Despite media reporting and numerous payouts for old Focus and Fiesta owners, Ford continued to equip 2017–2019 Ford Fiesta cars with a similar PowerShift automatic transmission.
It turns out, these later Ford Fiesta models experience the same or similar problems that the previous Ford Fiesta cars had. We have collected complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which reveal the striking similarities between these eras of transmission defects.
Please note that the complaints on the Ford Fiesta transmission issues have been edited for grammar and clarity.
2017 Ford Fiesta
The car jerks and shutters when pressing on the gas. The car loses power and will not go over 40-50 miles [per hour], which is very dangerous when driving on the interstate. The car is not changing gear properly.
2017 Ford Fiesta
On occasion while backing up steep at home driveway (approx. 15-20 degrees), the transmission slips out of gear and rolls forward. [I] step on brake immediately and [it] instantly shifts back into reverse. [This] has happened 3-5 times since vehicle was new.
2018 Ford Fiesta
Vehicle [was] driving on interstate when a vibration was felt through the steering wheel, then the vehicle started lose power. Gear shift still in drive, engine still running and [it] coasted to a stop on side of highway. Vehicle was rear ended. [I] found out that the left drive axle had become disconnected at the transmission end. When this happens, the [SUV] has no way to maintain a safe speed.
2018 Ford Fiesta
While driving, the automatic transmission shutters when going into second gear and stalls before accelerating. Sometimes, the car won’t start and it’s not related to the battery or the starter. It also had a purge valve replacement three months after purchase. A few months later, I had to replace it again. This time it wasn’t under warranty. I purchased this car brand new in 2018 and it had all these issues in 2018, and October of 2019 is when the transmission began to shutter.
2019 Ford Fiesta
My 2019 Ford Fiesta automatic [transmission] does not shift gears properly, my car would not reverse and therefore caused a small fender bender. It has no speed and runs rough.
2019 Ford Fiesta
The vehicle has a problem with the PowerShift automatic transmission. It’s very sluggish when shifting. When you tap the accelerator with your foot after being at a stop sign, the car jolts like previous year and models of this car.
If you have recurring problems with your Ford Fiesta or DPS6 transmission, your vehicle may be a lemon. Read more about your California lemon law rights. If you would like more information, complete the form below to request a free consultation.
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2020–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.
