Recalls: Ford Mk.6 Fiesta
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Ford Mk.6 Fiesta
2011 Ford WS Fiesta ECOnetic: poisonous gases
In January 2012, a recall was issued for WS Fiesta Econetic vehicles that were built from 2 September 2011 to 12 September 2011. In these vehicles, a brass blanking plug fitted to the exhaust system may not retain torque. As such, the plug could become loose and occupants of the vehicle could be exposed to poisonous exhaust gases (PRA 2012/12989).
Ford WT Fiesta: incorrect deployment of passenger airbag
In February 2012, a recall was issued for WT Fiesta models due to instrument panels potentially being manufactured with an incomplete combination of parts – this could cause incorrect deployment of the passenger airbag during a frontal impact (PRA 2012/13015).
2010-11 Ford WS Fiesta ECOnetic: fire hazard
In November 2014, a recall was issued for WS Fiesta ECOnetic vehicles that were available for sale from 17 July 2010 to 12 September 2011. In these vehicles, the glow plug control module that aids cold engine start-up can be adversely affected by wet conditions due to its location (low in the engine compartment). If water enters the glow plug control module, it may cause overheating and pose a fire hazard, even if the vehicle’s ignition is switched off (PRA 2014/14447).
2010-16 Ford Fiesta: door may not latch
In November 2018, recall campaign 18S06 was issued for Ford Fiesta vehicles that were manufactured from 27 May 2010 to 1 September 2016. In these vehicles, the pawl spring tab in a side-door latch may break and this would prevent the door from latching. If it was possible to close the door, the door could then unlatch while the vehicle was being driven – this posed a hazard to other road users and vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17164.
Problems and faults: Ford Mk.6 Fiesta
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Ford WT/WZ Fiesta: ‘Powershift Loyalty Program’, unconscionable conduct and $10m penalty
In July 2017, the ACCC initiated proceedings against Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (Ford) alleging that Ford engaged in
- unconscionable and misleading or deceptive conduct, and
- made false or misleading representations
in response to customer complaints concerning Ford LW Focus, Ford WT/WZ Fiesta and Ford BK EcoSport vehicles that had double-clutch ‘Powershift’ transmissions.
The ACCC alleged that around half of the 70,000 vehicles sold in Australia had at least one repair relating to the Powershift transmission due to excessive shudder when accelerating, an inability to select gears, a sudden loss of power or excessive noise.
From 2011 to May 2015, the ACCC alleged that:
- Ford refused to provide a refund or replacement vehicle to consumers, even after vehicles had undergone multiple repairs that failed to fix Powershift transmission problems;
- Ford refused to provide a refund or replacement unless owners participated in the Powershift Ownership Loyalty Program which required a payment – on average – of $7000 for a replacement vehicle; and,
- Ford then on-sold vehicles that were traded in as part of the Powershift Ownership Loyalty Program without disclosing the Powershift problems to purchasers.
In April 2018, the Federal Court declared that Ford had engaged in unconscionable conduct in responding to consumer complaints between 1 May 2015 and 29 February 2016, and ordered Ford to pay $10 million in penalties. Furthermore, Ford entered into an enforceable undertaking with the ACCC to establish a program to review customer requests for refunds or replacement vehicles made between 1 May 2015 and 1 November 2016; the ‘Independent Complaints Review Program’ was to start in July 2018 and run for 12 months. Ford also undertook to provide customers with more information about their cars, including the history of manufacturing defect repairs performed on their vehicles.
Ford WT/WZ Fiesta Powershift: transmission clutch shudder
In the USA, Ford initiated ‘Customer Satisfaction Program 14M01’ for:
- 2011-15 model year Ford Fiesta vehicles that were manufactured before 15 October 2014 at the Cuautitlan Assembly Plant; and,
- 2012-16 model year Ford Focus vehicles that were manufactured at the Michigan Assembly Plant
which had six-speed ‘Powershift’ transmissions. While Australian-delivered Ford Focus and Fiesta vehicles were not manufactured at these locations, owners have reported the same symptoms which are described below.
According to Technical Service Bulletin 15-0120 (which was superseded by TSB 16-0109), these vehicles may exhibit excessive transmission clutch shudder on light acceleration. Furthermore, some vehicles may leak transmission fluid from the clutch housing. Once verified, the technical bulletin stated that:
- The PCM/TCM was to be re-programmed; and,
- The clutch was to be replaced.
According to the bulletin, vehicles manufactured after 6 June 2013 had improved transmission input shaft seals that were unlikely to experience leaks; as such, these seals were only to be replaced if leaking. AustralianCar.Reviews understands that a new clutch material was introduced in 2015 because the original clutch material had excessive heat transfer.
As part of Customer Satisfaction Program 14M01, the warranty for affected vehicles was extended to seven (7) years of service or 100,000 miles from the warranty start date of vehicle if the vehicle exhibited 1) transmission clutch shudder or 2) transmission fluid leaks from the transmission input shaft seal.
Ford WT/WZ Fiesta Powershift: loss of power, no transmission engagement and/or no start
In the USA, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 14M02 for:
- 2011-16 model year Fiesta vehicles manufactured before 27 October 2015; and,
- 2012-16 model year Focus vehicles manufactured before 5 November 2015
that had six-speed ‘Powershift’ transmissions. While Australian-delivered Ford Focus and Fiesta vehicles were not manufactured at these locations, owners have reported the same symptoms which are described below.
According to Technical Service Bulletin 15-0121 (subsequently superseded by TSB 16-0129), these vehicles may exhibit the following intermittent symptoms:
- Loss of transmission engagement while driving;
- No-start; and/or,
- Loss of power.
These symptoms were usually accompanied by an illuminated ‘check engine’ lamp, while Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) U0100, U0101 and/or U1013 or P0606 would be present in the powertrain control module (PCM) memory. Additional symptoms could include messages in the message centre indicating that ‘hill start assist’ was not available, parking aid malfunction/service was required, or the transmission PRNDL/S gear selector on the instrument cluster may flash.
AustralianCar.Reviews understands that these symtpoms were caused by a solder crack in the transmission control module (TCM). To fix, the TCM was to be replaced and the PCM/TCM was to be re-programmed with updated software that could detect a loss of communication with the TCM that exceeded 100 ms. Furthermore, the clutch adaptive learning procedure was to be performed and DTCs cleared. As part of the Customer Satisfaction Program, the warranty coverage on the TCM was extended to ten (10) years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurred first.
Pre-2013 Ford Fiesta: grinding/scraping noise when coasting
In July 2014, Ford USA issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 14-0066 for 2012-13 model year Ford Fiesta vehicles that had six-speed ‘Powershift’ transmissions manufactured on or before 17 March 2013. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit a grinding or scraping noise during cold ambient temperatures while coasting down between 80 km/h to 32 km/h. To fix, the transmission was to be removed and output shaft #1 was to be replaced.
Ford WT/WZ Fiesta: Powershift driving notes
To prevent premature wear of the PowerShift transmission, Ford WT/WZ Fiesta vehicles with this transmission should not be driven like a conventional automatic transmission. As such, drivers should not hold the car inclines by using the accelerator; by braking when coming to rest on an incline, the hill launch assist function will engage to prevent the vehicle rolling backwards when the driver removes their foot from the brake to accelerate. Furthermore, drivers should not engage in stop/start creeping which may cause the clutch to slip.
