CarBrief

NHTSA has 74 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Fiesta and no recalls for this model year[1][2]. The largest complaint groups are the power train, engine and fuel system[3][4][5].

74owner complaints[1]
29–35MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Reported problems

These are owner reports sent to NHTSA. They are unverified, and one complaint can name more than one component[1]. Of the 74 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injuries and 1 a death[1].

The biggest groups by complaint count:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Power train[3] 22 69,500
Engine[4] 21 65,500
Fuel/propulsion system[5] 12 57,150
Unknown or other[8] 8 not listed
Electrical system[9] 7 not listed
Brakes[10] 5 not listed

The smaller groups are speed control with 4 complaints[11] and wheels with 4[12].

Power train. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe jerking, hesitation and stalling. Some describe clutch or gear trouble. A couple describe a car that stalled or struggled to start right after refueling[3]. None of the 22 power train complaints mention a crash, fire or injury[3].

Engine. Owners in our sample describe warning lights and cars that would not start. Some link the trouble to fueling or an emissions part[4]. The engine group has 2 crashes and 5 injuries among its 21 complaints[4].

Fuel system. In the sample we read, owners describe a faulty purge valve, which is part of the emissions system. They report stalling or slow starting after adding fuel, and in some cases the same repair coming back[5]. None of the 12 fuel system complaints mention a crash, fire or injury[5].

Brakes have only 5 complaints[10], so the group is small. They include 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries[10]. A small group is not proof of a pattern, but the severity is worth a check at any pre-purchase inspection.

Recalls

NHTSA shows 0 recalls on file for the 2017 model year[2]. Recall status can change, so check the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup before you buy.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings differ by engine and gearbox. All use regular fuel and front-wheel drive[13][14][6][15].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6)[13] 27 / 37 / 31 $2,150
Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[14] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Fiesta SFE FWD, 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd[6] 31 / 41 / 35 $1,900
Fiesta ST FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd[15] 26 / 33 / 29 $2,300

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both tested body styles, the 4-door[7] and the 5-door hatchback[16], the same marks: 4 stars overall, 4 frontal, 5 side and 4 rollover. Rollover risk is listed at 14.3%[7][16].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 1.0L 3-cylinder at 120 hp[17]. The 1.6L 4-cylinder is rated 120 to 175 hp depending on version[18].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4-door hatch S/SE/Titanium[19] 160 in 68 in 58 in 98 in 2,538 lb
4-door sedan S/SE/Titanium[20] 173 in 68 in 58 in 98 in 2,577 lb
ST 4-door hatchback[21] 160 in 68 in 57 in 98 in 2,743 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2011: 730 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 617 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 668 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 504 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 258 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 178 complaints, 0 recalls20162017: 74 complaints, 0 recalls7420172018: 35 complaints, 0 recalls20182019: 105 complaints, 3 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Fiesta model year. The 2017 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20117303
20126173
20136683
20145047
20152584
20161780
2017740
2018350
20191053

NHTSA lists these Fiesta totals by model year[2]:

Year Complaints Recalls
2011 730 3
2012 617 3
2013 668 3
2014 504 7
2015 258 4
2016 178 0
2017 74 0
2018 35 0
2019 105 3

The 2017 model year has fewer complaints than every year except 2018[2]. It shares its 0 recalls with 2016 and 2018[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2017 Fiesta?

The paper trail is light. NHTSA lists 74 complaints and 0 recalls for this year, which is low next to the other model years[1][2]. Still, owners in our sample describe stalling, hard starting and clutch or gear trouble, and the fuel system sample points to a purge valve that failed more than once for some owners[5]. Ask for service records, check the VIN for open recalls, and have a mechanic test starting after refueling and shifting. Pick the version that fits your driving, since EPA combined ratings run from 29 to 35 MPG[6][15].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
Power train is the largest complaint group with 22 complaints, then engine with 21 and fuel/propulsion with 12[3][4][5]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe stalling, hard starting and clutch or gear trouble.
Does the 2017 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2017 model year[2]. Check your VIN for the latest status.
How many miles per gallon does a 2017 Ford Fiesta get?
EPA combined ratings range from 29 MPG for the ST to 35 MPG for the 1.0L SFE[6][15].
How safe is the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side protection in both body styles tested[7][16].
Is 2017 a good year for the Ford Fiesta?
It has 74 complaints, the second-lowest of the nine years listed, and 0 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 74 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Ford Fiesta (7 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fiesta model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 22 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 21 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for Fiesta SFE FWD, 1.0L 3-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 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
  8. 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Fiesta ST FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. 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
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Ford Fiesta with 1.0L 3-cylinder: rated 120 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Ford Fiesta with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 120 to 175 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIESTA 4DR HATCH S/SE/TITANIUM: length 160 in, width 68 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,538 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIESTA 4DR SEDAN S/SE/TITANIUM: length 173 in, width 68 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,577 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIESTA ST 4DR HATCHBACK: length 160 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,743 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.