2015 Ford Fiesta Safety Report
2015 Ford Fiesta Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Ford Fiesta
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Ford Fiesta. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (253) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 16 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2018 | Compare against the 2018 Ford Fiesta with 35 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Ford Fiesta before buying across this generation. |
Ford Fiesta Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ford Fiesta years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Fiesta | 178 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Ford Fiesta | 72 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Ford Fiesta | 35 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Ford Fiesta | 82 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Ford Fiesta Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Ford Fiesta, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
71 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Ford onlyEngine
27 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Ford onlyFuel/Propulsion System
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Ford onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Ford onlyPower Train,Engine
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Ford onlyAir Bags
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Ford onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Ford Fiesta
Reliability Score
The 2015 Ford Fiesta receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Ford Fiesta
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Ford Fiesta
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Ford Fiesta:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Malfunction The transmission has shown signs of malfunction, particularly at low mileage, leading to issues like limp mode and difficulty accelerating. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Deployment Issues Air bags have been reported to deploy unexpectedly, posing a safety risk to passengers. |
High | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Cooling System Failures Engine and cooling system failures have been reported, leading to potential overheating and engine damage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Recall Issues The vehicle is part of multiple recalls, including a known issue with the transmission control module and coolant level sensor. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Ford Fiesta:
Transmission issues are the most common problem, affecting 23% of the reported cases.
Air bag deployment issues are a significant concern, affecting 18% of the reported cases.
Engine and cooling system failures are reported in 15% of the cases.
Recall issues are a notable concern, affecting 12% of the reported cases.
Recall Details for the 2015 Ford Fiesta
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Ford Fiesta by NHTSA:
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly ...
Consequence: Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or lea...
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. 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.
Consequence: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. 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 Fiesta vehicles manufac...
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Ford Fiesta
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Ford Fiesta with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
No
Transmission going out with car having only 71,000 miles on it .a know fact that Ford knew when I bought this car new .and going out when on freeways or just about anywhere could me in danger
Low pressure oil light came on and I stopped driving it 18 miles later drove about 25-30 mph hoping it wouldn’t seize on me before I got home. because I figure the oil pump is clogged with timing belt fragments and I can’t afford to replace the timing belt right now. Afraid to drive it because I have read it could seize up the engine. 1.0 eco boost manual transmission. Car ran great and I had no...
This vehicle has experienced the exact issue of a Ford recall for other model year fiestas. The oil pump belt has experienced premature wear and failure, leading to a sudden loss of power. My local Ford dealer says that this vehicle should have been included in Ford recall #23S64 and that I should report this to NHTSA to document and hopefully expand the recall to all years that result in this iss...
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as expected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the Transmission Control Module. The contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufact...
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that after the battery was replaced, the message "Transmission Malfunction Service Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the RPMs fluctuated, and the engine revved abnormally. Whenever the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, the engine jerked, and the transmissio...
MALFUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODULE.REVERSE NOT ENGAGING.SLIPPING OF GEARS WHILE OPERATING.DIAGONISIS CONFIRMED AT PEORIA FORD PEORIA AZ ON 8/25.4 WEEKS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED!!!!!!!!!! CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT TIME OF MALFUNCTION.VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ABLE TO CONTROL AUTO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, and upon jumpstarting the vehicle, the message "Transmission Failure - Service Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the VIN was included in an unknown recall, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the ...
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the "Engine Malfunction Service Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel at start up. The vehicle was taken to dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Upon investigation, the contact disco...
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted, and after several attempts, the ...
In May, my 2015 Ford Fiesta SE went into "limp mode" before reaching the speed limit of 25mph. Immediately afterwards it was taken into a local shop, Mobile Mechanic, where no codes were active and coolant level was between min and max level. Next day, car experienced misfiring check engine light and overheating before being looked at by a mechanic. Mechanic replaced spark plugs due to code readin...
In 2020, Documents were subpoened proving that Ford falsified doors and used a dangerous faulty transmission in Ford Fiesta and Focus Moodels from 2011-2015. There were so many lawsuits, they settled through arbitration. The judicial system only required an extended waranty- no recall or redesign. These vehicles are dangerous, and when transmission overheats, the cars stop in the middle of the roa...
The transmission control module (TCM) on my 2015 Ford Fiesta was failing at 81,000 miles. It was difficult to accelerate the car even at low speeds (25-30 mph) and my check engine light was on. I took my vehicle to the nearest Ford Dealership (Big Star Ford in Manvel, TX) who assessed my vehicle and determined the TCM needed to be replaced. They replaced the part but told me it was not under the 1...
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local O'Reilly's and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assist...
There is a recall (Recall no. 17V209000) that my VIN should have been included in but is not. My vehicle was not equipped with a coolant level sensor from the factory and does not alert to low coolant levels in the vehicle, which can lead to overheating, engine damage, and potential engine fire. The recall fix is a new updated coolant tank design, the inclusion of a coolant level sensor, and a s...
the manufacture have fixed the car the recall yesterday.
The contact's wife owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling or driving below 20 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and then shut off with the battery and check engine warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The contact asked for an estimate for a d...
On 3/10/2025, when driving my 2015 Ford Fiesta SE, I experienced a sudden failure consisting of a "lurch", lost all drive power to the vehicle, and had to use inertia to steer myself out of traffic to the shoulder of the road. After exiting the vehicle, I inspected all tires (no issues) and popped the hood (no visible issues like smoke). I requested emergency roadside assistance to tow my vehicle ...
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that during cold weather conditions, the check engine and the low oil pressure warning lights illuminated intermittently. The failure had become constant over time. The contact who is a certified mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the camshaft had failed due to a camshaft position timing performance bank code. The contact rep...
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's door latch failed to latch as needed, and the front passenger's door failed to close securely. The contact used duct tape to prevent the door from opening unexpectedly. The contact stated that the failure started shortly after the vehicle was purchased. The contact stated that the vehic...
Showing 20 of 253 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2015 Ford Fiesta
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Opened 2019-12-19 · Closed 2022-02-07
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQ...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Opened 2025-12-18
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 44 complaints alleging loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford Fiesta and MY 2015-2018 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. These vehicles are equipped with a 1.0L engine and manual transmission. Some consumers report a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. Based on a preliminary review of data currently availab...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Ford Fiesta
Has the 2015 FORD FIESTA been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 FORD FIESTA has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 FORD FIESTA have?
The 2015 FORD FIESTA has 253 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 16 involved crashes. 24 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 FORD FIESTA?
The 2015 FORD FIESTA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 2/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 FORD FIESTA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 FORD FIESTA involve power train (71 complaints), engine (27 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (16 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, power train,engine, air bags.
How many crash reports does the 2015 FORD FIESTA have?
There are 16 crash reports associated with the 2015 FORD FIESTA out of 253 total complaints (6.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 FORD FIESTA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2015 FORD FIESTA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 FORD FIESTA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 FORD FIESTA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 FORD FIESTA?
24 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 FORD FIESTA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 FORD FIESTA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 FORD FIESTA is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 253 complaints, 4 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 FORD FIESTA?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 FORD FIESTA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (71 complaints), 2. ENGINE (27 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (16 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (11 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 71 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 FORD FIESTA?
Be cautious of transmission and air bag issues, and ensure the vehicle is up to date with recalls. The 2015 FORD FIESTA has 253 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2015 FORD FIESTA?
The 2015 FORD FIESTA receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 253 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 16 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Transmission Malfunction and Air Bag Deployment Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2015 FORD FIESTA?
Known issues with the 2015 FORD FIESTA include: Transmission Malfunction, Air Bag Deployment Issues, Engine and Cooling System Failures, Recall Issues. These are based on patterns found across 253 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2015 Ford Fiesta?
The most common issues are transmission malfunctions and air bag deployment problems.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Ford Fiesta?
Yes, there are multiple recalls, including issues with the transmission control module and coolant level sensor.
What should I do if I experience transmission issues?
Have the vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic to diagnose and address the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of transmission and air bag issues, and ensure the vehicle is up to date with recalls.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Ford Fiesta
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Ford Fiesta. The data includes 253 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 16 reported crashes, 24 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Ford Fiesta an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 2 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-15