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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 7 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #213

Nov 012016

Fiesta

  • 90,000 miles

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

Transmission is jerking, specially coming to the stop, gears are slipping, car was in the dealership service center several times through the years to address this issue, but it never been corrected. Engine and transmission warning lights come on constantly, now the engine is overheating and the dealership is unable to fix. This car is defective and unsafe to drive. I purchased this car new from autonation and had it serviced/maintained by their certified service department, I had problems with the transmission from the beginning and was complaining several times, but it never was addressed and/or fixed

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #212

Nov 012011

Fiesta

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving between 35-45 mph, the vehicle jerked and would not accelerate properly. There was also a metal on metal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module failed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 4,000.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #211

Oct 102016

Fiesta

  • 91,147 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving 30 mph, the transmission slipped out of gear and the shift lever locked into position and would not move. The check engine, service engine soon, and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but there were no failure codes. The failure recurred twice. The failure mileage was 91,147.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #210

Sep 092016

Fiesta

  • miles

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

The transmission will stop engaging while driving the motor rpms go up and you loose power to the wheels causing traffic to run into the back or run over you.getting onto the highway merged into traffic got up to speed than all of the sudden motor revved up and lost speed rapidly almost got run over by tractor trailer had to pull off onto shoulder of the highway, then the car would not go over 30 mph this has happened 3 times.the first time Ford said it was the timing of motor.this has happened twice after that. I cant even drive be cause im afraid of killing me and my family.this transmission has a definite and they wont acknowledge.they did send me a recall for the tcm but they told me it had nothing to do with the transmission issue I have not driven the car due to safety and fear of hurting myself or someone else.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #209

Sep 012012

Fiesta

  • 10,000 miles
Car was purchased brand new in 2010 and within a year car began having issues with acceleration, deceleration, bucking, jerking, gear changes and just erratic shifting. Car will not accelerate to merge with traffic on the highway and will stall when stopping. We began complaining to the dealership (metro Ford schenectady NY) within a year after purchase and have complained multiple times and just get shrugged off and told that it's normal for the dual clutch. Last month 09/16 the tcm fully went and was replaced and when I went to pick it up it was bucking and shuttering and revving up to 2500 RPM without me even being on the gas pedal at all and they insist this is normal due to the reflash and will even out after driving for a while which is insane to me that I should have to drive a jerking and shuddering erratically shifting vehicle on the highway to work praying my car doesn't cause an accident. This ongoing issue for 6 years now has drained me and deterred me from ever wanting to own another Ford ever again.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #208

Sep 142016

Fiesta

  • 1 miles
Our 2011 Ford Fiesta started experiencing problems while driving. It was not shifting properly and running really jagged at times. Also the check engine/transmission light came on. On Wednesday September 14, 2016 I took in the car to our local Ford dealer colley Ford in glendora, ca. They told me it was probably the transmission control module that had to be programmed. I called the next day and they told me it needed a new transmission control module and they would have to order one. We went in on Sept 26, 2016 and they said they had not received the part yet. Its been almost two weeks and we have not had the car because Ford hasn't delivered the part to the dealership.

- Glendora, CA, USA

problem #207

Aug 112015

Fiesta

  • 93,766 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving approximately 45 mph, the rpms accelerated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tranmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,766.

- Porter, ME, USA

problem #206

Jul 202016

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • miles
To whom it may concern, my name is [xxx] and I am writing this complaint about a 2011 Ford Fiesta SE I purchased at a private dealer on July 1, 2016. The car started running very strange after a week I experience very ruff rides. So I called Ford company in mcdonough ga. The person I talked to said that it was on recall and for me to bring it in, I did. They kept it over night to update the transmission and other problems causing me to pay for a rental which I felt should have been paid by the dealer or Ford Motor Company. I did ask the dealer if they knew the car was on recall and they said no! I ask question after question, the owner even drove the car himself and said that - Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #205

Aug 242016

Fiesta

  • 104,000 miles
My car had the transmission control module reprogrammed on 06/06/16 and is having the same issue as we speak 8/24/16. The car jerks, doesn't accelerate properly and is doing what it wants, very unsafe as it doesn't want to shift and jolts when it does. It's almost like its stuck in gear. This car has been nothing but problems and I'm irritated that this was repaired 2 months ago and the problem clearly isn't fixed. I'm pregnant and am very dissapointed that Ford can allow a problem like this to continue without proper resolution and safety for its customers.

- Johnstown, NY, USA

problem #204

Jul 092015

Fiesta

  • 69,456 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While shifting from first to second gear, there was a loud clicking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. While stopped at a red light, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was functioning properly. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 69,456.

- Scotts Valley, CA, USA

problem #203

Jul 312016

Fiesta

  • 60,000 miles

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

Unable to get car out of park, when I did, coming out of a parking lot, it stalled in middle of a busy street, had no power, transmission, stability and check engine light came on, after pushing on the gas peddle a few times, it finally, had enough power to drive it home.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #202

Jun 272016

Fiesta

  • miles
Vehicle has been one of many thousands to experience severe transmission issues, which have now become serious safety concerns due to Ford's inability to provide a solution. This 2011 Fiesta with automatic transmission was purchased new and had the sluggish feeling early on. Dealer said it was a "smart engine" and would have to learn driver's driving habits. The problem persisted and got considerably worse around 9K miles....took it in, failed transmissions test...new clutch put it. Thought it was fine until it started doing the same thing...failed test...no parts available- had to wait on parts. This is about the 5th or 6th time going through this process, except that now the problem is the most severe it's ever been (even with the a new clutch put in last week and being told it was "fixed'). car won't start at times, then when it does, it drives very sluggish - or won't come out of low gear (revs very high)....of if you get it into higher gear, it will suddenly slip out of it back down to low - very high rpms and very loud. It is hard to accelarate and know that it's going to go - this is especially troubling at an intersection making a left turn, on the highway with higher speed traffic etc. Many others have experienced this same problem very severely. Class action suit in ca now-- and one just started in australia. Same problems. Ford has continued to sell these cars for years, knowing that this problem is there- their only solution being to wait for parts and then get it "repaired" - except it is being repaired with parts that are no better and seem to be far worse than early on. It is scary to drive and feel safe - yet one has to get to work, etc. Ford is digging their heels in and still offering no remedy, knowing about these very unsafe situations that drivers are being put in. Please scan the internet regarding the many people who have had serious problems.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #201

Jun 122016

Fiesta

  • 40,000 miles
I have been dealing with transmission issues since I bought the vehicle. The first time it happened I was doing 50 mph and it shifted out of gear. This was quite disturbing. I took it in to Ford and they told me it just needed the program updated. Then during the winter it wouldn't go into gear at all, not forward, reverse or anything. Once again I took it in and they said it was the programming. They programed it again. So back in Feb it happened again, and I did then receive a letter stating there was some issues, so I was given a 100,000 mile warranty on fixing the issue. Well I told them to replace the tcm, but once again they love to reprogram. So my oldest son is in need of a vehicle and he was driving it up in madison Wisconsin on the most crazy freeway and it decided to lose the power doing more than 50 mph. My son was so stressed and was almost hit by a semi. I have had it with the reprogramming. I have emails and calls put into Ford and I am not asking for anything but a fix or to trade in and start over. They don't want to do anything for us at all. I guess they want someone to die first before they fix anything.

- Elkhorn, WI, USA

problem #200

Jun 052016

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate in reverse. The vehicle was shifted into drive, but there was still no acceleration. The vehicle accelerated afterwards to approximately 30 mph and grinding noises were present. The vehicle felt as if it were struggling to engage into gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 08/16/16 the consumer stated she decelerated, the vehicle lurched and bucked as if it were about to stall. The consumer stated a computer was replaced. Updated 08/30/016.

- Lincoln University, PA, USA

problem #199

May 232016

Fiesta

  • 65,000 miles
Driving vehicle on expressway and vehicle just cut off. Been complaining to Ford since I purchased vehicle about 2 years now, took it in for repairs several time. Was told that the problem is corrected but it keeps doing the same thing. It will roll back when I stop at a light or stop sign. This is dangerous. This time I was lucky nothing serious happened. Next time I might not be.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #198

Oct 012015

Fiesta

  • 45,000 miles
Took my car in for a recall on the trans/clutch (my car is automatic). Less than 3 months later the trans was grinding hard, slipping and stalling while driving. I took it back in. Its been about 3 months and my trans is starting to act up again. Ford says there is nothing they can do about it because its acting like they knew it was going to. That Ford sold a bad trans and its the "characteristics" of the trans.

- Sandwich, IL, USA

problem #197

Apr 302016

Fiesta

  • 80,900 miles
Hesitation, jerking and clutch grinding noises. Went to make a left hand turn and my car hesitated on acceleration causing a near fatal accident from an on coming car. Luckily the oncoming car was able to slow down enough to avoid hitting my passenger side where my daughter was sitting. I have been experiencing hesitation, severe jerking and grinding of the clutch the entire weekend.

- Trenton, MI, USA

problem #196

Apr 282016

Fiesta

  • 55,000 miles
Vehichle has been returned to a Ford dealer numerous times for transmission issues. Has had all updates completed as required by the dealer, yet continue to have transmission issues. The vehicle shudders and hesitates while attempting to shift gears (it is an automatic transmission). This occurs at low speeds as well as higher speeds. Feel it may be a risk for causing an accident. The dealer says there is nothing more they can do.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

problem #195

Apr 222012

Fiesta

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While putting out of a parking space, the vehicle jerked and lost power. The contact had to wait until the traffic died down to pull out of the space. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be reset and the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #194

Apr 212016

Fiesta

  • miles
From a stand still up until speed, every gear shift is meet with a shudder and feels like it slips while the transmission chages gear. Just recently the car started to jerk and stutter and I barely made it home. The rpms rise and dip and is undriveable. It has been brought in for transmission module reprogramming and inspection of transmission fluids. I thought in the past that the shaking and stuttering was normal, according to Ford that is normal. It's not that when my car started jerking and sputtering that I realize something is very wrong.Ford did give me an extended warranty for up to 70K miles. Also, I notice that when the surface is wet and I break gradually on a wet surface ie, painted street dividers, painted street signs or oil, ABS will break the vehicle, the vehicle will lock up causing it to slide and then when I get on the gas pedal the car will be unresponsive to my gas pedal input. Basically, I wouldn't be able to get out of hands way because the cars power to move for 2-3seconds is non existent.

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

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