2011 Ford Fiesta: hesitation when accelerating

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 Jun 9, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · MI

Upon acceleration from a stop the transmission seriously shutters and stalls the vehicles engine seriously putting the occupants life and safety at risk as well as others. I also noticed that the vehicle shutters badly at speeds 3mph through 25mph bucking and stalling the engine all the way through making driving the vehicle a real danger and threat to the safety of others on the road. This is a serious and dangerous situation I’ve been placed in and by this vehicle being my only source of transportation endangers my life and safety and the safety of others on the road due to the stalling and hesitation upon entering traffic it’s deadly. Weather conditions also contribute to the life threatening dangers while traveling. Vehicle has not been inspected by a certified technician due to to my extended hours of required employment with no other source of transportation yet I am more than willing to get a free inspection by a Ford Facility. Yes there is a yellow check engine light on the dashboard that was never present up until the shuttering and stalling started 3 to 4 months ago. Please update me with any solutions you may have ASAP to address this urgent and faulty issue, this is of great importance and safety concern. It has been brought to my attention that a article dated July 18, 2019 in the Detroit Free Press states “Ford is aware of this problem yet still put the vehicle into production and sent a memo to its dealers advising them to address the issue and customers concerns and repair the Known Problem free of charge. Please reach out and instruct me with this Known Ford Problem so that we can resolve this ASAP.

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

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.

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · OK

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · CO

No matter whether from dead stop or trying to open it up on the freeway, the vehicle still hesitates. You really have to be extra careful if you are pulling out into traffic and/or an on ramp.

Filed Aug 7, 2019 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 ford fiesta. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked, hesitated, and stalled. All the instrument cluster warning indicators were illuminated on the instrument panel. Also, the "brake not pushed" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to north east ford (182 route 44 east, millerton, ny 12546, (518) 789-4477) where it was diagnosed that the dual clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact no longer owned the vehicle and sold it for parts. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Airbags · 109,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jul 14, 2019 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · KY

Found this article talking about how ford cars (including 2011 fiesta) have faulty transmissions which can cause problems like 'shuddering, slipping, bucking, jerking, hesitation while changing gears, premature internal wear, delays in downshifting and, in some cases, sudden or delayed acceleration.'

Filed Nov 29, 2018 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fiesta. The contact stated that the transmission malfunctioned. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and would not reverse. The dealer (santa monica ford lincoln, 1230 santa monica blvd, santa monica, ca 90404, (310) 451-1588) stated that the warranty for the recall had expired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the same thing as the dealer. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2018 · Transmission · 59,582 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 ford fiesta. While making turns at low speeds, the vehicle experienced hesitation and independent shifting. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to kovatch ford (423 w catawissa st, nesquehoning, pa), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact of a 'silent recall' for the transmission. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 59,582.

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · WV · crash · 1 injury

My cars transmission jerks, powers down, hesitates. I have taking it back to the dealer several times and was told there is nothing wrong, one time I had a computer update. I had a lot of close calls due to the way this car operates. April 2015 my luck ran out. Evening traffic was heavy and sitting at a red light and when it turned green the car did the hesitation and this time my daughter was in a head on collision and the car is a total loss. My daughter had a neck injury and second degree burns to her arms.