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2018 Ford Fiesta problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 Ford Fiesta has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 35owner complaints
- 4crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 14%fail the UK MOT
The least complained-about Ford Fiesta year on file: 35 complaints, against an average of 343 for the other model years.
Every Ford Fiesta model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 Ford Fiesta?
The components named most often in the 35 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 Ford Fiesta owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 35 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Fault codes 2018 Ford Fiesta owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2018 Ford Fiesta been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Fiesta as of November 2, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2018 Ford Fiesta recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSACrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software Update
Risk: On affected vehicles a software problem may result in issues with the rear-view camera that reduce the driver’s view or with it remaining on after a reversing event.
Fix: Update the vehicle software to the latest level.
UK DVSAX-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software Update
Risk: Affected vehicles may develop a crack in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
Fix: Update software to prevent a cracked DPF. Test and replace DPFs that are already cracked.
UK DVSABrake servo may fail
Risk: Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a brake booster which may have a faulty diaphragm plate. This could lead to a loss of brake servo assistance.
Fix: An affected brake booster can be identified by its date of manufacture. This can be found on a label on the brake booster. An affected brake booster must be removed and replaced a new one.
EU Safety GateThe brake booster may have a faulty diaphragm plate.This could lead to a loss of vacuum and result in reduced braking assistance.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 15/02/2018
How often does the 2018 Ford Fiesta fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2018, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2018 Ford Fiesta owners report?
12 of the 35 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Purchased vehicle at the end of 2018 and this is the third time I have had to replace the horn. It's not a fuse, it's not wiring, it is the actual horn that either shorts or dies with no notice.
Hello, I have zero idea why I am emailing, I may be secretly hoping for...anything. I drive a 2018 Ford Fiesta SE, I have owned it since 2019 as that is when I purchased it used. Over the weekend I experienced transmission issues and an auto shop informed me that I am in need of a transmission rebuild due to the clutch going out. The estimated cost is 3.4k. I came across this article from 2019: [XXX] Within the article Ford notes: "The transmissions (dual-clutch automatic transmissions known as DPS6 designed for fuel efficiency) were introduced in the 2011 model year Fiesta and 2012 Focus…
My engine has been malfuctioning over the following year. I've gotten repairs and it continues to do so. I'm asking for a recall.
My engine is acting up. According to the Auto Repair Shop they say that my car is suffering from Carbon Build Up which is affecting my engine. As well as the throttle body in the car. My car just keeps stopping to the point my engine refuses to start. So I decided to clean it myself only to no avail.
Trunk randomly pops open during driving. Or when you put it in gear.
12/4/2023 while attempting to pull into a parking spot in a parking garage car suddenly accelerated forward at a very fast rate, just prior to acceleration felt like it shuddered. Afraid that it would keep going and go over edge so I pulled to the right while trying to brake and hit a concrete barrier. Terrifying! October 23, 2019 another couple had this happen in another parking garage downtown Indianapolis and they were killed. Car went over the edge. Must have been on my mind! Have owned this car since 02/23/2022, no problems whatsoever, checked out in September of this 2023, all…
The contact’s grandmother owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving up a hill, the vehicle started sputtering, vibrating, and jerking. The sputtering was severe, causing the front driver's side seat belt to be activated. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the "Transmission Malfunction Service Now” message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the RPM's increased rapidly, but the vehicle did not respond. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the backup camera displayed a distorted image. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle would stall while at a complete stop. The contact would restart the vehicle and continue to drive. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and had worsened. The contact stated that the vehicle would only start after several attempts and would only gain motive power after depressing the accelerator pedal several times. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEN WHEN FUEL TANK WAS FILLED, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONG TIME FOR THE ENGINE TO START UP. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO TRIED PUTTING A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK TO AVERT THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FENTON FORD ADA (1600 LONNIE ABBOTT BOULEVARD, ADA, OK 74820, (580)332-6161 TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE CODE WITH THE EVAPORATOR FUEL VALVE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK INTO…
WHEN DO PURSHASE THE CAR THE SPEAKER ON R SIDE HAD ALOT OF STATIC AND WHEN I WOULD DRIVE THE WHEELS SEEM TO WOBBLE,AND FELT VER IN SAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I WAS TO TAKE CAR IN THE COVID CAME AND CLOSED EVERYTHING DOWN. WHEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN I TOOK CAR IN AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS WRONG SO THEY REPLACED THE SPEAKER AND SAID THE R SIDE UNDER WHEELS WERE REALLY BAD AND IT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. I DIDN'T REMEMBER TO LET SERVICE KNOW ABOUT THE INSIDE PARTS THAT WAS BROKE AND MISSING. THEN THEY HAD TO CLOSE AGAIN. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET OIL CHANGE AND WHEELS ROTATE IT I MANAGED TO TALK TO THE SALES…
2018 Ford Fiesta: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 Ford Fiesta reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Fiesta; the most common categories were power train (10, 28.6%), electrical system (6, 17.1%), engine (6, 17.1%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 4 complaints mention a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Fiesta?
Across 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (28.6% of complaints), electrical system (17.1% of complaints), engine (17.1% of complaints), air bags (14.3% of complaints), fuel system (5.7% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Fiesta. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2018 Ford Fiesta stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
5 of the 35 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fiesta (14.3%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Car shudders upon acceleration from standstill. loses power severely going uphill. engine/transmission shakes shudders engine races and quickly accelerates after loss of power then decreases again." (NHTSA complaint 11328346, June 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Ford Fiesta transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
4 of the 35 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fiesta (11.4%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "I bought my Ford Fiesta new in 2018. I have less than 35k miles on my car. My car recently started bucking while I stop at stop signs or red lights. My car revs up and tries to go forward. I took my car to the dealership hours later." (NHTSA complaint 11591658, May 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Fiesta
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2018 only. How these reports are made.