general problems of the 2011 Ford Fiesta - part 1

While driving my car with my two little nieces in the backseat, I heard a sound that made me think a wheel was coming off. As long as I was driving straight, the vehicle seemed to be okay. But when I made a turn onto the next road, something broke underneath the car and we began to spin around. It felt like the wheels were rubbing under the floor of the car and we were in the middle of the street. When I got out, I saw the rear wheels were cocked at an angle to the rest of the car. I thank god we weren't on a busy highway where we could have all been killed.

I am reporting a serious mechanical and safety issue involving my 2011 Ford Fiesta. After receiving a partially state-funded engine replacement in June 2025, my vehicle began experiencing serious transmission problems shortly after. Within a month, it went into limp mode multiple times, and warning lights appeared: the wrench light, incline warning, and “transmission malfunction – service now” messages. A diagnostic scan revealed multiple dtcs related to the transmission control module (tcm), input/output shaft speed sensors, and clutch a disengagement (p286f) — which I understand are linked to known issues with this model’s transmission. These failures make the car dangerous to drive. The vehicle has lost power unexpectedly, putting me at risk of an accident. I’ve also been told by the repair shop that I may now need a new transmission and/or tcm, despite just receiving a major engine repair. I am unable to afford another large repair and this situation has severely impacted my ability to travel safely. I am requesting an investigation into the Ford Fiesta’s transmission problems and to confirm whether this should have been covered by a recall or warranty extension. I want to also add that my transmission clutch was repaired by Ford only 2 years ago. Please advise if this falls under known manufacturer defects or safety bulletins, and whether Ford motor company can be held responsible for the faulty transmission and associated safety risks.

The car hasn’t been sold since 2021 and I was told there where no issues with the car but it was sold as is it doesn’t start needs a new modem head gaskets maybe and it’s a lot that needs repairing.

On 4 Nov 22 the engine started shifting abruptly when accelerating - automatic transmission. Vehicle would not reverse while in r on the handle. Check engine light icon appears on dash panel. Unable to go beyond low speeds on road, causing safety hazard.

On 7/5/22 my Fiesta came to a dead stop while I was driving. It was towed to our local garage and tested for a faulty transmission control module. After waiting over a year for the part haldeman Ford in kutztown , PA claims the transmission control module is not testing as faulty.

This car literally almost got me killed when it suddenly began jerking like I was hitting the brakes while driving or like suddenly downshifting into first if it was a standard which it isn’t. All the dash lights flickered and the gages went up and down right before this happened. It jerks, stalls, lurches and I have literally just parked it and don’t drive it because my children were inside the car when it began doing this on the highway and stalled causing us to almost be hit by a semi when this happened. I had it towed home out of fear of attempting to drive it. You can’t even drive it a few blocks before it begins lurching and jerking. It feels like something to do with the transmission and the traction control light is now on as well.

My 2011 Ford Fiesta shudders, has sudden or delayed acceleration,delays in downshift, difficulty stopping/braking,it hesitates when changing gears. Also has harsh engagement. I purchased from a private owner in 2021. I have contacted Ford motor company headquarters. I have taken it to my local Ford dealership,told them what it does, they would not drive it so they could see what it does and how dangerous it can be at times. All they said was "OH it's the tcm and we got them back ordered for 6 mths" but if I want to pay for and order the part and just leave my car setting at the Ford dealership until the part comes in I can do that. Then pay god only knows how much for them to put the part on. This is the only vehicle I have right now. I told them that. They said "OH we can't give ya no loaner car for that long. And the longer you drive it like that the more it's gonna tear up other parts of your car. And the Ford motor company said OH you missed the deadline for the buy back program or any compensation for your cari Ford has failed to meet the standards required by the federal motor safety commission and yhey refuse to acknowledge me or help me in any way. All the other 2011 Ford Fiesta cars with the dual shift clutch transmission were fixed or bought back or the owners were compensated. I am in the same unsafe predicament as those consumers were. I'm not asking for a brand new vehicle or thousands of dollars. I just want my car fixed and something to drive to work and to the grocery store while they fix it. Or another car of equal value to what my car is supposed to be. Thank you in advance for anything you can help me with.

When entering the drivers side of my car I went to close the door and the door was not latching. This is the second time that this has happened and when I called Ford chino hills. They proceeded to tell me they were not fixing any recalls for at least 3 weeks and that was just to get looked at, and then they said that it could take another 2 weeks to get the part. They did not offer a rental or anything and it put me out of a car because how am I supposed to drive a car when the door doesn’t close. Like I said the first time this happened I had to leave my car with them over night and once again was left with no car.

I notoice black smoke coming out from muffler and engine. The ac quite blowing cold air, and check engine light started flashing. Fire in the engine compart and where the ac lines in back fire wall on the back. Is where flames where notice.

The transmission had a recall they "fixed" it but it's still having a lot of the same problems and jumps out in traffic and affected the motor mounts. Also there's a recall on the door handles which was never fixed.

I checked recall status on Ford official website and there's nothing on Ford Fiesta 2011. It's only on your database which failures me to list my cars online. Please double check the safety recall. Number door latch repeat repair (NHTSA #20v331) an image (screenshot) from the dealership is attached. Please fix it as soon as possible because it's unfair for buyers to wait. Thank you in advance.

Becoming ill physically while driving from 'something either inside the passenger section of the car, or coming from the exhaust system? had the exhaust system checked 2x, was told by both muffler shop and dealer tech that nothing was seen wrong during their checks. Had CO blood testing done at the ed, none detected. Don't know what else is wrong-car passed obd emissions, via obd port, however- the problem seems to have started the same day of this testing. No tailpipe or under the hood parts touched. So far, debating disposal of this car, if after another check by mechanic yields no explanatory diagnosis.

1: the door latch for the hatch doesn’t always latch and will come back open. 2: when driving after stopping the car “shutters and lags” on take off.

I hit/ran over a pothole earlier this month and experienced several occurances of excessive brake travel or soft brakes immediately after when attempting to stop the car, on a city street. In August 2019, I ran over the edge of a manhole cover in a city street, that was paved in all around , except for this edge corner that was lower than the rest of the paving. That instance began the 'soft brake' experiences. I took to the Ford dealer service dept. The same week, was told that the actual brakes needed replacement. I observed the same thing happening again, the next wk. Brought the car back to the service dept. . This time, it was thought by the service advisor, that the tires needed replacement. 3 new tires were purchased , I had purchased a. Week before, so I kept that one, having the mechanic place this new one on the right rear wheel. I thought that after bringing my car in 2x for the same problem that the soft brake condition was resolved. All was good, from Aug 2019 until I ran over the pothole early Dec 2019, with the repeat soft brake incident. Expenses for the brake service was $400. 00 (although the pads needed replacement. I just had brake service less than 2 yrs. Before, only having driven 3000 or a bit over miles during this time. The tires, though replaced, were beneficial, but did not stop the concerning issue. Today I am at the dealer svce dept again. I was here last Monday, 12-23-19, for diagnosis for the 3rd time of the soft brake situation early this month, then I was told that the hydraulic control unit needed replacement. Specifically, the selenoid valve block hcu connected with abs. Total cost this visit $1345. 00 I am attaching copies of repair invoices, pictures taken on my cellphone of the locations of the manhole cover and pothole in the streets that I ran over/ struck. Part no of the hydraulic control unit :be 8z2c405b2.

My Ford Fiesta 2011 has been shuddering bad and just early this morning while mid drive beeped and said engine malfunction service needed now and goes slow and engine sounds rough and weird. I was able to turn it off and back on and it worked then did it again on a very busy road we have had tons of work on this car from Ford who claim to have fixed the problem but hasnt. . . . It has done this with my children in car on a stretch of road with barley any pull over space. . . . I am still paying on this thing and I think thats very unfair.

I purchased this car as a private sale for $4,000 dollars, I had the car less than a year and suddenly the car stopped on the highway. Come to find out the transmission is no good. Doing some prior research before there was a recall on the 2011 Ford focus and Fiestas about the transmission being no good. Prior before the car stopped working all together I was dealing with a lot of hesitation the car shutting off in slow down traffic and bucking. I also did car fax and found out that there was indeed a recall for the transmission. Also finding out recently that the latches for the door was recalled and as well as the air bags that hasn't been fixed.

Takata recall, my car keeps jerking and stuttering to go I've had this car for about four about 4 years , I've took it to the shop about 5 times the workers told me there wasn't anything the could do after I kept taking it because the dual clutch would keep messing up yesterday while driving on the high way my car stayed at 30 mph it then started smoking so I had to pull over I then stopped my car and then my car would not start up until this day now I am stuck with a car note with no car.

Dual-clutch transmission - car has been repaired 5 times for 2 different transmission failures. The transmission problems do not currently trigger computer diagnostics for repairs; which may imply that the last repair was designed better to mask the triggering of the computer diagnostics. The problem remains that the car has a delay in acceleration with the gas pedal fully depressed and then once engaged, jumps forward. The delay at traffic lights, stop signs and highway ramps puts the car in danger of being rear ended or t-boned once the car wanders into the intersection without acceleration power. The abrupt engagement of acceleration puts the car at risk of losing control. Additional problems in the past have included the car revving at a high rpm as if the car could not shift to the next gear. Please note the date below was the latest date, but the car has had the problem since purchase; therefore the miles on the next page reflect the first incident, and the date reflects the last date I drove the car.

The car spontaneously started on fire while driving on an interstate highway. Smoke and small flames started under the hood on the passenger side of vehicle. Within minutes of stopping, the car went up in flames. My grand daughter was driving. . She and her passenger were not hurt luckily. We bought this car used and there was no recall from Ford although we did research after the fire and they did have problems with fires. Our insurance did an investigation but the car was burned so badly they were unable to find the origin.

The engine malfunction service light came on and the sorry bottle position sensor keeps on saying it's spelt faulty, but when I replaced the throttle body and replaced the gas pedal it was still having issues, and now I'm barely getting to and from work anymore or anywhere else, even down the street because it continues to put itself in safe mode. So I am out for a thought of body and a gas pedal, and it's still not fixed the issue.

The car is jerking when put in gear to drive.

2011 Ford Fiesta continues to have latch failures after latches have been replaced under safety recall notice 15s16/NHTSA recall 15v-246 Ford refuses to cover cost of repair of latch since their records show that it is repaired. First door latch failure in oct. 2015 took it in and they replaced all 4 door latches. Next door latch failure in June 2016. Replaced under recall. Another latch failure in February 2017. Again replaced under recall. We have had a fourth latch failure Aug 2018. Passenger side door will not latch. Fortunately no one was injure and defect was discovered when the vehicle was not in motion. Ford is refusing to cover the cost of repair. This is a known safety issue and they refuse to cover it.

For no apparent reason, the car will randomly cut off, usually when idling. The check engine light never comes on. Multiple mechanics say there are no diagnostics since the service light does not come on. We've been told it's a known problem, but no recall and Ford doesn't know what the cause is.

"engine malfunction" displayed on screen once the car is shut off and restarted this notification goes away but came back 50 miles later while driving. Contacted Ford online and they could not tell me what the issue is. Contacting dealer in the morning, just wanted to start documenting this, there are several post from Fiesta owners with this same issue and dealership nor Ford motor company have not addressed or resolved the issue.

Driver door won't close. Door latch is broken. Went to lock it after getting out and the driver door won't close.

The right rear passenger side door flew open (it was stationary) upon trying to close it and lock it. The latch was broken. It would not latch at all, and I had to ratchet strap it closed just so the car would acknowledge that the door was in fact shut. When going up hills or turning, the door tries to fly open and the inside lights and alarm will sound notifying that the door is ajar. Also, when turning the steering wheel, especially at a slow speed, there is a loud click-like sound while driving. I had taken my vehicle to the dealership earlier and told them about the noise but never got any information from them, it was blown off as if it wasn't a big deal. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle due to the fact that it could be the undercarriage or have something to do with the steering column itself.

My car has been repaired 3 times and needs another repair for the transmission once again. In the past month this car has died on me while driving first time was at a intersection luckily I was able to pull into a gas station it was towed to carmax where they took it to joe myers Ford they had it for week and some days. In which case they couldn't recreate the problem so carmax had it for almost a month and couldn't recreate it either so they had no other choice but give me back the death trap that will take my life. Since having the car back it has died on me twice I called Ford joe myers they don't offer loaner cars and I don't believe I should pay for a rental for their problem. In both cases I was driving when the tool light came on and malfunction appeared. I was just driving minding my own business when it started to slow dow and stop. When I turn the car off it's like it never happened. Please help.

I have been told that the clutches, forks and sealant need replacing totaling $3700 in work. When I go over 3 rpm the wrench symbol comes on saying transmission problem.

Lock on trunk was defective or broke and I had difficulty sometimes locking the doors from inside the car when I started the car and drove it. I replaced trunk lock at my expense because the safety recall 15s16/NHTSA recall 15v-246 only replaced the door latches. Car mileage 33636.

The transmission has caused numerous problems and ultimately crashed suddenly with warnings of dysfunction malfunction.

My car says its not in park when its is in park. I have had this car for 15 months have had nothing but issues. . . I walked out to my car to get in to leave for work and it would not start. The car states its not in park when its in park. . .

Door handle stuck in pull out position which I didn't notice. When making left turn car door flung open. No warning sensor on dashboard indicating door malfunction. Passenger was riding with seat belt on, very scary potentially fatal. I was pulling out of home development onto main road.

This car was purchased with 54,195 miles on the odometer, it now has 58,000 miles 3000 of which I've didn't put on it. I drive locally, around town, don't even drive/go out sometimes 1 or 2 days wkly; I don't know how/why the excessive mileage is displayed. Perhaps for every mile driven, several more are included in the computer? the dealer checked on their computer system, and supposedly the their systems match . Since Jan. 2016, I figured to have driven, approx. 1000 miles. I am concerned furthermore, because I purchased an extended warranty on this car, and I don't want inaccurate mileage to void the warranty's stipulation. If there are any other occurances, with other owner's of this car type, please report it and have your mechanic check it out.

Door handle came off driver side door when trying to open door. Car was parked in a restaurant parking lot. Appears to be a problem with attachment to the inside of the door. Calling dealership to have fixed.

My 2011 Ford Fiesta began giving me problems at about 28,000 miles. It is now 35,000 miles and I have been having problems accelerating out of a stop. It will jerk, rev and shudder getting up to 30 mph. I have taken care of a few recalls and I have noticed a 5 mile drop in the mpg. I take good care of my car, I have the oil changed regularly and I often take it to a mechanic to ensure it is in good working condition. This only happens when I am driving the Fiesta for a while in a city setting so I have to start and stop quite a bit. Additionally, there has been a consistent clunking noise when I turn the wheel at low speeds. Have brought it in a few times and no one has even attempted to fix it.