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Ford · Supermini · 2017–2023

Ford Fiesta HJ

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
3.6 / 5.0 · Based on 7 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

200 PS

1.5L EcoBoost Benzin

The Three-Cylinder Sceptic Becomes a Fan

Fun to Drive!
Most Reliable Engine

71–75 PS

1.1L Ti-VCT Benzin

6 weaknesses

Good Choice

Generations

Engine Overview

The Ford Fiesta HJ is available with 5 engine variants — from 65 to 200 hp. 3 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

1.5L TDCi · Diesel· 86–120 PS Engine Change
2017 2020
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2017 2019
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.0L EcoBoost · Benziner· 95–140 PS Engine Change
2017 2020
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2017 2020
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2019 2023
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2020 2023
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.1L Dragon · Benziner· 71–86 PS Engine Change
2017 2019
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2017 2019
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.1L Ti-VCT · Benziner· 71–75 PS
2017 2023
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
Fiesta ST · Benziner· 200 PS
2018 2023
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →

The Ford 1.5L TDCi (Diesel, 86–120 PS) comes with 2 different engines: SFJH (2017–2020, Be Careful) und SFJH (2017–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L TDCi!

The Ford 1.0L EcoBoost (Benziner, 95–140 PS) comes with 4 different engines: M1JL (2017–2020, Be Careful) und M1JL (2017–2020, Be Careful) und P4JA (2019–2023, Be Careful) und M1JN (2020–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.0L EcoBoost!

The Ford 1.1L Dragon (Benziner, 71–86 PS) comes with 2 different engines: XYJA (2017–2019, Good Choice) und XYJA (2017–2019, Good Choice). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.1L Dragon!

The Ford 1.1L Ti-VCT (Benziner, 71–75 PS) has the XPJC (1.1L Ti-VCT) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.

The Ford Fiesta ST (Benziner, 200 PS) has the YZJA (1.5L EcoBoost) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
●Door edge protection breaks and detaches

Plastic door edge protector strips break or detach from the door skin. Replacement is surprisingly expensive. Common cause: parking damage and thermal expansion.

Symptoms: Missing or cracked door edge strips, scraping noise when opening the door.
Ad Ford Fiesta HJ doorkantenschutzFord Fiesta MK8 doorleiste
 Low
●Rust and paint flaking at door hinges

Rust and paint flaking develop at the door hinges on MK8 vehicles from around 50,000 km. Left untreated, rust can spread to the door bodywork.

Symptoms: Visible rust spots and flaking paint in the hinge area of the doors, particularly the driver's door.
from 50,000 km
Ad Ford Fiesta MK8 doorscharnierFord Fiesta HJ ScharnierFord Fiesta 2017 door hinge
 Low
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below Average
189 complaints · 2017–2023
Powertrain
52 ⚠ 3
Engine
32 ⚠ 3
Other
26 ⚠ 2
Backup Camera/Sensors
22 ⚠ 1
Electrical
19 ⚠ 1

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Powertrain (52 complaints)
⚠ Engine (32 complaints)
⚠ Other (26 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 50 weaknesses have been documented for the Ford Fiesta HJ (2017–2023) — 43 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Body, Electronics, Other, Suspension. Considered reliable: XPJC (1.1L Ti-VCT), XYJA (1.1L Dragon).

Fiesta (SFJH, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion, DPF Issues from Short-Trip Driving. Power: 86 PS.

Fiesta (SFJH, 2017–2019) — Be Careful: Recall Camshaft Sprocket Material Fatigue (16B42), EGR Cooler Crack with Coolant Ingestion, DPF Issues from Short-Trip Driving. Power: 120 PS.

Fiesta (M1JL, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Degas Hose Coolant Loss, Oil-Bath Timing Belt Worn Prematurely, Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070). Power: 125 PS.

Fiesta (M1JL, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Degas Hose Coolant Loss, Oil-Bath Timing Belt Worn Prematurely, Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070). Power: 95–101 PS.

Fiesta (YZJA, 2018–2023) — Be Careful: Thermal Overload Under Track Use, Coolant Loss and Overheating, Cylinder Block Hairline Crack — Coolant Ingress (up to MY 2019). Power: 200 PS.

Fiesta (P4JA, 2019–2023) — Be Careful: Cooling System Overheating Under High Load, Oil Bath Belt Prematurely Degraded, Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070). Power: 95–101 PS.

Fiesta (M1JN, 2020–2023) — Be Careful: Degas Hose Coolant Loss, Oil-Bath Timing Belt Worn Prematurely, Front Cover Seal Leaking — Coolant Loss (TSI 15-1070). Power: 140 PS.

What to watch out for with the Ford Fiesta? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Ford Fiesta HJ have? +
The Ford Fiesta HJ has 43 known engine weaknesses and 7 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Ford Fiesta HJ? +
faq.watch_a_solid
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: XPJC (1.1L Ti-VCT), XYJA (1.1L Dragon). The most reliable engine is the XPJC (1.1L Ti-VCT) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the YZJA (1.5L EcoBoost).
Which Ford Fiesta HJ engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Ford Fiesta HJ. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 6 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Ford Fiesta HJ engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Ford Fiesta HJ — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} Three cylinders in an ST? In Sport mode it sounds a note deeper, the chassis rewards technique over brute force. 200 hp, 0–62 in 6.5 seconds — once you understand how it wants to go round corners, you're hooked.
Is the Ford Fiesta HJ worth buying used? +
The Ford Fiesta HJ is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 7 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Ford Fiesta HJ? +
The Ford Fiesta HJ is available with engine variants from 65 to 200 hp. Petrol: XPJC (1.1L Ti-VCT), XYJA (1.1L Dragon), M1JL (1.0L EcoBoost), M1JN (1.0L EcoBoost), P4JA (1.0L EcoBoost), YZJA (1.5L EcoBoost). Diesel: SFJH (1.5L TDCi).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee