CarBrief

The rearview camera is the biggest issue on the 2019 Ford Fiesta, with 31 of its 105 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. Two camera recalls have remedies that are phased or delayed, so check your VIN with NHTSA[3][4].

105owner complaints[1]
3recalls[5]
28–31MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 105 owner complaints for the 2019 Fiesta[1]. Of these, 13 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 9 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

Component group Complaints
Back over prevention (rearview camera)[2] 31
Power train[8] 21
Unknown or other[9] 17
Brakes[10] 13
Engine[11] 11
Electrical system[12] 11
Air bags[13] 8
Speed control[14] 4

Rearview camera. In the sample of 12 complaints we read, 11 describe a camera that shows a blank, black, flickering, distorted or upside down picture in reverse[2]. In 8 of the 12 texts, owners say they received a recall notice but the repair part was not yet available[2]. The median mileage for these complaints is 51,000[2].

Transmission and power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 8 owners describe a transmission that shifts late, jerks, slips, hesitates from a stop or does not engage a gear properly[8]. The median mileage at failure is 67,000[8].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 7 owners describe brakes that stick, seize, lock up or overheat[10]. Several name the calipers or the ABS module[10]. Two of the 12 say their car was not covered by the brake recall[10]. The median mileage at failure is 17,000[10].

Engine. Engine complaints number 11 and include 4 injuries[11]. In the sample we read, 3 of 11 texts describe overheating or coolant loss[11]. That is too few to call it a pattern.

Air bags. There are only 8 air bag complaints, but 7 of them mention a crash and 5 an injury[13]. We do not have the details behind these reports.

Recalls

Three recalls apply to this car, newest first.

You can check your VIN on NHTSA.gov. Owners can also call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332[3].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2019 Fiesta. All run on regular gas and are front-wheel drive[6][16][17].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM-S6)[6] 27 / 37 / 31 $2,150
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[16] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Fiesta ST, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd[17] 25 / 32 / 28 $2,400

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

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 2019 Fiesta 4 stars overall[7][18] in both body styles it tested, the 4 DR and the 5 HB. Frontal, side and rollover ratings are also 4 stars each, with a rollover risk of 14.3%[7][18].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 2019 Fiesta with a 1.6L 4-cylinder rated from 120 to 175 hp depending on version[19]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR hatch[20] 160 in 68 in 58 in 98 in 2,538 lb
4DR sedan[21] 173 in 68 in 58 in 98 in 2,577 lb
ST 4DR hatchback[22] 160 in 68 in 57 in 98 in 2,743 lb

How 2019 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 recalls20172018: 35 complaints, 0 recalls20182019: 105 complaints, 3 recalls1052019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Fiesta model year. The 2019 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20117303
20126173
20136683
20145047
20152584
20161780
2017740
2018350
20191053

NHTSA has 105 complaints for 2019[5]. That is more than 2017 (74) and 2018 (35), and fewer than 2011 (730), 2012 (617), 2013 (668), 2014 (504), 2015 (258) and 2016 (178)[5]. The 2019 model has 3 recalls[5]. That matches 2011, 2012 and 2013, is fewer than 2014 (7) and 2015 (4), and is more than 2016 to 2018, which have none[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them only as a rough guide within the Fiesta line.

Should you buy a used 2019 Fiesta?

The 2019 Fiesta has a modest complaint count compared with the early Fiesta years[5]. It earns 4 stars across the board from NHTSA[7][18]. A key caution is the rearview camera, which has two recalls with remedies that are phased or expected as late as March 2027[3][4]. Owners also describe transmission shifting trouble in the complaints we read[8]. Ask the seller to run the VIN for open recalls, including the brake caliper recall[15].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Fiesta?
The largest complaint group is the rearview camera with 31 of 105 complaints, followed by the power train with 21 and unknown or other with 17[1][2][8][9].
Does the 2019 Ford Fiesta have recalls?
Yes, 3[5]. Two cover the rearview camera (25V695 and 24V951) and one covers brake calipers (19V629). The camera remedies are phased or expected in March 2027[3][4][15].
What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Ford Fiesta?
EPA combined ratings are 31 MPG for the automatic, 30 for the 5-speed manual and 28 for the ST with a 6-speed manual[6][16][17].
How safe is the 2019 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall, with a rollover risk of 14.3%[7][18].
Is the 2019 Ford Fiesta a better year than 2014?
By NHTSA counts, 2019 has 105 complaints[5] and 3 recalls[5] versus 504 complaints[5] and 7 recalls[5] for 2014. The counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Ford Fiesta (13 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 31 complaints name the back over prevention component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 25V695, filed October 13, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 24V951, filed December 20, 2024: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fiesta model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. 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
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 21 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 11 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 8 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 19V629, filed August 28, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
  16. 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
  17. EPA rating for Fiesta ST FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Ford Fiesta with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 120 to 175 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIESTA 4DR HATCH: 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
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FIESTA 4DR SEDAN: 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
  22. 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.