2014 Ford Fiesta acceleration problems

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Acceleration · IL

I own a 2014 Ford Fiesta. On June 23, 2025, I brought my car to McCarthy Ford in Chicago due to a check engine light and other concerns. I told them I didn’t know what was wrong and paid for a diagnosis on my car. They fixed the hood and only mentioned the issue with my catalytic converter, which I could not afford to repair at the time. However, they never mentioned or inspected the Transmission Control Module (TCM) even though my car was eligible for extended coverage under Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02, which expired a week later on June 30th, 2025. Shortly after that visit, I relocated to Phoenix, AZ, and the vehicle began showing clear TCM failure symptoms: loss of acceleration, inability to reverse, and the wrench warning light. Ford corporate told me only the original servicing dealership could escalate the case for goodwill repair, but despite multiple attempts to contact them, I have received no response. While the converter was noted, that is an emissions issue. My current problem is a known, unrelated transmission defect that has now left my car unsafe to drive. The failure occurred just days after the TCM warranty expired, and Ford’s system never flagged it during my visit. This is a serious safety issue that deserves further investigation, as it puts drivers at risk of stalling or losing control in traffic. I am requesting that the federal safety agency take action and require Ford to provide repairs or accountability for affected owners.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · VA

The vehicle has experienced ongoing failures with the DPS6 PowerShift transmission system. Symptoms included slipping between gears, failure to engage 6th gear, jerky shifting, and bucking during acceleration. A transmission warning light appeared multiple times. These issues occurred daily and worsened over time. Eventually, the vehicle became unsafe to drive—it would over-rev, buck violently, and lose power during traffic conditions. A retired Ford Senior Master Technician confirmed the issue is consistent with a faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM), which is covered under Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 14M02. Despite this, the dealership refused to replace the TCM. Instead, they replaced a speed sensor and returned it to me. The vehicle broke down again within minutes and had to be returned. The dealership has now suggested dropping the transmission for further inspection at a cost of $2,500, rather than honoring CSP 14M02. They also encouraged me to trade in the vehicle instead of repairing it. The TCM failure has not been resolved, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive.

Filed Jan 25, 2023 · Acceleration · MA

I am writing to request Autofair Ford of Haverhill immediately repurchase the 2014 Ford Fiesta Titanium I purchased from them in 2019. I am requesting to be refunded the full purchase price plus all additional costs for registration, warranties and expenses associated with the 2014 Ford Fiesta Titanium that was sold to me. This vehicle, has since August 2022, been at Jannell Ford in Hanover Massachusetts, with a transmission defect that is unable to be repaired. As you will see from the enclosed documentation Ford apparently knew the transmission was defective and prone to serious safety concerns when they sold the cars originally and resold them through their dealerships. Additionally, Ford has allegedly (per news articles in the Detroit Free Press) instructed its dealerships to stall and delay resolving issues with the customers who purchased Fiestas and Focuses. My experience with Jannell Ford of Hanover and Autofair Ford of Haverhill can only be categorized as a concerted effort to delay and stall, by the dealerships not returning phone calls, not doing what they said they would, not providing information when asked repeatedly and most especially by not informing me that no repair would fix a known and documented defective transmission that came with the car. Since my Fiesta is a resale in 2019 and there have been tens of thousands of complaints made to the Ford Corporation regarding the unsafe and mal-functioning transmissions, Autofair Ford of Haverhill, I believe, had an obligation not to have sold me a car that has been so thoroughly documented to be defective and a safety hazard to car occupants and other drivers on the road. I originally bought the car from Autofair Ford of Haverhill because of the reviews from customers. I am requesting your assistance in resolving this matter as soon as possible.

Filed Jan 1, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · OK

Car jerks and when I unlock door only 1 door unlocks and that is driver's side transmission going out and every time I put gas act like does want to start up again and then its takes forever just to catch up speed

Filed Dec 16, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 100,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford fiesta. While driving 35-40 MPH, the contact felt a lot of play in the wheels and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle self corrected and operated as designed. In addition, the traction control, ABS, TPMS, and maintenance warning indicators were illuminated and the speedometer was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to precision ford (945 n main st, lillington, nc 27546, 910-814 2243), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to a local dealer. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 112,000 miles · AR

Automatic transmissions. Clutch shudder slow acceleration ford dealership in eldorado serviced it but the problem still exist

Filed Nov 18, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 113,000 miles · AR

I had a recall I had my car taken to dealership in eldorado arkansas they charge me $440 and replaced a cooling fan that I had no problems with my car getting hot. A few weeks later I had recall TCM and later clutch shudder, after the last recall my car still having slow acceleration, it hesitates even worse

Filed Aug 4, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 81,000 miles · AR

Tcm it has a slow acceleration it takes longer than normal for it to pick up speed and the cayatic converter

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 18,756 miles · FL

My car never accelerated reliably, especially in lower gears. The transmission would constantly shake and shudder. My wife finally refused to drive it anymore after the car repeatedly responded exceedingly slow to her pressing the gas pedal when trying to cross traffic. She would be stopped, waiting to cross traffic. When there was a long break in traffic, she'd press the gas and car would crawl ahead much more slowly than you'd expect with how far she pressed the gas pedal. Oncoming traffic would then catch up to her and have to slow down until the car eventually made it across. This happened multiple times when I owned the car. The date I note in the "when did this happen" field represents the date I had the first clutch repair done on the car (at 18,756 miles).

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 500 miles · PA

My car does not always go when the gas is hit. When you go to pull out while stopped at a red light or stop sign, the car acts like it is stalling out, shakes, makes grinding noise in the engine. Has been in the shop for the issues. I've had the dual clutch replaced and module reprogrammed a few times. I was told numerous times by the ford tech, that the shuttering is normal for this type of vehicle. This is not normal. I had other people drive my car and they also agree that it shouldn't drive how it does. I have to avoid steep hills because the acceleration doesn't always work.