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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Ford Fiesta Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
29%of 35 total for the year
Median mileage
30,066miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Ford Fiesta, 29% of the 35 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,066 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving the automatic transmission shutters when going into second gear and stalls before accelerating. Some times the car won't start and it's not related to the battery or the starter. It also had a purge valve replacement three months after purchase. A few months later I had to replace it again this time it wasn't under warranty. I purchased this car brand new in 2018 and it had all these issues in 2018 and october of 2019 is when the transmission began to shutter.”

NHTSA complaint #11321226, filed 2020-04, 70,000 miles

“Vehicle driving on interstate when a vibration was felt through the steering wheel, then the vehicle started lose power. Gear shift still in drive engine still running and coasted to a stop on side of highway. Vehicle was rear ended found out that the left drive axle had become disconnected at the transmission end. When this happens the sv has no way to maintain a safe speed.-++++++”

NHTSA complaint #11398847, filed 2021-03, 23,133 miles

“Car shudders upon acceleration from standstill. Loses power severely going uphill. Engine/transmission shakes shudders engine races and quickly accelerates after loss of power then decreases again. When moving from stop car shudders makes a grinding noise and then slowly accelerates before decreasing RPM and then races again.”

NHTSA complaint #11328346, filed 2020-06, 10,000 miles

“The car was driving at 68 MPH and approximately 2500 RPM started to loose speed down slight hill and rpms increased to 5,500 RPM. Let off the accelerator 3 seconds rpms decreased reapplied accelerator and operated properly.”

NHTSA complaint #11240281, filed 2019-07, 9,200 miles

“Since around 20,000 miles, my 2018 Ford Fiesta SE has had a grinding noise after shifting at certain gears. I got the car serviced at that time. Now I'm at 70,000 miles and the noise has persisted, and has gotten worse. My transmission slipped at 0mph when I was accelerating, almost causing me to lose control of my car.”

NHTSA complaint #11556942, filed 2023-11

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20192120%
20181029%
20172229%
201610156%
201510541%
201420841%
201339159%
201227444%
201136650%

Other parts of the 2018 Ford Fiesta

Other or unknown
9 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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