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2011 Ford Fiesta transmission problems

366 complaints (50% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 56,400. 10 crashes reported.

owner complaints
366
of this car's complaints
50%
typical mileage
56,400
crashes
10
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    23
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    4
  • Clutch assembly
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Fiesta transmission problems in other years

2002201120122013201420152016201720182019

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Ford Fiesta transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 86Shudder 71Hesitation 42Transmission failure 42Won't shift 32Slipping 21Harsh shifting 16Whining noise 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2011 Ford Fiesta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Transmission · 106,902 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road on several occasions. The vehicle was able to restart after 10 minutes; however, the failure recurred upon resuming driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15B22 (Transmission Control Module Reprogramming for Overt TCM Failure Warning). The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 15B22. The contact stated that upon towing the vehicle to the dealer, the dealer refused to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 106,902.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 30 MPH, the transmission shifted independently to neutral(N). The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact shifted to drive(D) and drove to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 144,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was not duplicated. Additionally, the contact received notification of Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02; however, the dealer informed the contact that there was no indication of transmission failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair could not be covered under an unknown special program or recall. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the safety failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle stalled while driving. The contact waited for a short while and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact was able to move over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while attempting to reverse out of a parking space, the vehicle failed to function while in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission PTU had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that recently while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for a while and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the driveway, the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse(R) and failed to move while in drive(D). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle warranty had expired in March 2025. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Transmission · 196,489 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated or jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the shift motor was defective. The contact was informed that the part was covered under warranty and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the check engine warning light returned while leaving the dealer parking lot. The contact continued driving the vehicle and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode while driving to the residence. The vehicle was returned to the dealer the next day and the contact was informed that the transmission control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair; the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 196,489.

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 82,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond and sputtered. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle the following day, the vehicle failed to start and was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic related the failure to the transmission. The contact was referred to the dealer for an unknown recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for the TCM to be replaced under Ford Campaign Number: 14M02. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the TCM was replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that the TCM could not be programmed to the transmission clutch. The dealer determined that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Transmission overheating stopped car

Filed Mar 3, 2024 · Transmission · TX

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.

Filed Dec 26, 2023 · Transmission · 155,567 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle was slow to start. The vehicle started after several attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse or shift into park after the TCM was replaced. While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 155,567.

Filed Dec 15, 2023 · Transmission · MI

The car lurches, and hops during acceleration. I came to a stop one morning, and it would NOT move at first. I just bought this car a week ago. I had a test done and the solenoids in the transmission are stuck on.

Questions about the 2011 Ford Fiesta transmission

Does the 2011 Ford Fiesta have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 366 complaints about the transmission of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 50% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fiesta transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 56,400 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Ford Fiesta transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Fiesta have bad transmission?

The Ford Fiesta model years with the most transmission complaints are 2013 (391 complaints), 2011 (366 complaints) and 2012 (274 complaints).

Other 2011 Ford Fiesta problems

Body 125Engine 118Electrical 96Acceleration 57Locks 41Fuel system 26Steering 26Airbags 23Driver assistance 23Brakes 17Lights 12Seat belts 9Seats 9Suspension 9Visibility 7Wheels 3Tires 1

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