2017 Ford Fiesta Safety Report

2017 Ford Fiesta: Good crash ratings, but significant powertrain and engine reliability issues reported by owners.

72Complaints
0Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
45/100Reliability Score
7Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
12Injuries
1Deaths
Most reported components: Power Train (15)Engine (8)Fuel/Propulsion System (7)Unknown Or Other (5)Wheels (3)Engine And Engine Cooling (2)Fuel System, Gasoline (2)Electrical System (2)Vehicle Speed Control (2)Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Ford Fiesta

The 2017 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved respectable crash test ratings from NHTSA, including a 4-star Overall rating, 4-star Frontal, 5-star Side, and 4-star Rollover, its complaint data reveals significant reliability concerns, particularly with the powertrain. With 72 total complaints, including 7 crashes, 1 fire, 12 injuries, and 1 death, there are serious issues reported by owners. A notable absence of recalls for this model year suggests that widespread manufacturing defects, if present, have not been addressed through official campaigns. The most common complaint patterns revolve around the POWER TRAIN (15 complaints) and ENGINE (8 complaints), often describing issues like hard shifts, loss of motive power, engine overheating, and complete transmission failure. Specific examples include reports of the vehicle jerking and experiencing hard shifts, loss of power at 60 MPH with hard brakes, and the transmission overheating with a 'pull over immediately' message. These issues, particularly those affecting motive power and braking, pose direct safety risks. Despite the solid crash test performance, the high number of complaints related to critical components like the transmission and engine, some leading to loss of control or inability to stop, indicate potential real-world safety hazards not fully captured by crash ratings alone. The single reported death and 12 injuries further underscore the severity of some of these mechanical failures. The lack of recalls for these prevalent issues is concerning, leaving owners to deal with potentially dangerous defects.

Reliability Score

The 2017 Ford Fiesta receives a reliability score of 45 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2017 Ford Fiesta

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Ford Fiesta:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Cvt Transmission Failure/Malfunction
Owners report hard shifts, jerking, loss of motive power, transmission overheating messages, and complete transmission failure, often requiring replacement.		 High Common 25000-60000 miles
Engine Overheating/Loss Of Coolant
Reports of engine overheating, loss of coolant, and vehicle entering 'Limp Mode', with some instances leading to potential head gasket or cracked head issues.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Loss Of Braking Power
One report describes a complete loss of brake pedal function (pedal became hard) while driving at 60 MPH, requiring the emergency brake to stop.		 High Rare unknown miles
Evap System/Purge Valve Issues
Repeated check engine light illumination due to EVAP system leaks and purge valve solenoid failures, sometimes preventing vehicle restart after refueling.		 Medium Occasional 47000-60000 miles
Oil Pump Malfunction/Loss Of Oil Pressure
Reports of sudden loss of power, knocking sounds from the engine, and oil light illumination, believed to be related to oil pump failure.		 High Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Ford Fiesta:

Power Train 20% of complaints

Frequent complaints about transmission issues including hard shifting, slipping, loss of motive power, and complete failure, often requiring significant repairs.

Engine 11% of complaints

Issues such as engine overheating, loss of power, knocking sounds, and check engine light illumination related to various engine malfunctions.

Fuel/Propulsion System 9% of complaints

Problems with the fuel system, including EVAP leaks, purge valve failures, and difficulty restarting after refueling.

Unknown Or Other 6% of complaints

A variety of miscellaneous issues not fitting into specific categories, indicating diverse problems.

Wheels 4% of complaints

Reports including issues with lug nuts and tire-related problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Ford Fiesta

Is the 2017 Ford Fiesta safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Ford Fiesta received good crash test ratings (4-star Overall, 5-star Side). However, it has a concerning number of owner complaints (72 total), particularly regarding powertrain and engine failures, some of which led to crashes, injuries, and even a death. These mechanical issues could compromise real-world safety despite good crash test performance.

What are common problems with the 2017 Ford Fiesta?

The most reported issues for the 2017 Ford Fiesta are related to the POWER TRAIN (15 complaints), including transmission failures, hard shifts, and loss of motive power. ENGINE problems (8 complaints) like overheating and loss of power are also common, along with FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM issues (7 complaints) such as EVAP leaks and purge valve failures.

Are there any recalls for the 2017 Ford Fiesta?

According to NHTSA data, there are no recalls issued for the 2017 Ford Fiesta. This is notable given the number of serious complaints, especially concerning the powertrain and engine.

How does the 2017 Ford Fiesta perform in crash tests?

The 2017 Ford Fiesta performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning an Overall 4-star safety rating. It received 4 stars for Frontal crash, an excellent 5 stars for Side crash, and 4 stars for Rollover resistance.

What should I look out for when buying a used 2017 Ford Fiesta?

When considering a used 2017 Ford Fiesta, pay close attention to the transmission's performance (check for hard shifts, jerking, or warning lights) and listen for any unusual engine noises or signs of overheating. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, specifically focusing on the powertrain and engine, is highly recommended due to the high volume of related complaints.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the significant number of powertrain and engine complaints, including reports of transmission failure and loss of motive power, exercise extreme caution. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic specializing in Ford transmissions is essential to mitigate potential high-cost repairs and safety risks.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Ford Fiesta

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Ford Fiesta. The data includes 72 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 7 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 12 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 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 5 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.