Clutch Bell Housing Problems of Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta owners have reported 3 problems related to clutch bell housing (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 Clutch Bell Housing problem of the 2012 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 02/07/2020

I have an automatic 2012 Ford Fiesta, a model that is infamous for its transmission issues. I had the clutch and seal kits replaced at approx 72k miles on 10/5/2017 under technical service bulletin 14m01; immediately after this repair, the vehicle had to go back into the shop for a high idle and continued shuddering. Since then, I have continued to have problems with the vehicle studdering on takeoff, hesitating and then jumping when accelerating, and ultimately with the transmission slipping from drive to neutral. In mid-July 2019, while leaving my suburban neighborhood and making a left turn onto the main road at approximately 20mph, my vehicle slipped from drive into neutral and I lost all power and was unable to brake effectively or speed the vehicle up effectively. Thankfully this happened early in the morning with no cross traffic and I was able to pull into a parking lot safely. The same incident happened again 7 months later in late-January 2020. I took the vehicle back to the Ford for an inspection on 2/7/2020 (which they charged me for). They stated that there was transmission fluid between the bell housing and the clutch assembly, seals, and shift forks needed to be replaced again, approximately 7k miles after the first replacement, but that I was out of warranty and the replacement would be about $2,500 out of pocket. They reprogrammed the transmission control module under 14m02 but stated that it probably would not fix the problem. Ford knows that these transmissions are an issue. There is no reason why a transmission should fail 16k miles after being replaced. I would like Ford to either buy my vehicle back or perform another clutch replacement at their expense.

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2 Clutch Bell Housing problem of the 2011 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 01/28/2017

Transmission emits grinding noise at speeds around 30mph-40mph. Looked under the car and the transmission fluid is leaking into the bell housing.

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3 Clutch Bell Housing problem of the 2013 Ford Fiesta

Failure Date: 10/09/2013

On 10-9-13 only after a year owning the car I started having serious issues with the transmission so I took it in to Ford to have it looked at. The car shifting became very harsh and there is considerable jerking, clinking and vibration. Ford at the time performed a reprogramming but this did not solved the issue. I took the card back to Ford on 11-7-13 to complain again because the noise and clunking had become worse to the point I was not feeling safe driving the car. Ford reprogrammed once again and ordered the parts needed to rebuild the transmission clutch. On 12-10-13 loud banging noise had become extreme and Ford took the car in and performed extensive work on the transmission replacing the clutch assembly and seals. According to the invoice there was a leak at the bell housing (input seals leaked) allowing the clutch to be oil soaked. On 9-11-14 I took the car in because the transmission had failed again displaying the same issues. Ford agreed to repair and ordered the parts needed however I was told it might take over a month. After waiting nearly two months I was forced to take the car in again on 11-7-14 because the noise and clunking is excessive to the point I do not feel safe. This was only augmented with the fact last month the rear diver side latch broke and yesterday the other latch broke. Ford service manager agreed completely the Fiestas and focus are not safe and they have a backlog of transmissions to repair. He offered me to complain to Ford and gave me the phone number. He suggested I called and file a complaint and attempt to return the car. I am extremely dissatisfied and will pursue resolution by having Ford take the car back. I cannot expose my family and my own safety because Ford would not come forward and recall all these defects at once.

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Fuel Economy of Fiesta Vehicles
Fiesta Service Bulletins
Fiesta Safety Recalls
Fiesta Defect Investigations