Skip to content
KickTyres
Ford2004–2022 Critical issues documented

Ford Fiesta WP: common faults & what to check

The WP is the Ford Fiesta built 2004–2009. It was sold here with the 1.6 petrol. Of the 16 faults documented for the Fiesta, 8 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Ford Fiesta

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

16

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$300–$1,500

Typical repair

34

Service milestones

You're looking at the WP · 1.6 petrol

Everything below is narrowed to this variant. Pick a different one to change it.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it?

1.6 petrol· 1.6 litre petrol

A 2004 Ford Fiesta is the WP generation (2004 to 2009).

Start your free check on this Ford Fiesta

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Ford Fiesta WP

Free. The paid plate check is separate, and stays optional.

Can't confirm for this car

Ford Fiesta · 2004

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Ford Fiesta before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    Park on flat ground and stand in front of the car to see if one front corner sits lower than the other.

    See why

    Front coil spring fracture (WP/WQ)

    The front coil springs on the WP/WQ Fiesta are known to crack and break, usually at the bottom coil where it sits in the strut seat, and it happens even on low-kilometre cars. A broken spring can lower that corner, clunk over bumps and, in the worst case, the broken end can rub or puncture the tyre. It is a WoF failure and springs should be replaced in pairs. There is no recall.

    What you would notice

    • Loud bang or clunk from one front corner when turning the wheel on full lock or going over bumps
    • One front corner sits noticeably lower than the other
    • Car pulls or feels unsettled over bumps
    • Scuffing or cut marks on the inner edge of a front tyre

    Typically $350–$750 to put right.

  • Common issue

    Drive it slowly over a rough side street with the window down and listen for front-end knocks.

    See why

    Front anti-roll bar drop links and bushes — knocking over bumps

    Mk6 Fiestas wear out their front anti-roll bar drop links and lower arm bushes quickly on NZ roads, giving a rattly knock over small bumps. It is cheap to fix but a very common WoF fail, and worn bushes let the front end wander and chew the inside edges of the front tyres. On a 17-20 year old car, budget for a refresh unless there are recent receipts.

    What you would notice

    • Knocking or rattling from the front over small bumps
    • Clunk when turning at low speed
    • Vague steering and uneven front tyre wear

    Typically $150–$600 to put right.

  • Common issue

    Open the tailgate and inspect its bottom inner seam.

    See why

    Rust on tailgate seams, rear arches and sills

    Mk6 Fiestas rust along the bottom seam of the tailgate, around the rear wheel arch lips and on the sills — cosmetic at first, but arch and sill rust becomes structural and a WoF issue as the cars pass 15 years old. Tailgate rust is so common it is effectively expected; use it to negotiate, but treat bubbling sills more seriously.

    What you would notice

    • Bubbling paint along the bottom edge of the tailgate
    • Brown staining or bubbles on rear arch lips
    • Flaking underseal on the sills

    Typically $300–$1,500 to put right.

Ford Fiesta service schedule

The 2 engines a 2004 Ford Fiesta was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

Fiesta Mk5 · 2004–2006 · 1.4L Duratec - 59kW

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 150,000 km

    Review the radiator's condition and check for age-related weeping at the water pump, often done during a routine oil change.

  2. 200,000 km

    Service the cooling system and check all rubber hoses.

Fiesta Mk5 (JDM) · 2004–2006 · 1.6L Zetec - 74kW

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 100,000 km

    Verify the service history for the timing belt/chain system to ensure longevity.

  2. 150,000 km

    Check all cooling hoses and the alternator - components that have seen years of service.

  3. 200,000 km

    Suspension bushings and engine mounts begin showing their age.

See all 8 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 2 rated critical.
Engine, transmission & cooling1 critical1

01Fuel pipe degradation on July 2004 – February 2005 build cars (recall)

2004–2005Engine
OccasionalEngine $0–$900 to fix

Fiestas built between July 2004 and February 2005 were recalled because fuel pipes made outside specification could degrade and seep fuel, with a fire risk in the engine bay. It is a narrow build window, which is exactly why it is worth checking rather than assuming: a car from 2004 or 2005 may or may not be inside it, and the build date on the plate settles it where the model year does not. The remedy is free at a Ford dealer. Beyond this one item the fifth-generation Fiesta has a good reliability record — the Duratec engines are long-lived given oil changes and a timing belt at interval — so this recall is the specific thing to check rather than a general warning about the car.

Symptoms to notice

  • Smell of petrol around or inside the car, strongest after driving
  • Damp or wet patches on fuel lines in the engine bay
  • Fuel economy worse than it should be with no other explanation
  • Fuel stains on the ground under the front of the car

What to check

Find the build date first — it is on the VIN plate in the door jamb or under the bonnet, and it is the only thing that tells you whether this car is in the affected window, since the model year does not. If it is a July 2004 to February 2005 build, ask the seller whether the recall was carried out and to show the paperwork or a dealer stamp. Open the bonnet and simply smell for petrol, then look along the fuel lines for damp patches, staining or perished-looking hose. After the test drive, smell again with the engine hot. Check under the front of the car where it parks for fuel spots. A petrol smell you cannot explain is a reason to stop driving it, not to negotiate. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask a Ford dealer to check the recall status against the VIN, which is free and definitive.

Where to look: Engine bay — fuel pipes running to the fuel rail

Parts involved: Timing belt.

Ask the seller

  • “What is the build date on the VIN plate?”
  • “Has the fuel pipe recall been carried out, and is there paperwork?”
  • “Have you ever smelled petrol around the car?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior4

02Sill rust trapped behind side skirts and on door bottom edges (WP/WQ, worst on ST / XR4)

On the WP/WQ Fiesta, rust commonly starts on the sills and along the bottom edges of the doors.2004–2008Body & RustRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Front coil spring fracture (WP/WQ)

Park on flat ground and stand in front of the car to see if one front corner sits lower than the other.2004–2008Suspension
CommonSuspension $350–$750 to fix

The front coil springs on the WP/WQ Fiesta are known to crack and break, usually at the bottom coil where it sits in the strut seat, and it happens even on low-kilometre cars. A broken spring can lower that corner, clunk over bumps and, in the worst case, the broken end can rub or puncture the tyre. It is a WoF failure and springs should be replaced in pairs. There is no recall.

Symptoms to notice

  • Loud bang or clunk from one front corner when turning the wheel on full lock or going over bumps
  • One front corner sits noticeably lower than the other
  • Car pulls or feels unsettled over bumps
  • Scuffing or cut marks on the inner edge of a front tyre

What to check

  1. Park on flat ground and stand in front of the car to see if one front corner sits lower than the other.
  2. Turn the steering to full lock each way and use a phone torch to look through the wheel at the spring coils, especially the bottom coil, for a clean break or a gap where two coil ends overlap.
  3. Check the inner edge of both front tyres for rubbing marks.
  4. On the test drive, turn slowly at full lock both ways and listen for a clunk or twang from the front.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for the car to be lifted so both front springs can be inspected with the weight off and on.

Where to look: Front suspension struts, visible behind each front wheel

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the front springs ever been replaced, and were both done?”
  • “Has the car failed a WoF on suspension before?”

04Rust on tailgate seams, rear arches and sills

Open the tailgate and inspect its bottom inner seam.2004–2008Body & Rust
CommonBody & Rust $300–$1,500 to fix

Mk6 Fiestas rust along the bottom seam of the tailgate, around the rear wheel arch lips and on the sills — cosmetic at first, but arch and sill rust becomes structural and a WoF issue as the cars pass 15 years old. Tailgate rust is so common it is effectively expected; use it to negotiate, but treat bubbling sills more seriously.

Symptoms to notice

  • Bubbling paint along the bottom edge of the tailgate
  • Brown staining or bubbles on rear arch lips
  • Flaking underseal on the sills

What to check

  1. Open the tailgate and inspect its bottom inner seam.
  2. Run a hand around each rear arch lip feeling for bubbles under the paint.
  3. Kneel and check the sills, especially at the jacking points, and look at recent WoF sheets for rust remarks.

Where to look: Tailgate bottom seam, rear wheel arch lips, sills and jacking points

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Has any rust been repaired for a WoF?”
  • “Has the tailgate ever been repainted?”

05Front anti-roll bar drop links and bushes — knocking over bumps

Drive it slowly over a rough side street with the window down and listen for front-end knocks.2004–2008Suspension
Very commonSuspension $150–$600 to fix

Mk6 Fiestas wear out their front anti-roll bar drop links and lower arm bushes quickly on NZ roads, giving a rattly knock over small bumps. It is cheap to fix but a very common WoF fail, and worn bushes let the front end wander and chew the inside edges of the front tyres. On a 17-20 year old car, budget for a refresh unless there are recent receipts.

Symptoms to notice

  • Knocking or rattling from the front over small bumps
  • Clunk when turning at low speed
  • Vague steering and uneven front tyre wear

What to check

  1. Drive it slowly over a rough side street with the window down and listen for front-end knocks.
  2. Look at the inside edges of the front tyres for feathering.
  3. Grab the top of each front wheel and rock it, feeling for play.

Where to look: Front suspension — anti-roll bar drop links behind each front wheel, lower arm bushes

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the drop links or control arm bushes been replaced?”
  • “When was the last wheel alignment?”
Depends on the exact engine — 3 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling3

01Timing belt overdue on an interference engine (1.4 / 1.6 Duratec Sigma, incl. 1.6 Ti-VCT)

Ask for the service book and an invoice that names the timing belt (cambelt) and tensioner, with the date and odometer reading.petrol2004–2013EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02IB5 5-speed manual gearbox whine in fifth gear or bearing whine (1.25 / 1.4 Duratec)

On the test drive, get up to 80 to 100 km/h in fifth and listen for a steady whine that changes with road speed.petrol2004–2012Transmission
OccasionalTransmission $900–$2,400 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The IB5 five-speed manual fitted to the 1.25 and 1.4 petrol Fiesta can develop a whine in fifth gear caused by excess play between the fifth gear wheel and the main shaft; a Valeo technical bulletin (CL-090) covers Fiestas from 2001 to 2012 with gearboxes whose production code starts TTF, and says later T6T-coded boxes are not affected. Worn input shaft bearings in high-kilometre boxes give a similar whine or rumble in all gears that often goes quiet when the clutch is pressed. It is often noticed straight after a clutch replacement and wrongly blamed on the clutch. Left alone it gets louder and can end in a gearbox rebuild or replacement.

Symptoms to notice

  • Whine that appears only in fifth gear on the open road
  • Whine or rumble in every gear that goes quiet or changes when the clutch pedal is pressed
  • Noise started soon after a new clutch was fitted
  • Rumble at idle in neutral that stops when the clutch is pressed

What to check

On the test drive, get up to 80 to 100 km/h in fifth and listen for a steady whine that changes with road speed; then drop to fourth at the same speed and see if it goes away. At idle in neutral with the handbrake on, listen for a rumble, then press the clutch pedal and note whether it stops (that points to the input shaft bearing). Check every gear engages cleanly without crunching. Ask if the clutch has been replaced and whether any noise started afterwards. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for a road test with a chassis-ear listening device and a check of gearbox oil level and condition, and note the gearbox production code on the casing (TTF prefix is the affected type).

Where to look: Gearbox on the left-hand end of the engine, between the engine and the left front wheel

Parts involved: Clutch.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the clutch or gearbox ever been replaced or rebuilt?”
  • “Has anyone mentioned a whine in fifth gear?”
  • “Has the gearbox oil ever been changed?”

03Ignition coil pack and lead failure — misfire and rough running (1.4/1.6 Duratec)

Start it from cold and listen for an uneven idle; blip the throttle and feel for hesitation.petrol2004–2008Engine
Very commonEngine $150–$450 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Mk6 Fiesta's wasted-spark coil pack and plug leads are a classic age failure: the coil cracks or the leads break down, giving a misfire that is worst in damp weather and under load. It is a cheap fix, but sellers often pass the car on rather than spend the money, and a long-ignored misfire will damage the catalytic converter. Always assume a lumpy-idling Mk6 needs at least a coil pack, leads and plugs.

A four-cylinder ignition coil rail removed from an engine, beside a steel rule for scale.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A coil-on-plug ignition rail, removed. One coil per cylinder.

Cschirp · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Lumpy idle, worse on damp mornings
  • Hesitation or jerking under acceleration
  • Flashing engine light
  • Poor fuel economy

What to check

  1. Start it from cold and listen for an uneven idle; blip the throttle and feel for hesitation.
  2. Look at the coil pack on the end of the engine for cracks and check whether the leads look original and perished.
  3. Ask when plugs and leads were last replaced.

Where to look: Coil pack bolted to the engine with four HT leads to the plugs, top of the engine

Parts involved: Ignition coil.

Ask the seller

  • “When were the spark plugs, leads and coil pack last replaced?”
  • “Does it ever run rough in wet weather?”
Other Ford Fiesta engines and years8 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling6

011.0 EcoBoost wet timing belt (belt-in-oil) degradation

This cannot be inspected from outside — the service history is the inspection.petrol2013–2022Engine
OccasionalEngine $1,500–$8,000 to fix

Does not apply

The 1.0 EcoBoost runs its timing belt inside the engine, bathed in oil. Old or wrong-spec oil attacks the belt; shed rubber blocks the oil pick-up and starves the engine, and a snapped belt bends valves. Ford's original 'lifetime-ish' interval has been walked back — specialists now recommend replacement by 8-10 years or ~150,000 km, earlier on cars with patchy servicing. The belt job is expensive on such a cheap car because the engine is partially dismantled to do it.

Symptoms to notice

  • Low oil pressure warning
  • Rattle from the front of the engine
  • Sudden non-runner (belt failure gives little warning)
  • Rubber debris visible in the sump/oil filter at services

What to check

This cannot be inspected from outside — the service history is the inspection. You want proof of oil changes every 10,000-12,000 km with the correct Ford-spec oil, and on any car near or past 100,000 km, evidence the wet belt has been done or a price adjustment to cover it.

Where to look: Inside the front of the engine — the belt runs in the oil and is not visible

Parts involved: Timing belt.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the wet timing belt been replaced, and is there an invoice?”
  • “What oil spec was used and how often was it changed?”
  • “Has the oil pressure light ever come on?”

02Fiesta ST (ST180) 1.6 EcoBoost cylinder head cracking and coolant loss

Check coolant level cold and look for evidence of constant top-ups (fresh coolant, stained tank).petrol2013–2017Engine
OccasionalEngine $3,500–$7,000 to fix

Does not apply

The Mk7 Fiesta ST's 1.6 EcoBoost shares the coolant-loss and cracked-cylinder-head problem that triggered Ford's 2017 fire-risk recall (2014-2015 Fiesta ST included). Low coolant lets the head overheat and crack around the exhaust side, leaking oil and coolant; the recall added a coolant-level sensor but did not redesign the head. Many STs have also been thrashed and modified, which makes coolant-system health checks doubly important on these.

A removed six-cylinder diesel engine cylinder head on cardboard, valve-gear side facing up.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A six-cylinder diesel head off the engine, valve-gear side up. Cracks run between the valve seats on the face beneath.

Ll1324 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Coolant level dropping with no external leak
  • White exhaust smoke
  • Coolant smell after hard driving
  • Overheating warning

What to check

  1. Check coolant level cold and look for evidence of constant top-ups (fresh coolant, stained tank).
  2. Ask a dealer to confirm the coolant-sensor recall by VIN.
  3. Check for tuning boxes or remaps and ask about track use.
  4. A cooling-system pressure test pre-purchase is strongly recommended.

Where to look: Cylinder head, exhaust side; coolant expansion tank driver's side of the bay

Parts involved: Cylinder head.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the coolant-level sensor recall been done?”
  • “Has it ever lost coolant or overheated?”
  • “Is the car remapped or has it been tracked?”

03PowerShift DPS6 dry dual-clutch — shudder, slipping and repeat failures (AU class action)

Test drive in stop-start traffic conditions: multiple gentle take-offs from a standstill, low-speed creeping, and a hill start.petrol2011–2018TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

041.0 EcoBoost degas hose failure and rapid coolant loss

petrol2013–2022CoolingRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

05PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch judder and shudder at low speed

Test drive specifically in slow-moving traffic and attempt multiple slow pull-aways from rest.petrol2011–2017TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

06EcoBoost 1.0T coolant expansion tank cracking and coolant loss

Inspect the coolant expansion tank for cracks, discolouration, or calcium deposits indicating past leaks.petrol2012–2019CoolingRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical1

01Mk8 electrical gremlins — SYNC3 screen freezes, battery drain and phantom warnings

Check the battery date label — a recent battery on a 3-6 year old car hints at drain issues.petrol2019–2022Electrical
CommonElectrical $100–$800 to fix

Does not apply

Mk8 Fiestas (including the ST) are known for flat batteries from modules failing to sleep, SYNC3 screens freezing or rebooting, and clusters throwing random warning messages. Usually cured by software updates and a healthy battery, but a car with an ongoing drain will strand you, and diagnosing parasitic drains bills real workshop hours. Check for a pattern of battery replacements in the history.

Symptoms to notice

  • Flat battery after the car sits for a week
  • Touchscreen freezing, rebooting or losing Bluetooth/CarPlay
  • Random warning messages that clear on restart
  • Keyless entry intermittently not working

What to check

  1. Check the battery date label — a recent battery on a 3-6 year old car hints at drain issues.
  2. Cycle the infotainment through Bluetooth/CarPlay on the test drive.
  3. Ask whether all software updates have been applied at a dealer.

Where to look: 12V battery in the engine bay; SYNC3 screen and body control module behind the dash

Parts involved: 12V battery.

Ask the seller

  • “How many batteries has the car had?”
  • “Have there been any electrical faults or software updates?”
  • “Does the screen ever freeze or reboot?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Side door latch pawl spring tab breaks, door will not latch or can open while driving (recall 18S06)

On WS/WT Fiestas built from 27 May 2010, a small spring tab (the pawl spring tab) inside the side door latches can break.2010–2016Body & Rust
OccasionalBody & Rust $0–$450 to fix

Does not apply

On WS/WT Fiestas built from 27 May 2010, a small spring tab (the pawl spring tab) inside the side door latches can break. The door then usually will not latch shut, and in some cases it closes but can come unlatched while driving. Ford Australia recalled 128,644 Fiesta and Ranger vehicles for this in November 2018 (PRA 2018/17164, campaign 18S06), and the same latch was recalled in the USA (NHTSA 15V246). The fix is new latches fitted free by a Ford dealer; recalls do not expire, but cars that missed it are still on the road.

Symptoms to notice

  • A door bounces back open when shut and will not stay closed
  • Door has to be slammed several times to catch
  • Door ajar warning light stays on while driving
  • Central locking does not lock one door, or the door rattles in its frame

What to check

  1. Open and close all four doors (and the tailgate) at normal force several times each and confirm each one catches first time on the full latch, not just the first click.
  2. Pull firmly on each closed door from outside and inside to check it cannot be pulled open without the handle.
  3. Lock the car with the remote and try every door handle to confirm all doors lock.
  4. Watch the dashboard for a door ajar warning while you drive over bumps.
  5. Ask the seller for proof that recall 18S06 was done, or ring a Ford dealer with the VIN to check whether it is still open.
  6. If a workshop inspection is possible: have a Ford dealer check the recall status against the VIN and inspect the latch on any door that is slow to catch.

Where to look: Inside the rear edge of each side door, where the latch meets the striker on the body pillar

Ask the seller

  • “Has the door latch recall 18S06 been done, and do you have the dealer paperwork?”
  • “Has any door ever refused to shut or popped open?”
  • “Have any door latches or lock actuators been replaced?”

Ford Fiesta faults in detail

Narrowed to the Ford Fiesta · 2004. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

Sill rust trapped behind side skirts and on door bottom edges (WP/WQ, worst on ST / XR4)Major · Body & RustTiming belt overdue on an interference engine (1.4 / 1.6 Duratec Sigma, incl. 1.6 Ti-VCT)Critical · Engine

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Ford Fiesta’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Ford models

Ford Ranger45 documented faultsFord Focus37 documented faultsFord Falcon36 documented faultsFord Mondeo15 documented faultsFord XR813 documented faultsFord Explorer11 documented faults

Ford Fiesta buyer questions

Is the Ford Fiesta reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 16 documented faults for the Ford Fiesta, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and body & rust. A Ford Fiesta with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Ford Fiesta?

We've catalogued 16 known faults for the Ford Fiesta, covering engine, transmission, and body & rust. All 16 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Ford Fiesta?

Most single repairs on the Ford Fiesta fall between $300–$1,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 16 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Ford Fiesta?

Yes. A Ford Fiesta inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.