Automatic Transmission Problems of Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta owners have reported 23 problems related to automatic transmission (under the power train category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Ford Fiesta based on all problems reported for the Fiesta.

1 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 07/16/2025

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 30 mph the transmission slipped into neutral and the vehicle would no longer accelerate, the contact proceeded to pull over and restart the vehicle upon restart the vehicle was able to placed into drive and the contact drove the vehicle to their residence and from their it was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the transmission control module was faulty and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

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2 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 05/22/2025

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, however the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the contact received notification of customer satisfaction program 14m02, however the contact was informed that there was no indication of transmission failure. The failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown special program or unknown recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

3 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2013 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 05/28/2024

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at 30 mph, the transmission had blown out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to costs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,800.

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4 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2016 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 03/04/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission, requiring a replacement transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

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5 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 07/13/2023

See attached document from complainant.

6 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2013 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 07/05/2023

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while shifting into reverse the vehicle would not shift and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer that stated that the transmission control module needed to be replaced and stated that the vehicle was not under recall, but the contact stated that a recall notice was received from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 78,175.

7 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2015 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 02/07/2023

2015 Ford Fiesta. Consumer writes in regard to defective transmission.

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8 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2012 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 11/17/2022

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact while driving 15 mph while shifting gearing the vehicle would not shift. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic replaced the clutch, but the failure continued. The vehicle was not diagnoses. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not under any recall and advised to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 108,000 the VIN was not available.

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9 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2013 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 08/29/2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the rpm increased with the engine revving; however, the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the vehicle also failed to reverse as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle also failed to exceed 10 mph while driving. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

10 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 07/14/2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the transmission failed to operate as designed. The contact also stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the transmission control module and another unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

11 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 07/04/2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while shafting the vehicle into reverse the vehicle would not shaft and the check engine and unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and they stated that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 111,000.

12 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 06/14/2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer for unknown transmission repairs on two separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made rattling sounds and hesitated during acceleration. Additionally, the gear shifter would not shift into the selected gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

13 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 04/28/2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated when the vehicle was taken for another recall repair two months ago, she was informed of a transmission recall for her vehicle from the manufacturer; however, there was no failure experienced. The contact also stated that recently the reverse gear functionality was inoperable and the oxygen sensor light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

14 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2014 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 04/16/2022

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph the vehicle began to vibrate and when the contact depressed the accelerator the vehicle did not move forward faster. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle and restarted and felt the shudder again. The contact was eventually able to drive the vehicle and the failure did not occur again. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and it was diagnosed that the transmission had a "flutter" and determined that numerous transmission parts had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

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15 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2016 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 02/28/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to drive, the transmission failed to shift properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

16 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2016 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 10/27/2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle's transmission would suddenly slip while driving at various speeds. The contact would have to release some pressure on the acceleration pedal till the transmission realigns itself. The failure could occur several times in one day. The failure's occurrence had become more frequent. The vehicle's locking system for the hood had began to illuminate as open and or it had been tampered with, however, this had self- corrected since then. There had been several other electrical on and off failures, however, the transmission slipping had been the most present and frequently increasing of all they had experienced. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who confirmed the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact confirmed their VIN was not included. The contact called the manufacturer who had opened a case regarding the matter. The contract was instructed to report their issue with NHTSA and to have the dealer diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been officially been diagnosed by the dealer. The contact contacted the dealer who confirmed the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

17 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 12/03/2012

2011 Ford Fiesta. Consumer writes in request to initiate safety recall for "bucking and jerking" problem while driving. The consumer stated the bucking and jerking when slowing down and coming to a stop. At the last moment the transmission would drop into the lowest gear while the engine was still reducing its rpm. The engine is the pulling against the braking action when the rpm's bump up to 16-18 rpm. The consumer was informed by the dealer, that they were aware of the situation, but they couldn't do anything about it. They also stated it may require reprogramming a control module, which they couldn't do, unless Ford initiated it.

18 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 06/15/2011

2011 Ford Fiesta has a "blubbering" transmission, most notably when accelerating slowly. Beyond this, my vehicle has now stopped accelerating and slowed to a complete stop at least 8 times in less than on month. After the very first incident, I was able to turn my car back on, but had the same problem happen again within 5 minutes. The second time, the car did not turn back on. I was towed to the nearest Ford dealership where they found no problem, reset the computer, and sent me on my way. The next morning, the vehicle stopped again on the freeway on the way to work. I went to a different Ford dealer that did a more thorough inspection. They replaced a fuse, explaining that it might be a power issue. My vehicle was fine for another week, but then stopped 4 times in a 24 hour period. I took my vehicle in to the dealership for the third time this month. They contacted Ford engineers who helped the mechanics determine that it was a transmission problem. I am currently waiting on parts to be delivered to the dealership so that my vehicle may be repaired.

19 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 04/23/2011

Horrible horrible horrible!!! I have taken my 2011 Ford Fiesta in at least 6 times to fix the transmission which is completely shot and every time I get it back they state that "they all do that", or "its perfectly fine. " that is complete rubbish! on the freeway my car will shift up and down randomly to the point that it sounds like the engine will explode. The car shifts really hard and I smell burning clutch every time I drive the car. The most the dealership has done is reflashed the transmission computer. (which would not accept the flash) and to make matters worse the service manager even told me to get lost and take it somewhere else because he was done wasting his time on the car.

20 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 04/09/2011

Transmission unexpectedly changing gears or selecting incorrect gear. Sudden loss of power due to transmission remaining in too high a gear for engine rpms. Lapse in gear selection causes erratic and dangerous acceleration. Dangerous gear changes cause car to both surge and stall - depending upon engine rpms not corresponding to correct transmission gear.

21 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 03/07/2011

Transmission unexpectedly changing gears or selecting incorrect gear. Sudden loss of power due to transmission remaining in too high a gear for engine rpm's. Lapse in gear selection causes erratic and dangerous acceleration. Dangerous gear changes cause car to both surge and stall - depending upon engine rpm's not corresponding to correct transmission gear.

22 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 03/01/2011

My 2011 Ford Fiesta has issues with the transmission. It shifts hard and irratically shifts at lower speeds. I have taken it back into the dealership 2 times in the first 5 months of owning it and all they did was a software update on the second visit. The first visit, they said they could not find anything wrong with it. I now have another appointment for tomorrow and I have only had this car since February. I have driven it hoping that it would just work itself out since it was new but it has gotten worse over time.

23 Automatic Transmission problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 12/13/2010

Transmission up shifts/down shifts very hard at speeds between 10-30mph. Worse when in traffic.



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