What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light?

The drive-by-wire electronic throttle body (ETB) develops an internal electronic/motor fault (not just dirt) that causes the powertrain control module to command reduced power. The car drops into limp mode with a wrench/powertrain-malfunction light, often storing throttle-positio… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: high.

What is the 2013-2019 Ford Fiesta Wet Belt (Belt-in-Oil) Timing Belt Degradation Clogging Oil Pump Pickup?

The 1.0L EcoBoost uses a 'wet' timing belt that runs submerged in engine oil. When oil is old, over-extended, or not to Ford's WSS-M2C948-B spec, the belt's rubber breaks down and delaminates ('pilling'). Shed fragments migrate through the sump and clog the oil pump pickup screen… Repairs typically run $600-$8,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Manual Transmission Clutch Judder & Slave/Release Cylinder Failure?

Manual-transmission Fiestas (5-speed B5/IB5) commonly develop clutch judder, a soft/sinking pedal, and inability to select gears when the concentric slave/release cylinder or clutch master cylinder fails. Owners report the clutch going to the floor when stopped and gears becoming… Repairs typically run $600-$1,400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2019 Ford Fiesta 1.6L EcoBoost Intake-Valve Carbon Buildup (Direct Injection)?

Like other direct-injection engines, the Fiesta ST's 1.6L EcoBoost has no fuel washing over the back of the intake valves, so oil vapor from the PCV system bakes into carbon deposits on the valves and ports over time. Owner tear-down 'case reports' confirm measurable buildup that… Repairs typically run $400-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2008-2019 Ford Fiesta Coil Spring Fracture — Snapped Suspension Spring?

The suspension coil springs fracture, typically near the bottom coil, often triggered by corrosion at the spring seat combined with road-input stress from speed bumps and rough surfaces. This is a very frequently reported Fiesta failure — front springs are most commonly cited but… Repairs typically run $200-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Thermostat Housing Coolant Leak?

The plastic thermostat housing on the 1.6L engine develops cracks and leaks coolant. The plastic becomes brittle from heat cycling over time. This can lead to overheating if coolant loss goes unnoticed. Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Ignition Coil / Spark Plug Misfire — Oil-Fouled Coils & Water Ingress in Plug Wells?

Fiestas — especially the 1.6L EcoBoost ST — commonly throw misfire codes and run rough at idle from failing ignition coils and fouled spark plugs. Owners report oil creeping onto the coil boots and, notably, rainwater entering the spark-plug wells via the washer-jet routing, whic… Repairs typically run $150-$550. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta TDCi Diesel DPF Blockage & Failed Regeneration (Short-Trip Use)?

Diesel Fiestas frequently suffer diesel particulate filter (DPF) blockage and incomplete/failed regeneration, especially on cars used mainly for short, low-speed journeys that never reach regeneration temperature. Soot accumulates, the DPF warning light appears, and the car may e… Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Water Leak Into Footwell — Blocked Scuttle Drain / Pollen-Filter Housing?

Fiestas commonly get wet passenger (and sometimes driver) footwell carpets from rainwater entering via the scuttle panel at the base of the windscreen. Leaves and debris block the scuttle drain, or the scuttle-to-windscreen seal fails, letting water pool and overflow into the cab… Repairs typically run $80-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2019 Ford Fiesta Rear Disc Brake Caliper Slide Pin & Handbrake Lever Seizure — Dragging Rear Brakes (Disc-Equipped Models)?

Fiestas fitted with rear discs (ST, Titanium and higher EU trims) suffer seized rear caliper slide pins and stuck parking-brake actuating levers. Road salt corrodes the pins and the lever pivot, so the pad drags constantly: rapid inner-pad wear, a hot wheel and burning smell afte… Repairs typically run $60-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Ti-VCT Variable Cam Timing Solenoid / Phaser Sticking — Cold-Start Rattle, P0011/P0012?

The naturally aspirated 1.6L Ti-VCT (Sigma) engine in 2011-2019 Fiestas uses oil-pressure-driven cam phasers controlled by VCT solenoids. Dirty oil, extended drain intervals, or small debris cause the solenoid to stick, and worn phasers rattle for a few seconds on cold start. The… Repairs typically run $40-$1,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2019 Ford Fiesta Rear Wheel Bearing Failure — Speed-Dependent Hum/Drone From the Rear?

Rear wheel bearings on the Mk7-generation twist-beam Fiesta (including the ST) wear prematurely, producing a hum or drone that rises with road speed and changes pitch when the car is loaded in a corner. Ford Owners Club, FiestaSTOC and fiestastforum all carry multiple threads, wi… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Blend Door Actuator Failure — Stuck on Heat or Cold?

The Ford Fiesta is prone to blend door actuator failure, which controls the mix of hot and cold air in the HVAC system. When the actuator motor or its plastic gears fail, the system gets stuck blowing only hot air or only cold air regardless of temperature settings. A characteris… Repairs typically run $30-$400. Severity: low.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Rear Suspension Knock — Worn Rear Shock Top Mounts & Damper Bushings?

Fiestas (2008–2019, including ST) frequently develop knocking, clunking, or scrubbing noises from the rear suspension over bumps. Common causes are worn rear shock-absorber top mounts, deteriorated damper eye/lower-mount bushings, and torn rubber that lets the shock move in its m… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: low.

What is the 2014-2019 Ford Fiesta Fiesta ST Rear Motor Mount (Dogbone) Bushing Failure — Vibration & Wheel Hop?

The Fiesta ST's soft OEM rear motor mount (RMM / 'dogbone') bushing cannot withstand the 1.6L EcoBoost's torque and the high heat at its location, so the rubber degrades and allows excessive engine movement. This produces clunking on throttle on/off, driveline shudder, and wheel… Repairs typically run $120-$500. Severity: low.

What is the 2008-2019 Ford Fiesta Power Window Regulator / Cable Failure — Glass Drops Into Door?

The plastic-geared window motor cog and the regulator's lift cables/clips wear or break, causing the window to fall inside the door, stick partway, or move only after repeated button presses. A characteristic symptom is a clicking/chattering or grinding noise as the glass jams or… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: low.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta EVAP Canister Purge Valve Failure?

The EVAP canister purge valve sticks open, causing difficulty fueling (pump nozzle keeps clicking off), rough idle, and check engine light. Very common on the 1.6L engine. Repairs typically run $30-$150. Severity: low.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta SYNC / APIM Infotainment Freezing, Rebooting & Bluetooth/CarPlay Dropouts?

Fiesta SYNC/MyFord Touch and SYNC 3 systems commonly freeze, randomly reboot, drop Bluetooth pairing, and lose Apple CarPlay connectivity. Many failures are software 'handshake' hangs, but a subset are hardware failures of the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM), which can… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: low.

Ford · Known Issues

2018 Ford Fiesta Problems: 21 Known Issues

2018 model year · 1,210+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,210+ owner reports, the 2018 Ford Fiesta has 21 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure ($0-$3,500 repair), Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist ($350-$1,500 repair), Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light ($250-$700 repair) and Wet Belt (Belt-in-Oil) Timing Belt Degradation Clogging Oil Pump Pickup ($600-$8,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure with 950 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Ford Fiesta problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 1,210+ owner reports, the 2018 Ford Fiesta has 21 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure, Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist, Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Ford Fiesta reliable?

The 2018 Ford Fiesta has 21 known issues documented across 1,210+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure and Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist and Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light and Wet Belt (Belt-in-Oil) Timing Belt Degradation Clogging Oil Pump Pickup. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Ford Fiesta problems?

Repair costs for known Ford Fiesta issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure, typically costs $0-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure?

The Ford Fiesta equipped with the DPS6 PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission is one of the most complained-about vehicles in recent history. The dry dual-clutch design causes severe shuddering, jerking, hesitation, and complete loss of power during acceleration. The clutc… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist?

Fiestas can display 'Power Steering Assist Fault — Service Required' and lose electric power-steering assist, sometimes intermittently while driving. Root causes include torque-sensor faults and intermittent electrical connections in the steering column/gear that stop the control… Repairs typically run $350-$1,500. Severity: high.

All 21 Known Issues

Other Ford Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Ford Fiesta problems?

Is the Ford Fiesta reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Ford Fiesta problems?

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure?

What is the 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist?

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Electronic Throttle Body Failure — Sudden Limp Mode & Wrench Light#

2013-2019 Ford Fiesta: Wet Belt (Belt-in-Oil) Timing Belt Degradation Clogging Oil Pump Pickup#

2014-2019 Ford Fiesta: 1.6L EcoBoost Intake-Valve Carbon Buildup (Direct Injection)#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Ignition Coil / Spark Plug Misfire — Oil-Fouled Coils & Water Ingress in Plug Wells#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: 1.6L Ti-VCT Variable Cam Timing Solenoid / Phaser Sticking — Cold-Start Rattle, P0011/P0012#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: DPS6 PowerShift Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder, Slipping, and Failure#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Manual Transmission Clutch Judder & Slave/Release Cylinder Failure#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Fault — Sudden Loss of Assist#

2008-2019 Ford Fiesta: Coil Spring Fracture — Snapped Suspension Spring#

2009-2019 Ford Fiesta: Rear Wheel Bearing Failure — Speed-Dependent Hum/Drone From the Rear#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Rear Suspension Knock — Worn Rear Shock Top Mounts & Damper Bushings#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Thermostat Housing Coolant Leak#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Blend Door Actuator Failure — Stuck on Heat or Cold#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: TDCi Diesel DPF Blockage & Failed Regeneration (Short-Trip Use)#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: Water Leak Into Footwell — Blocked Scuttle Drain / Pollen-Filter Housing#

2009-2019 Ford Fiesta: Rear Disc Brake Caliper Slide Pin & Handbrake Lever Seizure — Dragging Rear Brakes (Disc-Equipped Models)#

2014-2019 Ford Fiesta: Fiesta ST Rear Motor Mount (Dogbone) Bushing Failure — Vibration & Wheel Hop#

2008-2019 Ford Fiesta: Power Window Regulator / Cable Failure — Glass Drops Into Door#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: EVAP Canister Purge Valve Failure#

2011-2019 Ford Fiesta: SYNC / APIM Infotainment Freezing, Rebooting & Bluetooth/CarPlay Dropouts#

2009-2019 Ford Fiesta: Heater Blower Motor Resistor Burnout — Fan Works Only on Speed 4 (Manual Climate Control)#