Traction Control complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My mother in law and I both own a Ford Fiesta and a Ford focus.. Mine bought brand new in 2014 and hers used but gently used and we've had problems with them since we bought them. We have both tried bringing them into Ford many times to get fixed and they both tell us it's the computers.. That they need to be reset. Every time they reset the computers and we continually have to take them back in.. Even when the transmission light lights up, all they do is reset the computers. The last time I took my Fiesta in, it was still shaking when I drove it to check on it. The man at Ford told me that they all do that and it's normal. A few days later, I had to take it back in because it stalled. When it finally started, when I put it into drive, it reversed and would not drive forward. We took it to Ford, they reset it and blamed it on the computers. …
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.
While driving on the expressway my car began smoking and began to overheat which caused a cracked cylinder head that sprayed oil all over the inside of my hood sparking a small fire under the hood. The computer began to shut the car down and displayed a warning message that stated sudden loss of oil pressure, please prepare to pull over safely. Just as I read that message the brakes started to lock and the steering became harder to turn as I tried to get off the next exit from the expressway. I reinjured my broken ankle in trying to keep stop and control the car. Once pulled over the car continued to smoke and no longer started. I filed a claim with my insurance and it was denied as they found the cause was due to recall mechanical or electrical breakdown still under powertrain warranty. …
I bought this car from a houston Honda dealership in May of 2017, I late September 2017, early October 2017, I took my car into the Honda dealership because my 'traction control', 'ABS', & 'anti-skid' lights came on. My radio cut in & out, my headlights would cut off and on/dim while driving, causing the gears in my car to shift. I was told to take it to Ford. I took it to Ford, they diagnosed it, I needed a new 'TCM' which is the computer system inside of the car. The warranty covered it, & I got a new one. After that, I was told I needed a new battery, so I got one, put it in, the car ran good for a month or so. The 'TCM' slipped again, & I was back to square one. November 2017 is then the transmission problems really began; interior dashboard lights began to flicker, & my engine light came on, shortly after exiting the highway, my car stopped accelerating. …
2012 Ford Fiesta fails to turn on at random times. Lights from the control panel to the headlights continually blink and turn off while driving. This evening while driving down a busy highway, I made a right turn and the transmission locked up and I could not accelerate or move the car to safety until turning the car on and off again. Also, a few days after I bought the car, the back right door opened while I was driving with my 10 yr old son in the backseat. Ford dealership fixed the door issue but the power and transmission issues are still going on after Ford checked the car and stated it was fine in my service paperwork. The car is clearly not fine.
Ford Fiesta, 2012 are not worth anyone's money. The moment I got it, the A/C would not blow anything out, my car would stop at stop signs and in the middle of the road when not in motion and trying to pass traffic, which is completely life threatening. It has a bunch of electrical issues and will start flashing (the warning signs) and then stop randomly. It is jerking at almost all times and shuts off a ton, I have gotten it checked multiple times and spent more than I can afford. This vehicle is ridiculous and I intend to tell everyone I know!!! I am always scared when driving my own car that I spent thousands on, Ford needs to figure this out
I reported to sterling mccall on 8/18/14 at 5:50 p.m. The problems that I have been having with my 2011 Ford Fiesta. I also reported the customer satisfaction program 14m01 .0n 8/20/14at 7:19 a.m. I brought my vehicle into sterling mccall. Sterling mccall refused to fix the problem. I reported to legacy Ford on 9/5/14at 4:05 p.m. To [redacted]. The problems that I have been having with my2011 Ford Fiesta. I also reported the customer satisfaction program14m01. On 9/11/14at 6:59 p.m. I brought vehicle into legacy Ford. They gave me a rental car at 7:15 p.m. On 9/12/14 legacy Ford refused to fix the problem. I filed a case [redacted]-5211951 with the customer relationship center at 2:15p.m. I brought my 2011 Ford Fiesta to Firestone for a diagnostic on 12/4/14. The find was that the article supersedes TSB 11-9-2 to update the issue statement and service procedure. …
My 2011 Ford Fiesta se will not start. Electrical issues , PCM possibly. When you try to start the car all lights flicker, battery is fine and continues to attempt to start even after the key is turned back in non-starting position. The radio and USB/charging ports don't work either. This potential repair is going to cost me more than this thing is worth. Ford shouldn't sell crap. I bought this car because I needed reliable safe transportation not to have a money pit with no transportation and a loan. I literally just spent $1000 at a garage for maintenance and it wouldn't start when I went to pick it up yesterday. Now the Ford dealership is guessing pm! I shouldn't have to pay for this, Ford should recall the PCM and fix the electrical or stop ripping people off with garbage.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Fiesta years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (23), 2013 (14), 2014 (12) and 2012 (7) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Ford Fiesta traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Ford Fiesta model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Fiesta traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles; 53% happened before 50,000 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.