Fiesta Automatic Problems

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Tue 16 Apr 2002 20:45
Fiesta Automatic Problems - Sinjun
I bought a '97 Fiesta 1.25 Zetec Auto with c.12,000m in April 01 with one owner and a one year warranty.
Only 4,000m - and 11 months - later a problem developed which proved to be gear box failure. Warranty accepted it as being covered but said it strictly wasnt as the car had not "broken down" i.e. come to a halt, but would repair strictly as a good will gesture - oh yeah !
Warranty engineer said it was a known inherant fault with the Fiesta which was recognised by Ford.
The specialised auto box repairer confirmed that Fiesta boxes last on average 17,000m. "Would it happen again ?" I asked. Most certainly was the reply !

How come this is not publicised ? More importantly why is it not in Honest John's Car-by-Car Breakdown - Breakdown ! - which I always check before buying any car. Not blaming John but I did a lot of research before buying but never got a hint anywhere.

Anyone have a similar problem ?
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Tue 16 Apr 2002 21:50
Re: Fiesta Automatic Problems - Stevieboy
Recent Ford auto boxes aren't renown for their reliability.

Initially I wanted an auto Ford Focus, but after reading about many tails of woe relating to premature failure of the Mondeo auto gearbox, decided to get a manual instead.

Steve
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Wed 17 Apr 2002 09:00
Re: Fiesta Automatic Problems - David Millar
Doesn't help you but I've said before on here that I've had two company Fords with CVT gearboxes without any problems whatsoever whereas others do seem to have difficulties.

First was a Ford Escort which I took to 73K or thereabouts. Chap who collected it on replacement said he'd heard of them having problems at his dealership.


Second was a Fiesta 1.25 Ghia X because they'd stopped building the Escort auto. I had this for around 45K and it was a superb little car. When I changed jobs, my successor took it over and as far as I know took it to the 70-80K replacement mark with no problems.

All I can say is that I did a lot motorway miles, including the M25 Heathrow section stop-start, and not so many short, in-town journeys where the gearbox or engine don't warm up properly. I had Fiesta RS1800 before these two so wasn't inclined to hang about on the m-way but always take things easy round town.

Maybe I was just lucky but I do wonder if driving usage and style has something to do with the Ford CVT problems. Frankly, I love the CVT boxes and am quite convinced a derivative will play a major role in the future of motoring.

David
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