I test drove a hatchback fiesta and it was quite zippy, I decided to get one but a sedan model. Drove to another dealer that had the car I wanted. Took that for a test drive and noticed that the car seemed to "break" whenever I took my foot off the gas. Not just a "I'm slowing down because I'm losing momentum" but when I take my foot off the gas I first start slowing down, then I get resistance slowing my down more. My father told me this was normal "new engines break themselves for safety", a little skeptical I bought the car.

The issue has continued and, while it could just be the fact that I'm switching from a van to a car, it feels like the car is much more sluggish than when I got it. I don't floor it off the line, but I would expect to be able to keep up with at least the grandma driving in the slow lane. Once I get to a higher gear its very smooth, but from a stoplight I have to almost floor it to keep up with the other cars.

Thoughts? and thanks in advance.

 

Don't know for sure , but sounds like the trans is starting out in second gear instead of first. Might want to have someone check the linkage to make sure it is in D instead of D2. Are you getting lousy mileage with it? If so that could be the cause.

 

Well, another person that has a problem with a brand new Fiesta. Fancy that. I've already seen quite a few tranny problems with these, as they tend to display a shudder on downshifts that i (as a trans tech) find quite irritating. Check to make sure that all 6 gears are there, and by the way, this really is a manual trans, so are you sure you're not feeling just the mechanical connection these cars have? They are not like a normal automatic, as they really aren't. However, I would get this to a dealer soon.

 

Well, my first question would have to be, if youve seen a lot of tranny problems, do you think I should switch to another car if I can? Ive only had it a week. I saw nothing but good reviews for the fiesta so if you have a review to the contrary I would love to hear it.

Could you elaborate on "make sure all 6 gears are there"? I will assume you mean see if i can feel shifting into each. I have driven a manual for about a day, wasn't very good but I know what it feels like. If i had to describe the resistance it would seem like either the breaks never fully disengage or as soon as I let off the gas it downshifts and I feel the engine breaking. My main concern isn't the actual symptoms but the fact that it appears to be getting worse in that now its kinda sluggish. Could have just been the cold day but I drove the car 5 times over the course of the day and it was like this each time, usually if i get a "sluggish day" its only the first time I start it (based on other cars experience)

Could you also elaborate on this really being a manual? What is the difference between automatic and what the ford has?

I also notice that the car is kinda jerky upshifting, like if i drove a manual for the first time and couldn't find the sweet spot.

 

BTW this is a 2012 SE sedan

 

Haven't driven one yet , but I believe This is the trans they say ," It takes some getting used to" because it is actually in two gears at once. This is the way it was designed to operate.

 

Ok, yes, technically the car is engaged in 2 gears at once, but since it uses dual concentric input shafts (kinda like the old, old JetAway trans that GM once had years ago....I know what you're thinking Hanky), only one of the 2 clutches is engaged at any one time. But do look for all 6 speeds to be there; some can be kind of hard to feel (especially from 5 to 6th gears). These transmission are really just a manual transmission (actually, it's a reworked ib6 speed from the Focus SVT) that is automaticcaly shifted. PLEASE get this to a dealer so they can at least scan for codes (it can have them, even if the CEL or SES light is not on) and drive it. If you feel that they aren't doing the best they can, than go for a road test with the tech or someone higher up, or drive another new one. We are still trying to get all the bugs worked out of this system, as it's brand new.
On a more personal note, the drivetrain itsself is nearly bulletproof in terms of engine and (so far) transmission reliabiltiy. I rented a 2011 Focus on my vacation a few weeks ago to run around in, which has the same trans, and I've worked on about a dozen of them, and I'm not impressed with the downshifting (particulary at a stop) in that it shudders more then it should. There may be a fix for them. Also, this trans is very suspectible to the adaptive strategey being learned wrong. It takes about an hour to relearn it, and has many precise steps that have to be followed.
Most of what i've seen in this trans is a problem with the shift motors or possibly the Trans. Control Module. The dealer will have to make that determination. But you shouldn't have to live with it, especially if you compare it to a like car and it's not right. After all, that's what customer service is all about!

 

Thanks greasemark for the update. The advice you offered is invaluable and if there is a problem with the trans it's better to have it on record if needed at a later date.

 

I dropped the car off at the dealer tonight and they will have a quick look tomorrow. I have a feeling all they are going to do is reflash the transmission though. Any tips on making sure it doesn't learn wrong?

I'm a computer geek mostly, is there anyway to flash on some firmware or whatever ford calls it of an "already learned" car or is that even an accurate question?

Thanks for all of your help btw, I really do appreciate it.

 

The dealer told me everything is normal they couldn't reproduce any problem and they drove it for 35miles, which I really don't buy. Guess I'm SOL for the next 6 years until I can get a car that actually does things like accelerate to faster than "omg theres a car behind me that can't stop, WHY WONT YOU ****ING MOVE" speeds.

My one sentence review of ford:
"I really used to love driving until I got a ford"