CarBrief

The 2011 Ford Fiesta has 730 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any Fiesta model year in our data[1][2]. The biggest group involves the power train, and three recalls cover door latches and a side curtain air bag[3][4][5][6].

730owner complaints[1]
3recalls[2]
31–33MPG combined (EPA)[7]
4★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 730 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 32 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 34 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Power train. This is the largest group, with 366 complaints, 10 crashes and 13 injuries[3]. The median mileage at failure was 56,000[3]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the car hesitating or refusing to pick a gear, or shifting roughly with a clunk. That showed up in 9 of 12 texts[3]. Three of the 12 describe a transmission that was repaired or replaced while the trouble continued[3].

Structure. NHTSA lists 125 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 55,012[9]. In our sample of 12, 8 describe a rear door latch that fails so the door will not stay shut[9]. Two door latch recalls are covered below.

Engine. There are 118 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 63,000[10]. The sample did not show one clear theme. Owners describe a mix of leaks, stalling and odd noises[10].

Electrical system. There are 96 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 62,000[11]. In the sample, 7 of 12 texts describe the car failing to engage a gear or stalling alongside electrical or starting trouble, and 3 mention a weak battery[11].

Smaller groups include speed control with 57 complaints[12], latches, locks and linkages with 41[13] and steering with 26[14].

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Before buying, ask for proof that all three were done, or have a Ford dealer check.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three ratings for the 1.6L 4-cylinder with front-wheel drive on regular fuel[15][16][7]:

The EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the hatchback and the four-door the same ratings. Overall is 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars and rollover 4 stars[8][17]. Rollover risk is 14.3%[8][17].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 1.6L 4-cylinder at 118 to 120 hp, depending on version[18]. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

How 2011 compares with other years

2011: 730 complaints, 3 recalls73020112012: 617 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 668 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 504 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 258 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 178 complaints, 0 recalls20162017: 74 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 35 complaints, 0 recalls20182019: 105 complaints, 3 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Fiesta model year. The 2011 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20117303
20126173
20136683
20145047
20152584
20161780
2017740
2018350
20191053

NHTSA's counts for each Fiesta model year show 2011 with the most complaints, 730[2]. The next highest are 668 for 2013, 617 for 2012 and 504 for 2014[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

On recalls, 2011 has 3, the same as 2012, 2013 and 2019[2]. 2014 has 7 and 2015 has 4[2]. Later years 2016 to 2018 have 0 recalls[2].

Should you buy a used 2011 Fiesta?

The data points to two things to check. First, the power train is the largest complaint group, with 366 complaints[3]. Owners in our sample describe gear selection problems, so a long test drive with attention to shifting is sensible[3]. Second, confirm the door latch and air bag recalls were done, since each has a free remedy[4][5][6]. Fuel economy is 31 to 33 mpg combined[15][16][7], and crash ratings are 4 stars overall[8][17]. Complaints are unverified and the sample we read is small, so treat this as a checklist, not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Fiesta?
Power train is the largest complaint group with 366 of 730 complaints[1][3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe trouble selecting gears. Rear door latch failures show up in the structure group in the sample we read[9].
Does the 2011 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
Yes, three: two for door latches (15V246 and 20V331) and one for the side curtain air bag (12V488)[4][5][6].
How many mpg does a 2011 Ford Fiesta get?
The EPA rates it at 31, 32 or 33 mpg combined, depending on version[15][16][7].
How safe is the 2011 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side protection[8][17].
Is 2011 a bad year for the Fiesta?
It has the most complaints of any year listed, 730, but counts are not adjusted for sales[2]. It has 3 recalls, while 2014 has 7[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 730 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Fiesta (32 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 34 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fiesta model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 366 complaints name the power train component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 20V331, filed June 8, 2020: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 15V246, filed April 24, 2015: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 12V488, filed October 5, 2012: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Fiesta SFE, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 38 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 125 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,012). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 118 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 96 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 57 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,850). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 41 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 26 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,070). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Fiesta, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Fiesta, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Ford Fiesta with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 118 to 120 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIESTA 4DR HATCH SE/SES: length 160 in, width 68 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,557 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIESTA 4DR SEDAN S/SE/SEL: length 174 in, width 68 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,557 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.