2012 Ford Fiesta: jerking or lurching

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 Jan 10, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · 28,100 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission module and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. While driving, the vehicle continued to jerk and there was smoke coming through the vents. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal booming sound detected. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal continually for the vehicle to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 28,100. The consumer stated parts alone were $872 of which he doesn't have due to his disability.

Filed Aug 29, 2022 · Transmission · 165,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, while the vehicle was changing gear, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. While attempting to reach a safe area, the vehicle stalled twice. The contact was able to restart the vehicle both times however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the Hill Assist warning light and two additional unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while in a safe area, the vehicle failed to restart. The local dealer was contacted and arranged for the vehicle to be towed to their location; however, the contact was unsure if the vehicle had been towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the dealer mentioned that the failure might be related to an unknown Technical Service Bulletin for the TCM. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty for repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2022 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact initially stated that after making a complete stop, the vehicle would jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the transmission clutch was replaced. The contact then stated that while driving at 25 MPH, an abnormal noise had emitted from the vehicle as the vehicle stalled out without warning. The contact was able to restart the engine but the vehicle had failed to accelerate. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective PCM(Powertrain Control Module); the contact was also informed that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2022 · IN

The transmission is slipping and jerking. I can't change gears without a issue and the car stops. The engine revs even when I am not going fast.the transmission says it is overheating and I got my fan fixed months ago and had done it before but seemed to repair itself so I thought.

Filed Mar 4, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · RI

Transmission Malfunction, this is the 4th time that I am having to replace the transmission. I am taking the car back to dealership to get the transmission fixed for the 5th time. The car jerks when it comes to a stop. Hard time accelerating or does not accelerate. I put the car in R and it did not budge at all, even turned the car off and turned it back on same thing. This car should not be permitted on the road. Does not shift gears properly, the RPM run very high. I am afraid to drive this car constantly, even after I get it out of the shop because I just know that the transmission will eventually malfunction on me again. Very unsafe and unreliable to drive.

Filed Oct 7, 2021 · Transmission · TX

The vehicle is a 2012 Ford Fiesta, purchased on 3/4/2016 by 9/8/2016 I had to have the car repaired for transmission issues. As I was driving to work on the freeway on 9/30/21 I experienced warning lamps from the coolant system and the oil lamp (consistently stayed on since 7/08/21) I exited the freeway, and as soon as I did the vehicle shut off and the gear shifter froze not moving from park to drive or neutral nor would the car start. At this point, I was in the middle of workday traffic and had to get out of my car and put on my safety vest, and direct traffic around my vehicle to keep traffic from lining up right behind the car. Nonetheless I was fortunate that I was able to get off the freeway. I had the vehicle towed to an AAA mechanic who stated the ECM was "shot" and they could not get the vehicle into gear. This caused me to have difficulty getting a tow because the driver could not move the vehicle and a wheel lift had to be used instead of a flatbed tow truck. Multiple times the car was "repaired" at the dealership and since I have a parts warranty I then had the car towed again to the dealership. I found at this time the PCM computer was not communicating with the car allowing it to start. This dealership representative has been the one who worked on the vehicle in the past. At times they were able to reproduce problems or complaints I had regarding stuttering, jerking as if it were going to stall. On 8/7/20, the entire dashboard set of warning lights (engine, oil change reminder, engine oil pressure, power train reduced power) lit up as I was driving the vehicle stuttered jerked, and stalled in the middle of the street. Although I am not a mechanic, I believe the PCM, ECM, and TCM computers are related and cause the car to be unsafe. My fear is the car is a dangerous and unreliable vehicle and I have informed the dealer service representative that I do not wish to repair the vehicle at this time even if I could afford to do so.

Filed May 24, 2021 · Transmission · NY

I have owned this Fiesta almost two years buying it used. It has shuttering and bucking problems intermittently from a stop-to-go situation. More severe symptoms are approaching a stop sign and/or traffic light and applying the brakes and having the car continue to lurch forward and almost go thru an intersection - where I totally lost control of the car - and had to pull over more than once to shut the car off to stop it. I have spoken to Ford Corporate to please buy the car back from me and crush it so it doesn't wind up on the road again to injure someone. Ford will do nothing. Now, because of the lurching forward and erratic behavior, a Ford dealership did a diagnostic and said I need a new clutch which is the cause of the problem but I am not sure this is the case. Even though Ford admitted they designed a faulty transmission, they will not do a thing to help me out, saying the warranty expired on the clutch and to look down the road, that they may have a recall on it again some day to extend the warranty. I want your organization to know I believe these cars are an accident waiting to happen and should be taken off the road. It is very stressful for me to drive this vehicle knowing at any time I could lose control of it and cause an accident. As it is, because of my experience I now stop almost one and a half car lengths in back of a car when braking so it doesn't lurch forward and I rear end someone. I do not park in front of buildings for the same reason, if the car lurches forward I may go thru the building. I just want to be on the record with my observations of this vehicle.

Filed May 9, 2020 · 10 miles · NC

Transmission problem jerks when trying to turn hard to go up an incline sometimes shuts off.

Filed Jan 26, 2020 · Transmission · GA

Car will stop at times you have to let it sit for an hour, vibrates, sound like plastic moving around when car is on, hard to go up hill no acceleration, jerks. I was on a city street it stopped in traffic so I'm only able to go to the store I have to leave it at a friends home scared to drive it home as we live into different counties were you have to get on the highway not safe. I was actually looking up transmission cost when this appeared I was told by a mechanic that is the issue and it needs to be replaced.

Filed Dec 8, 2019 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · MI

My vehicle while stopped at an intersection lurched forward almost hitting another vehicle. I was stationary with my foot fully compressing the brake. Then out of nowhere my engine area started making a strange noise and I lurched forward several feet almost colliding with a vehicle in the intersection. This was on a country road in an intersection. I believe this may be due to the recent transmission issues ford has admitted to.

Filed Oct 13, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 136,000 miles · TX

Ford fiesta 2012 has several problems with the transmission, first the car jerks around and makes a horrible noises. Then the car shuts off randomly while driving. This car is a safety hazard. Stalling and jerking around is not what a car should do. Plus both backseat latches both broke and the doors were unable to close.