Before you buy
This 2018 Ford Fiesta has 35 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview · Full report from $12.95.
2018 Ford Fiesta Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2018 Ford Fiesta trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2018 Ford Fiesta Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2018 Ford Fiesta 5 HB FWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.3% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
FORD FIESTA 2018 has 35 NHTSA complaints, with transmission/drivetrain issues leading at 10 complaints. Zero recalls and low data confidence suggest caution but not alarm. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Fiesta
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 35
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 30
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 27 / 35
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2018 Ford Fiesta problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Uncategorized Issues, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2018 Ford Fiesta?
The 2018 Fiesta may be worth considering if priced low, but the transmission complaint count warrants a thorough inspection. Low confidence means these patterns may not reflect the full picture.
Transmission problems can lead to costly repairs, and electrical faults may affect reliability. Understanding these patterns helps avoid unexpected expenses.
May Suit
Budget-conscious buyers seeking a subcompact car who are willing to inspect and maintain the transmission proactively.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want maximum reliability with minimal maintenance risk, especially those wary of transmission issues.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2018 Ford Fiesta
Inspection Focus
- Test drive for transmission hesitation, slipping, or unusual noises.
- Check all electrical systems: lights, windows, radio, and dashboard warnings.
- Inspect engine for leaks, rough idle, or check engine light history.
Before You Close the Deal
- Test drive and inspect transmission for smooth shifting.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, electrical, and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Ford Fiesta, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Ford Fiesta shows 35 complaints, primarily for transmission/drivetrain (10), uncategorized issues (9), and electrical faults (6). With zero recalls and low confidence, buyers should be cautious but not alarmed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2018 has moderate complaints but no recalls, while earlier years (2011-2016) have far more transmission complaints.
Recall context: Zero recalls means no known safety defects requiring mandatory fixes, but buyers should still check for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Transmission/drivetrain accounts for 10 of 35 complaints (29%).
- Electrical faults total 6 complaints, second-highest among known components.
- 4 crash-related complaints indicate potential safety concerns.
- Transmission / Drivetrain issues (10 complaints) – possible shifting problems or failures.
- Electrical faults (6 complaints) – may affect lights, infotainment, or starting.
- Engine problems (6 complaints) – could involve stalling or performance loss.
Full breakdown
All 2018 Ford Fiesta complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Fiesta. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Fiesta. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The back up camera quit working. The back seats are taller and it has made it very difficult to see if there are children behind my vehicle. I reported it to the dealership and now I have to pay $200.00 to have them check it.
Back-up camera goes in and out intermittently, sometimes the image is very faint and then totally disappears into a black screen, or says it is not available at this time, then goes black. This started about 4 months ago and I have not been able to identify a triggering factor, r…
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…
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side door independently opened. The door ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. T…
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. They did a diagnosis and asked me what kind o…
My fuel canister purge valve needs replacement less than 70,000 on car. The cap less gas cap defective as well. Why did they make these cuz everyone is having problems with the purge valve and cap less. It all on YouTube. Where is the 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 my…
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…
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 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. …
Since around 20,000 miles, my 2018 Ford Fiesta SE has had a grinding noise after shifting at certain gears. I got the car serviced at that time. Now I'm at 70,000 miles and the noise has persisted, and has gotten worse. My transmission slipped at 0mph when I was accelerating, alm…
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. T…
Fan stopped working out of no where causing car to over heat happened multiple times even after being replaced. Airbag lights say airbag on passenger side is off even when someone is in the seat this happens alot. Back driver side turn signal will not work and everything has bee…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while shifting gears after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated before returning to normal operation. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal sometimes had to be depressed multiple times before the vehicle…
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 worsen…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replac…
The component that failed was the clutch pedal assembly. The part is currently still installed in the vehicle. The clutch pedal randomly will stay full depressed, and requires manually reaching and grabbing the pedal to pull it out. The operator being distracted because they c…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Ford Fiesta.
Safety recalls
2018 Ford Fiesta recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Fiesta. Zero recalls means no known safety defects requiring mandatory fixes, but buyers should still check for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No NHTSA recalls were found for this model year. Recalls can be added at any time — confirm open-recall status on the exact VIN or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2018 Ford Fiesta buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Ford Fiesta reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 35 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Fiesta may be worth considering if priced low, but the transmission complaint count warrants a thorough inspection. Low confidence means these patterns may not reflect the full picture. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Fiesta?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (10 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (9 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (6 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Ford Fiesta?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Ford Fiesta?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Ford Fiesta, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 35 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2018 Ford Fiesta in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2018 Ford Fiesta?▾
The 2018 Fiesta may be worth considering if priced low, but the transmission complaint count warrants a thorough inspection. Low confidence means these patterns may not reflect the full picture. Transmission problems can lead to costly repairs, and electrical faults may affect reliability. Understanding these patterns helps avoid unexpected expenses. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Fiesta reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Ford Fiesta based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.