There are 30 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2011 Ford Fiestain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the engine malfunction, ABS, and Hill Assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic who again diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the throttle body, engine electrical harness, and engine mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred, and the vehicle stalled with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The contact had not taken the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO 1ST GEAR. AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE FORD, 2100 SISK RD, MODESTO, CA 95350 WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,271.
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC BUT I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BETWEEN GEARS AS WELL AS WHEN I NEED TO SLOW DOWN. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES OF A CAR IN FRONT OF ME BRAKING UNEXPECTEDLY AND I MUST PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND IT CONTINUES REVVING AT A HIGH SPEED SO I THROW IT IN NEUTRAL. I COULD RUN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME UNLESS I SLAM VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE OR PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR AUTOMATICALLY EITHER. ALSO, I MUST PUMP THE BRAKE FOR A MINUTE OR TWO BEFORE THE CAR WILL START.
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING.
ENGINE STALLS WHEN PUSHING IN CLUTCH. I HAVE HAD IT STALL AT LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS AND WHILE DOWN SHIFTING. HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION BUT ALWAYS WHEN PUSHING THE CLUTCH IN OTHERWISE MOST STALLS ARE OCCURRING WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY WITH THE CLUTCH PUSHED DOWN WHILE WAITING AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ETC. CAR JUST STALLS OUT. GENERALLY IT CAN AND HAS HAPPENED ANYTIME YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE CLUTCH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2 MONTHS SO FAR AND HAVE HAD THE CAR STALL AT LEAST 30 TIMES ALREADY AND AT LEAST 5 OF THOSE STALLS HAPPENED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN GOING ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONCE WHEN HALFWAY ENTERING A ROUND ABOUT. I HAVE NOT HAD IT STALL ONCE CAR GETS PASSED SECOND GEAR BUT I WILL NOT PUT ANYONE IN MY CAR AS I'VE ALREADY ENCOUNTERED ALMOST BEING HIT A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE OF ENGINE STALLING OUT ONCE THE CAR STARTING MOVING. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AS I HAVE GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR WITH NO CLEAR IDEA AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING IT.
WHILE STOPPED (AT A RED LIGHT, STOP LIGHTS, ETC.), WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED, THE CAR WILL STALL AND NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT IS OFF. I HAD TO DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DID NOT STALL (WHICH IT DOES FREQUENTLY). ONCE I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND WAITED A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR FINALLY MOVED AGAIN. THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE IT OFTEN OCCURS IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, WHEN BACKING UP, THE CAR WILL SHUDDER WHILE IN REVERSE AND ACT AS IF IT WANTS TO STALL OUT. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN IT ACTUALLY DOES STALL AND COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. I WILL HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR BEFORE I CAN MOVE IT ANY FURTHER.
THE CAR STAYS ON AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CAR EVENTUALLY TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SPEED DECREASED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
CAR WILL RANDOMLY DIE AT CERTAIN TIMES. SOMETIMES IT WILL START BACK UP SOMETIMES NOT. HAPPENS DURING LOW OR MEDIUM SPEEDS AT INTERSECTIONS ALMOST WRECKED A FEW TIMES DUE TO IT. PROBLEM DUE TO A FAILING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR ONLY HAD 50K MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARTED DOING IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE WRENCH ICON WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE, CAUSING A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY OR THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,090.
UNDER WARRANTY AND WITH VERY FEW MILES ON THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED MY FORD FIESTA AFTER I REPORTED THE CAR STALLING. THIS PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR. I COULD BE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT, IDLING IN TRAFFIC, STOPPED AT A LIGHT...CAR MIGHT STALL. I DREADED BEING ON A BUSY SOCIAL HIGHWAY STUCK IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE CAR MIGHT STALL AND OFTEN IT DID. I WAS TOLD IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH OXYGEN OR LACK THEREOF. FAST FORWARD TWO YEARS. MY CAR STARTED STALLING AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT ALSO SEEMED TO HESITATE, JERK, OR NOT RESPOND WHEN I ACCELERATED.THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. (SIDE NOTE: DURING THE LAST YEAR THE AC STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY AND WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE. A MECHANIC QUOTED $1000 FOR A NEW CONDENSER & COMPRESSOR). WELL, WITH THESE LAST TWO PROBLEMS I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BAD THROTTLE BODY SENSOR ($880 REPAIR). I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT THIS IS ALL TOO COMMON WITH FORD FIESTA'S AND OTHER FORD MODELS. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REPORT THIS AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THEY OPENED A CASE NUMBER AND DIRECTED ME TO ASK THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I TOOK IT FOR REPAIRS IF THEY WOULD HELP OUT. THEY DID NOT HELP WITH THE THROTTLE BODY REPAIR. I LEARNED JUST YESTERDAY THAT A FAMILY MEMBER WITH THE SAME CAR WITH LOW MILES - 2011 FORD FIESTA - IS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE HE MAY BE FACED WITH THE SAME, EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I HOPE THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR THIS THROTTLE BODY SENSOR PROBLEM. THIS STALLING AND ACCELERATION ISSUE IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS NOT ONLY VERY NERVE WRACKING IN TRAFFIC, BUT IS DANGEROUS AS WELL BECAUSE THE CAR CAN STALL AT ANY MOMENT. *TR
ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS GOING UP LOMBARD STREET IN SAN FRANCISCO WITH A FRIEND OF MINE AND 2 YOUNGER SISTERS. WE WERE WAITING IN THE LINE OF CARS, AS THERE IS ALWAYS AN AMOUNT TRYING TO GO UP THE FAMOUS STREET. AFTER 10 MINUTES IN TRAFFIC MY ENGINE LINE CAME UP WITH A WARNING STATING THE ENGINE WAS TO HOT. WHEN THE CARS MOVED UP MINES WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TRIED PUSHING ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I WASN'T SURE WHAT TO DO SINCE MY CAR WAS STUCK ON AN INCLINE WITH A HEAVY AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC SO I TOLD MY FRIEND TO TAKE THE WHEEL. HE SOON NOTICED THAT ALTHOUGH THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO UP IT WAS ABLE TO REVERSE. SO HIS IDEA WAS TO GO ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET WHERE THERE WERE NO CARS GOING AT THE MOMENT IN REVERSE. WITH MY LITTLE SISTERS FRIGHTEN IN THE CAR WE DECIDED IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO GET OUT OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC INCASE I NEEDED TO CALL A TOE TRUCK. WE REVERSE THE CAR ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET ALL THE WAY DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO PARK IT CORNER IN REVERSE. WE DECIDED TO WAIT 20 MINUTES AND SEE IF THE CAR WOULD TURN ON, LUCKILY IT DID. SOON AFTER I TOOK IT TO FORD TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY STATED IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION AND CHANGED A SMALL PART IN WHICH THEY CLAIM IT WOULD FIX IT. 2 MONTHS WE WENT TO GET ICE CREAM AND PARK THE CAR ON A HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO, MUCH SMALLER INCLINE. HOWEVER WHEN WE CAME BACK TO THE CAR IT DID TURN ON BUT THEN WHEN I TRY STEPPING ON THE GAS THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE, AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THEN TRIED AGAIN, THANKFULLY IT MOVED. I AM AFRAID IF DRIVING MY CAR IN ANY TYPE OF INCLINES FEARING MY CAR IS GOING TO STOP AGAIN. IT ALSO HAS THE TENDENCY TO SHAKE AND JERK A LOT. I'VE ALWAYS BROUGHT IT UP TO FORDS ATTENTION BUT THEY TELL ME THAT IS HOW THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED AND THAT IT IS NORMAL.
WHILE TRAVELING TO AND FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS ON ME. IT STALLS EVEN IF I AM JUST WAITING ON A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN ON THE HWY AND IT STALLS. I AM ABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS. IT MAKES NOISE LIKE THE ENGINE WANTS TO FALL OFF. MY HUSBAND ALSO HAS A FORD FIESTA AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO HIM. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE CARS? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FIESTA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,100.
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT SHUTTERS, STUTTERS, AND RATTLES UPON TAKE-OFF. THERE ARE MANY TIMES THAT IT WILL BARELY MOVE WHEN VEHICLES BEHIND ME ARE COMING TOWARD ME. I HAVE TO REALLY STEP ON THE GAS TO GET MOVING, AND EVEN THEN IT USUALLY DOESN'T ACCELERATE FAST ENOUGH. EVERY TIME I GET INTO MY CAR, I COULD GET REAR ENDED. THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2013.
WHILE DRIVING THE EXPRESSWAY AT ~4:00AM THROUGH DOWNTOWN DETROIT MY VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER TO ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO INSTRUMENT INDICATORS, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL COMPRESSION. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS LIGHTER THAN USUAL TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, BUT NORMALLY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY MOVE A DISABLED VEHICLE FROM THE EXTREME LEFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER WITHOUT ENGINE/TRANSMISSION CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A FMC DEALERSHIP AWAITING INSPECTION/REPAIR. I SUBMIT THIS REPORT BECAUSE I FEEL, BASED ON NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS I'VE READ, THAT THE FIESTA MAY BE A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
LEAKED ALL OIL FROM ENGINE, ACCORDING TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT FINDINGS THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. WAS 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. VEHICLE NEVER OVER-HEATED NOR WAS IT EVER DRIVEN IN A MANNER THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A BLOWN GASKET. *TR
THIS WAS THE CERTIFIED LETTER I SENT TO FORD: ON JUNE 12, 2012, I PURCHASED/FINANCED A NEW 2011 FORD FIESTA AT ANDY SHAW FORD IN SYLVA, NC. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIESTA HAS NOT PERFORMED WITH RELIABILITY OR SAFETY DUE TO CHRONIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND HAS CAUSED AMPLE INCONVENIENCES AS WELL AS SAFETY CONCERNS FOR MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN I AM OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES. ENCLOSED ARE COPIES OF THE VEHICLE'S SERVICE RECORDS. EACH TIME, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER A FEW MONTHS, I BEGIN EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS ON THE ROAD WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE (ALMOST BEING REAR-ENDED, GETTING STUCK AND ALMOST BEING HIT WHILE TRYING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT OR TRYING TO MAKE A TURN ACROSS AN INTERSECTION) DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING/STALLING/LURCHING FORWARD AND END UP BACK IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, YET AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER REGARDING THESE ISSUES, MICHELLE (AT 1-866-631-3788, EXT. 77796), WHO HAS YET TO OFFER ANY REAL, VALID ASSISTANCE. TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR REPLACING THE VEHICLE WITH ONE THAT PROVIDES SAFETY AND RELIABILITY, AT NO COST TO ME. I BELIEVE I AM ENTITLED TO THIS ACCORDING TO GEORGIA LEMON LAW. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY AND A RESOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 21ST, 2016. WAITING ANY LONGER WILL PUT MY AND MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY AND LIFE AT FURTHER RISK. ***FORD WROTE BACK AND DENIED MY REQUEST FOR A SAFE, RELIABLE VEHICLE REPLACEMENT. THEY ARE IGNORING THE SEVERITY OF THE SAFETY ISSUE AND SIMPLY TOLD ME TO KEEP WORKING WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
TOOK CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, ETC. AND WAS TOLD IT HAD AN OIL LEAK AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT (IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY) UNTIL THE LEAK BECAME WORSE! *TR
Showing 1–20 of 30 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026