2013-2017 · 1.6L EcoBoost turbocharged petrol (182 hp)
A properly fun hot hatch with go-kart handling and a rev-happy turbocharged engine. The Mk7 ST is popular with enthusiasts and holds value well. Main concerns center on the early coolant system failures (recall 17S09 for 2014-2015 models), timing belt maintenance at 10 years/125,000 km, and turbo actuator issues from gentle driving. Ford as a brand scored 91.4% reliability, placing 17th of 32 manufacturers. The 1.6 EcoBoost is mechanically solid when properly maintained, though parts availability and affordable servicing make this an accessible performance car.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€850 - €1,600/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€600-950
Risk buffer
€250-650
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Cylinder head crack / coolant system failure€3,000 - €5,500
Early 2014-2015 models had plastic coolant pipes that crack, causing overheating and cylinder head damage · more· less
Ford issued recall 17S09 affecting 2014-2015 Fiesta ST models with 1.6L GTDI engines. Hard plastic coolant pipes can crack from heat cycling, dumping coolant without warning. This causes rapid overheating, cylinder head cracking, and pressurized oil leaks that can ignite on hot components. Ford reported 29 fires in North America but no injuries or deaths. The recall remedy installs a coolant level sensor and supporting hardware. 2016+ models have updated cylinder heads and improved pipes. If buying a 2014-2015 model, verify recall completion via VIN with a Ford dealer before purchase. Aftermarket upgrades include AIRTEC aluminum coolant reservoirs and silicone hose kits from companies like Roose Motorsport.
Timing belt replacement€1,000 - €2,200
Required at 10 years or 125,000 km - interference engine will suffer catastrophic damage if belt fails · more· less
The 1.6 EcoBoost uses a traditional dry timing belt (not wet belt like 1.0 EcoBoost). This is an interference engine where pistons and valves occupy overlapping space - if the timing belt breaks, they will collide causing bent valves and potentially destroyed pistons. Ford recommends replacement at 10 years or 125,000 km, though European schedules cite 125,000 miles. Many specialists recommend replacement at 8 years for low-mileage cars as the belt degrades with age. Independent garage costs range €425-680, Ford dealers €680-835. Always replace the tensioner and water pump simultaneously as they're accessible during this service. Ignoring this maintenance is false economy - timing belt failure will destroy the engine.
Turbo actuator sticking / failure€500 - €2,500
Carbon buildup from gentle driving causes actuator to stick, triggering EPC light and limp mode · more· less
The turbo wastegate actuator tends to stick if the car is driven too gently or only for short trips, as carbon deposits accumulate. Symptoms include EPC warning light, loss of power, and limp mode activation. VW/Ford policy is to not sell the actuator separately from the turbocharger assembly. Specialist actuator-only repair costs €500-600, but if turbo internals are damaged from oil starvation or bearing wear, full turbo replacement runs €1,200-2,500. Prevention: use premium fuel, perform regular spirited driving to burn off carbon, and maintain oil change intervals religiously. Turbo failures can also result from the early coolant pipe issues causing overheating.
Clutch and slave cylinder failure€800 - €2,300
Stock clutch lasts 100,000+ km with careful driving; slave cylinder seals are weak · more· less
The Fiesta ST uses an internal slave cylinder located inside the transmission, making replacement labor-intensive. Slave cylinder seals are known to be weak on this transmission. The gearbox must be removed for clutch or slave cylinder work. UK costs: complete clutch job with slave cylinder €800-2,300 depending on parts (OEM vs aftermarket like Helix). Independent garages charge significantly less than Ford dealers. Always replace the slave cylinder when doing clutch work as labor is already sunk. Many owners upgrade to uprated clutches (Helix, etc.) during replacement for around €700-900 fitted. Hot hatch driving will reduce clutch lifespan - track use or aggressive launches can halve the expected 100,000+ km lifespan.
Rear motor mount failure€180 - €350
Causes vibration, wheel hop, and clunking when shifting or hitting bumps · more· less
The rear motor mount (RMM) is a common failure point on the Fiesta ST, especially with spirited driving. Symptoms include minor vibrations through steering wheel and pedals, significant wheel hop under moderate acceleration, and audible clunking when shifting or driving over bumps. The OEM Ford mount costs €180-214 fitted. Many owners upgrade to aftermarket mounts from Collins Performance (€75), COBB, Boomba Racing, or Mountune for improved performance and longevity. Installation takes approximately 1 hour and uses all OEM hardware - no engine support required. The aftermarket mounts reduce wheel hop dramatically but may increase NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) slightly.
Water pump / thermostat housing failure€650 - €1,400
Electric water pump typically fails between 70,000-100,000 km causing overheating · more· less
The 1.6 EcoBoost uses an integrated electric water pump and thermostat housing. Common failure points are the pump shaft seal or housing gasket, leading to coolant leaks. Symptoms include coolant warning light, engine overheating, or poor cabin heating. The integrated design means the entire assembly must be replaced (€400-500 for parts). Labor runs approximately 6 hours due to poor accessibility in the engine bay. Cost: €650-1,400 total. Ford released an updated water pump version to address premature failures. Always replace simultaneously with timing belt service to save on labor - the pump is accessible during belt replacement. Water pumps typically last 100,000 km but failures have been reported as early as 70,000 km.
Suspension bushes / drop links wear€200 - €700
Front drop links and rear axle bushes wear from spirited driving, causing knocks and clunks · more· less
Common suspension noise sources on the Fiesta ST include worn front drop links (anti-roll bar links) and perished rear axle bushes. Drop links typically show play around 50,000-80,000 km, causing dull thuds or knocking sounds over bumps. Rear axle bushes aren't universal but are known to perish after 5 years or 70,000 km. Ford dealers may insist on replacing entire lower control arms rather than bushes separately, inflating costs. Independent fitting of OE Ford rear beam bushes: €330. Aftermarket options: SuperPro adjustable drop links €160-215 fitted, Powerflex rear beam bushes €200-350 fitted. Note: Powerflex bushes ride noticeably harsher than OEM but last longer. Top hat mounts also fail around 80,000 km.
Manual transmission synchro wear€700 - €2,000
1st and 2nd gear synchros can wear, causing difficult shifting when warm · more· less
Some Fiesta ST owners report difficulty engaging 1st gear at complete stops or shifting out of 1st/2nd when the gearbox is warm. Common workaround: shift into 2nd then 1st to align synchros. One specialist diagnosed this as a possible crack in the 1st/2nd static hub causing expansion when warm, making the sliding sleeve difficult to move. Synchro replacement requires gearbox disassembly (€700+ labor). Some owners suspect gearbox oil quality - switching from Ford oil to Ravenol 75w80 has improved shifting feel. The gear linkage arm can also distort with heat causing stiff shifts when hot. A clunk during shifts often indicates a worn rear engine/gearbox mount rather than transmission damage. Overall, the MT82 manual gearbox is reasonably robust if maintained properly.
Reliable hot hatch with known issues that are manageable
The Fiesta ST Mk7 is considered one of the more reliable modern hot hatches when properly maintained. The critical items are: verify cylinder head recall completion on 2014-2015 models, replace timing belt on schedule (this is non-negotiable), and monitor coolant levels religiously. Most other issues are typical wear items for a performance car. Parts are affordable and widely available. The 1.6 EcoBoost engine is mechanically sound - most failures trace back to the coolant system issues that Ford has addressed via recall and design updates.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete service records essential. Verify oil changes at correct intervals using 5W-20 synthetic oil meeting Ford WSS-M2C948-B specification.
Tires
Stock size 205/40R17. Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear patterns indicating suspension issues or hard driving.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for unusual sounds, rattles, or misfires. Check for white smoke indicating head gasket issues.
Body condition
Front paint is thin - stone chips on bumper and bonnet are normal for mileage. Check door bottoms, rear wheel arches, and sill ends for rust.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds and hard acceleration to check turbo response and transmission behavior under load.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify cylinder head recall 17S09 completion (2014-2015 models)
Contact Ford dealer with VIN to confirm coolant level sensor recall work completed. This is critical - unaddressed cars risk engine fire.
Check coolant level and condition
Inspect coolant reservoir - level should be stable between MIN/MAX. Brown or milky appearance indicates head gasket failure. Check for cracks in plastic reservoir and hoses.
Timing belt service history
Verify timing belt replacement if car is 8+ years old or approaching 125,000 km. Request invoice showing tensioner and water pump also replaced. No documentation = budget €1,000-2,200 immediately.
Drive for turbo actuator check
During test drive, watch for EPC warning light. Sudden loss of power or limp mode activation indicates turbo actuator issues (€500-2,500 repair).
Check for modifications
Look for aftermarket parts: rear motor mount, panel air filter, exhaust, tuning. Extensive mods suggest hard use. Verify sound symposer hasn't been deleted (emissions inspection issue in some regions).
Test clutch and gearbox operation
Clutch should engage smoothly without slipping. Test 1st gear engagement at complete stop - if difficult, try shifting to 2nd then back to 1st. Difficulty suggests worn synchros.
Listen for suspension noises
Drive over bumps at low speed. Dull thuds or knocking from front suggests worn drop links. Clunking when shifting indicates worn rear motor mount.
Interior checks
Test all electrical functions. Check air conditioning works. Verify Recaro seats adjust properly. Listen for blend door actuator clicks under dash (common failure around 120,000 km).
Check for sunroof leaks (if equipped)
Inspect sunroof drain holes at four corners for debris. Water stains on headliner indicate clogged drains - a common issue.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Cylinder head cracking / fire risk (17S09) - 2014-2015 Fiesta STVerify completed with VIN
Door latch failure - 2014 modelsMay not latch securely
TSB: Lack of power with MIL - DTCs P0234, P0245, P0246, P0299Software update available
TSB: Blower motor freezing - snow entry through cowl panelUpdated screen assembly
Contact Ford dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. The cylinder head recall (17S09) is the most critical - it installs a coolant level sensor to prevent overheating fires. Ensure this is documented before purchase, especially for 2014-2015 models.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 60,000 miles)Expired on all Mk7 STs
Powertrain warranty (5 years / 60,000 miles)Expired on all Mk7 STs
Ford Protect extended warranty€700-1,400/year available
All 2013-2017 Fiesta STs are outside their original factory warranty. Ford Protect Extended Service Plans are available through dealers, covering up to 10 years or 280,000 km. Plans range from basic powertrain coverage to comprehensive PremiumCARE covering over 1,000 components. Prices vary by coverage level and mileage but typically cost €700-1,400 per year. Extended warranties may be worthwhile if planning to keep the car 5+ years, especially for coverage of expensive items like turbocharger and transmission. The warranty is transferable with a €75 transfer fee paid within 180 days of sale.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.