2011 Ford Fiesta Powertrain (other) Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle stalled while driving. The contact waited for a short while and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact was able to move over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while attempting to reverse out of a parking space, the vehicle failed to function while in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission PTU had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that recently while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for a while and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the driveway, the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse(R) and failed to move while in drive(D). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle warranty had expired in March 2025. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.

NHTSA ID

11675149

Incident

Jul 21, 2023

Mileage

123,000 mi

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 NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 196,489.

NHTSA ID

11671919

Incident

Jun 17, 2025

Mileage

196,489 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11615956

Incident

Jun 23, 2024

Mileage

82,000 mi

Transmission overheating stopped car

NHTSA ID

11576437

Incident

Mar 10, 2024

This car literally almost got me killed when it suddenly began jerking like I was hitting the brakes while driving or like suddenly downshifting into first if it was a standard which it isn’t. All the dash lights flickered and the gages went up and down right before this happened. It jerks, stalls, lurches and I have literally just parked it and don’t drive it because my children were inside the car when it began doing this on the highway and stalled causing us to almost be hit by a semi when this happened. I had it towed home out of fear of attempting to drive it. You can’t even drive it a few blocks before it begins lurching and jerking. It feels like something to do with the transmission and the traction control light is now on as well.

NHTSA ID

11575112

Incident

Jun 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle was slow to start. The vehicle started after several attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse or shift into park after the TCM was replaced. While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 155,567.

NHTSA ID

11561838

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Mileage

155,567 mi

The car lurches, and hops during acceleration. I came to a stop one morning, and it would NOT move at first. I just bought this car a week ago. I had a test done and the solenoids in the transmission are stuck on.

NHTSA ID

11560247

Incident

Dec 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly shuddered before inadvertently losing motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11557413

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

Mileage

56,000 mi

I purchased the car at a buy here, pay here. I drove off the lot with a picture of an engine on my dashboard. I drove my vehicle for 6 months with it feeling like it was jerking. I had trouble excelling. It was stall at stop signs and red lights. I broke down at a red light. When I turned the car on, it would not move from park. It was Stuck and so was I on the highway at a light. It took 15 hours for triple A to arrive. I tried to move the car off the road the best I could but it would not shift into Neutral. I had the car sent back to the lot where I make my payments to. They sent my car to a transmission shop. They said the transmission was a double shifting transmission and the control module has 4. There are 77,000 on back order for this part. I assumed that the dealership would put me in a new vehicle but they are refusing to. With the part being on back order, this recall can not be fixed for a long time. Don’t they need to put me in a vehicle until the one I pay for is fixed? They told me I need to put another down payment on a new car. I thought that recalls of any sort must be fixed and if they don’t get it fixed, they have to put me in a different vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11527123

Incident

May 17, 2023

Upon acceleration from a stop the transmission seriously shutters and stalls the vehicles engine seriously putting the occupants life and safety at risk as well as others. I also noticed that the vehicle shutters badly at speeds 3mph through 25mph bucking and stalling the engine all the way through making driving the vehicle a real danger and threat to the safety of others on the road. This is a serious and dangerous situation I’ve been placed in and by this vehicle being my only source of transportation endangers my life and safety and the safety of others on the road due to the stalling and hesitation upon entering traffic it’s deadly. Weather conditions also contribute to the life threatening dangers while traveling. Vehicle has not been inspected by a certified technician due to to my extended hours of required employment with no other source of transportation yet I am more than willing to get a free inspection by a Ford Facility. Yes there is a yellow check engine light on the dashboard that was never present up until the shuttering and stalling started 3 to 4 months ago. Please update me with any solutions you may have ASAP to address this urgent and faulty issue, this is of great importance and safety concern. It has been brought to my attention that a article dated July 18, 2019 in the Detroit Free Press states “Ford is aware of this problem yet still put the vehicle into production and sent a memo to its dealers advising them to address the issue and customers concerns and repair the Known Problem free of charge. Please reach out and instruct me with this Known Ford Problem so that we can resolve this ASAP.

NHTSA ID

11526239

Incident

Mar 6, 2023

I only had 77k miles on my fiesta and always well maintained. The transmission system had an internal transmission failure and I was told it would cost $8600 to fix so I had to get a new car. 77k is very low for transmission issues. I called ford and they said only one part within the transmission was recalled so they couldn’t do anything about it. It’s very disheartening that 2011 was a year that didn’t have an extended transmission warranty but other years were. Since I couldn’t pay for the repair, I used it as an only $500 trade in for a new car instead of the Kelly blue book value. There were no problems before. I was driving to work and I heard a knocking sound so drove it to ford to be looked at.

NHTSA ID

11516982

Incident

Apr 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while attempting to shift the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine and an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11505246

Incident

Jul 4, 2022

Mileage

111,000 mi

No incident yet but can smell burnt clutch only 58,000 miles it's the dual clutch for DP6 transmission I think is the name of the transmission , if clutch fails while going up hill and hits the vehicle behind you because all of a sudden your car is not moving . Not related to 2011 Ford Fiesta , but girlfriends 2014 Ford Focus with around 58,000 miles on it ,mileage is close to my miles , transmission has problems transmission and engine light came on , code said actuator A is bad , but from what I've read on the internet that when transmission and engine light both come on it says bad transmission control module . Her car is 2014 Ford focus , going to call dealer tomorrow, her extended warranty expired in August of last year . I have also read that Ford has extended warranty on TCM to 10 years . We are not wanting to take it there an have them tell us transmission needs replaced . I've owned Ford's all my life never seen so many transmission problems with a vehicle as Ford has with this dual clutch transmission. I used to be a mechanic all my life , I rebuilt transmissions for 14 years never seen any ford problems like these transmissions are having . If we are told her transmission is bad that will be the last Ford's I'll ever own , transmission replacement is 7000 to 8000 dollars to replace when Ford knows this transmission has problems , not really fair an owner has to spend that kind of money on something that Ford knows is bad from the year 2011 to 2018. Thank you for your time

NHTSA ID

11500706

Incident

Jan 8, 2023

My 2011 Ford Fiesta shudders, has sudden or Delayed Acceleration,delays in downshift, difficulty stopping/braking,it hesitates when changing gears.also has harsh engagement.I purchased from a private owner in 2021. I have contacted Ford Motor Company Headquarters. I have taken it to my local Ford Dealership,told them what it does, they would not drive it so they could see what it does and how dangerous it can be at times. All they said was "oh it's the TCM and we got them back ordered for 6 mths" But if I want to pay for and order the part and just leave my car setting at the Ford Dealership until the part comes in I can do that. Then pay God only knows how much for them to put the part on. This is the only vehicle I have right now. I told them that. They said "oh we can't give ya no loaner car for that long. And the longer you drive it like that the more it's gonna tear up other parts of your car. And The Ford Motor Company said Oh you missed the deadline for the buy back program or any compensation for your carI Ford has failed to meet the standards required by The Federal Motor Safety Commission and yhey refuse to acknowledge me or help me in any way. All the other 2011 Ford Fiesta cars with the Dual Shift Clutch Transmission were fixed or bought back or the owners were compensated. I am in the same unsafe predicament as those consumers were. I'm not asking for a brand new vehicle Or thousands of dollars. I just want my car fixed and something to drive to work and to the grocery store while they fix it. Or another car of equal value to what my car is supposed to be. Thank you in advance for anything you can help me with.

NHTSA ID

11499946

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

Vehicle transmission was repaired 4 times and is failing again. Shuttering and has cut off while driving on the highway. Issues when going in reverse (slow response or stall). Vehicle is unsafe but unfortunately FORD will not assist, have been waiting on proper assistance since April 2022. Additionally, the passenger driver side door will not open from the inside posing a huge safety issue, took vehicle to Ford and they refuse to address the recall without charge. I have a 1 year old child who must occupy the backseat.

NHTSA ID

11492574

Incident

Nov 7, 2022

My car would lose power while driving. Also, my 2011 Ford Fiesta would jump out of gear to hit the car in front of me when stopped at a light. Shuddering noises and when it lost power I would get locked out of the car. My safety and that of a passenger was at risk! I parked the car afraid to drive it and had it towed to a Ford Dealership. I was told a clutch module was recalled but, they didn't know if it was the problem.. As of today November 7, 2022 since last Wednesday the 3rd of November I have not heard back. I have anxiety waiting and I am afraid of my own car. I feel this car was a danger to drive as there were no warning lights and I did manage to stop at auto zone and 10 different codes came up all referring to the clutch and my ck engine light did not come on. I am a senior and I wish to sue the Ford company for this dangerous problem and safety issue. I could have been killed or have rear ended the car in front of me and the power loss was dangerous as well.

NHTSA ID

11492561

Incident

Nov 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered while accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a dual clutch assembly failure that needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle; and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11487703

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Car did not shift into second gear while making left turn in intersection multiple times. Jolted and shook while turning with oncoming traffic. I must now make sure there is at least 10 seconds worth of space before taking a left turn in order to feel safe. Took to mechanic and they stated it was TCM diagnosis and to talk to Ford. Spoke to them and they stated recall period was expired.

NHTSA ID

11472568

Incident

Jan 27, 2021

We have owned this vehicle for approximately two years. The vehicle would occasionally loose power/shut off while driving, specifically when slowing to a stop or turning a corner. Several times when this occurred the vehicle was being driven in heavy traffic and we were almost rear ended by drivers behind us due to the sudden stopping of the Fiesta. We initially believed that it was due to faulty oxygen sensors and had them replaced. (There was a check engine light that came on and the codes indicated an issue with the oxygen sensors.) Earlier this year the problem started again. When leaving our neighborhood, the car shut off and would not start again. The car was placed in park and would not shift out of park. After leaving the car parked on the side of the road for approximately 30 minutes, we were able to start the car and shift it out of park. It drove fine the rest of the day. The next day the car again lost power while driving. We were unable to shift the car out of drive and had to have it towed. It has been sitting at the dealership since the beginning of February awaiting a replacement Transmission Control Module, which we have been told is on back order. We have purchased three used/rebuilt TCMs and taken them to the dealer (one was pulled from a car at a local junk yard and two were purchased online) to have them installed. None of the parts that we provided were able to be programmed by dealership after being installed. We were originally told by the dealership that a new replacement parts from Ford are on backorder and aren't expected to be received for at least 6 months. Our local Ford dealership (where our vehicle currently is awaiting repairs) has 8 Focus and Fiesta's sitting awaiting new TCMs.

NHTSA ID

11465272

Incident

Feb 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was slipping. Additionally, oil was leaking onto the transmission. The check engine warning light illuminated and then went off. The contact called the local dealer, who informed her that the vehicle did not meet the criteria for the service campaign. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11460916

Incident

Mar 28, 2022

Mileage

106,000 mi

Car currently has approx 52,000 miles. We bought it with around 30k miles. Since day 1 the transmission has been a problem. It lunges forward,slips and shifts violently. Ive researched the problem and found there has been approximatley 2,000,000 or more complaints over the same issue. Ford knowingly sold these cars and others with this faulty transmission. Is there any recourse to have Ford fix this problem via recall ?

NHTSA ID

11435784

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start, and the transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11433050

Incident

Sep 7, 2021

Mileage

92,000 mi

1)14MO2 - The transmission control module (TCM) failed. Yes it is available for inspection upon request, however the issue has been repaired since the malfunction. The vehicle could no longer be controlled. It could not shift gear. The check engine light came on, but the vehicle was not operational. A 65 year old disabled operator was transporting her 6 year old granddaughter home from school when the malfunction took place. Two lives inside the vehicle were placed at risk as well as the lives of other drivers and passengers in the vicinity. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. Ford issued a 14MO2 warranty extension on this part. We brought the vehicle to Covert Ford of Hutto, TX who confirmed the warranty extension. However, they would not cover the repair, because the extension expired 3 months prior. Due to the COVID pandemic, the high risk elderly category of the driver, she did not seek repair earlier. Also, she is not the first owner of the pre-owned vehicle and did not receive any information regarding this warranty extension to seek repair. The vehicle and component has been inspected by Covert Ford of Hutto. The check engine light came on at the time of failure. At that point a tow truck was called (the vehicle was not operational) and it was towed to the dealer, Covert Ford of Hutto. 2)2OS30 - Door Latch Recall. This has been repaired. Yes, vehicle is avail. for inspect. on req. 65 year old disabled driver and passengers put at risk for door opening while in motion. Other drivers in vicinity put at risk. Problem confirmed by dealer with recall issued. Component inspected and replaced by dealership Covert Ford of Hutto. The door did not shut properly. No warning lamps/lights to indicate an issue.

NHTSA ID

11432273

Incident

Jul 19, 2021

The issue is with the transmission and has been ongoing since we purchased the car in 2013. The transmission stops working without warning. We have had multiple repairs performed only to have issues reappear. Ford has been found guilty of knowing the issues existed before they started selling the cars and sold them anyway. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30689585/ford-settlement-transmission-lawsuit/ I think the Ford Focus and Fiesta with the problematic transmissions need to be pulled from the road. A car just stopping is a danger to the driver and to others. Safety Concern This past Saturday night the car stopped in a dangerous and busy 4 lane, 6 lanes when you include turn lanes, intersection while my daughter was driving the car and that is last straw for me. The intersection her car stopped moving forward has had at least 3-4 deaths because the intersection is so dangerous. What happened was she pulled out to go left after the traffic light turned green and less than halfway through the car engine kept going but the transmission had no power - simply wasn't functioning. She was able to coast the rest of the way across this 4-6 lane intersection, with an island in the middle, and fortunately made it to the shoulder of the road safely. She shut off the car, waited a few minutes, restarted the car, and she was able to limp about 1/4 up the road to a parking lot. At that point she waited about 15 minutes and restarted the car. The car now would not back up at all in reverse. I met with her and while the car would sort of move forward, it would not move in reverse at all. Please contact me with questions. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11426769

Incident

Jul 23, 2021

2011 FORD FIESTA. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING TRANSMISSION RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OVER-HEATED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH STICKS AT TIMES. *JS

NHTSA ID

11407666

Incident

Oct 14, 2020