Consumer Complaints: Ford Fiesta Problems (2014-2016)

June 14, 2016
By: Robert Silverman


Recent Car Problems & Complaints Reported By Ford Fiesta Owners

2014-2016 Ford Fiesta Problems & Complaints

From transmission problems (like jumping, lunging, and lurching) to oil, water, and coolant leaks, consumers have been complaining about problems with recent Ford Fiesta models.

Ford Fiesta is also listed in the 2016 Car Complaint Index. This information is available in The 2016 Car Book by consumer advocate Jack Gillis.

If you drive a Ford Fiesta and are experiencing similar problems, you’re not alone. This article covers commonly reported Ford Fiesta problems, as well as what to do if you are experiencing the same issue repeatedly after multiple repair attempts.

Ford Fiesta Transmission Problems

According to CarComplaints.com, the most commonly reported problem in recent years affects the 2014 Ford Fiesta, which has been said to suffer an “intermittent shudder when taking off.” Other issues reported by consumers include transmission failure and acceleration problems (like jerking and hesitation).

We’ve previously covered other problems with the Ford Fiesta right here on the Lemon Law Blog, with our most recent coverage in late 2015.

In a prior post, we reviewed reports and claims of issues with the Fiesta’s EcoBoost transmission, a problem that’s similar to a separate issue reported by Ford Focus drivers. While this transmission is not found in 2015 or 2016 Ford Fiesta models, it is present in Ford Fiesta models from 2011-2014.

Ford Fiesta & Your Consumer Rights

The Ford Fiesta is a fine car, and many drivers have a great experience with it.

Not every vehicle is a lemon, and just because a vehicle has problems or is recalled doesn’t mean the Lemon Law applies. However, if you find you are bringing your car or truck – Ford Fiesta or otherwise – to the dealership multiple times for the same issue, it’s important to know your rights, as you may be covered under State Lemon Law or Federal Warranty Law.

In some instances, the dealership may try to tell you that these issues are “normal,” even when they are not. Whenever you bring your Ford Fiesta in for repair, be sure to obtain a copy of the service invoice and keep a record of your experience with the dealer. The more information you have, the stronger your Lemon Law claim will be.

If you think your Ford Fiesta may be a lemon, please email us or call 1-800-LEMON-LAW to speak with a representative. We have represented clients experiencing Ford Fiesta problems in the past, and we want to help you, too. There is no cost for our service, if we choose to assist you with your claim, and your case evaluation is 100% cost-free.

As we always say: You have nothing to lose except your lemon! If you live in New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania, you can learn more about the lemon law on our NJ Lemon Law, NY Lemon Law, and PA Lemon Law pages.


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13 Responses to “Consumer Complaints: Ford Fiesta Problems (2014-2016)”


  1. #1 Recovering Damages for a Defective Vehicle: Understanding the Basics of Lemon Laws | LawGuru.com says:

    […] to get as many of the vehicles off the road before they become lemon law cases. A recent example is major problems with the Ford Fiesta, which has caused some dealers to try to purchase the vehicles back from owners, in order to avoid […]

    • #2 Janice Isbill says:

      I bought my 2014 ford fiesta titanium at the end of 2014. I needed a reliable vehicle to get back and forth for my son at BSU, Indiana, and my other son and family that live 200 miles away from my location. I took vehicle in for service last year and when I picked it up they said they also fixed the recalled transmission, which I was not informed had been recalled. I recently have been having problems with car leaving me stranded until I can get it jumped, thought it was battery, took it in last week, they say it is transmission again. I pick it up after they called and said it was ready to find out there are a couple parts, clutch related they were still waiting to receive and would call when in. They called and set up another trip in to get this repaired. Before the date to get car back in it left me stranded after work again, same problem. I had to call someone to come jump my car to get it home. Had appt for today to get it fixed so took it in and left it with them yesterday since I cannot drive it anyway. Last visit there when picking up I asked them why it happened when the recalled transmission had been replaced, supposedly fixed and all I got was shrug of shoulders and “don’t know” from service personnel. They did not give me a service invoice, which I thought was a little odd since they did service it in some way while it was there. They had it for a couple days. The car is suppose to be done again today, so I am going to try to get a service invoice from service before and service completed today. Starting to feel this car is not reliable and will leave me stranded again in an area not so easy to find help if I try to drive it to further destinations. At this point not sure what my next step should be, try to sell it to cover what I still owe? Tired of being a burden to family getting me to work etc. and not feel like I can leave to see my sons at any given moment. Thank you.

      • #3 LemonLaw says:

        @Janice: Please visit https://www.lemonlaw.com/lemon-law-firm.html and contact the firm in your state to discuss the matter.

        • #4 Monica M Gonzalez says:

          I’m having tons of tranmission issues with no assistances by ford. It’s very hard with always paying for all the issues. Now I have another issue with the clutch fork on the car.

          • State: Illinois
        • #5 Kendra says:

          Hi my name is Kendra Montgomery I bought my 2016 Ford Fiesta 2 years ago only has 39,000 miles and when I accelerate or try to turn in shudders horribly I took it to Ford under warranty they told me it was normal and the shudder under 200 rpm so warranty won’t agree to fix it unless it gets worse this sounds insane to me I’m paying monthly on a car that even has these problems so early on and that Has warranty both manufacturing and fidelity that won’t fix the car’s problem unless the problem is killing me basically.

          • State: Georgia
        • #6 Dawn says:

          P1450 code on my 2014 Ford Fiesta and my inspection is expiring end of month and all Ford dealers are backed up. Can’t get this part for at least 5 weeks.

          • State: New York
        • #7 Latisha Dixon says:

          . I just had 62,000 miles on my car and now I got a hundred thousand miles on my car and I ain’t had it 4 months.
          And I don’t even go on the highway

          • State: Kansas
        • #8 Victoria Deme says:

          My 2015 Ford Fiesta has sync and other dashboard electrical problems with false alerts. It started happpening as soon as the two year warranty ran out. The alarm will go off for no reason all hours in a 24 hour cycle. The dash alert system tells me randomly the hood is open or the doors or the trunk. They’re not. Now it’s making unknown phone calls to nowhere I can’t turn off from the wheel or the dash. I literally have to turn off Bluetooth connectivity to my iPhone and STILL IT CONTINUES W THE UNKNOWN PHONE CALLS THE LAST 2 days so I can’t even listen to the radio . When you get into the software issues you know it’s going to be an expensive fix. It is past midnight and the thing just went off like crazy alarm wise. No reason . My neighbors are getting sick of me. A car I used to love has turned into a distractive and annoying mess? I’m taking it in next week terrified of the bill. And it’s only at 34k miles. I drive the thing minimally.

          • State: NJ
        • #9 LemonLaw says:

          @Victoria: Please call us at 800 536 6652 to discuss your claim and how we could help.

          • #10 David Pena says:

            I have had the TCM replaced at least 2 times and have had the Clutches replaced on my 2013 Fiesta. I recently took my car back to the Ford dealer on July 5th. I had issue’s with going into reverse. I dropped the car off on that day. I recently called on July 11th to get an update. Was told that there was something internal wrong with it and was ready to go pick up. After i paid $60.00 for having them look at it, the service guy comes back and says the car will not go forward after the Tech tried to flash the TCM. I asked why he would flash it if they said it was internal just by driving it. I called twice today (07-15-19) and was told it is still not working. Not sure what to do next.

            • State: Texas
          • #11 Moragmacdonald says:

            I have a 2013 fiesta that I bought in 2016. There is no warranty now. Last year it has been at the shop 9 times,nobody knows how to fix it. The engine malfunction light has been going on pretty much every time I am driving it and goes into limp mode. The computer said it was throttle body needed replacing,did that,did same thing again. Back again aND again to the shop,costing me money as I need to rent a car. Then computer said it had to be reprogrammed,did that,more money,oh no still not fixed. So now it is a sensor,clutch I think it was and something else,new parts in I drive 10 minutes same thing. Have to get the new parts out old parts back in,not paying for that. Then Ford bulletins said it is the wiring to the pedals,mechanic fixes that, two weeks later again lights,limp mode. Go back now Ford thinks it is this other thing. I can’t keep paying for this crap when it is a Ford fault. The computer has gone haywire. Now this week yet another problem,if I am on a hill and at a stop the car shudders,about to die,not going anywhere and smelly,very dangerous. It is just crazy. I was sold and bought a lemon. I just can’t pay for this car anymore. Ford is to fault, it has a faulty computer. The codes keeping saying different things. I am not a car person. Please what do I do next?..

            • State: CA
          • #12 Luis D says:

            I own a 2014 Ford Fiesta SE….. I hate this car so much after dealing with so much. My car shudders at take off, it switches gear funny. I got it fixed once a year after i got it and then after a few months of it driving well it started to act up again with the shaking and all. I would go and get the car inspected and they last told me that my car did none of those things and the car was fine during the inspection. Ford dealership claimed that there was nothing wrong with my vehicle when i bought it to Scarsdale Ford dealership in NY. my car has 160k painful miles of shudder. My car right now that im still paying for sits in a driveway undriven because of these issues. The tranny lites been coming on, and my car doesnt reverse. Im sick and tired of the fact that im still paying for this vehicle that Ford hasnt been bought up on charges for these dangerous faulty tranmissioned cars with these duel clutch issues. Can anyone help with my situacion. I want my money back or atleast fix this car so it can be driveable. Only thing for has sent me are letters to purchasing another Fiesta for lesser than what im paying for right now….Do you think that after this experience i would be intersted in purchasing another car from Ford. No thank you. Give me the cat as a gift and i will gladly sell it. My experience with Ford has become the biggest nightmare. I literally driven my daughter in this car and it was a dangerous situation. Ford needs to pay for this. Ive already made complaints to the NHTSA. Last week i receive a letter from chase stating that as long as my vehicle hasnt gone over 100k i cant get it fixed for free the warranty is good from 7 years of purchase and is extended to be fixed by no later then february 2020. In other words i cant get it fixed because i dont meet the the qualifications being that my vehicle is over 160k miles.

            • State: NY
          • #13 Evelia Castellanos says:

            mi carro ford fiesta tiene problemas y es del 2015

            • State: Florida

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