The Lemon Index2014 Ford Fiesta.
The 2014 Ford Fiesta is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 245 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 335, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 29 to 35 mpg combined. The best Ford Fiesta year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 504 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Fiesta year. 2014 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 63K miles on the car (393 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 9K–55K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 11K–74K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 38K–61K miles
Recalls 7
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
- engine 2017
If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Show all 7 recalls
- latches/locks/linkages 2017
A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- latches/locks/linkages 2015
On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fu…
- fuel system, gasoline 2015
On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford …
- fuel system, gasoline 2014
Due to a manufacturing error, the fuel tank may leak.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 109 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission fluid leaked on clutch assembly and by using metal parts cleaner, containing 60%…
- The noise coming from engine, like buzzing or sawing, when rpm range is 950 and 1200 and can be
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenTiming belt failure2026
- ClosedTiming belt failure2025–2026
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Fiesta 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1850–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.0L 3-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Transmissions is faulty. Car shakes, shudders, and hesitates during shift change as well as braking. Ford is aware of nationwide problem. They are replacing part with same faulty part.
2014 Ford Fiesta owner · NHTSA complaint 10840435
More owner reports
Car stutters and jerks when moving slow, or coming from s stop. The dual clutches have been replaced twice already.
NHTSA complaint 10759286
Transmission shutters and stalls while driving. Has been into dealership for fix, but only is temporary. Shutter and stalls always come back (problem since 2014)
NHTSA complaint 10882582
Quick answers
Is the 2014 Ford Fiesta reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 335; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Fiesta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Fiesta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (46%), engine (13%) and body structure (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Fiesta have?
7 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Ford Fiesta get?
29 to 35 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Ford Fiesta safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Fiesta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,000 and 63,600 miles. The middle report was at 40,000 miles, from 393 complaints.
Does the 2014 Ford Fiesta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 46% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2014 Ford Fiesta cost in fuel a year?
About $1850 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Ford Fiesta have?
1.0L 3-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl.
What Ford Fiesta year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works