Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 2014 Ford Fiesta. On June 23, 2025, I brought my car to McCarthy Ford in Chicago due to a check engine light and other concerns. I told them I didn't know what was wrong and paid for a diagnosis on my car. They fixed the hood and only mentioned the issue with my catalytic converter, which I could not afford to repair at the time. However, they never mentioned or inspected the Transmission Control Module (TCM) even though my car was eligible for extended coverage under Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02, which expired a week later on June 30th, 2025. Shortly after that visit, I relocated to Phoenix, AZ, and the vehicle began showing clear TCM failure symptoms: loss of acceleration, inability to reverse, and the wrench warning light. …
The vehicle has experienced ongoing failures with the DPS6 PowerShift transmission system. Symptoms included slipping between gears, failure to engage 6th gear, jerky shifting, and bucking during acceleration. A transmission warning light appeared multiple times. These issues occurred daily and worsened over time. Eventually, the vehicle became unsafe to drive-it would over-rev, buck violently, and lose power during traffic conditions. A retired Ford Senior Master Technician confirmed the issue is consistent with a faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM), which is covered under Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 14M02. Despite this, the dealership refused to replace the TCM. Instead, they replaced a speed sensor and returned it to me. The vehicle broke down again within minutes and had to be returned. …
I am writing to request Autofair Ford of Haverhill immediately repurchase the 2014 Ford Fiesta Titanium I purchased from them in 2019. I am requesting to be refunded the full purchase price plus all additional costs for registration, warranties and expenses associated with the 2014 Ford Fiesta Titanium that was sold to me. This vehicle, has since August 2022, been at Jannell Ford in Hanover Massachusetts, with a transmission defect that is unable to be repaired. As you will see from the enclosed documentation Ford apparently knew the transmission was defective and prone to serious safety concerns when they sold the cars originally and resold them through their dealerships. Additionally, Ford has allegedly (per news articles in the Detroit Free Press) instructed its dealerships to stall and delay resolving issues with the customers who purchased Fiestas and Focuses. …
My car never accelerated reliably, especially in lower gears. The transmission would constantly shake and shudder. My wife finally refused to drive it anymore after the car repeatedly responded exceedingly slow to her pressing the gas pedal when trying to cross traffic. She would be stopped, waiting to cross traffic. When there was a long break in traffic, she'd press the gas and car would crawl ahead much more slowly than you'd expect with how far she pressed the gas pedal. Oncoming traffic would then catch up to her and have to slow down until the car eventually made it across. This happened multiple times when I owned the car. The date I note in the "when did this happen" field represents the date I had the first clutch repair done on the car (at 18,756 miles).
When I try to accelerate my car shudders. When I go from the brakes and try the gas pedal my car jerks and has issues accelerating. I have been to the dealership several times for this problem all they do is reprogram. It is good for 2-3 days then goes back to jerking and shuddering. These problems occur most when I'm pulling out of driveways and partying lots from a stopped position trying to increase speed. I have had a few close calls because my car has problems speeding up when I'm on the expressway too. I got the car used at 20000 miles. The dealership when I brought it in for the first time in November 2016 told me it was normal for my car to have transmission problems. After several visits the problem was never fixed.
The car is having acceleration issue. You need to press heavy on the gas for it to move from stop position or on a slight slope. When driving the car at times will jerk when you try to speed up on the highway to merge lanes. The RPM at times will jump. The issue is a safety concern especially on the highway. Today the car would not go up a slope. The started to roll back. This is a real issue when there is snow. I'm scared to drive the car. I have taken it to the deal ship 2 times now. Last time I took it they noted that no fault found at this time.. So I guess nothing was fixed. I noticed the issue within the 1st year and the deal ship said the needs at least 20km and computer system will kick in or something to that fact.
My car does not always go when the gas is hit. When you go to pull out while stopped at a red light or stop sign, the car acts like it is stalling out, shakes, makes grinding noise in the engine. Has been in the shop for the issues. I've had the dual clutch replaced and module reprogrammed a few times. I was told numerous times by the Ford tech, that the shuttering is normal for this type of vehicle. This is not normal. I had other people drive my car and they also agree that it shouldn't drive how it does. I have to avoid steep hills because the acceleration doesn't always work.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford Fiesta. While driving 35-40 MPH, the contact felt a lot of play in the wheels and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle self corrected and operated as designed. In addition, the traction control, ABS, TPMS, and maintenance warning indicators were illuminated and the speedometer was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to precision Ford (945 n main st, lillington, nc 27546, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to a local dealer. The failure mileage was 100,000.
This vehicle has a transmission that causes bucking, kicking, jerking, harsh engagement, rough shifts, shuddering, delayed acceleration, red-lining prior to shifting, and feeling like it is returning to neutral during stop. This issue has been turned over to the dealer service center and Ford motor service. Both claim there is a clutch isse that is not a life safety issue and will not damage the vehicle long term. Both claim the parts are on back order and should be installed in 3-8 months.
Car is 2 years old exactly, transmission no longer working, only 20,000 miles on car. Will accelerate on own when coming to a stop sign or red light, will grind, crank and crunch when shifting gears all the while jolting when shifting gears. Have been jolted into a crosswalk when pressing on the breaks due to the car downshifting. Is not safe at all to drive with children in the car due to the unpredictability of the transmission.
Acceleration complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2014 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2014 Ford Fiesta, 5% of the model year's 504 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Fiesta acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2014 Ford Fiesta, though it has 7 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 2014 Ford Fiesta acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
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.