Transmission problem??

[Tooneyman]

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.

[FocusedSlayer]

Hopefully they have all the kinks worked out by now , but I'll definitely be takin mine back if it starts acting up .

[mifoon]

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.

[FocusedSlayer]

Any updates yet? I asked the guys that I know that work in the service department of the Ford dealer I get my vehicles serviced at and they told me that the haven't received any of the Fiesta's with a tranny problem yet .

[Tooneyman]

Originally Posted by FocusedSlayer

Any updates yet? I asked the guys that I know that work in the service department of the Ford dealer I get my vehicles serviced at and they told me that the haven't received any of the Fiesta's with a tranny problem yet .

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 ???

[Graver_66]

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.

[tophattwaffle]

I just picked up a new 2013 2 days ago with 7 miles on it. It seems to stutter a little bit when shifting from first into second, but that's it. I was told by someone that it's normal. Should I be contacting the dealer?

[Graver_66]

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).
"

[Graver_66]

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.

[bogart88]

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!