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Ford Fiesta won't start problems

101 of the 3,179 owner complaints about the Ford Fiesta describe won't start, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
101
worst model year
2011
typical repair cost reported
$2,000
typical mileage
60,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Brakes · GA

Brakes started seizing up while driving. Became extremely dangerous as the car would rock at speed and also would not start moving if I came to a stop. Went immediately to a shop, when I arrived into the shop, inspection found that the caliper was locked onto the wheel preventing the front wheel from moving. Had the caliper replaced but the caliper was still seizing, and then had to get the ABS Hydraulic Assembly, P/N D2BZ 2C405-E replaced. This P/N seem to be causing a lot of troubles from online forums. This issue had no warming lamps, messages or anything indicating this other than a feel that the car is accelerating more slowly. However, when the brakes started seizing, the situation felt extremely dangerous.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Transmission · MD

Symptoms: No-start condition (wouldn't crank w/o jump); delayed or harsh shifting; lost power (stalled going up tiny hill). Warning lights: transmission malfunction - service now; check engine light. Our symptoms and warning lights are consistent with Ford's Fiesta Transmission Control Module recall, however the VIN for our car is not part of the original recall. We meet all of Ford's recall eligibility criteria: reported before June 30, 2025; vehicle is less than 10 years old; vehicle has fewer than 150,000 miles. By virtue of the symptoms, warning lights and meeting Ford's other criteria strongly suggest our VIN should be included in the recall.

Filed Mar 12, 2025 · Engine · OK

On the coldest night of the winter the engine overheated. Pulled over immediately; , , now car will not start believe lit cracked the head or head gasket

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 May 2, 2024 · Fuel system, Transmission · NE

Transmission control module for a 2015 Ford Fiesta Is admitted by Ford as faulty, and a known issue. This part has had to be replaced several times, And there's no guarantee on durability Or that there won't be future issues. Ford has admitted safety issues include loss of transmission engagement while driving, lack of power and slow or delayed shifting, No start, shuddering, stalling, slipping, ECT.

Filed Jan 13, 2024 · Engine · MI

Depressed clutch to slow down and turn left. When mostly through the turn shifted into 3rd gear and attempted to accelerate through the end of the turn. There wasn't any acceleration the engine had stopped running. Local shop said that the engine has low compression and will not start.

Filed Dec 16, 2023 · IL

Clutch "A" stuck engaged...loses power and if driven for a while dash lights up saying "transmission is hot wait 5 minutes " In addition to the previous issue, the car will not will not start right away. If you turn the key forward and pull the car down into last gear and back up into park, the car will start most times, otherwise I will have to jump start it.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · OH · fire

My 2014 Ford Fiesta started to "Smoke". There was a smoldering Electrical short emitting smoke from fusebox. The car would not Start after this incident. I have a letter from Ford indicating the Fusebox had a recall on this Issue due to a corrosion defect. I took it to local Ford dealer who Confirmed recall/defect

Filed Nov 28, 2022 · Transmission · DC

Ford is refusing to honor extension of warranty in attached notice from Ford which extended warranty on (Transmission Control Module) TCM module for 2012 ford fiestas to 10 years and 150,000 miles. Computer check of systems reports by independent mechanic showed TCM failure. Car disengaged from transmission during highway travel, car has trouble shifting, car sometimes will not start but if retry immediately restarts. When first starting car car will not go into gear even though selected on gear shift. Sometimes when shifting failure occurs check transmission light goes on. Problems temporarily fixes if perform transmission reset procedure. Ford will not honor warranty. Repair shops reporting 4 month backlog on replacement TCM. Ford will not provide rental car while waiting for part. Car is dangerous to drive because can lose power on highway and acts like car in neutral

Filed Nov 12, 2022 · Transmission · CO

On 07/04/2022 my car had a no crank no start condition with a limp mode/PCM/TCM light coming on. It got progressively worse and would not shift into gear while driving; it was stuck in neutral. I took it to a Ford service shop and they determined I needed an entire new clutch assembly. Ford did the repair and then said I need a new transmission control unit. That part is on back order for an estimated 44,000 vehicles. Luckily they ended up having one and installed it and my car was repaired. The total bill was $4000 plus $987 for rental and transportation while it was being repaired. People need to be aware of how much of an inconvenience that Ford will not cover all transmission parts when they know the PowerShift transmission is faulty. Ford dealerships will not cover the clutches because it is a wear part. How am i going to have a $4000 repair bill at 79k miles.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported March 27, 2017 · 208,584 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Risk
If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

Recall number 17V209000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Fiesta won't start

Which Ford Fiesta years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (34 complaints), 2014 (14 complaints) and 2013 (13 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Ford Fiesta?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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