The transmission started slipping in 1st and 2nd gear.
Ford Fiesta slipping problems
146 of the 3,179 owner complaints about the Ford Fiesta describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 146
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,500
- typical mileage
- 46,813
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 36Shudder 33Grinding brakes 26Hesitation 21Stalling 17Loss of power 13Harsh shifting 12Check engine light 10
Trouble codes mentioned
P2701 1
What owners say
PowerShift dual-clutch transmission, slipping, bucking, and shuddering during acceleration. Subject of a class-action lawsuit.
Malfunction of automatic transmission module.reverse not engaging.slipping of gears while operating.diagonisis confirmed at peoria ford peoria az on 8/25.4 weeks after warranty expired!!!!!!!!!! Check engine light at time of malfunction.very dangerous situation not able to control auto !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
While driving along the transmission slipped into neutral and would not move forward.Could have been hit from behind.
Transmission unexpectedly malfunctions. Car lost the ability to shift into reverse and even numbered gears. rough shifting when it can shift. slipping when attempting to drive. Unable to accelerate from a stop sign. Based on simple web searches, the Ford fiesta and Focus with the DPS6 transmission are notorious for defective transmissions.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping, causing the vehicle to lost motive power or stall. The contact was able to coast over to the side of the road and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart intermittently. The contact stated that DTC: PO606 was displayed; indicating a failure with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the PCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact found information about the Technical Service Bulletin: 16/0129 with the federal safety agency ID Number: 10109047 (Power Train) and the Customer Service Program: 14M02 with the federal safety agency ID Number: 10057231 (Power Train); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer transferred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering as if it would stall, and the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving over a speed bump. The contact had noticed that the failure mostly occurred while driving at low speeds and while the RPMs were low. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping while driving and making right turns. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer determined that the failure was related to an undisclosed recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance could be provided unless the VIN was added to the unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 71,600.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was jumpstarted. The contact stated that the transmission malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after the vehicle started while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission started slipping. Additionally, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle back later. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Ford Fiesta slipping
Which Ford Fiesta years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (40 complaints), 2012 (32 complaints) and 2014 (25 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix transmission slipping on the Ford Fiesta?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,500 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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