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Before you buy a used Ford Fiesta (VII).

2017–2023 · Petrol / Hybrid / Diesel · 5 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Ford Fiesta (VII), real photo of this generation
Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 5 of its engines.

1.1 Ti-VCT · 1.5 EcoBoost ST · 1.5 TDCi / EcoBlue

1.1 Ti-VCT (Petrol) · 1.5 EcoBoost ST (Petrol) · 1.5 TDCi / EcoBlue (Diesel)

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

1.0 EcoBoost · 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV

1.0 EcoBoost (Petrol) · 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV (Hybrid)

  • Period mentioned
    Approx. 2014–2021
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Same engine as the models NHTSA is investigating (Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport); have the belt checked at the garage.

    Applies if: Same three-cylinder 1.0 EcoBoost with an oil-bathed belt, here with a 48 V mild-hybrid system.

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Ford Fiesta (VII)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.1 Ti-VCTPetrolFewest documented11 with conditions7
1.0 EcoBoostPetrol22 with conditions7
1.0 EcoBoost mHEVHybrid22 with conditions7
1.5 EcoBoost STPetrolFewest documented11 with conditions7
1.5 TDCi / EcoBlueDieselFewest documented11 with conditions7

According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.1 Ti-VCT (Petrol), 1.5 EcoBoost ST (Petrol), 1.5 TDCi / EcoBlue (Diesel).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Diesel.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Ford dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Ford airbag and seat-belt recalls (2001–2026)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Ford brake recalls (2001–2026)Brakes

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Ford steering recalls (2003–2026)Steering

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Ford fuel-system recalls (2002–2026)Fuel system

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Ford wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2001–2026)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Ford engine, transmission and software recalls (2000–2026)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Ford electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2002–2026)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 2 checked

Known weak points

  • Look out for: Coolant loss from the thermostat housing (often damaging the head gasket); engine failure from the oil-pump belt on 1.0 EcoBoost built up to early 2018; rust where paint chips at the hinges; creaking steering and interior rattles.

    Ask them to check: Watch the coolant; on the 1.0 EcoBoost, use exactly the oil Ford specifies; check every campaign by VIN.

Engine

  • Look out for: Low oil-pressure warning just before a loss of power; sometimes the engine seizes without warning. With no oil pressure the vacuum pump that assists braking can also stop working.

    Ask them to check: With the oil-pressure warning, stop and do not restart. At the garage, check the belt and tensioner and look for debris in the sump and pump screen; use the exact oil Ford specifies and do not stretch the change intervals.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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