Ford Fiesta hesitation problems

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Transmission · KY

The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission failure while driving. Before the failure, the car began shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. It then started making loud metal grinding noises from the transmission area and eventually lost the ability to move properly when placed in Drive or Reverse. This created a safety risk because the vehicle could not accelerate normally in traffic and became difficult to control. The issue appears related to the transmission and/or clutch system. Warning messages and abnormal shifting behavior occurred prior to the failure. I previously asked a dealership in 2020/2021 to inspect and repair the transmission issues while the vehicle was still under warranty, but they stated the problem was not “bad enough” at that time and did not perform any repairs. The vehicle is currently inoperable due to this malfunction.

Filed Aug 5, 2025 · Transmission · OK

I’m reporting a failure with the Transmission Control Module (TCM) in my 2014 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle has exhibited consistent issues tied to the known PowerShift DPS6 transmission defect: including gear slipping, delayed acceleration, hesitation, and sudden loss of power while driving—particularly dangerous during intersections or merging situations. Ford previously issued Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 to address this issue, but I was told my VIN is no longer eligible due to build date. I also requested coverage under Ford’s one-time TCM replacement extension announced in 2023, which was meant to support customers outside the 10-year window through June 30, 2025—but I was denied this assistance as well. I’ve opened a formal case with Ford Customer Relationship Center under reference number CXH05170436-N7Z6Z1, after being denied support for a documented transmission control module failure. These symptoms present a clear safety risk, and the refusal to support a documented transmission failure—even under goodwill— I hope this will be reconsidered for safety investigation.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended and hesitated to respond. Additionally, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.

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 Feb 5, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · WA

Alarm system going off for no reason. Battery drained and engine wouldn't start. I had battery tested at auto repair shop and it had burnt out cell inside battery. I purchased new battery last week. The automatic transmission is sluggish at times, feels like it hesitates to get into the next gear. Unknown reasons for cause of issues.

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 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 Feb 15, 2024 · Brakes, Transmission · 79,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and descending a grade in the road, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to slow down however, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact had to pump the brake pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact stated that the check brakes warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there were also mechanical issues with the transmission. The vehicle could not be shifted into reverse (R) and while the vehicle was in drive (D), the vehicle would hesitate while shifting gear. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had not diagnosed a failure with the brakes. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Transmission · 2,500 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle would jerk and would hesitate to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while driving from a complete stop, and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that her husband depressed the accelerator pedal and was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the TCM was replaced under Ford Campaign Number: 14M02. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Transmission · 37,000 miles · WV

The contact’s daughter owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact then stated that that while the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle hesitated. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated; however, the technician found that the clutch was slipping, and the clutch and shift forks failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.