2012 Ford Fiesta: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 10, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · 12,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated to move forward or backwards. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition key had failed to operate as intended also. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Transmission · FL

I purchased a 2012 Ford Fiesta SE on 3/3/23 from Auto Nation Dealership in Florida. I started noticing the excessive jerking & hesitating when I hit the gas petal. I can't pinpoint exactly when it started but it got progressively worse. I scheduled an appt. with Mechanic for 7/26/23 after almost driving into car in front of me and concerned about getting hit from behind or even worse plowing into a pedestrian. The mechanic concluded problem with transmission- dual clutch B. After doing research I find out about ford recalls as a result of all the lawsuits and complaints on transmissions for this very vehicle. I then brought car to Ford and was told that the recall didn't apply to my specific issue and would require upwards of $4000 to fix either by replacing specific pieces within the transmission or installing a new transmission. They also classified the vehicle as "unsafe to drive" The bottom line is Ford knew the transmission was faulty when they manufactured the car. Whether it's electrical or mechanical they're splitting hairs at this point. It's a failure with their transmission period. I've read many complaints concerning the issue I'm facing, and consumers shouldn't have to dish out thousands of dollars to correct anything that involves the transmission. It's unacceptable that a car I've own for 4 months is sitting in my garage and deemed "unsafe" Any issues concerning the transmission should be included in the existing recall and Ford should take ownership and pay for any repairs.

Filed May 5, 2020 · Transmission · 88,500 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, while stopped and attempting to move off from the stopped position, the vehicle rolled backwards before the transmission engaged with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that there was a hesitation before the vehicle responded when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,500.

Filed Feb 9, 2020 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Transmission · PA

Transmission clutch shudder this car is owned by my 83 year old father. I am his poa. For a while he noticed that when he put his foot on the gas the car would hesitate. It got really bad last week. We had it towed to hoffman ford. They told us about the recall and I read many articles about it online as well as the lawsuit. The dealership diagnosed the problem as this recall however because he was at 106,000 miles it was not covered and it would cost $2500 to fix it. The car is not worth that much. If ford knew there was a problem than this should be fixed by ford at no cost no matter the mileage. He is now worried about his safety and so am I. I contacted ford corporate and they told me that he can fix it and save the receipt. If the recall changes then he could get reimbursed. This is unacceptable. Also the dealership charged me $160 to do a diagnostic and did not fix anything!

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fiesta. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shuddered, hesitated to accelerate, jerked, and vibrated. The vehicle was taken to waxahachie ford(2401 north interstate 35, waxahachie, tx). The dealer reprogrammed the power train software and the clutch was replaced, but the failures continued. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced for the same failures more than ten times. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 51,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Transmission · 17,072 miles · OH

Fiesta does not shift correctly. Shudders at stop lights and hesitates when accelerating. Pull out in traffic and car may or may not go. Have had at shop multiple times for this. Ford has provided software updates and replace clutch several times. Last oil change, I asked for software update because it still shudders and hesitates. Told out of warranty. It would cost me 150 to diagnose and repair would be my responsibility. Cant afford this. Lost work due to service repairs. Not safe to depend on.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Transmission · 133,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fiesta. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated. On one occasion, the engine rpms suddenly revved very high before the engine stalled and the shifter remained stuck in the park position. The vehicle was towed to beaman ford (1717 tennessee 46, dickson, tn) where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2019 · Acceleration, Steering · MI

My car shudders a lot when stopping especially on the highway or merging off the highway' also happens in city or suburbs if going over 40 MPH; , gear slips when stationery before hitting gas to move car, speed slows down or hesitates when hitting gas pedal, took to dealership many times and nothing ever got fixed. Ford sent a letter stating that I would get double the warranty on the transmission and I will receive a letter stating this, but will not confirm anymore. Problems occured after I purchased this fiesta in june 2012 but did not know that it was not working properly until the recall came out and I took it in for the first time. I was told that I was "too late" to get anything to fix it or have it taken back by ford because I had waited a year. I didn't even know that the car was working poorly! It was brand new and I thought this was the way it was okay to drive because the problems were not as noticable. It got much worse as time passed. I have repair invoices but I need to fine them. I want my complaint filed now so that I am not forgotten. I had a lemon lawyer contact me named trott, who told me that if I accepted a claim he would put in for me, it would be the best deal I would get in terms of attonement. He said he got $8k and took $3k for his work. I received a check for $5k. I asked mr.trott if I should get the car repair with this money. He said people are keeping the money and getting rid of their cars. I kept my car because I cannot afford to buy another one regardless of the $5k I received. I do not use my car very much now because I do not like that it shudders when I use the brakes and that it slows down when I hit the gas pedal. I will upload the documentation you ask for when I locate it.

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · 90,109 miles · IN

Car hesitates while attempting to change gears. A message comes up saying transmission malfunction and the other message says needs service now. Another problem appears as you apply the brakes it tends to speed up before coming to a stop.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · 104,556 miles · GA

Takata recall for my 2012 ford fiesta se. There is a hesitation/jumping motion when accelerating. I was told it has to do with transmission in these cars.

Filed Nov 8, 2018 · 88,000 miles · CA

The transmission shudders and hesitates all the time. It is a safety issues due to when accelerating to move into traffic it shudders and hesitates and won't accelerate while doing this. I was almost hit several times due to this issue. The issue has happened in the last 2 years while the engine died in traffic but I overlooked it worrying about paying money to have it fixed. 2 days ago, the car couldn't reverse and the next day, it complete died on me.