RPMS DROPPED TO 750. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAVE SMITH FORD (LOCATED AT 4045 TRANSIT RD, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS COMPUTER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11228742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11245817 · 2019-08-22 (August 22, 2019)
LOST CONTROL OF CAR. FIRST IMPACT WAS A TREE STUMP AS CAR WAS TURNING, HIT TREE STUMP. SHE WENT FORWARD AND HIT HEAD ON STIRRING WHEEL. AIR BAG AT STEERING WHEEL DID NOT INFLATE OR DEPLOY. ONLY SIDE DOOR ON LEFT SIDE FILLED WITH AIR.SECOND IMPACT CAR TILTS OVER THEN AIRBAG ON SIDE DOOR INFLATE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11257503 · 2019-09-23 (September 23, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN ELECTRICAL POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER LANDING IN FRONT OF A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES DUE TO MAKING CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CITY'S LOCAL IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11257503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11258798 · 2019-09-29 (September 29, 2019)
I HAD SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS TO AVOID REAR ENDING SOMEONE AND I SLID DOWN THE BRIDGE AND ENDED UP REARENDING THEM. MY FRONT END WAS SMASHED UP BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2018 FORD FIESTA HATCHBACK AND TOTALED THE FRONT IN BY HITTING A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL. WE ARE HIGHLY DISSATISFIED THAT THE AIRBAGS HAVE YET TO DEPLOY WHEN THEY SHOULD.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11258798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11286770 · 2019-12-03 (December 3, 2019)
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 TO THE FLOOR AND I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES FAILED
Owner-reported narrative. 2,670 miles reported. Look up ODI 11286770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11312123 · 2020-02-28 (February 28, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIVERTOWN FORD LOCATED AT (168 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE INSURANCE PROVIDER FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED TO BE INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,252.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,252 miles reported. Look up ODI 11312123 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11355302 · 2020-09-16 (September 16, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING CAR IT STARTED TO NOT WANT TO GO OVER 20MPH THEN ALL TOGETHER STOPPED. COULDN'T EVEN ROLL IT TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE BRAKES LOCKED UP ON IT BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING OTHER THAN BRAKE FLUID IN THE BRAKE LINES.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11355302 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V629000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 2019-08-28 (August 28, 2019)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Fiesta vehicles. The brake calipers may have been manufactured with the incorrect assembly fluid, which can cause the caliper's rubber seals to swell.
Consequence: The swollen seals can cause the brakes to drag, potentially overheating the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V951000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2024-12-20 (December 20, 2024)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Flex, Fiesta, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. The rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V695000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2025-10-13 (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. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗