Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 502 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Fiesta, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 155 | 31% |
| Unknown or other | 51 | 10% |
| Engine | 46 | 9% |
| Structure | 40 | 8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 27 | 5% |
| Air bags | 12 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 2% |
| Power train | 11 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 2% |
| Steering | 8 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My vehicle has an active status under Ford Safety Recall 20S15 (NHTSA Campaign 20V177) for a fractured door latch pawl spring. The defect has fully manifested: my side door physically will not latch or stay shut. There w
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Brand new OEM ford clutch slave cylinder failed while in traffic. Part number DG9Z-7A564-B fell apart during test drive after it was newly installed. Lost ability to use the clutch pedal and could not pull the car out of
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WAS TOLD WAY BACK WHEN THAT DOOR LATCHES HAD A DEFECT. THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. COLONIAL FORD OF DANBURY CT AVOIDED DOING THE COMPLETE RECALLS. SUCH IS SO THAT I PAID OUT OF POCKET A TRANSMISSION REBUILD AND TOOK FORD
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Transmission was supposedly rebuilt back July 26, 3021. Now transmission has had a new dual clutch replaced but other concerns are still there jerkiness on accelerations. In 2021 the transmission was not fully rebuild as
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Seat Belt retractor/pretensioner failed and was causing the passenger seatbelt light to go off. Had to repair due to automatic failing of inspection for this issue and the major safety issue this poses. Auto shop charged
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I’m reporting a failure with the Transmission Control Module (TCM) in my 2014 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle has exhibited consistent issues tied to the known PowerShift DPS6 transmission defect: including gear slipping, dela
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and an abnormal sound was coming from the engine. Several unknown warning lights were i
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Ford and ford dealearship is not willing to provide or service 15B22 recalls.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2014 Ford Fiesta. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder
Risk: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed Apr
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, i
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, For
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on Decembe
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for
| Reliability raw | 48 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 64 | average |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 53 | average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 502 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 155 of them (31%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 48/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 64/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.