Although the Ford Fiesta was first sold in the United States in the ’70s, it took a lengthy hiatus, which ended in 2008. It came back better than ever with its sixth-generation styling. With its facelift in 2013, this supermini easily captures the hearts of everyone it encounters, making it one of the most popular cars in Ford’s lineup.
Still in the sixth generation, the 2015 Ford Fiesta continues to attract loyal followers in droves. Along with its attractive styling, this little car boasts ample interior space for its size, multiple transmission options, and safety features galore. With all it has to offer, it is definitely a safe bet for those who want a little car with big personality.
If you are certain that this supermini is sure to be your next car, it’s high time to learn about all its recalls and start researching the particulars in earnest. That way, you can buy a 2015 Ford Fiesta without worrying about hidden problems that may come your way.
Defective Door Latch
The door latches on certain 2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles are prone to breakage with normal use. When they start to fall apart, the doors may take several tries to get to click together. Over time, the door might feel impossible to latch fully or could appear latched when it is not.
Driving without the door securely closed may result in its coming open around corners and ejecting any of your improperly belted passengers. The doors could also hit other vehicles and objects along the roadway, including signs and pedestrians.
Fixing the problem is easy, thankfully, as it only requires replacing the door latches on either side of the vehicle. Technicians will confirm that the latches fully close the doors after completing the repairs to help keep you safe on all your travels.
Risk of Engine Cylinder Head Damage
Ford Fiestas with the 1.6L GTDI engine are at risk of running low on coolant due to a faulty sensor. When in good working order, this sensor should let you know when the coolant gets too low. That way, you can stop driving the vehicle until you can get more coolant in the system, protecting the engine from damage.
Without that info, you may continue to drive the vehicle, causing the engine to overheat and the head to crack. If that happens, the engine will likely leak oil everywhere, including the hot exhaust manifold, catalytic converter and exhaust tubing. The oil on the manifold could then catch on fire, putting you and your passengers at serious risk of injury or death.
To fix the problem, technicians must perform an inspection to see if engine damage has already occurred. If not, then they can likely just replace the coolant level sensor to resolve the issue in full. Otherwise, they may need to replace the cylinder head or entire engine to fix the problem.
Potential for Fuel Pump Failure
The fuel pumps used on Fiestas built in mid-2014 are prone to failure due to improper manufacturing of their interior parts. The nickel plating inside the pumps was not created correctly and could catastrophically impede its normal function.
When the nickel plating causes the fuel pump to fail, it cannot properly deliver fuel to the engine, causing it to stall. This could result in an accident if other vehicles do not notice your decrease in speed or fail to let you get over to the side of the road before you lose momentum.
Techs just have to replace the fuel pump to remedy this issue and keep your vehicle driving safely. They may also check that it is operating at the right fuel pressure levels before returning it to your care.
Tips for Checking Over a 2015 Ford Fiesta Before You Buy
As you set out to purchase a 2015 Ford Fiesta, take the time to check for recalls using the Recalls and Field Service Actions tool from Ford. You’ll just need to take the vehicle’s 17-character VIN and input it into the search bar. Once you hit the search button, the system will let you know if the vehicle in question has already received all its recall repairs.
Don’t stop there, however. You can also look into the car’s past with a VIN check from Vehicle History. With that, you can see if it has sustained damage in accidents, has a branded title, and much more. Then, using that info, you can determine if that car meets your expectations or if you should look at other Fiestas for sale instead.
Once you add this supermini to your lineup, continue checking for recalls at least once a year. If any come up, then just give Ford’s customer service team a call at 1-866-436-7332. Or reach out to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hotline at 1-888-327-4236. The representative you reach will let you know how to best handle the recalls, including where to go and what to expect.
