Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Ford Fiesta Problems

Are you having problems with your Ford Fiesta? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Ford Fiesta issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Ford Fiesta in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Ford Fiesta review: 2004-2013

Styling of the latest couple of generations of Ford Fiestas is bold and their stunning, almost futuristic, looks appeal to many, particularly those moving down from larger cars.

The Ford Fiesta is sold as a three-door or five-door hatchback. The three-door has a sporty appearance, but the five-door certainly isn’t on the staid side. Getting into the back seat of the three-door Fiesta isn’t too difficult for the kids, but large adults will find it a hassle.

Once in the back seat, occupants will find it reasonably spacious. The front seats are larger than average for a car in this class and are reasonably comfortable, though some may find them on the firm side in the German manner.

Ford Australia is keen to please drivers looking for more than mere transport so imports its small cars from Europe. This makes them slightly more expensive than products from Holden, which are often made in South Korean factories, but Ford Oz has managed to keep prices down.

The Fiesta comes in plenty of different variants. Most use a 1.4- or 1.6-litre petrol engine and offer a couple of drivetrain options. The WZ series Fiesta, introduced in August 2013, has an interesting pair of turbocharged power units, in particular a willing little three-cylinder 1.0-litre with plenty of spark in its response. Even better is the 1.6 turbo-petrol in the Fiesta ST, it has strong torque over a wide spread of revs and can be regarded as a low cost alternative to full-on hot hatches.

The Ford Fiesta XR4, introduced in June 2007, is a genuine hot hatch, not just a dressed up standard model.  Inside, there are sporting seats with leather bolsters. Fiesta XR4 has lowered suspension and rides on Pirelli P-Zero tyres. Ride comfort is surprisingly good for the hot-hatch class.

The XR4's big Duratec 2.0-litre engine gives plenty of performance in a light car such as this. Some will be disappointed that only a five-speed gearbox is used. However, it has nicely chosen ratios and the change action is slick and positive.

A fascinating new model was launched in November 2009. The Ford Fiesta Econetic is a super-economy model that's powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine tuned specifically for low consumption. It has good torque, uses higher than normal gearing and runs on special low-rolling resistance tyres. The result is fuel consumption below four litres per hundred kilometres during easy motorway running and only five to seven litres per hundred kilometres in day-to-day suburban driving.

A good home mechanic can do a fair bit of their own work on a Fiesta, but the underbonnet area is cramped. Leave the safety items to the experts. There are plenty of Ford dealers Australia wide. While uncommon parts for Fiestas may not be held in all country dealerships it usually only takes a couple of business days to have parts freighted out there. We seldom hear any real complaints about prices of parts or servicing. Plenty of mechanics running their own independent businesses will have had formal training while employed by Ford dealers in the past.

Insurance premiums for the standard Ford Fiesta models are about average for its class. Some companies may charge more for the XR4 hot-hatch and the hot-ish Fiesta ST, though not outrageously so.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

European cars aren't built to the high standards of Japanese ones, so be sure to arrange for a full professional inspection. Carefully check the interior for signs of damage due to poor assembly, also for damage done by rough or bored kids.

Listen for squeaks or rattles when driving on rough roads, not necessarily outback tracks, just suburban surfaces that have seen better days. The Fiesta engine should start easily and idle smoothly virtually from the moment it kicks over. Listen and feel for a manual gearbox that hesitates or crunches during fast changes.

Try the steering on full lock at low speeds both all the way to the right and the left. Listen for the clicking sounds that indicate worn universal joints. A Fiesta XR4 that has been driven hard can often be identified by uneven tyre wear. Also look for lowered suspension, big-diameter wheels and additional instruments.

Rust isn't going to be a problem unless a car has been poorly repaired after a crash. Look for paint finish that doesn’t match from panel to panel and for overspray on non-painted areas.

CAR BUYING TIP

A simple way to check for rust repairs is to hold a magnet against a suspect area. It will stick to metal under the paint, but not to plastic fillers.

Read the article
Used Ford Fiesta review: 2010-2011

When fuel prices began to soar carmakers, understandably, turned their attention to finding ways of making their cars more frugal. Some turned to electric cars or petrol/electric hybrids, some explored LPG, and others refined conventional technologies to make cars more efficient. Ford pursued the latter course and produced the Fiesta ECOnetic.

Ford touted the little hatch as the first of a whole series of cars aimed at maximising fuel efficiency it would produce. The ECOnetic looked like any other Fiesta, it was simply a refined version of the popular little front-wheel drive car that was dedicated to saving fuel through better aerodynamic efficiency, weight loss, lower rolling resistance and a smaller, more efficient engine.

Available only as a five-door hatch, the ECOnetic sat lower and had deflectors to reduce aerodynamic drag, and low rolling resistance tyres further cut losses, while weight was cut by the deletion of the spare wheel among other things.

The heart of the ECOnetic Fiesta was a 1.6-litre common-rail turbo-diesel engine that punched out 66kW and 200Nm. Typical of a diesel it had lots of low-down, easy driving torque that made it a breeze to drive around town.

The low-down torque was also the key to the car's economy, and to make the most of it, Ford fitted it with a 'green' shift point indicator to show the driver when to step up to the next gear in the five-speed manual gearbox for optimum fuel efficiency.

Critics complained that its appeal was limited because Ford had chosen not to offer the option of an automatic transmission, but to offer an auto would have compromised the fundamental intent of saving fuel. The lack of an automatic might well have reduced the potential sales, but anyone who truly wanted to drive a fuel-efficient car would surely have appreciated the benefits of a manual gearbox.

The bottom line was that the ECOnetic boasted a combined fuel consumption figure of 3.7 L/100 km, which is about the same as would be achieved by the Toyota Prius, but without the complex hybrid technology. Aside from those features aimed directly at reducing fuel consumption the Fiesta ECOnetic was much like other Fiestas in the range.

On the road it was quiet and comfortable, with an agility that made it a fun drive. Inside, it had an agreeable cabin with supportive and comfortable seats, and plenty of the standard features buyers want.

The reports on the ECOnetic are generally favourable, with owners reporting agreeable fuel consumption results and relatively few issues. A couple of reports suggest there can be problems with the automatic regeneration of the diesel particulate filter. When that happens the dealer has to clean the filter, and that can cost money.

Other complaints tend to focus more on issues related to build quality, like power windows breaking down, oil leaks from the engine and gearbox, and ECU failures. Ford recalled the ECOnetic in 2012 to check on a plug in the exhaust system, which it feared could loosen and result in an exhaust leak.

As you would do with any used car purchase check its service record to ensure it has been properly maintained, and give it a thorough visual check around body and interior looking for any damage that might affect its value.

Tops for fuel economy if you are happy to drive small and manual.

Read the article
Ford Fiesta 2010: Engine light stays on

If they haven't come back to you with the results of their testing then ask them what they have done and what they have found. Your experience is a relatively common one with today's cars. The source of your problem is probably a faulty sensor and the testing being done by your dealer should identify it and fix it. I wouldn't be too concerned about it. As for the extended warranty it really comes down to the confidence you have in the car. If you don't have confidence in the car then the money spent on the extended warranty is worthwhile, but if you feel confident that it will keep running without major trouble then I wouldn't take it. It's your decision, but my own view is that extended warranties are not worth buying. You should also be aware that it is not a factory product.

Tips to get an EOFY bargain

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.
But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.

CITROEN
The new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.

FORD
The death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.
The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.

HOLDEN
As the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.

HONDA
Clipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.

KIA
Free on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. 
All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.

MITSUBISHI
The manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.
Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.
The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.

NISSAN
A 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.

OPEL
There are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.

PEUGEOT
Free on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.

RENAULT
A Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.
Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.

SUBARU
Drive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.

SUZUKI
The front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.

TOYOTA
There's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.

VOLKSWAGEN
Drive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.

VOLVO
Fuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.

Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTS

  • You must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.
  • But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.
  • The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.
  • If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.
  • Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.
  • No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.
  • The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.
  • And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.
  • Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already.



 

Read the article
Used Ford Fiesta review: 2010-2011

There's no argument that the car market has changed. The once dominant big cars are on the nose, replaced largely by other big cars in the form of SUVs, but at the same time small cars that were once shunned by all but the poverty-stricken are enjoying unprecedented popularity.

This newfound popularity has meant that carmakers have put more effort into making them attractive to this new generation of buyers instead of stripping them of everything but the basics in the hope of making a buck as they once did.

The result is cars like the Thailand-produced Ford Fiesta, an attractive, fun-filled little car that drives well, is economical, and has loads of neat features. Ford offered two body styles, a four-door sedan that gave you the security of a boot and a little more body stiffness to aid handling, and a five-door hatch that was more practical and versatile.

There were also two engine options to choose from, a 1.6-litre petrol four and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. Both were quite economical, the turbo-diesel more so by quite a margin, and both performed quite nicely.

The only criticism of the petrol engine was that it lacked a little performance at low revs, but it was still perfectly adequate for the job. At the same time the turbo-diesel was lauded for its sparkling performance, the downside was that it only came with a five-speed manual gearbox.

For those wanting an auto there was no choice but to go for the petrol engine, and you could then opt for the new six-speed auto, which was in fact a dual-clutch DSG gearbox.

All models boasted standard stability control, but the base CL only had two airbags unless it was equipped with the $600 option that upgraded it to the seven that all other models had.

A downside that needed to be understood is that the Fiesta didn't come with a spare wheel, for that you had to pay extra. Instead it had an aerosol kit for use when you get a flat.

Ford made choosing a Fiesta a challenge. The turbo-diesel was a winner, in both performance and economy, but it only came with a manual gearbox.

If you wanted an auto transmission you had to forgo the economy of the diesel and buy a petrol engine, which wasn't as economical and lacked the diesel's performance.

But given the auto is a DSG, which can prove troublesome, perhaps the best option is to avoid the complication of technology and opt for a simple manual gearbox.

If you really want the auto test-drive it thoroughly to try and find any faults it might have. Don't just drive it around the block; take it for an extended run, driving it under varying conditions, high speed, low speed, walking speed, accelerating from a stop, overtaking etc.

Check in the boot to see if your chosen car has the optional spare or not, and think about what you might do if it doesn't. If there is no spare check to see that the aerosol kit is there.

Some owners say that their petrol models ping, which forces them to run them on 95-octane fuel instead of the cheaper 91. That, of course, increases the running costs significantly.

Build quality is a complaint often heard from WT Fiesta owners, so take the time to inspect your chosen car closely.

Inspect the body for bumps and scrapes, they always bring the value of a car down, and also check the service record to reassure yourself that the required servicing has been carried out.

Questionable build quality detracts from an attractive package, but the diesel engine is worth the punt.

Read the article
Used Ford Fiesta review: 2009-2010

...and what to watch for when you are buying it.

NEW - The Fiesta was Ford's attempt to win over small car buyers who shunned recent offerings from the Blue oval brand.

The company made a big song and dance about appealing to young women with the Fiesta, but added that the sporting model in the range would appeal to young men. If it was having a bob each way there was no doubt the Fiesta was conceived to bring young women to the brand. The Fiesta looked funky, had a funky interior and was packed with all the funky features a young woman on the move could wish for.

There were two body styles on offer, a three-door hatch and a five-door hatch, and three models, the price leading CL, the LX and the sporty Zetec. The mid range LX was only available as a five-door; the others could be had with three or five doors. Three engines were offered, two of them petrol and one a diesel.

The petrol engines were a 1.4-litre and a 1.6-litre, but the diesel was the big noise with a claimed consumption of 3.7 L/100 km. There was also the choice of manual and automatic transmissions with the final drive being through the front wheels. On the road the Fiesta was poised when cornering, had a compliant ride, and its engines were smooth and flexible. Inside, it was quiet and refined, the seats were comfortable and there were plenty of nifty features like voice-controlled Bluetooth and a USB slot for an MP3 player.

NOW

Few complaints have been received at Carsguide, suggesting that Fiesta owners are generally happy with their purchase. The most common complaint relates to engine pinging, and despite dealer recommendations to switch to higher octane fuel it doesn't seem to go away. Fuel economy is also a concern for some owners, particularly with the 1.6-litre engine, which doesn't come close to the official Ford figure. Anyone buying for fuel economy should strongly consider the diesel, which does deliver very good economy.

We have also had the odd report of the engine cutting out for no apparent reason, and dealers have not been able to find the cause of the problem. Random failures of this sort are quite common on today's cars with all their electronics. It only takes a poor connection somewhere, or a sensor that misbehaves occasionally and you have a car that does things that are difficult to explain.

The performance of the air-conditioning has been called into question by a number of owners who say it blows cool rather than cold on hot summer days. Rattles are also the subject of complaint, which would appear to be the result of variable build quality. Like all modern cars servicing the Fiesta is vitally important to ensuring a long and reliable life, so check that the car you want to buy has been serviced regularly and according to the book.

SMITHY SAYS

A smart looking, great driving and fun-filled little hatch that's packed with character.

Ford Fiesta 2009-2010

Price new: $16,450 to $24,990
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 71 kW/125 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 88 kW/151 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 66 kW/200 Nm.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual, FWD
Thirst: 5.7 L/100 km (1.4), 5.8 L/100 km (1.6), 3.7 L/100 km (TD)
Body: 3-door hatch, 5-door hatch Variants: CL, LX, Econetic, Zetec
Safety: 5-star ANCAP

Read the article
Ford Fiesta 2010: Steering vibration causing by buckled wheels?

First I think the dealer has given you very poor advice, alloy wheels, while more susceptible to damage than the good old steel rims, are still capable of surviving on the roads we drive on for the life of the vehicle. It's probably too late now, but if I received that advice I would be getting the dealer to justify it, and would seek a second opinion.

Ford Fiesta 2004: Engine stuttered and lost power

It could be a number of problems; you need to have a mechanic run a diagnostic check to determine what's causing the warning light to come on.

Ford Fiesta 2007: Best oil for XR4?

Penrite is a quality oil and the one your chose covers the range needed in the Fiesta at both ends of the scale. You could use another oil that doesn’t have the same broad spectrum and save a little money.

Ford Fiesta 2011: Pinging on 91-octane fuel

One good thing is that you have the dealer on your side, or so it seems, if only Ford would come on board as well. The pinging issue is common, and the advice most owners are given is to switch to premium fuel. I would suspect that the lack of power and hesitations when cold are a separate issue, one related either to a faulty sensor that’s not telling the computer that it’s cold outside and the engine needs enrichment, or it’s an issue with the calibration itself. I have sent your concerns on to Ford and requested help to sort the issue. In the meantime, I reckon you have a good claim against Ford to refund your money or replace your car.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.
Complete guide to Ford Fiesta
Complete guide to Ford Fiesta CarsGuide Logo
Reviews, price, specs and more