In the mid-70’s, the Ford Fiesta was designed to offer people a practical transportation solution, for very little money. Americans didn’t much care for subcompact cars at the time, so the little Ford went away after the 1980 model year. It remained a strong seller in international markets, but the Fiesta wouldn’t return to North America until 2011 (the car you’re thinking of was called the Ford Festiva).
What Transmission Do I Have?
When the 6th generation Fiesta finally debuted in early 2009, it brought a whole new standard of quality and equipment to the subcompact segment. Buyers could now get high-end features like voice-activated infotainment, and leather upholstery. A six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch transmission was also available, making the Fiesta the first affordable subcompact to combine the quick-shifting capabilities of a manual transmission, with the excellent fuel economy of an automatic.
Does something seem wrong with your Fiesta? Let’s look at some of the most common Ford Fiesta transmission problems, and see what you can do to get your car back on the road.
Ford Fiesta Recalls
No transmission-related recalls
Ford Fiesta Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
2011-2014Fiesta – TSB 15-0090-15-0043 / 10058318
Problem:
According to Ford, certain 2011-2014 Fiesta’s that are equipped with the Ford DPS6 automatic transmission, may experience excessive transmission clutch shudder during light acceleration, and/or fluid leaks from the clutch housing. This is due to fluid contamination of the clutch, caused by failed input shaft seals.
Solution:
Depending on the severity of the damage, the clutch may be able to be cleaned, and both input shaft seals replaced. However, the clutch itself may need to be replaced as well.
2011-2015 Fiesta – TSB 44852 / 10057815
Problem:
If the above repair to fix clutch contamination isn’t done correctly, the new input shaft seals could swell and rupture, causing the same problem to occur again.
Solution:
When cleaning the bell housing and clutch assembly, allow ample time for the parts to dry before installing the new input shaft seals. Otherwise, the cleaning solvent can cause the new seals to swell and rupture.
2014 Fiesta – TSB 14-0063-14-0135 / 10056929
Problem:
Certain examples of the 2014 Ford Fiesta that are equipped with the 1.6L Ti-VCT engine, may display an MIL warning lamp, and store one or more of the following diagnostic trouble codes: P2610, P286F, or P06B8.
Solution:
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) will need to be updated with the latest transmission control software, using IDS release 89.02 or higher.
What Transmission Do I Have?
How to Diagnose & Fix
- Check the OBD Codes
- Check the fluid level
- Test transmission pressure
- Drop the transmission pan
- Repair, replace or rebuild
What to Read Next
Related Forum Discussions
Over to You
[poll id=”12″] [poll id=”13″]What Problem Does Your Fiesta Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
My car won’t come out of park and also won’t start. Could this be my transmission causing all this. I have a 2011 Ford Fiesta. It’s got 120,000 miles on it. It’s stuck in park. But the light on the monitor says it’s not in park.
If you put car in neutral and try to start. It is the clutch actuator b. It a $50 part and is easy to remove yourself. It is right behind the front bumper skirt.
Clutch shudder problem. Only 69000 miles on the 2014 fiesta
Fiesta 2012 wont start. I replaced the battery a few weeks ago. Now the car will sometimes start and sometimes not. I confirmed with a mechanic it is not the starter. we assume its the TCM and hope to use the warranty to fix it with ford… If we can get the car there…
Wiil not reverse with engine light on constantly
I’m having this same problem .
Hello, recently my 2016 Ford Fiesta battery died the other day unexpectedly so I went and replaced it. After doing so the TCM started malfunctioning and it asked to be serviced immediately. Once I brought it to the shop, I got a call from the dealership saying I needed to fix the TCM and Clutch on the car, and it was going to cost me $3000!!! I’m shocked and can’t believe something that wasn’t intentional is now costing me thousands of dollars.
My Dad replaced MY battery on my 2013 Fiesta and I got the SAME msg. But, the fix is under warranty and didn’t cost me anything. Clutch has been replaced 2 or 3 times. The cars are JUNK. You shouldn’t have to pay a CENT for the repair. You know all about the class action lawsuits, right? Google “fiesta transmission problems”. I will NEVER buy a FORD again.
Good morning. I just purchased a 2004 fiesta and was told the clutch needed replaced. Now the gear shifter is off and it looks like the square plastic piece broke off of something. Is it possible to repair just that and if so how much would that cost me?
I know my 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission has problems. I could tell it had issues from the moment I started driving it. When I make a full stop, the car jerks and shakes in a way like if you had a manual transmission and shifted wrong, and the car was about to shut off. It’s awful. Carmax said that if I can prove the transmission is faulty, they’ll put me in a new car. How do I prove it’s faulty if ford built their transmissions to suck? Of course there will be no codes showing up. That’s how it’s built. What do I do?
Good day.
I have a ford fiesta 2010 model-16i Tatinium. I recently found a leak on outside of my gearbox, so i thought it might be the drive shaft seals and i replaced the seals which i bought from ford dealer, 2 days after replacing oil seals leak is back again. What do i do know?
My mom brought new 2014 Ford fiesta had the update for transmission only has 6,000. Brought best warranty that wasn’t needed . Payed 21,000.00 dollar for a 14,000.00 car that junk thanks Ford
What do I do
Pls who will assist me on transmission malfunction ford fiesta 2011
I bought a clutch kit for my 2015 Ford Fiesta per the Ford mechanic now I’m told that the clutch kit that Advance Auto sent for said car go to a manual transmission???How and this is the part I was told to get so confused the car will reverse but once you put it in drive it at first not move then will jump in and out of gear as I drive it
2013 Ford Fiesta stops when stop at stop sign or light
How should a 2014 Ford Fiesta feel taking off? It is a automatic but feel like a straight drive when taking off..
I had some body work done yesterday. The car was running fine before it went in. Now the car say transmission fault service now. All the body work was done at rear of the car. So cant see how this would affect the gearbox if anyone can give me any ideas on how to reset or fix the problem
I need to know the same thing
Dry clucth problem
Ford fiesta 2006
When i tried to turn it on today morning it came up with a message: transmission malfunction. After 4 hours i tied again and it started like nothing happenned. What is happening?
That did happen to my Ford Fiesta 2009, despite I have repaired it twice and did happen again.
My suggestion to you do not drive it, take to the garage
Ford fiesta 2012/13. Suspect gear box malfunction. Before i changed the gear box fluid, the car having problem where from P to D, car not moving for few seconds n jerking. 2 days after that it becomes worst when i started to put to D n wanted to drive, the car was not moving but the rpm increasing like shifting gear. So i put down to N then D then only it ok. Next, i when to a workshop, they guy said change the gearbox fluid first, but it turn out worst. Car was jerking very badly, sometimes moving sometimes not. When to an transmission experts, he said this might be 2 problems. Clutch problem or something “tronic” problem i forgot. That will causes me ard $1.5k .the car is still in the workshop. Checking. Is this normal happen to ford fiesta user? And is there any other option if How to solve this?
Can you fix my problem in ford fiesta 2013?
The display said “ the transmission is hot stop, wait 5mins”
What is the cause of this problem??
2012. The engine wont start.
I had my automatic 2005 Ford Fiesta serviced and had a new engine purchased three weeks ago setting me back $3000. It was driving fine until yesterday. I arrived at my friends game and parked the car (nothing unusual happened) when i went back to the car to drive home, the car would start, but when i put it in reverse it doesnt drive, just revs (like it is in neutral) same with when i put it in drive, it just revs (as if it neutal) not moving. Evidently a transmission issue, but should this have happened if i had just got my car serviced? Plus how much would it cost to fix and how long? is it even worth fixing?
I just experiencedon’t the same problem. Haven’t had any problems till now. Haven’t had transmission fixed.