While pulling out into traffic, transmission shuddered and failed to operate causing traffic to come to a halt. This was the first incident. Several times afterwards, transmission would shudder and vibrate while shifting gears. Took to dealership in November of 2012 when this first occurred and they updated the transmission program. This update did not fix the problem. Returned to the dealership on February 22, 2013 for the same problem and they're reply was, "this is normal". this is not normal, this car is a death trap. I only drive this vehicle about 9 miles to work a day and I feel very unsafe driving it.

- Macclenny, FL, USA

Vehicle: 2011 Ford Fiesta, manual trans., fwd. Road conditions: Snow covered 1-2", no ice underneath, no slush buildup. Incident: At stop sign waiting to turn left onto road. Oncoming traffic in either direction is thru, no stop. No oncoming traffic. Accelerating across two lanes to turn left- divided 4 lane municipal road 40mph speed limit. Midway across road, front wheels began to slip, traction control activated and removed power. Car stopped in middle of road. Was unable to move vehicle in 1st/2nd/3rd gear without traction control removing power. In first instance, oncoming traffic had to stop while I exited vehicle and pushed vehicle into median where traction was found. This happened twice. After second occurrence, determination was made to only turn right to not place self at risk of accident. Follow-up research: Early production Ford Fiesta are incapable of deactivating traction control. Later models do and in the 3rd printing of the owners manual it is recommended to turn off traction control in snow or mud. This action would allow wheels to spin to pavement and generate sufficient traction to maintain or begin vehicle motion. Additional information: Above research was obtained by discussion with Ford technical support/engineering. They also advised that it was not possible to retrofit my vehicle with the capability to deactivate traction control. I have had vehicles in the past of similar weight/powertrain/profile which were equipped with one-touch buttons to disable traction control when in the appropriate situations. These cars were very capable in 1-2" of snow with the traction control disabled. I have advised Ford that I intended to provide this report to NHTSA and they likewise said they intend to self-report it as well. Recommendation: I believe this to be a safety issue that needs to be addressed by whatever means NHTSA has available.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the vehicle was unable to be repaired due to the vehicle having a dual transmission and that at 3,000 miles engine power would decrease. The manufacturer had not been notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 2,900.

- Desert Hot Springs, CA, USA

After having no problems with this car for the first 16000 miles it now jerks and the trans feels as if your driving over rumble strips when accelerating from a stop; bumping and jerking. Seems like it cant shift gears and has no acceleration. The car performs worse the hotter the engine gets. This car rides anything but smooth. Always feels like its going to stall.

- Atco, NJ, USA

Numerous occasions while accelerating and decelerating the 2011 Ford Fiesta started to stall, jerk and buck like a Bronco. It seemed as though it was not getting power to the transmission or drive train momentarily. This has been an ongoing off and on for about a year. We recently took it to the sunrise Ford dealership, fort pierce, fl, and the service rep claims they could not find anything mechanically wrong. This vehicle is used to Transport young children and adults. I expect the Ford manufacturer to either remedy the issue or buy the vehicle back for what we paid for it!!! it could cause an accident because when it bucks it also slows down in 45-50mph traffic, and the traffic is bumper to bumper at times and we could get rear ended!!! something needs to be done immediately. Should I also find an attorney that will represent us should Ford motor be liable"?"

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

I bought the car new and have taken it to two separate dealerships to correct this issue and it continues. Initially, the transmission light came on and the car began having trouble shifting. After the first repair, the car began shaking uncontrollably. The second repair corrected the shaking, but now (at 15,755 miles) the car will (1) make grinding metallic noises when shifting, (2) fail to shift on any incline (instead it revs to approximately 2500 rpms and "sticks" there), (3) jolt forward when the brake is applied as if the accelerator was pressed down, and (4) roll backwards on hills as if it is a manual transmission. I understand that (4) can be common among newer automatics that attempt higher fuel economy. However, numerous times the speed at which the car rolls back has incurred a safety risk. This seems to be another indication of an issue with the transmission.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while traveling 3 mph the vehicle erroneously accelerated causing another vehicle to crash into the vehicle. The driver and passenger of the contact's vehicle suffered whiplash. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the scene. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was found that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 42,000. Mailed 02/18/15 the consumer stated even after the engine was overhauled because the mechanic claimed oil leaked onto the internal clutched caused slippage, he continued to experience problems. The consumer believed the problem was with the fuel injection system. Updated 03/29/16.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

The car is at the dealer for the third time since the beginning of the month. While driving, all of a sudden the vehicle is not in "drive" anymore, and I have to coast to the side of the road, turn off car, and restart. It is as if the transmission just goes out. This can happen multiple times in one driving session and has happened on highway, on side streets, backing out of my driveway, etc. The engine light comes on repeatedly each time. Car also lurches and sounds as if it might stall at random times when accelerating. Each time, the dealer test drives after the "fix" have been from 0 miles to 6 miles, it does not seem like this test drive is long enough to see the issue. This problem is an extreme safety hazard to me and my family and I have lost faith in Ford in fixing/dealing with this problem.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

Transmission, which has never been smooth when accelerating form stop now stutters and shudders rapidly when accelerating slowly from a stop. Does not do it every time but does it frequently. I have had it in to the dealer to check it out and they say they have adjusted it but it continues to exhibit this odd behavior. The car did not do this in the first year of ownership. The dealer says the transmission is "quirky". the stuttering and shuddering is not, as far as I am concerned, normal for this transmission and needs to be repaired or the transmission needs to be replaced. The transmission does not function as promised!

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Powertrain: Have had chattering in lower gears of my 2011 Ford Fiesta SE.....acts like is straining at times to go into gear.....have had it to dealership and they tell me it is normal....also contacted Ford via email and they concur with the dealer..the dealer did some computer updates and when I got it back it still chatters...........what happens if it fails and Ford refuses to do anything about the problem....as the extended warranty is only for 60,000 miles and I travel 60-90 miles a day back and forth to work what kind of dependable vehicle do I have.......

- Browns Mills, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that after attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would hesitate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that it was a known problem and they would reprogram the computer. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.

- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA

The throttle body malfunctioned after only 17,600 miles. Also 29 parts needed to be replaced all at once under the hood. I have found several stories online of people getting multiple transmission replacements or other drive train components on their 2011 Fiesta S.

- Superior, WI, USA

Took car in to dealership for oil change, tire rotation, etc. And was told it had an oil leak and that they wouldn't fix it (it's still under warranty) until the leak became worse!

- Johnstown, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance and was advised she had a transmission leak; however, they will not repair it until it gets worse. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Johnstown, CO, USA

22 days plus additional 6 days: Told by Ford dealership mechanic that oil pan is leaking oil, and water pump leaking. Dye pen fluorescent light inspection shows front crank seal leak, inspection of engine block damaged threads. Replaced engine per Ford, removed transmission from engine, disassemble engine from engine mount, mount new short block and install, reseal components, re-time engine, install engine to transmission assembly, rechecked for leaks coolant and oil. Ford Fiesta broke down next day after I picked up car from Ford shop for 22 days, automatic transmission would not go into drive, reverse or neutral, called tow truck for help to get vehicle back to Ford mechanic, who still working on car. I am very disappointed with the quality of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, doesn't get 40mpg, gets 35mpg, does not accelerate when you need to kind of lags, then makes gurgling noise in the water pump. 2011 Ford Fiesta is not made in the usa and it shows, it's a lemon.

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

I have a various problems with the transmission. It keeps having a grinding noise like it has a hard time going into gear. I have noticed that the problem is worse when trying to quickly stop as well as accelerating right after. The transmission problem is currently keeping the Fiesta in the shop right now but the dealership is saying that this problem is normal and there is no repair is available at this time. I have also had problems with the window not rolling up right. This was fixed but I think that over time it will start to be a problem again. The final problem is the sound system not being properly wired as I plugged my phone to charge and the radio stopped getting reception.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle surged forward and hesitated as if the vehicle was going to stall. In addition, the vehicle was slow to respond to acceleration and would often surge forward abnormally while accelerating at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that there was a leak in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired correctly and was inspected three times but the dealer was not able to provide a permanent remedy for the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000 and the current mileage was 4,086.

- Reno, NV, USA

At crossroads Ford, prince george, Virginia: This 2011 Ford Fiesta...service engine soon light came on..dealership checked car tsb(power train central module-for transmission) only re-set/re-programmed transmission computer.(April 25,2011. On November 4,2011...I took vehicle back to morganton N.C.Ford dealership.. my Fiesta would not start and after 4 attempts to start the car it hesitated and started it jerked and sounded like it was badly missing....when driven to dealership the vehicle service engine light came on...it would not shift gears properly and the rpms went to 3000rpms before shifting into any gear. Dealership stated vehicle didn't have a problem and again re-programmed and up-dated the transmission computer. I was very upset. In December 22,2011: Transmission gears not shifting properly. I took vehicle to local morganton, N.C. Ford dealership...they tested the PCM..it passed.tested tcm passed all controls. Then tried to tell me...it was only a low-battery problem...but had to re-set the transmission computer a third time.then on February 25,2012...Fiesta hatch-back lock would not lock to stay shut. I promptly took vehicle to morganton, N.C. Ford dealership and the car is still there to be repaired and a part is on order. To fix this lock. I was given a rental vehicle. I intend to sue Ford Motor Corp via N.Carolina lemon law I am a very-dissatisfied customer>..my car is a piece of crap.

- Morganton, NC, USA

I brought the car 6 months ago. In the beginning the car was hesitant after acceleration and lacked power on hills. About a month ago it started to make clucking noises. After the car started, it refused to engage in any gear. I would able to reverse and then finally drive after the car warmed up and numerous restarted. This happened numerous occasions and I attempted to fix the problem 3 times at the dealership. The dealership did not find anything wrong with the car on their diagnostics and they were unable to replicate the problem at the dealership. Finally, the dealership said the issue is the battery is low. Don't think this would solve the problem through...

- Keansburg, NJ, USA

At a complete stop to turn right with brake pressed, the accelerator would not work as I took my foot off the brake and pressed the gas pedal. I was able to coast off the street turning right until eventually the car would accelerate. Very scary.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA