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CarComplaints.com Notes: Welcome to North America, Ford Fiesta. Thanks for bringing your herky-jerky transmission, numerous interior quality complaints, and an engine that dies while driving.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,591 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Ford Fiesta drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Ford Fiesta Owner Comments (Page 4 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #273

May 022016

Fiesta

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car is parked, due to shuddering, stalling and lack of power. No faith in the vehicle, won't sell because I don't want it to become somebody else problem.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #272

May 112018

Fiesta

  • 122,000 miles
I firmly believe my vehicle was meant to be included in the dual clutch transmission recall but my VIN number was never included in recall searches. However, I had been having slight issues with it for a while, like it seeming to slip gears or even 'catch' at times. I had taken it to the dealership where I bought it and told them what I thought it could be. I'm a smaller female, and the man I said it to laughed and told me that was his job and not mine and that I didn't need to worry about it. Finally in may of last year, I was driving on the interstate (in a straight stretch about to get off an exit) and out of nowhere my car basically started stalling out, and jerking and kicking back. Getting it back home was a nightmare, due to it having such trouble going uphill or even taking off from a stop. After that happened, I called the dealership where I had purchased it and told them what happened. They again said my car was not part of that recall. I called the corporate office, I've done everything I can think of. That car has sat in one spot for over a year, I still make my monthly payments. I even got one of those code readers and ran it on my car, and sure enough it said what I've been saying all along. I had to quit a good paying job and start working at a nearby gas station because I have no way to get to a job further away, let alone enough to pay for a tow or repairs.

- Monongah, WV, USA

problem #271

Jul 102019

Fiesta

  • 158,134 miles
The transmission shuddered and delayed propulsion since I bought the car in 2011-12. Took it to dealers numerous times for "updates" and listened to a variety of excuses as to why the shuddering-- but they never fixed the problem. Eventually, last month a day after my engine light came on and warned of transmission problems, the Fiesta stopped propelling my car numerous times on the way home. After stopping along the highway for a couple minutes, the car would move forward again. My car now seats in my garage, undriveable with an apparently failed transmission. Service center that just examined the problem quoted me $4,400 to install new transmission!

- Portland, MI, USA

problem #270

Aug 092019

Fiesta

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle shifted out of gear in a dangerous area on the highway and I was nearly hit by another vehicle as my car slowed. I had to pull off the side of the road where I restarted the car only for it to engage "limp mode" which wasn't enough power to get me off the highway safely.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #269

Aug 012019

Fiesta

  • 98,000 miles
Car will stop accelerating or moving in the middle of driving and completely lock up. I am unable to go forward or in reverse when this happens. However the car will still rev just not move. This is so dangerous and has happened in intersections as well as on the freeway. I've had car looked at multiple times and have had to tow off side of freeway due to it not moving!

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #268

Aug 032019

Fiesta

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle jerked, hesitated, and stalled. All the instrument cluster warning indicators were illuminated on the instrument panel. Also, the "brake not pushed" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to North East Ford (182 route 44 East, millerton, NY 12546, (518) 789-4477) where it was diagnosed that the dual clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact no longer owned the vehicle and sold it for parts. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Chatham, NY, USA

problem #267

Jun 012018

Fiesta

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car has had several transmission issues, without warning - the car would idle by itself when I was parked or at a stop sign. When driving the car would speed up without stepping down on the gas. In recent reviews it looks like the 2011 Ford Fiestas has defected transmissions?

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #266

Mar 152012

Fiesta

  • 70,000 miles
Takara recall I've owned this death trap since 2012 and has had the dual transmission replaced at least twice.. it has always jerked and stalled out on me while traveling through intersections, pulling off from stop signs/red lights, and while driving up hills. It's embarrassing, but most of all unsafe for me, my children, and other drivers.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #265

May 112011

Fiesta

  • 232 miles
At 232 miles we started taking this car back to the dealer for transmission problems, and were told they had no clue what was going on, before 60,000 miles they replaced the transmission or did software updates numerous times, also after 60,000 it continued. In addition the frame and axels have had several issues when the car has never been in accident. I was told by a Ford mechanic the transmission caused that due to the severe shaking caused by the transmission issues. In addition the air conditioning had issues over and over and the electrical system also had issues after recalls for something to due with the battery harness, my lights went out, my radio stopped working, my air conditioning system and many other odd electrical things happened at this point this car sits in my driveway and is unable to be driven because of safety issues, while I wait and hope that Ford is forced to do a buy back. I purchased this car for my daughter when she went off to college in the hopes she would have a safe reliable car, it has been anything but that, so many problems over the years but unable to financially to purchase another and forced to spend money on repairs to keep this one running. I am so upset that they knew before they ever put this car on the road that it was unsafe just so they could make money at the risk they were putting people in, there were several times my daughters car would shake stutter and slow down that she had to pull off the road to avoid causing an accident.. I have all of the work bills do you want those?

- Sycamore, OH, USA

problem #264

Apr 242019

Fiesta

  • 88,000 miles
Since I bought this car used, I have had nothing but issues that are seemingly related to Ford's dps6 transmission and electrical wiring. My gears slip out of place and my car doesn't seem to want to accelerate or slow down properly. My horn and front windows don't work and we've tried switching fuses and checking the door wiring. In relation to the transmission, I was on westbound I4 outside of downtown orlando around 2:00 4/24/19 (my birthday) and my car accelerated forward as I braked, which made me hit the car in front of me. There were no codes, no lights, no warnings on my car and it's under 100,000 miles. I was as a result faulted for my accident which skyrocketed my insurance. We spent money fixing the damage from the accident, not realizing that Ford has been lying about their transmission. I bought this car used and have had it for less than a year and, the person who had it before me drove it as a work car. I attempted to bring my car in on 7/19, as I found an article from detroit free press about this problem saying Ford dealerships would be able to attend to the issue. I called three dealerships and one hung up on me and the other two said that they couldn't help me. I do not feel driving safe in my car at this point as Ford is dodging the issue at hand. I am a 21 year old supporting herself and I cannot afford to fix anymore issues that happen because of this insanely unbelievable error from Ford.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

problem #263

Dec 112014

Fiesta

  • 70,782 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Due to a transmission design flaw, the car will shudder when the gears shift from low to high. The car was diagnosed at tuttle click Ford in irvine, ca. On 12/11/2014 and 4/14/15. The transmission of the car continues to shudder during motion on city streets and highways. I have a copy of each invoice for supporting documents.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #262

May 252013

Fiesta

  • 61,851 miles
Due to a transmission design flaw, the car will shudder when the gears shift from low to high. The car was diagnosed at tuttle-click Ford in irvine, ca. And fritts Ford in riverside, ca. On 9/20/14, 12/26/2014, 2/15/16, 3/10/16, 5/28/16, and 6/23/16. The transmission of the car continues to shudder during motion on city streets and highways. I have a copy of each invoice for supporting documents.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #261

Aug 122013

Fiesta

  • 33,464 miles
I purchased my 2011 Ford Fiesta basically when it first came out, brand new.but, just prior to the 10,000 mile mark I started experiencing severe transmission problems, shuddering, stalling out, and eventually overall failure. All of these failing happened either upon taking off or during transit. I've had the car lurch and almost hit another car in traffic as well as fail while driving during rush our traffic; predominantly on city streets but also occasionally on the highway at lower shifts. The issue has been "fixed" and "assessed" more times than I believe and car problem should be without being resolved. Every time I would discuss why it continues the customer service representative would always say "that's just how they work" or some other nonchalant verbage to shrug off the persisting problem that I'm paying for. This continued trouble leaves me with almost no trust in my vehicle and has cost me more money than I would care to admit to. I believe Ford owes me either a lifetime warranty on my faulty vehicle or a brand new replacement for the time and financial damages I have incurred due to their thoughtless/ careless practices as well as the destruction of my peace of mind. Attached is a pdf of my full vehicle service history through cavalier Ford from 2011-2019 as well as pep boys which also includes evidence of attempted fraud in relation to the state of my rear breaks and shocks in the last year.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #260

Jan 112018

Fiesta

  • 61,000 miles
Over the last several years, soon after purchasing from a dealer, my 2011 Ford Fiesta will not gain speed as it should when driving in town. Will shudder when going up small inclines. Have had transmission/clutch replaced 2X by Ford. And had to fight for the last replacement in January 2018. Now car is no longer under warranty.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #259

Jul 172013

Fiesta

  • 5,000 miles
Due to defective factory transmission my 16 year old daughter's car locked up in the middle of the highway. She could have been killed. I am unsure of the exact date of the incident but the car had to be towed on a flat bed since the transmission was locked and the car would not move.

- Russellville, AL, USA

problem #258

Jul 132012

Fiesta

  • 20,000 miles
This transmission bucks, shakes, and at time falls completely down on quick acceleration. Upon acceleration it just comes out of gear, and rev the engine. It is has been rebuilt several times, flashed tcm's at $120 a pop, but it is so dangerous it needs to be crushed. This model also has a poorly engineered negative ground wire that has cost time and money hunting 'ghost' sensor problems related to the transmission and engine. Drive this car as the evidence of failure! as a responsible owner I'm hoping it will not go to another victim.

- Dunedin, FL, USA

problem #257

Jan 122015

Fiesta

  • 20 miles
The car slips gears which makes it dangerous to drive up any sort of hill. My car has stalled out going up hills and made it dangerous not only for me, but those around me. The car also has an incredible jerky motion when driving that can cause the car to suddenly jerk forward. Sometimes when I put my car into drive or reverse the car won't even move. Very very dangerous car! Ford issued a recall on parts of the transmission about 4 years ago, but this did not fix the problem. I am afraid to drive the car long distances or around town where there are hills. This has been an issue ever since I brought the car.

- Larchmont, NY, USA

problem #256

Apr 192019

Fiesta

  • 147,131 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving 15 mph up a hill, the vehicle failed to accelerate accurately when the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kendall Ford of eugene (located at 344 goodpasture island rd, eugene, or 97401, (855) 981-5490) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The same dealer diagnosed that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 147,131.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #255

Jun 172019

Fiesta

  • 94,000 miles
Found this article talking about how Ford cars (including 2011 Fiesta) have faulty transmissions which can cause problems like 'shuddering, slipping, bucking, jerking, hesitation while changing gears, premature internal wear, delays in downshifting and, in some cases, sudden or delayed acceleration.'

- Winchester, KY, USA

problem #254

Jul 122019

Fiesta

  • 106,000 miles
While accelerating after a stop light, the transmission shuddered violently before 'kicking into gear' and accelerating like expected. I am filing this and describing a failure this morning, but it has been happening for the last several years as well. It sometimes stalls a bit before the gears engage and it starts to accelerate. Often, there is a grinding noise when right on the border between gears. This is an automatic transmission vehicle.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

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