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Model year record

2011 Ford Fiesta recalls & problems

The 2011 Ford Fiesta has 3 safety recalls and 730 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (366 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints730filed by owners
Crashes · fires32 · 5reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars
2011 Ford Fiesta in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Latches/locks/linkagesJun 8, 2020

Doors › Latch

Recall 20V3310002,147,323 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Latches/locks/linkagesApr 24, 2015

Doors › Latch

Recall 15V246000456,440 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
Air bagsOct 5, 2012

Air bags

Recall 12V488000154,471 vehicles

Problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner's guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No. 208.
Risk
An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.
Fix
Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2011 Ford Fiesta 5 HB FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk14.3%

2011 Ford Fiesta 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk14.3%
2011 Ford Fiesta NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2011 Ford Fiesta NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Fiesta SFE

33mpg combined
City / highway29 / 38 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Fiesta

32mpg combined
City / highway29 / 37 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Fiesta

31mpg combined
City / highway28 / 36 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)3661001356,200 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door12641455,012 mi
Engine10841768,550 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; 12v/24v/48v battery9611162,000 mi
Unknown or other5802064,166 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control5741057,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch4100065,000 mi
Steering2600045,070 mi
Air bagsFrontal241611543,500 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)1810437,650 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1500079,500 mi
Service brakes1400162,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations