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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,957 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Ford Fiesta Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #40

Sep 302015

Fiesta

  • 57,000 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 while driving at low speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experienced a period of unintended acceleration and abnormal shaking. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a clutch failure and that it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #39

Sep 252015

Fiesta

  • 62,000 miles
While in motion, my vehicle had an intermittent electrical issue. The service wrench appears, and displays "engine malfunction, seivce now" the engine then derates and runs very rough. With a manual transmission, it is difficult to shift gerars without stalling. Upon turning off and restarting, the engine resets and runs normally. Occurences are random without any warning. This is a safety issue. In one instance my engine nearly stalled in a busy intersection as a result of this issue. Ford has a tsb for the issue (13-11-15) that involves changing the wiring of the car. I believe this should be elevated to recall status so that repairs are covered. Given that it is a design issue that was built in to the vehicle and requires a change to the wiring to fix, Ford should be responsible for the service. I was billed $442.85 by my dealer to correct this issue.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #38

Sep 152015

Fiesta

  • 60,000 miles
After being in park at a gas station, I go into drive and start to go when the cars shudders, screeches, halts, and then loses power. I was able to start the car again, but when I pressed the gas there is no power. I try to put the car in park, and though the gear is in park an alert comes up telling me to put the car in park. Car will not go into park. Keeps rolling. Have to use my emergency break to stop the car. Paid out of pocket to have the car towed to the nearest Ford dealership. They said they were "pretty sure" it was the transmission control module. 5 days after bring it to them I call and find out that they have reprogrammed the transmission control module and something with the clutch. The problem is still not fixed. I haven't even been able to talk to the mechanic personally, but the lady at the service desk said "it's really thrown him for a loop. It definitely seems to be something with your transmission, but diagnostics says nothing is wrong with the car". this is going to kill someone. Period. It could've killed my boyfriend, my friend, my unborn baby and myself. I'm am furious with Ford. I have read hundreds of complaints from other people have the same problem with the same car. How has this not been recalled"?"

- Central City, KY, USA

problem #37

Jun 222015

Fiesta

  • 60,000 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 while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle came to a complete stop without warning. The contact mentioned that the engine was running but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed. The diagnoses was unknown. The vehicle was repaired but the remedy failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Marshall, AR, USA

problem #36

Nov 072014

Fiesta

  • 50,000 miles
When vehicle is in motion the hood and door ajar warning lights will flash and beep during random intervals. After being parked for at least five minutes, either the caution lights or alarm will go off. These will eventually turn off without any action. Battery has been replaced and electrical circuit passed at a local Ford dealership.

- Ruston, WA, USA

problem #35

May 292015

Fiesta

  • 27,400 miles
There were two incidents where car lost all power while travelling at 35 and 50 mph, the check engine light came on, the transmission dashboard indicator flashed from P to D back and forth. When restarting and idling, the engine shuddered. After the first incident (5/29), Ford dealership reprogrammed the transmission control module. After the second incident (6/13), two weeks later, the dealership replaced the clutch and the transmission control module (tcm).

- Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

problem #34

Jun 012015

Fiesta

  • 26,000 miles

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

Rear passenger power window suddenly quit, needed manual assist to close. Two days later tried to start manual transmission with only loud clicks, power to lights surged with each click, headlights were not dim, battery good. Engine would not crank, mileage odometer kept changing going up and down on miles, dash would go blank then come back on. Needed to be towed to shop.

- Hilo, HI, USA

problem #33

May 292015

Fiesta

  • 100,400 miles
While parked with the vehicle running (about 30 minutes in 87 degree weather with the ac on), the transmission felt like it tried to go into drive and rocked forward slightly. I looked at the dash and the check engine light came on. I tested the vehicle and it seemed road worthy enough to try and get home. When driving home and stopped at a stop light, the car's display for park, neutral, reverse, drive, started quickly flashing between drive and park. I could not accelerate the vehicle while this was going on. I placed the vehicle in park, and then met fairly heavy resistance putting it back into drive. After a few seconds of flashing between drive and park, it stopped and I was able to drive again. The same thing happened a few minutes later while I was about to turn into the Ford dealership. This time I tried turning off the vehicle to see if that would remedy the issue. I was unable to start the vehicle for a minute or two after because it was acting as if I was in drive (or the fast park / drive flutter) and trying to start it. It's been two days, yet I haven't heard back from the dealership on what this problem is. I did receive a recall notice that spells out the exact symptoms that I had, yet the mechanic has twice said it is very unlikely that the recall part, the tcm or transmission control module (which is back ordered six weeks), is the actual problem.

- Kuna, ID, USA

problem #32

Jun 012013

Fiesta

  • 50,000 miles
While driving on the expressway (70 mph) the car suddenly had no power. I was pushing the gas pedal down to the floor but, the car was not responding. I yanked the steering wheel hard and the car settled on the shoulder. If a car were behind me (rarity for a car not to be right behind on expressway) it would have plowed right into my car. Mechanic could not find a problem. A year later same thing is still happening. The last happened while, I was stopped at a red light. Car just went dead. I drive stop and go to work and back. Car seems to shift from first gear to third gear every time I have to slow down or stop. Seems to fight me from moving, then suddenly lurches forward. My mom borrowed my car one day and says she will never step foot in it again. The dealership just told me that they can't find a problem but, that the front brakes and rotors are bad and I need a new catalytic converter! if Ford knows they can't fix the transmission problem (or what they call not a problem), why did they extend the warranty" Ford claims it is normal for this transmission to jump. Then why did it not jump the first two years I owned it"! my check engine light goes on all the time. My traction control light and hill climb light both came on in the summer, on a flat surface. There was no snow, no slush, no ice, and no hill! the dealership said they didn't find a problem with that either. I am finally down to 8 more car payments and I'm scared to drive any distance in this car! especially in traffic!

- East Aurora, NY, USA

problem #31

Apr 232015

Fiesta

  • 116,382 miles
As I was leaving work pulling out of the road I stepped on the gas and the car stalled. Making multiple vehicles come to a screeching stop almost causes multiple wrecks. This was the first time. Other times I was in traffic passing people or just driving down the road and the car started to shake and would stall not accelerating. Last of all my car would not start at least 3 times in one week due to code P2837 and P2832

- Hampton, AR, USA

problem #30

Mar 122014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 37,000 miles

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

Just about a month ago, after being in the car about an hour, we started getting a static pop on the factory stereo system. It would interrupt whatever was on momentarily and would continue even if you switched sources. Most annoyingly, the static pop stays even after shutting the car off. It worries me that this is something that is precursor to some sort of general electronic failure, but with the car out of warranty, my hands are tied. Half hour drives are not yet a problem. It happens after an hour or so, and even if you turn the stereo off, it just continues to pop. There is a 6 page thread on the problem here, (and I'm sure many other places of the web): www.fiestafaction.com/forums/threads/42105-radio-cutting-out-intermittently-with-popping-sound/page6?highlight=static in other words, I am not alone with this problem. The consumer stated one day in late October, the vehicle suddenly stalled while on his way to work. He was able to steer the vehicle off to the side of the road. After waiting a few minutes, he decided to try and start the vehicle, and it started as if nothing happened. The consumer continued to drive for another week with no stalling problems. However, he continued to experience problems with the stereo. One evening, the consumer discovered he had no headlights. He took the vehicle to a service station where the owner showed him the fuses were badly corroded and they could not be removed in one piece. The engine compartment fuse box appeared as if there had been a flood. Updated 05/12/16.

- Ravena, NY, USA

problem #29

Mar 162015

Fiesta

  • miles
I was leaving work and unlocked my car with my remote key in order to get in. I had been to panera bread around 3:00pm for lunch and everything was fine so I got in the drivers side and started to leave the parking lot. As soon as I started (turned right) onto the highway, I heard wind from the back (louder than usual) and my door was flapping open! I was glad a car didn't dive by and rip off my door! I pulled off (while holding the door backwards awkwardly and unsafely) into the target parking lot. I tried to shut the door but it just bounced back, I tired to hold shut and lock it but it wouldn't lock. The latch was broken or not functioning. I had to buy painters tape to make sure my door didn't fly open on the way home. I took to Ford and they said it was $400 to fix. I told them that this was probably going to be like the transmission, where I complained twice about it, they said it was normal, and then they recalled it 2 years later, so I just made sure I had a receipt of my visit. I hope the rest of my doors don't fly open too.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #28

Jul 252011

Fiesta

  • 10,806 miles
I purchased a Ford Fiesta 2011 in October, 2010. Within the first year of ownership (around 8,000 miles), the car began to shutter upon initial acceleration at low speeds, especially when going up or down an incline; when moving the accelerator pedal back and forth quickly (in stop and go traffic, for example, or when accelerating to turn left from a stop) the rpms would jump and the car would not accelerate promptly, and then only after harsh jerking. Numerous trips to the dealership resulted in several explanations (and costly "repairs"), including being told I needed a complete engine flush, faulty brake calipers, recalibration of the computer software, and the classic "that is normal operation for the car." As of February, 2015 (my car now has 50,000), the issue continues to persist and, most concerning of all, my car will now periodically stall with complete engine and electrical failure. Please note the issue described above occurs from a stop and/or at slow speeds. My car has stalled several times while I was attempting to turn left or pull into the road from a driveway. These are particularly hazardous times for the car to fail and severely compromise not only my safety but those of other drivers on the road. Frustratingly, the dealerships consistently report "there is nothing wrong with the car" and "it functions normally." A car like mine -- relatively new, average mileage, with maintenance always completed at a Ford dealership and according to manufacturer recommendations -- should not stall. I am greatly concerned each and every time I drive the car and Ford's apparently inability to solve the issue.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #27

Jun 012014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • miles
Ford knows that there is a problem with the transmission. They will not fix it. When the transmission shifts it shifts hard and losses the get up and go.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #26

Dec 022014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
For approx. 2 months, my car will not always start. I would have to crank it a few times before it would turn over. Replaced the battery and it still happened. One night, stopped at the store for a few minutes. Got in the car and it wouldn't start. Left for an hour, got back in and it started. Dropped it off at the Ford dealer and they replaced the starter. The next day went to the P.O., got back in and it wouldn't start again. Waited 1/2 hour and it started. Drove right back to the dealer and they replaced the tcm. (transmission control module). That was 12/5. I am hoping this does the trick. Have read about 2011 Fiesta transmissions problems and hope I have no more problems.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #25

Sep 232014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 39,298 miles
Door lock assembly safety issue, door latch fails and door stays open: I went to close right rear door of Fiesta. No problem warning until that moment. It would not stay shut. Door lock assembly went bad. Took to visalia Ford in visalia, ca, appointment that afternoon. Service writers said that was the 4-5th Fiesta/ Focus with this problem lately and that they were waiting 2-3 weeks on back order for the same parts for the previously known vehicles.this small town dealer was waiting 2-3 weeks on back order to fix this in 4-5 other Fiesta/Focus. I had to order and pay for parts so they would be ordered. Upon my going home, after cinching up the door again, I called the number for Ford West representative. I had "direct #" ([xxx]) from previous incident not related to this door. The phone was answered by a different person, who said she was in that position now and that I was in error calling her instead of Ford customer service. Her info: "[xxx] (866) 631-3788 [xxx]. I then tried to explain the situation about the 4-5 Fiesta/Focus waiting at this small dealership and this could not be happening just in visalia, ca. I asked about safety recalls by Ford; she blew me off saying I was wrong. I told her to call visalia Ford I gave her their #. her concession was that she would try to expedite the parts to visalia Ford, and call me a week later, on the next Tuesday (9/30/14), to check on progress. She never called again. I received call that parts were in on 9/26/14, had the repair done on 9/29/14, which was the next day service department was open. The concern I have on this problem is that some child or other back seat rider who is not belted in is going to have the door open and fall out, I would guess this will happen to any of the doors. If I was driving and a door suddenly opened for no reason due to the latch failure, I may freak or swerve or worse. Thanx information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #24

Oct 052014

Fiesta

  • miles
Issues with the transmission since I bought the car sputters dies wont start shifts into neutral on its own dangerous car its not safe Ford knows and wont fix it. I have had the battery changed to fix the issue to no avail and the shift solenoid to no avail dealer cant fix it what can be done to make the car safe.

- San Marcos , TX, USA

problem #23

Sep 212014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Transmission repaired under recall. Now car will not start, no lights, radio. Battery checked and charged-not issue.

- Marlborough, MA, USA

problem #22

Jul 082014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 71,784 miles
My car has malfunctioned and been "repaired" three times. Each time the car malfunctioned, the gas pedal stopped working and the car began to slow. The gear indicator light switched from D to P and back again, over and over. The check engine light started blinking and later turned solidly on. Since it was just coasting, I had to pull over the car and in each case I was lucky enough to be in an area with a decent breakdown lane. At one point when the mechanics were pulling the vehicle into a bay, it started doing this and the reverse lights also started blinking. In addition, it jerked back into drive, jumping forward. Thankfully no one was close to it. So far the repairs have included an ignition coil pack, spark plugs and wires, replacing two bolts and reprogramming, and replacing the transmission control module for a grand total of over $2,000.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #21

Aug 152014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 84,396 miles
My daughter was driving down a major interstate at 70 mph and when she slowed down for slower traffic and the car stopped. The motor shutoff and coasted to a stop (she said it jolted to a stop in about 20 feet). The traffic was very heavy so she tried to get to the shoulder but couldn't make it, she turned on her hazards and put the car in neutral and tried to restart (didn't restart) then put it into park to restart (didn't restart) so then tried to take it out of park to move the car (pushing to the shoulder) but because of the way the system is designed the car wouldn't come out of park. She even tried to release the transmission manually but because there was no power to the solenoids, it would not release and so left the car in the middle of the freeway and called the police and tow truck. I have had this car in multiple times for a flash upgrade but still does the stumbling and hesitation. This car has also had the water pump replaced as well as minor fit and finish

- Sachse, TX, USA

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