My unfortuante tale of owning a Fiesta

[cjunebug2010]

Early days: issues shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.. it would 'search' for a gear and driving in parking lots was a nightmare with the lunging/lurching and near stalling. I had had problems when trying to stop, in one particular instance, I had to slam on my breaks to avoid an accident and car did not respond normally and I did not believe I was going to stop and I had difficulty moving (to avoid being rear-ened) because my car could not find the appropriate gear as expected)

1,500 miles: I took it in, they re-set the computer and 'retrained the transmission (drive 15 minutes without going over 3,000 RMP after re-setting the computer. No idea if that works but that is what they told me) When they returned my car to me, there was a new noise/rattling that would occasionally happen when shifting into second.

2,300 miles: took it back in since the first attempt was a crock. They gave me a new transmission and told me it was fixed. The new transmission is better than the first. There is more rattling noises when shifting to second.. seems to be worse if going up a slightly incline. The new transmission still lunges and lurches just not as bad

Two days after getting it back, CEL came on and shifting got even worse. I took it back and they told me it was something to do with the capless gas tank and replaced something. Never addressed the continued transmission problems.

6,000 miles: (Early March) I temporarily gave up on this until I was almost in another accident. I called FORD headquarters filed a complaint, took it back to the shop. I drove around with the service manager who was able to replicate the transmission issues as well as another issue with the pressure system in the gas tank. They 'reset' the computer and gave it back to me. Ford denied my request for a buy back telling the 'field service engineer stated the car was operating as designed'

9,900 miles: with the same continued complaint (Another near accident). Low and behold there was a TSB (11-5-13) released in mid march (about a week after the Field service engineer said my car was working fine) regarding transmissions made prior to 1/31/2011. Apparently no one thought to contact me regarding my continued problems. They 'reprogrammed' the car and I just got it back.

FORD is reconsidering my buy back request. I am FURIOUS... They continue to put me back into a car that is not safe! Maybe once my I actually get in an accident they will care. I have begun contact lawyers to escalate matters because I seriously doubt FORD will do anything!
Another interesting note for anyone with similar problems.. I found out that the auto-line from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is funded by auto manufactures and gets consumers to settle for less than they are entitled to. So for anyone in a similar situation… Be leary of the BBB auto line.

[psi chick]

so even after a new transmission your car is having difficulty finding gears? sounds like a ecu problem.

was the shifting issue fixed with the second transmission? you mention a rattling noise but that's it.

[Captainmorbid]

Sorry bug. That sucks, it's too bad you got one of the possessed ones. Good luck with your actions...

[cjunebug2010]

Same issues with the new transmission. They reset it, replaced it, reset it again and now they have reporgrammed it. I just got it back from reporgramming that was mentioned in the new TSB.

[PowerShift]

If you're concerned that there might be a safety issue have you thought about reporting it to NHTSA? NHTSA Contact Information | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

This might be a good thing for everyone with Fiesta transmission problems. If the govt. gets enough reports about this about this they might be able to pressure Ford to take some action.

[cjunebug2010]

Thanks for the link.. I have not been sure where to report this. I thought the BBB might be a good place to start until I found out the autoline is paid for by FORD.

[3Mach1]

I know this is a bummer for you. Keep all of your paperwork and document everything. At the rate you are going you may want to look into the lemon laws in your states. I think some lawyers will take your case for free until its resolved so you are not out of pocket.

Here we are in 2011 and why Ford cant built or outsource transmissions that work is a mystery to me. Mustangs are eating Getrag Mt82 transmissions up and the Fiesta has auto problems. Otherwise, both cars are pretty much trouble free. I would not hesitate for a second to lemon one out if it was me and I qualified. Mustang owners are reporting to the NTSB left and right and ABC is probably going to blow it wide open in a TV special I hear. Ford is trying to blow too much stuff off these days but the media will get their attention. I would report it to anybody who will listen.

Im a Ford guy but man this is just BS imo.

[OSFitz]

I am sorry to hear of your woes. Vrod is having a similar experience with regard to transmission problems. I think he is on his third tranny, and it still isn't running properly.

[billnchristy]

Originally Posted by OSFitz

I am sorry to hear of your woes. Vrod is having a similar experience with regard to transmission problems. I think he is on his third tranny, and it still isn't running properly.

He actually ended up getting a focus.