2011 Ford Fiesta problems
Owners have filed 1,040 complaints about the 2011 Ford Fiesta with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 35.2% of them, far more than any other system, ahead of structure at 12.1%.
Complaints1,040
Crashes52
Fires7
Injuries59
Deaths6
What owners report breaking
Power train 35.2% · 366
Structure 12.1% · 126
Engine 10.4% · 108
Electrical system 9.2% · 96
Unknown or other 5.6% · 58
Vehicle speed control 5.5% · 57
Latches/locks/linkages 3.9% · 41
Steering 2.5% · 26
Severity
Of those complaints, 52 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire, 59 report an injury and 6 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Ford Fiesta in this data, 2011 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 30 in the last three years against 58 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 57,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Took my car in for a recall on the trans/clutch (my car is automatic) . Less than 3 months later the trans was grinding hard, slipping and stalling while driving. I took it back in. Its been about 3 months and my trans is starting to act up again. Ford says there is nothing they can do about it because its acting like they knew it was going to. That Ford sold a bad trans and its the "characteristics" of the trans. Power train · reported at 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who replaced the clutch. Four months later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000. Power train · reported at 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted gears without being prompted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission and automatic clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. Power train · reported at 55,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…