2011 Ford Fiesta Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 366about this part
- Share
- 50%of 730 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 366 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 50% of the 730 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car will stop accelerating or moving in the middle of driving and completely lock up. I am unable to go forward or in reverse when this happens. However the car will still rev just not move. This is so dangerous and has happened in intersections as well as on the freeway. I've had car looked at multiple times and have had to tow off side of freeway due to it not moving!”
NHTSA complaint #11242308, filed 2019-08, 98,000 miles“The vehicles transmission abruptly down shifted while driving at a high speed. I almost was rear ended had I not moved aside. This has happened twice. There have been numerous reports of faulty transmission and electrical problems where it stems from. I was a die hard Ford owner until Ford refuses to repair the issue. Maintenance has always been on time, and not just oil changes.”
NHTSA complaint #11219399, filed 2019-06, 158,000 miles“My car transmission doesn't work properly, the info screen displays transmission troubles ,I tried to accelerate the car on drive and goes to 10 MPH and doesn't change gears. This happens when I first turn the car on, going on a city street, after the car is turn on for more than 10 or 15 minutes then it works better but the message on the info screen still shows transmission failure, or trouble shuts.”
NHTSA complaint #11343877, filed 2020-08, 5 miles“The car shudders and feels like it os going to stall out. The car revs high when you press the gass but has no power. I've taken it twice to dealership and they say they have to fix the throttle body first before they can tell me if it's my transmission. Also when I'm filling up my tank it stops every few seconds and will not allow gas to go in the tank. They also said it's my filler neck.”
NHTSA complaint #11254224, filed 2019-09, 114,000 miles“My 2011 Ford Fiesta with only 94k on it has a automatic transmission failure and starting issues. There are recalls on where Ford extended the TCM warranty to 10 years 150,000 miles which I believe may have lead to the failure of my transmission. The Ford dealership in ankeny iowa says they will not do anything for me to fix this problem..”
NHTSA complaint #11041500, filed 2017-10, 200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237441May 4, 2023Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10226944Nov 7, 2022Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission; Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10199780Jul 30, 2021Ford is extending the warranty coverage on the DPS6 automatic transmission TCM to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever…
- 10180371Sep 2, 2020This customer satisfaction program updates the TCM software in affected vehicles to provide improved detection and over warning of electrical circuit failures in the TCM. As…
- 10164620Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Service…
- 10164606Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2016 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164604Aug 26, 2019Certain 2011 through 2014 Model Year Fiesta and Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Clutch Shudder / Transmission Input Shaft Seal Warranty…
- 10164615Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module Extended…
- 10164612Aug 14, 2019Certain 2011 through 2015 Model Year Fiesta and 2012 through 2014 Model Year Focus Vehicles Equipped with a DPS6 Automatic Transmission - Transmission Control Module…
- 10163594Jul 12, 2019Short-Term DPS6 Dealer Customer Handling Direction
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 21 | 20% |
| 2018 | 10 | 29% |
| 2017 | 22 | 29% |
| 2016 | 101 | 56% |
| 2015 | 105 | 41% |
| 2014 | 208 | 41% |
| 2013 | 391 | 59% |
| 2012 | 274 | 44% |
| 2011 | 366 | 50% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Fiesta
125 complaintsEngine
108 complaintsElectrical system
96 complaintsOther or unknown
68 complaintsVehicle speed control
57 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
41 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsElectronic stability control
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford Fiesta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology