Ford Fiesta Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,498 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford Fiesta across 10 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (391). The words owners use most often: “transmission control module” (7% of reports).
- 1,498power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 29mention a crash
- 12mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $3,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 17%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Transmission control module: mentioned in 105 of 1,498 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Ford Fiesta at $3,200, and half of them between $2,500 and $5,350.
Based on 31 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2011–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 1,188 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,498 complaints, 29 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 an injury.
Ford Fiesta power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fiesta | 21 | 20% | 67,000 |
| 2018 Fiesta | 10 | 29% | 30,067 |
| 2017 Fiesta | 22 | 30% | 69,000 |
| 2016 Fiesta | 101 | 57% | 65,000 |
| 2015 Fiesta | 104 | 40% | 59,000 |
| 2014 Fiesta | 208 | 41% | 30,000 |
| 2013 Fiesta | 391 | 59% | 20,000 |
| 2012 Fiesta | 274 | 44% | 42,000 |
| 2011 Fiesta | 366 | 50% | 56,200 |
| 2002 Fiesta | 1 | 100% | 64,250 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the Ford Fiesta. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs; however the issue persisted. After the repairs, while mother was driving on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The clutch became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not further diagnosed…
Brand new OEM ford clutch slave cylinder failed while in traffic. Part number DG9Z-7A564-B fell apart during test drive after it was newly installed. Lost ability to use the clutch pedal and could not pull the car out of gear while in traffic. Component was not inspected by manufacturer yet, there…
I was driving for couple hours then my oil light came on check engine light came on. Vehicle started to shake very badly. I had to pull over and see what happened. I started the vehicle up again and the oil light and check engine light are still on. I know that these vehicles have the wet belt…
The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission failure while driving. Before the failure, the car began shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. It then started making loud metal grinding noises from the transmission area and eventually lost the ability to move properly when placed in Drive or…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Fiestas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,498 owner complaints about power train for the Ford Fiesta. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Fiesta power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Ford Fiesta?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,200 (half paid between $2,500 and $5,350), from 31 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford Fiesta?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission control module”, in 105 of 1,498 complaints.
Other Ford Fiesta problems
- Engine problems (507)
- Structure problems (409)
- Electrical System problems (338)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (197)
- Latches/locks/linkages problems (185)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (135)
- Air Bags problems (102)
See all Ford Fiesta problems.