2017, 2018 and 2019 Ford Fiesta Transmission Claims
Much has been said and written online about the core problems affecting the DPS6 PowerShift transmission used in 2011-19 Ford Fiesta and 2012-18 Focus vehicles. In fact, it is a bit surprising to be talking about 2017, 2018, and 2019 Ford Fiesta transmission problems if, for no other reason, the PowerShift system at the root of these issues was still being used so long after its troubling debut and the maddening history that followed. Built upon a design that could never quite provide the driving experience it was marketed as, the DPS6 transmission has caused significant problems nationwide for current and former owners. That 2017, 2018 and 2019 Ford Fiesta transmissions are now the subject of a new class action lawsuit is no surprise – but the manner in which a settlement could once again negatively impact the rights of many current and former owners is a source of concern.
While sold as an automatic, the DPS6 PowerShift transmission is not a traditional “universal” automatic transmission. Instead, it is a complex system that requires a number of parts and functions to all be in sync and working properly in order to function. The DPS6 PowerShift transmission is based upon dual clutch (DCT) technology that basically utilizes a traditional, manual transmission’s setup but with a computer, not the driver, implementing gear shifts. Because of this reliance upon a computer to detect upshift and downshift scenarios in real-time, it is incredibly important for the transmission to work effectively due to all of the various scenarios that can occur while driving. A failure of the DPS6 PowerShift transmission to be responsive to, for instance, a sudden need to accelerate when pulling out of a drive, merging onto the highway, avoiding an obstacle, etc., can all lead to major problems. Less severe, but still very important, are transmission lags, hesitations and shuddering that prevent the driver from having full control over the vehicle at all times. And yet, all of these issues and more became regular concerns for many nationwide drivers of the Ford Fiesta.
Experiencing issues with a failing 2017, 2018 or 2019 Ford Fiesta transmission? Contact us today!
Symptoms of a failing transmission in 2011-16 models, but also in 2017, 2018 and 2019 Ford Fiesta cars include:
Failure to start
Inability to accelerate/non-responsiveness
Hesitation or lurching when switching gears
Shuddering
Gear lockout
Overheating, resulting in the need to pull over before resuming operation
Check engine light/prompts to seek service
And more
Each of these symptoms impacts the vehicle and driver in a different way. However, each is a hallmark sign of problems associated with the transmission in a 2017, 2018 or 2019 Ford Fiesta. The largest problem, beyond Ford’s decision to use the troubled PowerShift in vehicles for so many years, is that there has not been a fundamental redesign or recall performed on these vehicles. While warranty periods have in some limited instances been expanded, the parts being utilized for repair are frequently the same parts being removed in terms of design and manufacture. This means the transmission problems many times continue as opposed to being resolved.
With such widespread knowledge about the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Ford Fiesta transmission issues, one would think having the problem fixed by a dealer would be relatively easy. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Even having a repair performed on these vehicles can be an ordeal once a dealership is convinced it’s required ( whether still inside or outside of warranty). For years, owners of Ford Fiesta vehicles with transmission issues have been told that the problem was not severe enough to warrant repair, could not be replicated, or was merely how the vehicle normally operates. Sometimes a part would not be replaced but, instead, the software would be reset or ‘flashed’ in hopes it would somehow resolve the problem. Most recently, parts shortages have prevented current owners from obtaining much needed repairs. This last problem should be a major concern for those seeking a buyback of their vehicle due to rigid requirements many states that are dependent upon repair counts, mileage and length of ownership, in order to qualify.
Problems with the Ford Fiesta transmission were at the heart of a major class action lawsuit and eventual settlement involving 2011-16 model year vehicles. That settlement, which also included 2012-16 Ford Focus vehicles, essentially forced all legal claims surrounding the transmission used in these cars through an arbitration program based solely on state lemon laws. While many entered that program believing they would be entitled to a reasonable assessment of their problems, far too many discovered that their state’s rigid Lemon law requirements for a buyback prevented them from receiving any compensation at all. Given that a class action settlement is permanently binding on all class members unless they opt out ,there is no “do-over” or choice to remove one’s self from the class settlement when you become frustrated by the outcome. In fact, he failure to receive damages from Ford in this matter has left countless owners in dire situations, financially and otherwise, while dependent upon a vehicle with a defective transmission.
With so many unhappy current and former owners, one would think that this transmission debacle would be a major mainstream story. Unfortunately, though, the matter flew under the radar of major news organizations and only received attention from automotive blogs and some local news ‘special reports.’ However, in 2019, Detroit Free Press reporter Phoebe Howard began writing a series of articles detailing the extent to which Ford knew about the problems surrounding the DPS6 PowerShift transmission before the vehicles were even on the market. Using documents in the public record due to litigation surrounding the transmission in earlier model Ford Focus and Fiesta vehicles, Howard’s articles reached a national audience and shed new light on the serious problems that still exist in 2017, 2018, and 2019 Ford Fiesta transmissions. Finally, owners did not feel “alone” in their experiences with Ford. However, those articles came out after the class settlement was reached and after the rights of millions of current and former owners of the Ford Fiesta were already determined. While our firm helped nearly 13,000 current and former owners of 2012-16 Ford Focus and 2011-16 Ford Fiesta vehicles opt out to pursue individual claims, we still hear from owners daily who still own these troubled cars and want help. Unfortunately, we cannot help them though as their rights have been defined by the class settlement they were unable to opt out of.
This last point is extremely important for current and former owners of 2017, 2018, and 2019 Ford Fiesta vehicles to understand. Once a class action settlement is reached, there is expected to be a limited time window within which those individuals who are affected by the class action’s terms can act by opting out. This troubling feature of class action settlements regularly catch consumers off-guard, and in matters involving an automobile defect, this can be even more impactful due to the heavy reliance we place on our vehicles financially, logistically, and otherwise. As a further example, those seeking a buyback in the previous class settlement faced major issues doing so because of the class settlement arbitration program that relied upon repair counts, based on state Lemon law, to qualify. As noted, the parts shortages being reported by current owners have not only created a major roadblock for having a serviceable vehicle – it could also become a major barrier for anyone attempting to qualify for a buyback due to the absence of repair counts caused by the lack of replacement parts available.
Stern Law is currently assisting current and former owners of 2017, 2018, and 2019 Ford Fiesta vehicles with transmission claims. We represent thousands of individuals impacted by Ford’s decision to use their DPS6 PowerShift transmission in these vehicles and expect to represent thousands more 2017-19 Fiesta (and 2016-18 Focus) owners once a class settlement is reached and those affected begin to explore alternatives and opting out. For more information about filing an individual claim, outside of any class settlement reached in that matter, please complete our contact form, or call our firm at (844) 808-7529.