7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
17,000 miles
Total Complaints:
50 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (48 reports)
  2. "dumped" the piece of garbage (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #50

May 252018

Fiesta ES 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Bought the vehicle used two weeks ago. The transmission is noisy and when it shifts, it feels like if you had a standard transmission and never took your foot off of the clutch. Took it to the local Ford dealer and was told this is normal. You know what, this is not normal! The dealer that I purchased the used pos from is trying to screw me over on the taxes and dealer prep. I can return a pair of shoes inside of thirty days if my feet hurt, yet these criminals are trying to hold me accountable for a defective product. From what I've read on the internet these vehicles are known for this problem yet the manufacturer is not willing to provide a fix.

- John Sharon M., VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US

problem #49

Dec 012017

Fiesta HB V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

My car also lurches forward, experiences delayed acceleration, delayed downshifting.

- Kathleen T., Westminster, US

problem #48

Feb 082016

Fiesta S 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

I had bought the car, and as far as I could tell it had a slight shudder when accelerating from a stop. At about 6000 miles, it got so bad that when I was accelerating from a stop on a hill, I was afraid it wouldn't make it up the hill. It was very uncomfortable and it freaked me out. I know a bit about cars, and about the dual-clutch as well. I love the concept, and I love the idea of an automatic manual. But Ford needs to fix this issue. The fact that this is nothing new frustrates me, because all of the test engineers and quality engineers should have figured this out as a problem and done something to solve it back in 2011 with the first fiesta here in the States. I understand that it doesn't act like a normal automatic transmission, and that's fine. But when the performance affects whether the car is usable or not, it is not a "difference" that can just be shrugged off as a byproduct of the difference in transmissions and that the customer is not "used to" it. The dealership replaced an oil seal, and the later had to realign the clutch, and the problem went away for a little bit. But it came back about 2000 to 4000 miles later.

- Benjamin E., Idaho Falls, ID, US

problem #47

Jan 082018

Fiesta S 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

After having the seal replaced at 6000 miles, I am now replacing the clutch assembly at 27000 miles. I am glad it is covered under warranty, but it won't stay that way. Because of the fact that my brand new fiesta had a shudder when I first bought it, I don't think replacing the clutch is going to fix the problem. Therefore when this happens again, it could be after the warranty expires, and then I will have to pay the 1200 dollars that the dealership estimated it would cost without the warranty. This time, I did not feel safe. I was pulling out of a parking lot into a busy intersection, when the car shuddered violently about three times, and then wouldn't move without that shudder. I straightened the wheel, let go of the gas, and tried again. It then moved as if nothing happened. Luckily there were no cars coming when this happened, so no accident, but it scared the crap out of me. What if it was my wife who was driving the car, and this happened to her? I have been in and out of the dealership for the same complaint for a few months now. Each time the would tell me, "It's not bad enough yet. Bring it back when it gets worse." Apparently Ford has a threshold of how "bad" it has to be before they do anything. Even though there is a problem, and the dealership can see that id shudders, it has to get worse before they will do anything. And not only that, but it is a band-aid fix that takes away the shudder for a short time. It feels like someone who doesn't know how to drive a manual transmission is in control of the transmission of my car. And because my car has a dual-clutch or automatic manual transmission, that isn't far from the truth. To warn everyone, when the transmission is "bad enough" that means, that it shudders so bad that the car has a hard time moving, and I also noticed a bit of torque interruption, or as if the transmission is changing gears, or slipping briefly, when I am on the freeway at a constant speed. At first I thought it was the wind, as I live in a windy area, but that was not the case as even on calm days it would happen. The fact that there is lawsuit on this exact issue proves that there is something wrong and Ford has not done all they can to fix it. I love the idea of a dual clutch transmission, but I just feel that it needed a lot more testing and improving before it was released to the general public. There is obviously a flaw that should have been fixed in 2012 after the first fiesta in the U.S. had issues. I do not hate Ford, as no one is perfect. But please, fix this issue in later models. I don't think I will buy an automatic fiesta or focus for a long time. Not until I see these issues are resolved. I will be looking to get rid of this vehicle asap before it sucks me dry from paying for new clutches every 25000 miles or so not to mention the other maintenance and repairs required later on.

- Benjamin E., Idaho Falls, ID, US

problem #46

Jan 092014

Fiesta Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

car kick=jerk sometime delayed in vehicle acceleration

- Pablo R., Ponce, Puerto Rico

problem #45

May 182017

Fiesta S 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,771 miles

Let’s see they had to rebuild part of the transmission. According to my bill from Seeyle Ford they replaced a clutch assembly, plate-cylinder block. I’ve had it . Time for the lemon law. Time to contact the attorney generals office for the State of Michigan, along with the attorneys and ford motor. I’m not playing anymore games

- tjanderson10ta, Portage, US

problem #44

Oct 022017

Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

I bought this car a couple weeks ago used and the transmission seems to shudder or shim after its been driven for a while, and today it seems to be getting worse, and I've read a lot of people are complaining of the same issues on these cars. I love my new used car, but not this problem.

- Kim W., Norman, US

problem #43

Mar 012017

Fiesta LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

This has been an ongoing problem with the transmission in my car..My son kept telling me but I never understood what he was talking about..It is now getting worse at 18,000 miles..my car bucks all the time and slips when I accelerate..It is definitely the transmission..I would like to have this fixed but on a fixed income I can't afford to bring it into causeway ford, it is way too expensive..I drive my grand babies in my car and if something were to happen while I am driving them I will not be a happy woman ...I am hoping that they get this issue resolved before something terrible happens..

- donnamarie72563, Manahawkin, US

problem #42

Jul 012017

Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

My 2014 Ford Fiesta with only 60K was diagnosed with damaged clutches....I am pretty sure this is by reason of Fords admitted faulty transmissions they put in these cars. I have called Ford customer service over 12 times and get no where. The most they did was submit a "claim # " to the dealership to ponder. However the dealership I chose to bring my car to has apparently some freakish disorder where they seem to have absolutely no interest or care in even looking at this claim nor for that matter will they even submit a written estimate to me to I can submit for legal claim. They are FREAKS and that's a different matter! However, meantime I have spent my entire life savings on this car and am penniless, I do not have the money for repair. My dreams of leaving next month for college are now worrying me. I've no idea what I'm going to do??!!

My complaint is how does a automatic transmission with only 60,000 miles need new clutches, they admit the transmission is faulty! A transmission specialist told me the car needed a new tranny!! Ford is denying that the clutches have anything to do with the transmission.... they are idiots, liars, and very very bad people. Unfortunately I can not sell the car because of the lemon law in my state, so the car sits and collects dust in my driveway :(

- Deidre S., Mill River, MA, US

problem #41

Oct 012016

Fiesta XL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,467 miles

Appears to be same problem as other owners. Intermittent shuddering when accelerating at slow speed. Ford keeps doing a computerized check and says nothing is wrong. Have threatened me with $170 bill if I keep bringing it in and "nothing is wrong" according to them. Very angry with Ford who should be fixing this problem with a recall and change of transmission.

- Kate B., Duncan, BC, Canada

problem #40

Aug 082016

Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

It shudders when taking off. I took it in to the dealership where they told me they hooked it up to the computer and that there was nothing wrong with it. It is still doing it.

- Patricia R., Hernao, FL, US

problem #39

May 022015

Fiesta HB

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

Car hesitates and shutters when you start out. Headed back to the dealer. They told me there was nothing wrong with it and it's a normal occurrence. They said if it gets beyond Ford specs they would replace the TCM. Headed back again today still doing the same thing. Call Ford customer complaint said nothing they can do about it unless it gets beyond their specs. Would like to know who calculated the specs. My major concern is pulling out into traffic slight hesitation could possibly have an accident. Too bad Ford just doesn't replace the units that have this issue. And then they wonder why nobody wants to drive a Ford product.

- jadams444pa, Reading, PA, US

problem #38

Apr 042016

Fiesta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I bought this car as commuter car because it was advertised as having good gas mileage and it looks nice. But I've been very disappointed with the way it shifts - makes me feel like a brand new driver just learning how to drive. I had a very scary situation with my kid in the car where I made a left turn into a parking lot in front of oncoming traffic (I should have had plenty of time), but thought we were going to get hit. The car almost stopped in the middle of the intersection, then it jumped and we barely made it. Scared us both! Ever since then, I always wait until I have a lot of time to turn/merge into traffic because I don't trust that it will actually go. I'm sure I am very annoying to those stuck behind me. Stop and go traffic is a pain because of the shuddering and jumping. I would love to trade it in, but we can't afford to right now.

- Rosa C., El Paso, TX, US

problem #37

Mar 312014

Fiesta S 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

After purchasing this vehicle brand new (5 miles on the clock) in March of 2014 I have experienced transmission shuddering/stuttering on a regular basis. Several times this problem has put me in fear of losing my life....turning left from a stop with traffic coming it has shuddered to the point of stopping. I will never let anyone ever drive this vehicle for this reason.

- Kent W., Plant City, FL, US

problem #36

Apr 092016

Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

I purchased my 2014 Ford Fiesta in May of 2015. It was used but only had 14000 miles on it. Shortly after it would shudder as I took off from a stopped position. I have brought it back to the dealership 3 times and the last time it happened as I picked it up from the dealership! Because the vehicle is under warranty the dealership where I purchased it brings it to the Ford dealership. The last time I brought it in the girl in the service dept told me Ford is aware of the problem but does not have a fix for it at this time. All that is being done is they are updating software on the computer. It is just temporary. She was right. When my husband and I picked it up from the 3rd time being "fixed" as we were pulling away from the dealership it shuddered again!

- sreber, Chesapeake, VA, US

problem #35

May 012014

Fiesta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

My transmission slips, bucks, kicks, jerks, gets hot, stutters, harshly engages, delay in downshifts, delayed acceleration, etc. I bought this car brand new in 2014 and brought it into the dealership three times to be told nothing is wrong. Well, the first time they told me it was a normal part of the break in process. I feel scammed by Ford. The resale value of the vehicle is terrible, so I feel that I'm stuck with it. I'm incredibly disappointed and will never buy another Ford vehicle due to their shady practices.

- Coty N., Redmond, WA, US

problem #34

Sep 212015

Fiesta SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,388 miles

September 21, 2015, a few days after I purchased this vehicle, I noticed the transmission problem. I took it back to the dealership where I purchased (I purchased used) and was told I needed to take it to a FORD dealership for warranty work. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership in Las Vegas. (50 miles from my home) I explained the problem and they told me they would need the vehicle for several days and testing to determine if there is a problem. They do not provide loaner cars and I cannot afford a rental, so I rescheduled the appointment. When I arrived at the dealership the second time (October 16th, 2015) they told me their diagnostic equipment was

not functioning properly and I would have to reschedule.

My third appointment was December 18th, 2015. Less than an hour after I checked in, the service writer told me they could not manipulate the problem and if it continues, contact them again for another appointment.

My fourth appointment was February 12th, 2016. I was told they connected my car to a diagnostic machine that showed no codes regarding the transmission and handed me an instruction paper on how to drive the car.

Regardless of how I am driving the car, it continues to have the same problem and as of late, I have noticed that my MPG is decreasing. I have researched these issues on line and there are so many owners of this like vehicle experiencing the same problem, yet no recall notices have been issued. What is it going to take to get this problem addressed properly???

Problem: Sluggish/hard shift and shaking from take off and has problems in the gear shifting (automatic usage) from the manual shifting, it does not switch gears when commanded. All of this happens when the engine is warm, not from a cold start.

- bekabergman, Pahrump, NV, US

problem #33

Feb 172016

Fiesta LE

  • CVT transmission
  • 20,400 miles

I have had my car in the shop twice so far, first they replaced the clutch. the second time they rest the reset the TCM and told me to come back in 2100 miles and its already doing it again...I'm fixing to take it back for a 3rd time...I just want a different car because this one is not worth the 448.00 I am paying every month

Update from Apr 21, 2016: I have now had my car at the dealership a total of 5 times...today they replaced the clutch plate again. so they have set the TCM twice and the clutch has been replaced twice I am so done with this car...

- Lorena L., St Joseph, MO, US

problem #32

Aug 012015

Fiesta Titanium 1.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,321 miles

VERY ANNOYING AND EXASPERATING WHEN THE CAR SHUDDERS AND HESITATES UPON TAKING OFF. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROL SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES FORD DEALER ON FEB. 4, 2016, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE TWO PROBLEMS. THEY SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE STEERING CONTROL SWITCHES AND THESE PARTS WILL ARRIVE 3 WEEKS FROM FEB. 6, 2016 WHEN I GOT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER. SO, WE STILL HAVE TO SEE IF AND WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL ARRIVE AND IT WILL BE INSTALLED IF THE TWO PROBLEMS CAN BE FIXED. ALSO I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED TO OCCUR THE FUEL CONSUMPTION OF THE CAR STARTED TO INCREASE.

- roque jr, Talisay, Philippines

problem #31

Feb 152015

Fiesta S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

As I am paying out almost 300 a month to own this car, I keep taking it back to the dealer to ask the service person to look it. It keeps shuddering and acceleration has no get up and go, just keeps making noises and bucking as if the whole engine is going to drop right out onto the road...finally it happen when the service man was in the car with me.He then look up a recall transmission control module needed reprogramming. then that did not work, they had to replace with whole over tcm failure warning..so two days after they replaced the transmission I had the same problem again!!! Now yesterday I almost died! I went to make a left turn and the car would not move, shuddering, making noise and finally got into gear and moved while I shouted to GOD to spare my life as on coming cars were coming... I took it to the deal this morning and the same thing. Service transmission guy said "there was noting they could fine wrong with my car!! they told me to go home and come back if it happens again!! I told him this is really becoming a death trap! that they has been the trouble with this car from the second day I had it...the guy just said, come back if it happens again.. so then I got mad and came across this site to make my case and read all the other peoples same problems! I bought this car so that my 15 yr old can learn how to drive and now that its almost two years old he will be 17 and drive on his own.. but I am afraid to have him go by himself and drive this car. I bought this car for the reliability that Ford has being that my Dad always had Fords, and so that I did not have to worry about the car when my son would be driving by himself... now its just a death trap!!

- Jane F., Lake Worth, FL, US

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