Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On several occasions over the last winter I turned left from my driveway. As I attempted to accelerate the vehicle briefly slipped out of gear. The vehicle is controlled by an automatic transmission, but slipped from gear, leaving me in the road, unable to move forward. This has happened on several occasions. My transmission has also failed several times at red lights. I will step on the gas, and there are several seconds of hesitation, where my vehicle will not move. Then it lurches forward. Ford has sent a letter explaining there have been defects with the transmission, but I have called 3 different dealerships, and they refuse to fix the problem unless it occurs during a test drive by their technicians. If the problem does not occur during their test drive they will charge me over $100 for the diagnosis. …
My daughter drives this car. Car stutters when driving, idle goes up to 3K, overheat icon came on, idle goes high but car decelerates , car bucks like a bronco. Ford charged us over $500 to replace a cooling fan, did 3 software upgrades, said they replaced the transmission control module, same issues repeated except for the overheat icon, idle still went high and car stutters, bucks, again the trans stopped propelling the car. Now they say it's the throttle body and want over $800 !! To repair it. The 2011 Ford fusion has a similar problem and is now covered for free under a customer satisfaction program, all of the windows in the car are hard to raise, you have to manually push them up while holding the up button. The throttle issue is new but why didn't those codes turn up previously when the car exhibited the same symptoms? Imo this is a poorly manufactured vehicle. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle vibrated violently. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics who stated that the transmission and fuel injection needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to citrus motors Ford (1375 s woodruff way, ontario, ca 91761, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch and shaft needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
First time I had an issue vehicle was in motion would not accelerate over 40 MPH. Took to dealership no codes found. After about a week vehicle was parked put into reverse the motor would rev up but it would not move, put into pare turned off waited a little bit car would then go but with very little power couldn't accelerate over 40 MPH again. Returned to dealership this time they replaced the clutch assemblies and updated the computer. I will be returning tomorrow for the third time in a month. The car only has 77,000 miles on it.
My vehicle has around 40K miles and the throttle body has given out and requires replacement. This part has broken on so many Ford vehicles that the dealer states it is on back order for 3 months. We have no estimated time of availability for this part, yet this problem is not covered by a recall or customer satisfaction program (csp) for this particular model, however it is covered by a csp for other Ford vehicles. Symptoms: driving on a city highway and vehicle looses power and stalls out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Fiesta. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine and service now indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the line from the accelerator pedal was causing resistance. The technician replaced the terminal kit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure was remedied. The failure mileage was 70,383.
The engine malfunction service light came on and the sorry bottle position sensor keeps on saying it's spelt faulty, but when I replaced the throttle body and replaced the gas pedal it was still having issues, and now I'm barely getting to and from work anymore or anywhere else, even down the street because it continues to put itself in safe mode. So I am out for a thought of body and a gas pedal, and it's still not fixed the issue
The car shudders and feels like it os going to stall out. The car revs high when you press the gass but has no power. I've taken it twice to dealership and they say they have to fix the throttle body first before they can tell me if it's my transmission. Also when I'm filling up my tank it stops every few seconds and will not allow gas to go in the tank. They also said it's my filler neck.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 4% of the model year's 730 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Fiesta fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2011 Ford Fiesta, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fiesta fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.