Automatic Transmission Control Module problems of the 2014 Ford Fiesta

I’m reporting a failure with the transmission control module (tcm) in my 2014 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle has exhibited consistent issues tied to the known powershift dps6 transmission defect: including gear slipping, delayed acceleration, hesitation, and sudden loss of power while driving—particularly dangerous during intersections or merging situations. Ford previously issued customer satisfaction program 14m02 to address this issue, but I was told my VIN is no longer eligible due to build date. I also requested coverage under Ford’s one-time tcm replacement extension announced in 2023, which was meant to support customers outside the 10-year window through June 30, 2025—but I was denied this assistance as well. I’ve opened a formal case with Ford customer relationship center under reference number cxh05170436-n7z6z1, after being denied support for a documented transmission control module failure. These symptoms present a clear safety risk, and the refusal to support a documented transmission failure—even under goodwill— I hope this will be reconsidered for safety investigation.

The vehicle has experienced ongoing failures with the dps6 powershift transmission system. Symptoms included slipping between gears, failure to engage 6th gear, jerky shifting, and bucking during acceleration. A transmission warning light appeared multiple times. These issues occurred daily and worsened over time. Eventually, the vehicle became unsafe to drive—it would over-rev, buck violently, and lose power during traffic conditions. A retired Ford senior master technician confirmed the issue is consistent with a faulty transmission control module (tcm), which is covered under Ford’s customer satisfaction program (csp) 14m02. Despite this, the dealership refused to replace the tcm. Instead, they replaced a speed sensor and returned it to me. The vehicle broke down again within minutes and had to be returned. The dealership has now suggested dropping the transmission for further inspection at a cost of $2,500, rather than honoring csp 14m02. They also encouraged me to trade in the vehicle instead of repairing it. The tcm failure has not been resolved, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rpm increased quickly to over 7,000 rpm; however, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module (tcm), resulting in damages to the clutch. The contact was informed that the transmission and clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 59,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact received notification of customer satisfaction programs: 14m02 (transmission control module extended warranty coverage) and 19n08 (transmission clutch shudder - transmission clutch warranty extension). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and parked the vehicle. The failure nearly caused a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the tcm and clutch needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed that only customer satisfaction program: 14m02 (transmission control module extended warranty coverage) was covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that customer satisfaction program: 19n08 (transmission clutch shudder - transmission clutch warranty extension) had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

At the time of this complaint, the Ford Fiesta that's the subject of this complaint has received 1 whole new transmission and 1 tcm replacement within 2. 5 years. The first two times there were warning lights, but now no warnings are showing. To put this issue into perspective, I have only owned this car for 2. 5 years, and it was purchased from a dealership used (however the dealership never mentioned the rampant transmission issues or informed me of the recent lawsuits about the Ford Fiesta). The replacement of the tcm was completed on September 16, 2021. This repair took a month to complete. Now, after being repaired for a mere 2 months, the car is exhibiting the exact same behaviors as both previous occurrences. Both previous repairs were completed by professionals, and should have fixed the issue. However, the transmission issues continue to reoccur. At this point, the car has become a major safety concern. The transmission issues are becoming extremely frequent after the "repairs" and "replacements", and are sudden in occurrence while driving. There is no warning the gear will slip into what seems to be "neutral", or that it will fail to accelerate. Additionally, the car will randomly fail to respond to gas pedal presses, especially at intersections or on hills. I fear that this car is dangerous to drive, as the issues are so sudden in nature. I have tried to settle the issue with Ford directly, but they have ignored me every step of the way. At one point, they said they would try to start a buy-back process, but then refused to return my follow-up calls.

Major problems in my 2014 Ford Fiesta with the dps6 dual clutch transmission. At times you cannot get it to shift out of first gear. Very dangerous when you cannot get you car to go above 20 mph because it is stuck in first. Tach is hitting 7000 rpm's because you can't get it to shift. You have to keep slowing and accelerating until it finally shifts. Then the other major problem is when you shift to park it really is not in park. A warning light comes on the dash and warns the car is not in park even though I have parked and taken the key out. If I am on a slope the car will start rolling. You have to set the parking brake because there is no reliable way to get it to go into park. I have this is a know issue with these transmissions. Thousands of people have ongoing problems similar to mine. I have already taken the car to Ford once where they replaced the transmission control module. Within 2 months the same things were happening again.

Transmission control module not working right, our vehicle wont shift right, trying to merger with trafic creates dangerous situations because vehicle refuses to speed up. Getting on the freeway but unable to accelerate creates huge traffic jam, and people behind you are going 60+ but your car wont go pass 30. People will get hurt if Ford wont fix this issue, now going to dealer they want $1800 to temporary fix the problem, because after part is replaced it last about a year and then goes back again. Dealer also refuses to fix vehicle if it has branded title, but how in the hell branded title has anything to do with faulty module that was not designed properly. The designer of the module should go to jail for endangering our life's. Main problem is, when vehicle is a the stop, when trying to go it would shake and stutter, before going. Or when entering freeway, if accelerating car will stutter and will not try to increase speed but its rpm's will sky rocket.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. While driving 80 mph, the vehicle stalled and the immobilizer malfunction warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to stivers Ford Lincoln (4000 eastern blvd, montgomery, al 36116) where it was diagnosed that the pcm /high speed module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and did not assist. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 30,000.

Tcm circuit failure. Faulty transmission the software has been updated on this vehicle twice and I am still as of November 20, 2018 , having dificulty with the shift transmission.

I was driving in the highway and the lights on my car started flickering and then the hill start assist came on. My car will not shift properly and states transmission malfunction. The tcm was installed less than 1 year ago on a recall notice. I'm afraid to drive my car now because I'm not sure what's going to happen next. What's the warranty on this part?.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at vehicle speeds, the transmission would shutter upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the dealer failed to diagnose the failure. As the failure worsened, the vehicle would not accelerate above 20 mph and would not operate while in reverse(r). The contact also stated the transmission warning light had appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and this time the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective tcm(transmission control module). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Car stalled in middle of an intersection. The lights and all warning buzzers started to flash then the car locked up and I was stuck in the car and couldn't get out. The tow truck driver had to jimmy stick the door to get me out, the dealer found that the tcm transmission module was at fault, and was replaced, the car was extremely unreliable after this repair. Ford refuses to repair the vehicle even though the car is under full factory warranty. They are refusing to acknowledge a serious issue exists. I keep bringing the car to dealerships and Ford won't authorize needed repairs. I could have been killed in this last issue.

Vehicle stationary in driveway. Completely dead, no lights, power, nothing. Vehicle has been to dealer 5 times for same issue. First time had only 1,364 miles. Dealer has no fix. Recharges battery and returns to me. Case opened with Ford, they will not buy back vehicle. Resolution from Ford each time: bring back to dealer every time it happens for battery recharge. Tcm module replaced. Did not fix problem.

The car shutters in between gears when accelerating. It has been "fixed" by the recall 4 times but continues to have this problem. Ford says I teach my car bad habits by slowly accelerating. How do they expect me to drive in rush hour traffic? I'm worried I'm going to hit someone. They refuse to write me a slip for getting my tcm updated. I attached a picture of the only documentation they give me.

The car started not accelerating when gas was pushed, delayed then caught and jerked like transmission was bad, also the gas milage got worse after owning a little over a year. Almost hit by semi-truck getting on the interstate because car wouldn't accelerate! in town, at lights, would jerk when at a stop or at take off, almost causing people behind or front of me to hit me. Took it to one local dealer, said they adjusted the (tcm) transmission control module and in about 1000 miles it would be corrected and we should see better gas milage and no jerking or issues with acceleration. . Didn't happen, took to a different Ford dealer near us, they said no parts to fix it. One month later called them back about part, and they said "no known fix from Ford at this time". They said we could just leave the car with them if we didn't feel safe driving it, they would add it to 3 other ones out back!!!. Took the car back to our original dealer bought it from and they offered no apology and said we could trade it on another one of their cars. . No thanks. Highly disappointed in Ford. . . Thought they were much better company. Safety apparently not an issue with them. . I called Ford corporate and opened a case number on the issue, only to have my case closed within one day because they deemed the car "within working parameters" after saying they discussed it with the dealers we took it to for repair. When I asked what that meant, they said couldn't tell me because it was Ford confidential information!. Now no one at Ford corp. Will return my calls, or the dealer I took the car back too. Lost all contact with Ford at this point. Seeking a lawyer to see options on how to salvage some issue that will hit my credit rating, since I basically won't be making payments on it anymore and gave it back to the dealer. Shame on Ford!!!!!! selling cars they know have an issue. . . .

2014 Ford Fiesta 1. 6l with " power shift " dual clutch 6 speed transmission purchased this vehicle in April 2016, used with 36,675 miles Ford factory certified ( cp0 ), within 1200 miles the transmission would slip and shudder up hills, dealer preformed an adaptive relearn on the tcm, corrected the problem for a short period of time. Shudder and grinding noise in reverse, then as well as in forward gears happened approximately 3 months and 10,00 miles after purchase of the car. Took car back into dealer and dealer stated the clutches failed the required test to determine replacement of the clutches again. ( clutches were replaced at 28k miles with previous owner). Dealer stated they would order the clutches and notify when they are available for replacement. This was August 11th 2016 the car had 47,268 miles at time of service. The dealer never issued a rental car even with a problem affecting the transmission was determined. The incident that happen today August 21st 2016 that warranted this complaint is as follows. While stoped at a stop sign on a residential roadway shortly after starting car, my car failed to say stoped and lunged into the roadway and broadsided a car and then even with the brakes fully decompressed the car lurched forward again striking the car again after trying to turn away from the car to prevent the impact. Impact was minor as the transmission was causing the movement and my brakes were fully decompressed. The class action lawsuit addressed the involuntary engagement of the transmission causing the issues of lurching forward without user input. There is no open recalls on this vehicle. To date nothing that Ford has done has corrected the problem permanently and this has caused an excessive depreciation of value in this vehicle. I personally do not feel safe operating this car.

Transmission control module has been a recall on my car since 3 months after my purchase. Everytime I take the car in to be serviced they all say the same thing "nothing is wrong" but I have my cars vehicle health reports the past years and they all say the recall is an error my car has left me on the side of the road having to be towed, also had them suggest buying a new battery after a year is ridiculous, also the fan motor on the car has been replaced 2 times and the vehicle still overheats today as we speak. I bought this car brand new and it has been a awful worry everyday driving will it overheat or is the transmission going to go today? I believe this car has been a lemon from the day I bought it. Ford has also accepted their part in the transmission by offering to extend the warranty from 36000 to 150000. They know this is a problem. Ford is having me take my car to dealers all over trying to get them to fix the transmission all of the dealers say the same thing nothing is wrong. I would like the peace of mind I deserve from my new car purchase I pay my payment every month why cant I have that peace of mind? I have to leave work everytime they want me to take the car elsewhere and I bought this car for peace of mind. Why is it no one wants to do anything about it. A lemon is a lemon and another vehicle should be offered or something this is not right. 2 years of this constant battle over what is wrong with the car, why have the vehicle health report option if you want me to ignore what it is telling me> I don't get it.

I got a notice in the mail about the tcm. Had the clutch module replaced when I bought the car new. Still shutters when going from 1st to 2nd. Almost costed me an accident when pulling out of my driveway because it didnt want to engage. After this car is paid off. . . I will never buy an american car again. Btw. Ford tells me there is nothing they can do until the tcm fails completely.

I purchased a 2014 Fiesta with 17k miles in January 2016. So far it has been in the shop longer than I have owned it. 2 weeks for them to reprogram the tcm, replace a faulty seatbelt, and replace blown speakers. No loaner. Now the clutches have failed. They put me in a loaner to diagnose the problem and now want me to return the loaner and drive my car with no clutch while they wait for parts. I have refused to return the loaner until my car is fixed. I've escalted it all the way up to corporate and no one will help me or get back to me. Every car payment I have made has been when I do not have the car to drive. I'm getting really frustrated. 20 days in service now. This car is not safe to drive with a broken clutch. It accelerates erratically and will not go uphill without shaking violently. It is dangerous to myself and others but Ford is too cheap to pay for a loaner and my safety is of no concern to them.

Vehicle shudders at shift points, sometimes violently. Problem is intermittent, and usually only when the vehicle is warmed up. Sometimes takes several seconds to actually shift into a gear. Usually occurs at 10-15 mph, and/or 20 - 25 mph. I have taken the vehicle in three times to have this checked; first time they were unable to detect anything wrong. Second time they said it was a warranty issue and reset the tcm; but it only got worse from there. Last time I took it in, they said it was within range but I don't think it was sufficiently warmed up for them to have properly tested it. Still shimmies and rumbles at shift points once it's warmed. Date of most recent service at the Ford dealer is entered below.

Tl-the contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle was repaired under an extended manufacturers warranty where the transmission control module was reprogrammed and the clutch was replaced, however, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started and attempted to accelerate, the vehicle would not accelerate past 10 mph after the engine management service now warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Sw.

Vehicle shudders violently on acceleration. Multiple reprogramming of pcm/ tcm.

This car is very dangerous to own and drive. The tcm transmission control module . Is always failing. It has went out many time and I have almost died several times over. It has destroyed the clutches many times as well. Went to cross a road get half way through and loss power and not go any where ,stalls out in traffic and no starts need to merge with traffic on highway it will let go as you merge then you get ran over again this car has nearly killed us many times over. It has been repaired many times for the same reason . This has occurred many times intown traffic and highway traffic and setting still . I bought this car brand new and it was only five months into owning it it went to hell.

I've brought the vehicle to Ford dealership service departments several times now for the same transmission shuddering and slipping issue. When taking delivery of the vehicle, and on every subsequent visit to a service department, I was warned that the powershift 6-speed automated manual transmission requires a "break-in" period of several thousand miles and that I may notice harsh shifting or noises. In reality, the transmission hasn't ever functioned correctly, and on each dealership trip, a lets-try-the-next-step approach is taken. First a engine malfunction indicator lamp was cleared for a known firmware bug in the transmission control module (tcm), for a problem whose fix was not yet released by Ford. Next, the tcm was updated. Driveability improved for a while but then degraded again, getting worse day by day. Next, the tcm couldn't be updated (it was already up to date) so a new clutch assembly was ordered. Finally, the clutch assembly was replaced, but not the transmission intake seals because they were brown (latest spec?). It has only been a few days since the most recent repair (clutch replacement) but the dealership advised that the new clutches will eventually fail in exactly the same way as Ford has not yet corrected the underlying issue. When the vehicle shudders during acceleration, there is an increased risk of an accident from oncoming cars (while making a left turn) or from cars behind me.