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Transmission problem??

161K views 41 replies 26 participants last post by  Graver_66 
#1 ·
Have a 2012 Fiesta with 19,000 miles and for the last two weeks been experiencing possible transmission problems. The car has a 6-speed automatic transmission in it. When the car starts up from a dead stop, it immediately shudders a little (like a fouled spark plug or transmission slipping a little), then right after 3rd gear shifts, another shudder happens like you're driving over a few ripples in the road. No symptoms like these at highway speeds or when the motor is cold. These things are now happening about 90% of the time. Talked with my Ford service manager this morning about this and he told me he has had many complaints from Fiesta customers about these same symptoms. He went on to tell me it is the 6-speed transmission doing this and not a fouled plug. He told me I would probalby have to live with these things because it's just how the transmission was designed. I don't think I will accept that. Has anyone else had these problems and if so, what have you been told? ..... I am taking the car to the dealership later today for them to check it out.
 
#3 ·
Same here

I have also had the same trouble. 2012 Ford Fiesta SES. I have about 16,000 miles on the car and have complete all recommended maintenance on the vehicle. When the Transmission goes from first to second and from third to foruth gear, there is a rattle. Sometimes it's really bad. I am taking it to the dealer this weekend to check it out. If they tell me I have to live with it I may have to flip a dest or two... I'll post what they tell me. hopefully it will be helpful.
 
#5 ·
Update: Took my Fiesta to the dealership last week for them to look at it. Service manager told me it's got the same identical transmission problem as several 2012 Fiesta and Focus cars have been having. He told me it's the "select shift" 6-speed transmission that's been the problem. The other 6-speed transmission has been ok as well as the manual transmission. He told me it's a problem with the "dry" clutches in the transmission. After they took a look at my Fiesta I was told there looks to be a little oil on the "dry" clutch plates and that's most likely the problem. Service manager said they will have to take the transmission out of the motor to partially rebuild it which will take about 2 days to do. He said the dealership will give me a rental car to use for that time. I took my car in a couple of days later for them to do this work. The next day, service manager called me and told me they were wrong about the clutch plates having oil on them and they were not going to do anything about the transmission. He said they contacted a Ford engineer and was told the symptoms I described earlier are just "normal" operation of the transmission. Well, it's definitely not "normal" to me. The service manger told me four other customers have come in with the same exact problems I have and Ford has told them the very same thing" "it's normal operation". That's a lot of BS in my opinon. I live in Missouri and they have a "lemon" law here, but it's a lot of trouble and red tape to go though with it. The saleman I bought my Fiesta from bought a 2012 Focus that also has the same identical problems I have. He is using the Lemon law. For me, I might just have to live with it. For Ford to sit back and tell the customer "it's just normal operation of the transmission" is insane. I am very disappointed and disgusted to hear that. I will think twice before I buy another Ford product. I understand some things like this will happen and when they do, the manufacturer should fix the problem and not tell you it's normal. How ignorant and stupid do they think we are ??? [mad]
 
#6 ·
I also have a 2012 Fiesta with transmission slippage so bad I have been to Ford 4 times. It slips badly from stop to 1st shift point, from 1st to 2nd and sometimes in the 3rd shiftpoint.

The vibrations from this slippage are bad.

I have been to the dealer on this issue on three separate occasions. The transmission specialist acknowledges the vibration and slippage. The service manager says Ford hasn't done anything to remedy the problem yet, but he has had other owners who have complained as well.

The dealer has been very cooperative, but it feels like their hands are tied, waiting for Ford to wise up and issue a software fix for the automatic/manual transmission problem. In the meanwhile, how do you recommend a car to people who ask you about whether you like it, when it is barely driveable on city streets?

BTW, I also have a 2011 Ford Fiesta that has NONE OF THESE PROBLEMS, so I know what a workable car feels like. I am not just complaining.
 
#8 ·
It is not normal, and it WILL get worse. Mine developed into a "Shimmy like Kate" in 1st, 2nd and 3rd of the automatic trans gearing. I believe that the computer is not programmed right that senses and completes the shifting in the transmission. For me, the net was that my dealer took my car for 5 days, told me that there was a leak between the engine and the transmission that was damaging the automatic clutch plates. Whatever. They fixed it. No charge. And it works well now. You have to make a stink. Call the Regional Service Manager. Make noise. Also, though, know that you have a 60,000 mile warranty on the transmission and Ford will and does stand behind it. I didn't like the problem, but they fixed it and I love 'em for that. And...I still love the Fiesta (I have two of them).
"
 
#9 ·
Ford is giving you a balony response. Make a stink. Elevate it to the Regional Service department. I can give you a name if you want. The net? You will get them to fix it for you. I think their first assessment (leak and damaged dry clutch plates) may be correct. That's what they told me. Whatever they did while they had the car for 5 days, they fixed it and it runs well now. I am happy, although I had to make more of a stink than I like to so that I could get action.
 
#10 ·
I have a 2012 ford fiesta automatic with these same problems. It has been to the dealership 4 times in 1 week. I just hit 10,000 km's last week and had this car for not even a year. There was a clutch replacment that was supposed to be corrected before sale of this vehicle. Ford assured me that my car was not made during the dates that the clutch replacement was supposed to be done. This was true but sure enough it was a clutch replacment that needs to be done. They figured it out after the 4th visit. There was also a leak that needed to be fixed. You need to keep on top of them,, keep bugging them. This is a known problem and they will replace it eventually. I am completley turned off from ford by this incident, and am not to happy that i am stuck with this car for another 4 years. I luckily have 3 years free maintenance but whos to say when this will occur again. Best of luck with your lemons!
 
#11 ·
NOISE IN 2012 fiesta transmission

Our 2012 Fiesta SE, purchased last August, looks great and is a wonderful city car, except for one thing. It makes a very annoying rattle/growling sound at the first three shift points, sort of like what you might hear if you swirled marbles in a can. It now has slightly over 3K miles on it. At the initial service recently we complained about the noise and got a tale similar to that others who have posted have received. We were told that the "automatic transmission" did not have a torque converter but an electric computer-controlled clutch and the noise was typical of that configuration so we would have to live with it. Well, that may be, but as satisfied Ford-fanatic owners of 27 prior Fords (currently a 2011 Fusion SEL in addition to the 2012 Fiesta) it was a rude shock to hear it expressed in such blunt terms. We thought we were buying a typical automatic transmission, not some electrically clutched manual, or whatever it is. The fact is there is an obvious and annoying noise problem with the shift mechanism and it should be fixed. Thanks for the helpful posts, at least we are not alone.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Transmission

I have a 2012 ford Fiesta. Right from the start, I noticed many things with the transmission. I finally took it to the dealer. They made some adjustments and it definitely was running a bit better. I am taking it in again next week. I have owned many vehicles. I purchased this for driving around town and short trips. I notice the transmission seems to lag when taking off, sometimes it slips, other times when slowing down it desires to continue going forward. Going up hills I sometimes wonder if it is going to fall off the vehicle with all of the grunting and grinding noises it makes. I definitely enjoy the vehicle. However the transmission certainly is taking the pride of ownership away.
 
#13 ·
Tranny Issue

I have a 2012 Ford Fiesta with the "new" automatic transmission, that is at the dealership now for the transmission shudder. The dealership has been awesome, but they are going to have to take the tranny apart and find out what is causing the shudder. It doesn't happen all the time, usually when it warms up and varies on the degree of shudder. Ford really needs to make this a recall, but I love my Fiesta.
 
#14 ·
I have a 2012 Ford Fiesta with the "new" automatic transmission, that is at the dealership now for the transmission shudder. The dealership has been awesome, but they are going to have to take the tranny apart and find out what is causing the shudder. It doesn't happen all the time, usually when it warms up and varies on the degree of shudder. Ford really needs to make this a recall, but I love my Fiesta.
Sounds like the same issue everyone is been having with the Focus as well. I'm surprise they are actually taking your transmission apart. Would be interested to hear what they have to say.
 
#17 ·
My 2 cents to this. I just got my Fiesta a week now
And a few times I heard the rattle coming from the Tranny

I have read several posting beside here and thought I would see how I can duplicate it. But I noticed if I keep a lite gas pedal it would not rattle.
So drove around Boston over the weekend and found between driving in the city and highway with a non-aggressive pedal it didn't happen,
But when I applied the pedal a semi aggressive it caused the lack of acceleration and tranny rattle. Just wonder if this was expected from ford?
 
#18 ·
Bought a '12 Fiesta a year ago. 32k miles and the transmission clutches are gone. The dealer has no idea when the parts will be in, which tells me there are hundreds of these cars with the same problem if they can't keep up with the spare parts. I only have 4k left on the warranty, but the service manager ensures me the repair will be covered 12mo/12k miles. I put about 3k a month on the car, so that will be gone by July. She also said this is the first problem they've had with the Fiesta. Right. Thinking serously of trading it as soon as I get it back. In the meantime, I'm running the miles up on the '12 Fusion loaner I got from them. They will try to BS you. Stand your ground.
 
#19 ·
2013 Fiesta

Just brought home our 2013 Fiesta SE with the 6-speed auto tranny. In my test drive I noticed the rattle/grind sound on the lower gears - specifically during low rpm going up a hill. Sounded to me like the engine was bogging down - or when you don't have the proper octane gas in the car. I have a fear this noise is the same issue that I'm reading about here.

When I asked the salesman about the noise he assured me it was because of the hill. So I test drove a second Fiesta and it too made the sound - only not as loud. The second vehicle had 150 miles on it and mine only 90. The salesman said the noise goes away as the engine/transmission tightens up.

He also assured me that if the noise doesn't go away to just bring it in to the service department. I expressed my concerns about this to the Sales Manager in his post sale email and so I would have a record of my concerns in writing. Being the holiday weekend I don't expect a reply from the manager till next week. I'll update here what he says.

In this thread I read that Ford changed the transmission and supposedly addressed the matter. How do I find out when my transmission was manufactured?
 
#21 ·
Fiesta

I too bought a Fiesta in February, and started noticing the grinding noise and occasional slipping in the transmission. Took it to the dealer, they hooked it up said it was up to date no issues. Took it back just today, still no issues. Still sounds like crap. So I called an acquaintance at another dealership and asked if he had been getting any complaints. He sent me this off of the dealer site related to the issue. I still think there is something wrong and they don't want to fess up.
 
#22 ·
Bought my 2013 hatchback with 8 miles on it. Drove it home didn't notice anything after about 200 miles noticed the shutter right at 500 miles a terriable grinding/crackling sound. Pulled over called ford they had it towed to my local delearship not where I bought the car they towed it to Fugate Ford in El dorado springs mo. Went in this morining to see when they thought they could look at it. They said they get to it in a day or two. Spoke to the owner to see if they had a loaner car or anything they could offer me. No they don't rent cars. Ok funny they had a loaner car for my friend when his dodge broke down. Bring that up. Well did you buy the car from us? No i Bought it from another delearship well if you had bought it from us we would have it right in and give you a loaner car. I have only had this car 6 days. Call the delearship I bought it from he said he would call his rep waited all day nothing back from anyone call the sales manger again where i bought it from Don Vance Ford in Marshfield mo he says it ain't our fault we sale them not make them talk to ford. I have already called Ford. 1 I was a little frustrated that a new car broke down so quickly but understand things happen. 2 I was a little more frustrated that it was going to take them a couple days to get it in but ok your busy you got lots of customer in front of me but then you tell me that if I had bought it from you you would get it right in that tells me that you could get it right in and that you don't care about service only customers.

I traded in my 2013 mustang GT so my wife would have a good gas saver to drive her mom back and forth out of town to doctors appts and not have to worry about our older car with 200,000 miles breaking down and the car with 500 miles breaks down on us. I had ever attention to order a 2015 mustang gt as soon as they came out as the Fiesta would be paid off and I wanted a Mustang Back. Right now though I'm so upset with the communtication between ford delearships slow response from there Reps and a car that I can't drive that Ford may of just lost a life long customer just have to get this pony and cobra tats removed.

******Edit the ford customer rep for All ford mustang did respond to me quickly and say she would add it to my file. Deysha is her name. But no one as called me as of yet like she stated they would and no one seems to want to help. This is very quickly starting to look like Ford response to everything just ignore it and it will go away. They reacted the same way to the manual transmission issues in teh 2011-2012 mustang gts and the number 8 cylinder issue in the 2011-2012 gt's that were laying over the pistion rings telling everyone there was nothing wrong but then change the pistons and rings in 2013. I would bet money that there is a change to the transmissions for 2014.******
 
#23 ·
2012 Ford Fiesta Transmission Issue

My daughter has been complaining about a hesitation when starting from a complete stop for about 6 mo now. She even said it feels like riding in a manual transmission vehicle. Since she is always on the go, I had not the time to understand her complaint, but it sounds like similar issues above. I drove the car the other day and she is absolutely right. It feels horrible from a complete stop to just getting going. Kinda feels like the car is going to stall. I totally did not expect this when we brought the vehicle brand new. I did mention this to my local dealer (Suburban Ford of Waterford, MI) during an airbag recall work. Like the threads above, their initial response was this was normal. Now by reading the above threads, it is definitely not normal and looks like I'll have to make an issue out of it to get some attention. Really, why does this have to be a pain!
 
#24 ·
2013 Ford Fiesta

Bought a 2013 Ford Fiesta and at 5000 miles it started shaking when you started from a dead stop. It got worse and the car ended up at the dealership. They said that is was a defective seal in the Transmission that allowed fluid to leak on the dual clutch set up. They replaced the clutches, provided for a rent car and all turned out ok.. Or did it? What is to say if the problem has existed since 2011 that the seal will not start leaking again at 36001?? I am pursuing a trade-exchange or whatever and get out of the FIesta..
Buy a new car and replace the Transmission at 5000????? Unacceptable.
 
#26 ·
Same problem, fixed

I got my 2012 Fiesta, auto, in july with 22K miles. Between 1st and 2nd gears I noticed a shudder in the transmission and the whole car would shake, happened consistently about 70% of the time. Went to the dealership 3 days ago, they found the problem and fixed it in 2 days. And loaned me a rental car. The problem was a leak in the transmission fluid. They replaced the clutch and sealed the leak. Drives 120% better now and noticeably better fuel economy.
 
#27 ·
Don't mean to necro this thread, but I have bought a 2012 Fiesta a few months back. The stuttering I thought was just because it was just the small engine. Was always from a stop to first (6 speed automatic).
-Earlier this morning the engine stayed at a really high rpm and was stuck in between 2nd and 3rd gear (should of down shifted, but it did not). I had to put it in nuetral to brake. Inspecting under the gas there was nothing that caught on the pedal or anything.

-This car is at about 20k miles, oil changed every 5k miles. Question is, does that stutter thing have something to do with the gear getting stuck? Really dissapointed my first new car is turning out to be a lemon.
 
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