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2018 Ford Fiesta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Fiesta are lower than the model-year median of 74.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 35 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2025
Power Train

Hello, I have zero idea why I am emailing, I may be secretly hoping for...anything. I drive a 2018 Ford Fiesta SE, I have owned it since 2019 as that is when I purchased it used. Over the weekend I experienced transmission issues and an auto shop informed me that I am in need of a transmission rebuild due to the clutch goi…

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Hello, I have zero idea why I am emailing, I may be secretly hoping for...anything. I drive a 2018 Ford Fiesta SE, I have owned it since 2019 as that is when I purchased it used. Over the weekend I experienced transmission issues and an auto shop informed me that I am in need of a transmission rebuild due to the clutch going out. The estimated cost is 3.4k. I came across this article from 2019: [XXX] Within the article Ford notes: "The transmissions (dual-clutch automatic transmissions known as DPS6 designed for fuel efficiency) were introduced in the 2011 model year Fiesta and 2012 Focus. They were used until the Focus was discontinued with the 2018 model year and until the 2019 Fiesta". The article then goes onto state: "technical analysis, warranty data and customer feedback show that the DPS6 transmission in Focus and Fiesta vehicles from 2016 (model year) through 2019 MY are improved from prior model years. They perform well and have competitive levels of customer satisfaction.” But I don't believe that to be true given the clutch issues that have just happened with my 2019 Ford Fiesta. It gets a bit more odd because I think Ford is lying about the 2019 model year being 'improved'. The mechanic I am going through put a pause on rebuilding my transmission because Ford reached out to them with potential fixes per an 'internal bulletin'. Those potential fixes include a redesigned clutch kit for the transmission...why would that be a thing if my model year was 'improved'. Also, they are not covering any repairs. I don't even know if I have the right to demand that they do? Given my model year wasn't included in the lawsuit, despite it being the last year Ford made the Fiesta. I also did find this update [XXX] I just want help or something done. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11635077

74,000 miles · Dec 4, 2023
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the "Transmission Malfunction Service Now” message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the RPM's increased rapidl…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the "Transmission Malfunction Service Now” message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the RPM's increased rapidly, but the vehicle did not respond. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #11558375

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2023
Power Train

Since around 20,000 miles, my 2018 Ford Fiesta SE has had a grinding noise after shifting at certain gears. I got the car serviced at that time. Now I'm at 70,000 miles and the noise has persisted, and has gotten worse. My transmission slipped at 0mph when I was accelerating, almost causing me to lose control of my car.

NHTSA ODI #11556942

37,000 miles · May 16, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehi…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #11464823

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2022
Power Train

The component that failed was the clutch pedal assembly. The part is currently still installed in the vehicle. The clutch pedal randomly will stay full depressed, and requires manually reaching and grabbing the pedal to pull it out. The operator being distracted because they cant get the car into the correct gear and have to …

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The component that failed was the clutch pedal assembly. The part is currently still installed in the vehicle. The clutch pedal randomly will stay full depressed, and requires manually reaching and grabbing the pedal to pull it out. The operator being distracted because they cant get the car into the correct gear and have to pull off the road to reset/pull the clutch pedal back into position. The component has not be inspected. There were no warning signs or symptoms before the failure happened.

NHTSA ODI #11463360

23,133 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN A VIBRATION WAS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSE POWER. GEAR SHIFT STILL IN DRIVE ENGINE STILL RUNNING AND COASTED TO A STOP ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED FOUND OUT THAT THE LEFT DRIVE AXLE HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT THE TRANSMISSION END. WHEN THIS…

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VEHICLE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN A VIBRATION WAS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSE POWER. GEAR SHIFT STILL IN DRIVE ENGINE STILL RUNNING AND COASTED TO A STOP ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED FOUND OUT THAT THE LEFT DRIVE AXLE HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT THE TRANSMISSION END. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE SV HAS NO WAY TO MAINTAIN A SAFE SPEED.-++++++*DT*DT*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*DT

NHTSA ODI #11398847

10,000 miles · Jun 11, 2020
EnginePower Train

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. *…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328346

70,000 miles · Apr 15, 2020
EnginePower Train

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…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11321226

9,200 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Power Train

THE CAR WAS DRIVING AT 68 MPH AND APPROXIMATELY 2500 RPM STARTED TO LOOSE SPEED DOWN SLIGHT HILL AND RPMS INCREASED TO 5,500 RPM. LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR 3 SECONDS RPMS DECREASED REAPPLIED ACCELERATOR AND OPERATED PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #11240281

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2019
Power TrainSuspension

BEEN NOTICING NOW WITH THE FORD FIESTA 2018 THAT MY THIRD GEAR. LOSES THE GRIP GOING UP HILL. BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A FEW WEEKS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER. TWO TIMES HAVE THEY REPAIR IT. YET, SADLY SEEMS THAT THIS WILL BE THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME. CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T DO DURABLE MANUALS ANYMORE. THE ISSUES ARE A LOT …

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BEEN NOTICING NOW WITH THE FORD FIESTA 2018 THAT MY THIRD GEAR. LOSES THE GRIP GOING UP HILL. BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A FEW WEEKS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER. TWO TIMES HAVE THEY REPAIR IT. YET, SADLY SEEMS THAT THIS WILL BE THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME. CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T DO DURABLE MANUALS ANYMORE. THE ISSUES ARE A LOT ON THE HIGHWAY. CAN'T AFFORD A CRASH OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11221498

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.