Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle with his foot on the brake pedal and off the accelerator, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated to an undisclosed speed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a fence, where it stalled, and the contact was unable to restart it. The air bags did not deploy. The transmission warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. A police report was filed. 12 individuals suffered injuries, with 7 being transported to the ER and treated for various injuries. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission as well as the transmission control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began to lose forward momentum. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle but did not turn off the vehicle. The contact attempted to shift into reverse(R) but the vehicle only revved while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact attempted to shift into drive (D) and the vehicle revved but did not move forward. The contact turned off the vehicle and had it towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and determined that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer under Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 Transmission Control Module (Power Train). The vehicle had been repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate as the transmission warning light would intermittently appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer where the battery was replaced but the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start up after multiple attempts as both oil and transmission fluid had begun to leak from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a heating system failure. The contact inquired about the fluid leakage and was informed that no fluid leaks were found. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact received notification of Manufacturer Communication Number: AE8Z-7Z369-F (Transmission Clutch). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the recall repair completed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to Cincinnati, OH to her granddaughter. The contact stated while her granddaughter was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The driver stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to cruise to a stop on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer and the mechanic performed the manufacturer recall remedy repair for a second time. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that after the battery was replaced, the message "Transmission Malfunction Service Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the RPMs fluctuated, and the engine revved abnormally. Whenever the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, the engine jerked, and the transmission failed to shift as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission Control Module); however, the VIN was not included. The failure persisted, and the vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The contact had parked the vehicle out of safety concerns. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted, and after several attempts, the vehicle started. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with TCM failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed of an unknown recall for the TCM however, the recall had expired. The contact had not received a recall notification. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear. The contact noticed smoke coming from an unknown location of the vehicle and the vehicle started to shake. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to operate. The transmission warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that she received a notification of Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM and clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided two case numbers and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and began to lose motive power. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and the vehicle restarted however, the gear shifter failed to move out of park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle shut off with the "Transmission Malfunction -Service" warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the clutch which needed to be replaced. The dealer stated no failure was found with the transmission, but the contact is concerned the failure is with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the "Engine Malfunction Service Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel at start up. The vehicle was taken to dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 14M02 (Transmission control module extended warranty coverage); however, the dealer refused to honor the warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would shudder upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. As the failure worsened, the contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that her vehicle was under warranty; and referred her to the dealer for assistance. The dealer then informed the contact that her vehicle was not covered under warranty and provided an estimate for the repair of a defective clutch assembly. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and confirmed that her vehicle was not covered under warranty; she was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Transmission complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 104 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Ford Fiesta, 40% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Ford Fiesta transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2015 Ford Fiesta, though it has 4 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 2015 Ford Fiesta transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 15 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.