2012 Ford Fiesta: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Mar 1, 2024 · Transmission · WV

It is widely known that this vehicle has irreparable transmission problems. My car shudders, loses power, has issues shifting, etc because of known issues. It feels dangerous to drive at times. The dealer no doubt willingly sold it to me used knowing about the problem. I feel taken advantage of as I had to purchase the car during Covid when inventory was low and prices were high. I owe over twice as much on car than it’s worth. No one in their right mind would buy it. I’m on medical leave without pay and in no position to trade it. I bought it after all the class action suits were settled. It doesn’t appear to fall under lemon law. I’m basically waiting for it to completely break down. Praying nobody is hurt when it happens. I’m writing because I’m aggravated and feel I have no recourse.

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact received notification of Technical Service Bulletin: 16-0109 (DPS 6 Automatic Transmission – Excessive Transmission Clutch Shudder and/or Transmission Fluid Leak); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift properly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Transmission · KY

loss of power transmission shudder 100,500 miles now started as a small issue at about 94,000 but not constantly, its bad now

Filed Feb 9, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · PA

2012 ford fiesta check engine light on codes reading o2 sensors, catalytic intake, misfires, fuel injection, etc. I have had my fiesta at 3 mechanics all very known for there reliability all diagnosing it different issue recommending me to go to dealership which I was turned away because the recalls for the vehicle isn’t an issue for any of the possible diagnostics. Single mother of 3 now no vehicle, no money and no way of providing without transportation. Less than 150,000 Miles owned less than two years and the amount of money put into the vehicle ford should be ashamed. Shuddering and accelerating issue was told clutch and transmission issue but no help or actual known diagnosis since ford won’t diagnose the suspected diagnosis from any of the mechanics I have taken the vehicle to and they can’t for sure diagnose it until ford confirms the diagnosis since this is a known issue. They also sent me two recalls but refused to fix the recalls because I wasn’t 100% sure my vehicle needed the repair and threatened to charge me 150 diagnostic charge for the recall after I already poured my heart out to them about the issue I can’t seem to even get repaired due to there lack of care care as a manufacturer

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I just got the car in June 1st.2022 it's broken down 5x stopped in middle of us.19 North 2x it won't keep oil it's leaking out running hot blowed the hose loose 1x last week,it started weeks ago refused to start up and shutting down now, shuddering, it's at machanic shop now in largo, Florida he stated the car is not usable and unsafe to drive any longer the motor as well is gone and white smoke is coming from the muffler.the used car dealership truecars on park blvd.is trying to force me to keep the car I haven't driven the car in 2wks.this week will be 3 I have fixed Alot of things on the car in little time I can't afford to replace something that was damaged already my first to be car and it's been a bad experience.but I do know I will not put my life or anyone else lives in danger to fix the serious major damage with this car someone please contact me and help guide me as to what to do with this situation in desperate need.God bless.sincerly!!!

Filed Jul 28, 2021 · Locks, Transmission · 105,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 50 mph and coming to a stop, she heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle started shuddering and inadvertently stalled. The "Transmission Failure" message appeared on the instrument panel along with several other unknown warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed, and the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V331000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The contact stated the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

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 Dec 5, 2019 · Fuel system, Transmission · 135,800 miles · FL

I have experienced repeated and frequent problems with my vehicle: shuts off for no reason daily, often at a traffic light or just after I begin accelerating; the transmission is faulty (has already been replaced once at 97,000 miles at great expense) and simply stops working at unexpected times (e.g. While driving down the road it slips into neutral and won't move, shudders, etc. I have to turn my fiesta off and restart to get it to move).. This is a very dangerous vehicle and I cannot afford to replace it. I read that ford has been aware of these issues from date of manufacture, and has not publicly acknowledged. It is my understanding that engineers of the fiesta are now going public. When is something going to be done? Why do I have to wait until I have been seriously injured, or worse, to get redress for what ford motor company was aware of, and covered up, even while these vehicles were being manufactured? This is a continuing issue, not a single or even a 20 time occurance.

Filed Sep 13, 2019 · Transmission · 72,615 miles · CA

The vehicle shuddered a lot, felt unsafe

Filed Aug 23, 2019 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · TX

Bad transmission system. Loud shuddering noises all the time, jerking shifts when starting from stop and the car goes to neutral while driving in a highway. Not only annoying but feels unsafe and unreliable.

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 Aug 14, 2019 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · FL

I was driving and attempting a turn. The transmission shuddered and stopped moving. Like I was in neutral. I nearly got hit. I stopped the car restarted it and drove away.