MYRModel Year Report

2011 Ford Fiesta

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Ford Fiesta
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Fiesta Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1988: 1 complaints 1988 1989: 1 complaints 1991: 2 complaints 1991 2001: 1 complaints 2002: 1 complaints 2002 2011: 729 complaints 2011 2012: 616 complaints 2012 2013: 667 complaints 2014: 501 complaints 2014 2015: 257 complaints 2016: 178 complaints 2016 2017: 72 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 92 complaints 2019
2011: 729 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19891
19912
20011
20021
2011729
2012616
2013667
2014501
2015257
2016178
201772
201835
201992

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 46%

46% of complaints: power train — 336 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 3 MPH THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUFFERED WHIPLASH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121031

ENGINE 15%

15% of complaints: engine — 107 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2/4/15, DICKINSON CO. KANSAS, COLLISION WITH FIXED OBJECT,LEFT TURN, IMPACT TO PASSENGER FRONT CORNER, RAN OFF RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD,STRUCK FIXE OBJECT, DAMAGE TO BOTH PASSENGER FRONT CORNER/QUARTER OF CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181021

STRUCTURE 12%

12% of complaints: structure — 89 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2/4/15, DICKINSON CO. KANSAS, COLLISION WITH FIXED OBJECT,LEFT TURN, IMPACT TO PASSENGER FRONT CORNER, RAN OFF RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD,STRUCK FIXE OBJECT, DAMAGE TO BOTH PASSENGER FRONT CORNER/QUARTER OF CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181021

VEHICLE WAS IN A MINOR 'FENDER BENDER' DURING RUSH HOUR - STOP AND GO - TRAFFIC. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND DAMAGE TO THE 2011 FIESTA SES WAS FIXABLE. VERY MINIMAL DAMAGE (DENT) TO CAR IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120613

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 89 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2011 FORD FIESTA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20110310

The low beam headlights do not turn on, all the other lights work as normal including the high beams. The fuses have not blown and there are no warning lamps or messages.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230920

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

2/4/15, DICKINSON CO. KANSAS, COLLISION WITH FIXED OBJECT,LEFT TURN, IMPACT TO PASSENGER FRONT CORNER, RAN OFF RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD,STRUCK FIXE OBJECT, DAMAGE TO BOTH PASSENGER FRONT CORNER/QUARTER OF CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181021

I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT HOME. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE CAR THEN SPED UP AND LUNGED FORWARD, JUMPED OVER THE CEMENT BUMPER AND SLAMMED INTO SOME POTTED PLANTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20110711

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 729
R 20121026 — air bags

Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (F

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and

Campaign 12V488000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140911 — PE (closed 20150318)

Door Latch Failure

I 20150227 — EA (closed 20151113)

Door Latch Failure

R 20151218 — latches/locks/linkages

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...

Remedy: 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 December 18, 2015.

Campaign 15V246000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20191219 — RQ (closed 20220207)

Door Latch Failures

R 20200727 — latches/locks/linkages

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 20V331000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Ford Fiesta — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (336 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (107 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (89 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V488000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2019

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2012 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Ford Fiesta reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Ford Fiesta is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Fiesta?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Fiesta have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.