2014 Ford Fiesta Driver assistance Problems

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 NHTSA take action and require Ford to provide repairs or accountability for affected owners.

NHTSA ID

11673505

Incident

Jul 9, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11659807

Incident

Apr 9, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11503628

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11385981

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

THROTTLE SENSOR. THROTTLE BODY AND THROTTLE BOX. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THIS. IT'S SAYING MECHANICAL FAILURE. AND AFTER CHECKING IT'S STILL SAYS THROTTLE SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329170

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

138,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11289400

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. CLUTCH SHUDDER SLOW ACCELERATION FORD DEALERSHIP IN ELDORADO SERVICED IT BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST

NHTSA ID

11287818

Incident

Nov 19, 2019

Mileage

112,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11280713

Incident

Oct 17, 2019

Mileage

113,000 mi

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUDDERING FOR YEARS AND UNTIL EVEN THE LAST DAY THEY EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THAT TYPE OF VEHICLE TO REACT WITH THE SHUDDERINGS BEFORE TAKING OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LITE KEEPS COMING ON AND AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MINUTE CAR DOES NOT REVERSE AT ALL UNTIL CARS SHUT OFF. CAR RIGHT NOW IS NOT BEING DRIVEN BECAUSE ITS BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD FOR SOME TIME NOW. THIS IS MY ONLY WAY OF TRANSPORTATION. I NOW HAVE BEEN RENTING CARS WHILE I STILL PAY OFF THIS CAR TILL THIS DAY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN LYING TO ME. I HOOKED UP THE COMPUTER AND GOT A LOW CLUTCH DUAL CONTROL SYSTEM ERROR. I GOT THE PART CHANGED OUT AND CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE CHECK ENGINE LITE. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER EVERY MONTH. FOR YEARS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NEVER REALIZED HOW FORD HAS PUT ME AND MY DAUGHTER IN DANGER BY HAVING THESE FAULTY VEHICLES WITH MESSED UP TRANSMISSION THAT DIDN'T BELONG IN THESE TYPES OF VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET FIXED ONCE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A RECALL AND WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER THE FIX AND IT CONTINUED AFTER SOME TIME TO GO BACK TO ITS USUAL SHAKE BEFORE TAKE OFF. LIKE I SAID THE LAST TIME I WENT FOR OIL CHANGE AND FULL INSPECTION OF VEHICLE AT SCARSDALE FORD DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC SAID HE TOOK IT OUT FOR A DRIVE AND SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. AFTER I DROVE IT OUT THE DEALERSHIP CAR CONTINUED TO SHAKE AND KNEW THAT HE WAS LYING. THEY JUST DONT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP I OWE OVER $4000 LEFT ON PAYMENTS AND THIS CAR ISNT WORTH NOT EVEN A PENNY FOR THE DANGER IT PUT ME THROUGH EVERYTIME I TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A DRIVE. WHENEVER MY CAR CHECK ENGINE LITE CAME ON WAS WHEN I WAS ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAY. THE CAR AS OF NOW DOES NOT REVERSE BUT WHEN DRIVEN IT ALSO DOESNT CHANGE ITS GEARS PROPERLY IT SKIPS GEAR 2 SOMETIMES AND CAR SHAKES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID

11244041

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

60 mi

TCM IT HAS A SLOW ACCELERATION IT TAKES LONGER THAN NORMAL FOR IT TO PICK UP SPEED AND THE CAYATIC CONVERTER

NHTSA ID

11241652

Incident

Jun 28, 2019

Mileage

81,000 mi

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).

NHTSA ID

11233439

Incident

Mar 23, 2016

Mileage

18,756 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11232289

Incident

Aug 25, 2014

Mileage

500 mi

'TAKE RECALL' THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE COOLANT LIGHT IS ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE CAR WILL RUN BUT WILL NOT ACCELERATE

NHTSA ID

11229229

Incident

Jun 28, 2019

Mileage

30 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING KEEPS COMING UP ON THE DASHBOARD ALSO IT HAS MADE THE ENGINE INDICATOR STAY ON. WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND ON IT SEEMS IT HAS NO ISSUES THEN WHEN YOU TAKE IT OUT OF PARK IT STARTS STALLING IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID

11207723

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHILE SITTING IDLE AND DRIVING THE THROTTLE IS GETTING STUCK OPEN, THIS BEING AN AUTOMATIC VEHICLE IS MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING EVERY OTHER DAY. I SHUT IT DOWN AND START IT BACK UP AND IT GOES AWAY THEN COMES BACK WITHIN 5 MINS.

NHTSA ID

11189737

Incident

Mar 18, 2019

Mileage

85,000 mi

CAR CURRENTLY HAS 90K MI AND THE CLUTCH IS BAD $1700 FOR DEALER TO REPLACE. FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 150K MI ON TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE AT NO COST AND THEN THE MODULE STARTING LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE FROM ONE OF THE BEARINGS WHICH IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. THE WORN CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS IS A KNOW ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOSS ACCELERATION AND IT JERKS WHEN TAKING OFF AND LOSS OF POWER AND THE AC DOESN'T BLOW OUT COLD AIR. STAY AWAY FROM FORD

NHTSA ID

11166107

Incident

Jan 3, 2019

Mileage

91 mi

MY CAR IS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND JERKS AGGRESSIVELY. I THEN CHECKED THE FOR WEBSITE AND THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLL MODULE.I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE MY CAR HAS A SALVAGED TITLE.

NHTSA ID

11130043

Incident

Sep 17, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

PROBLEMS WITH CAR STUCK IN PARK AND NOT STARTING VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, HAVE BEEN STUCK TWICE FOR SAME THING

NHTSA ID

11055304

Incident

Dec 3, 2017

Mileage

50,000 mi

TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE PLUS SYNC NOTE ABOUT VAPOR LEAK. DEALER SAYS MAY BE OK TO DRIVE. OR MAY REFUSE TO START AT ANY MOMENT. ALREADY RAN 3 PREVIOUS RECALLS, ONE R TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID

11048791

Incident

Nov 26, 2017

Mileage

57,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE LIGHTS ON MY CAR STARTED FLICKERING AND THEN THE HILL START ASSIST CAME ON. MY CAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND STATES TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THE TCM WAS INSTALLED LESS THAN 1 YEAR AGO ON A RECALL NOTICE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. WHAT'S THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART?

NHTSA ID

11006062

Incident

Jul 18, 2017

Mileage

86,000 mi

WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE MY CAR SHUDDERS. WHEN I GO FROM THE BRAKES AND TRY THE GAS PEDAL MY CAR JERKS AND HAS ISSUES ACCELERATING. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM ALL THEY DO IS REPROGRAM. IT IS GOOD FOR 2-3 DAYS THEN GOES BACK TO JERKING AND SHUDDERING. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR MOST WHEN I'M PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAYS AND PARTYING LOTS FROM A STOPPED POSITION TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED. I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE MY CAR HAS PROBLEMS SPEEDING UP WHEN I'M ON THE EXPRESSWAY TOO. I GOT THE CAR USED AT 20000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER 2016 TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. *TT

NHTSA ID

10984383

Incident

Mar 8, 2017

Mileage

23,000 mi

THE CONDITION THE CAR PRESENTS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THEY SEVERELY AFFECT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR'S SPEED, ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. I WAS ALSO NOT INFORMED OR NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

10959769

Incident

Jan 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FIESTA. WHILE TURNING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TWICE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10882025

Incident

Jun 29, 2016

TAKATA RECALL, I PURCHASE THIS CAR JUNE 3, 2016 AND I NOTICE THAT THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM EITHER THE FRONT OR THE BACK WHEEL THERE IS A ROARING SOUND WHEN THE WHEELS IS TURNING. I LOOKED AT THE CAR FAX AND IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE CAR LOT AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN I TRY TO TAKE OFF THERE IS A ROARING SOUND AND IT HESITATE OR SOMETIMES IT WON'T I'M AFRAID THAT THIS CAR WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

10874508

Incident

Jun 11, 2016

MY MOTHER IN LAW AND I BOTH OWN A FORD FIESTA AND A FORD FOCUS.. MINE BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2014 AND HERS USED BUT GENTLY USED AND WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM SINCE WE BOUGHT THEM. WE HAVE BOTH TRIED BRINGING THEM INTO FORD MANY TIMES TO GET FIXED AND THEY BOTH TELL US IT'S THE COMPUTERS.. THAT THEY NEED TO BE RESET. EVERY TIME THEY RESET THE COMPUTERS AND WE CONTINUALLY HAVE TO TAKE THEM BACK IN.. EVEN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT LIGHTS UP, ALL THEY DO IS RESET THE COMPUTERS. THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY FIESTA IN, IT WAS STILL SHAKING WHEN I DROVE IT TO CHECK ON IT. THE MAN AT FORD TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL DO THAT AND IT'S NORMAL. A FEW DAYS LATER, I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IN BECAUSE IT STALLED. WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED, WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE, IT REVERSED AND WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD. WE TOOK IT TO FORD, THEY RESET IT AND BLAMED IT ON THE COMPUTERS. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT LIGHTED UP AND IT STALLED ON MY HUSBAND. I NEED A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY KEEP SENDING US HOME WITHOUT FIXING IT. WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

NHTSA ID

10861440

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

Mileage

25,000 mi