Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: Welcome to North America, Ford Fiesta. Thanks for bringing your herky-jerky transmission, numerous interior quality complaints, and an engine that dies while driving.

2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,543 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Ford Fiesta steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Ford Fiesta:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Ford Fiesta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Sep 092020

Fiesta

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was heading out in reverse the car felt slow when I pressed the gas it took a while to accelerate. When I came to a stop the wheel felt stiff and shaky. I pressed the gas pedal to turn, but it wouldn't go. It felt like the gas was suffocating it wasn't moving and the wheel felt stiff and hard to turn it took a awhile to move. I got scared and drove back home. I took it to Ford left it there to get checked. I asked about the transmission because the light had turned on. I was told they reset the module and that they sent me an estimate to my email if I wanted to do the repairs that they recommended. I asked if it was ok to drive the car they said yes, that I would feel it shudder, but that it was ok to go. I have been driving it to work, but it still takes a while when I press the gas.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #24

Aug 102019

Fiesta

  • 14,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving at any speed, the brakes squeaked, the steering lost power, and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to friendly Kia (877-544-6719, located at 5819 us-19, new port richey, fl 34652) where it was determined that the failure was due to humidity. The vehicle was then taken to Ford of port richey (727-233-7143, located at 10715 us-19, port richey, fl 34668) where it was diagnosed that the brakes, transmission, and battery needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #23

Jun 112018

Fiesta

  • 45,070 miles
I had complained of a grinding or clunking sound when turning the steering wheel. Sound and shudder to steering wheel seemed like it was between steering wheel and steering gear. I looked up online articles and it mentioned steering by wire and other misdirection. Seemed to me to be something like a universal joint; but this is not my educated diagnosis, just a thought. Dealer service writers continued to say something akin to "yeah, that's what they do and it's normal for that vehicle/model/etc". on 6/11/18, when I go to pick up vehicle for another problem, [which had recalls and continues to cause problems that are fixed "under warrantee" see Ford "customer satisfaction programs 14M01, 14M02" and Ford "software update program 15B22] I am told I need to have recommended work done. This recommended work reads as follows: Item 03 concern: Steering column shaft clunking/binding when turing (side note: Yes, written as "turing"!) left or right. Vehicle is equipped with old design steering column shaft. Updated parts available to corrrect and prevent concern from reappearing. Correction: Customer does not want work done". [end of work recommended on form]. it is not that I don't want the work completed, it is that I have been bringing up this problem for at least 4 years; ie, under warrantee time and mileage. This is a safety issues, which brought me to your site. I have had no problem up until now other than the sound and creaking feel in steering wheel. What has me upset first is that all the sudden there is now!!! updated parts available; previously, it was "normal sound and feel". from 6/20, until 6/27/18 daily, I called the Ford West rep for calif central valley area @ 866/631-3788. The phone circle ends with options "leave a message" or "for operator, push 0" which cuts off the phone connection. This "normal" steering clunk appears to have now become a safety issue.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #22

Aug 202017

Fiesta

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Crunching noise in steering wheel when turning. Duplicated concern trace noise to lower steering column. Repair would cost $455. I bought as a used car in August 2017

- Green Valley, AZ, USA

problem #21

Nov 012017

Fiesta

  • miles
Steering wheel flops and clunks during slow turns

- Brattleboro, VT, USA

problem #20

Jul 162017

Fiesta

  • 151,000 miles
The right rear passenger side door flew open (it was stationary) upon trying to close it and lock it. The latch was broken. It would not latch at all, and I had to ratchet strap it closed just so the car would acknowledge that the door was in fact shut. When going up hills or turning, the door tries to fly open and the inside lights and alarm will sound notifying that the door is ajar. Also, when turning the steering wheel, especially at a slow speed, there is a loud click-like sound while driving. I had taken my vehicle to the dealership earlier and told them about the noise but never got any information from them, it was blown off as if it wasn't a big deal. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle due to the fact that it could be the undercarriage or have something to do with the steering column itself.

- Thomaston, GA, USA

problem #19

Apr 152017

Fiesta

  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been told that the clutches, forks and sealant need replacing totaling $3700 in work. When I go over 3 RPM the wrench symbol comes on saying transmission problem.

- South Easton, MA, USA

problem #18

Aug 242016

Fiesta

  • 17,782 miles
Clunk clunk noise when turning wheel forward & backwards, when moving. This was verified with dean seller dealer. Advised that steering wheel shaft needed to be replaced. Vehicle had 17,782 miles. Reported to Ford motor 8/24/16. Received case #cas-10397672. No help from Ford, even though I suggested a defaulted part was involved. They closed case, with no satisfaction from mfg. Or dealer.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #17

Aug 232016

Fiesta

  • 97,000 miles
Purchased 02/26/16 since purchase breaks have locked up 7 times, took to original dealer of purchase 8 times in first two months of purchase by the time they get car they find nothing wrong taken to Ford dealership 3 times they replaced censor states it will fix problem and has not have almost gotten in several accidents because breaks lock up and prevent car from going forward and unable to move.

- Harlem, GA, USA

problem #16

Jun 072016

Fiesta

  • 135,000 miles
Power steering failure while driving on a city street while turning. Will cost in excess of $1200 to repair. Have been informed there is a back log of orders for these parts due to the failure rate of this problem.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #15

Mar 272016

Fiesta

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer diagnosed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 012016

Fiesta

  • miles
While in park or driving, I would turn the steering wheel and feel a gritty/chunky motion. So I had a mechanic check it out. They informed me that the universal joints were bad and to have the shaft replaced. I ordered part number be8Z3A525B from Ford and once I opened it, the joints felt the exact same way my current steering shaft feels. It is gritty and feels like a grinding motion. I tried to return the part and was informed they were all made the same way and that it is normal. This is not normal, no car or equipment should have a gritty feel, they should all be smooth. My mechanic informed me that the steering shaft could go out at any time and I wouldn't be able to drive my car. I feel unsafe driving this Fiesta and request Ford recall the steering shaft and correctly make them to be smooth.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

problem #13

Feb 182015

Fiesta

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving 45 mph, the contact attempted to steer the vehicle in both directions and heard an abnormal noise coming from the wheel. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who diagnosed that the knuckles in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Arcadia, MO, USA

problem #12

Nov 012015

Fiesta

  • 35,000 miles
My 2011 Ford Fiesta began giving me problems at about 28,000 miles. It is now 35,000 miles and I have been having problems accelerating out of a stop. It will jerk, rev and shudder getting up to 30 mph. I have taken care of a few recalls and I have noticed a 5 mile drop in the mpg. I take good care of my car, I have the oil changed regularly and I often take it to a mechanic to ensure it is in good working condition. This only happens when I am driving the Fiesta for a while in a city setting so I have to start and stop quite a bit. Additionally, there has been a consistent clunking noise when I turn the wheel at low speeds. Have brought it in a few times and no one has even attempted to fix it.

- State College, PA, USA

problem #11

Feb 022016

Fiesta

  • miles
Brought car in for a popping/grinding noise in front of car when turning at low speeds ended up replacing lower steering shaft.

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #10

Dec 082015

Fiesta

  • miles
My sister bought a 2011 Ford Fiesta and has only put about 50000 miles on it. Took it to Ford and was told the lower steering shaft needs replaced. Cost-over $300. This isn't covered on warranty. I find it odd that a steering issue would not be covered under warranty. Ford is making unsafe cars!!!!!!!

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #9

Nov 192015

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,800 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while reversing, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear failed but the vehicle was drivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,800. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Update 01/15/16 MA updated 2/4/16 the consumer states the transmission will not go forward or reverse.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #8

Jul 222015

Fiesta

  • 41,418 miles
Began to hear a clunking noise in the steering accompanied by vibration in the steering wheel. This noise and vibration has steadily increased since first noticing it. Feels as though a bearing or bushing has failed or a tooth in the steering gear is missing. Please note: This car has been maintained in a timely fashion and all service has been performed by Ford dealerships. Also I am 59 years old and treat the car with respect. I am worried that whatever it is may fail all-together and cause me to have an accident. Please note: There are other complaints of this problem posted on the internet.

- West Salem, OH, USA

problem #7

Jul 092015

Fiesta

  • 74,000 miles
I noticed that there was a noise when steering the car. When I took it to Ford, they found out that the steering shaft had excessive wear. I wound up footing the bill to replace the steering shaft.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #6

Feb 042015

Fiesta

  • 42,000 miles
Pop/clunk/knock noise on turns and loose steering incidental to extreme tire wear on front right tire. Tsb ref # : 11-10-28 issued Oct 31,2011 Ford:2011-2012 Fiesta

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

Read the next 5 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?