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 2017 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact state that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated. A message displayed on the instrument panel "Transmission Failure - Service Now". The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that each time after the vehicle was refueled, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TCM failed, and the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the vehicle made abnormal growling sounds as the transmission was shifting hard and was slipping between gears. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the transmission had slipped while at a complete stop, causing the vehicle to lunge forward. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test-driven and diagnosed with transmission failure. The mechanic diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, a yellow wrench warning symbol and "engine malfunction service now," warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the vehicle would intermittently stall while driving at various speeds with the warning light remaining illuminated. The contact called several dealers including Ourisman Ford of Alexandria (6129 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303), Upper Marlboro Ford(5701 Crain Hwy, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772), Koons Ford of Silver Spring (3111 Automobile Blvd #1, Silver Spring, MD 20904) and was informed that the failure might be related to a transmission defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle; he was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and experienced hard shifts from first to second gear and from second to third gear. The contact stated that the RPM were significantly high prior to shifting gear, then decreased before the vehicle accelerated as intended. The contact stated that the transmission had failed to shift to reverse(R). The contact stated that DTC: 4P07A5; was retrieved, indicating transmission friction element B stuck On. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission downshifted intermittently. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Transmission Hot - Wait 5 minutes" was displayed while driving. The contact stated that she pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that she continued driving; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where it was diagnosed that the TCM Power Input Signal was low, and the clutch A was stuck engaged. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the contact depressed the clutch to shift gear however, the clutch seized, and the contact was unable to shift into gear. The contact placed the vehicle into neutral and veered to the side of the road. The contact looked under the hood and smelled an abnormal chemical odor coming from the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with a faulty clutch. The contact was informed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Transmission failed. Yellow wrench light on with Transmission overheating message with an indication to pull over immediately. Took the vehicle to a shop and this was their conclusion: Firestone: Code. "P2701 Description, Transmission Friction Element "B" Apply Time Range/Performance". TECH ROAD TESTED AND FOUND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BADLY, REFER TO TRANS SHOP OR DEALER FOR OVERHAUL/REPLACEMENT. COMPUTERIZED ENGINE ANALYSIS The car has been a at Ford dealer for 2 weeks awaiting a very expensive transmission overhaul. 2017 Ford Fiestas are experiencing the same transmission issues as previous years.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that upon attempting to reverse the vehicle, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic after multiple attempts to restart the vehicle. The independent mechanic then informed her that only a dealer could repair the vehicle; therefore, the vehicle was towed back to her home. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where she was informed that the TCM (Transmission Control Module) needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance; they then referred the contact to the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.
As of date in July, starting in february the car had transmission error service now, got a new TCM under warranty. A week later the error came back and was told it was just an error code. A week later it came back and stalled out on the road but was not given help. A week later error code came back took to service a few days after they said they reprogrammed the TCM and it was ready to be picked up. Drove it off the lot and it stalled on the highway less than 5 minutes after being picked up.
Transmission complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Ford Fiesta, 30% of the model year's 74 complaints. The component named most often is clutch assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ford Fiesta transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 Ford Fiesta. 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 2017 Ford Fiesta transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 21% 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.