2010 Ford Fiesta Zetec WS Automatic - Major Problems

sundae · 28-02-2011, 10:49 AM

Our 6 month old 2010 Ford Fiesta Zetec WS Automatic (3,300km) has major problems.

My first complaint:

- My car won't start EVERY morning. It will only start the second time and putt putt down the road. Ford has come back with the answer "Engine is green and needs to be run in" for the reason this is happening.

My second and third complaint:

- The car has no power (especially under 60km) eg when you press the accelerator it won't give you power straight away (few seconds delay) which is very dangerous when pulling out in traffic

- Revs and changes gears harshly especially using a round about, zebra crossing, stopping and starting in traffic. Feels like it is stuck in the wrong gear as it won't give you power

- Breaks have a "harsh clunky" noise coming from the front of the car when I put my foot on or off the breaks

Ford have said my three complaints are "normal" because my car is new. I've been back 5 times in 6 months

Anyone else experienced these problems or have any advice????

jackson105 · 28-02-2011, 11:05 AM

Hi Mate,

Had so many problems with our 2006 Ford Escape when we got it new. They only really got on top of it, after me saying I would be getting my lawyers involved, and the media. Eventually the service department got a new guy there who is fantastic, and after 2 and a half years it was finally right. I wish you all the very best of luck with all your issues. Ford are so quick to sell you a product, but there after sales is a ******* joke.

Franco Cozzo · 28-02-2011, 02:52 PM

I have a 2009 WS CL, except in manual and I've had absolutely no issues with it, except for crap aircon.

Try putting 95 in the car instead of 91.

Take it to anywhere else but Ford, see if you can get the mechanic to drive it and see what they come up with, leave it there overnight so they can replicate the issues.

GoesLikeAZetec · 01-03-2011, 12:09 AM

Sounds like the normal Ford fob you away and hope you'll forget story. I'd go to another yard and test drive another zetec auto to make sure those other problems dont happen, and then go back to your own dealer and stick it them!

At least you can say, I test drove the exact same model, and it had none of these problems. NOW FIX IT. Then mention the ombudsman straight up.

From others experiences on here, there seems no point writing to Ford Oz.

Good luck!!!

JUZXR8 · 02-03-2011, 03:49 PM

what petrols have you put in it?

my partner has a brand new WT fiesta with the 6 speed and we have found that 91 RON is useless in it and was causing similar issues. After we started using 98 RON its been perfect.

small_ford · 02-03-2011, 07:50 PM

Maybe its suffering from too many short runs and lack of use - 3,300km in 6 months is not a lot. After checking oil level and making sure coolent level is good, fill it with 95RON petrol and take it for a decent drive- at least 100km's ideally more. After the engine is thoroughly warm frequently vary the RPM's make sure you get it up to 4-5000 rpm sometimes when accelerating, 2-3000rpm most of the time, and then see how it runs. If it still bad then there is an issue that Ford dealer needs to address.

Cheech · 02-03-2011, 08:21 PM

I don't know if the Auto box is a "learning" box like the ZF.

On the ZF gearbox (Falcon) it can be cleared by disconnecting the battery for a 30 minutes.
You might try that and see if it re-learns to shift better.

Caydus · 02-03-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUZXR8

what petrols have you put in it?

my partner has a brand new WT fiesta with the 6 speed and we have found that 91 RON is useless in it and was causing similar issues. After we started using 98 RON its been perfect.

Can you elaborate on what u mean by useless?

Been putting E10 in mine since i got it out of the factory and it feels zippier than my old 06" 1.8L Corolla on 95.

Put a tank in 95 in it recently and it feels a little better but not mind blowingly so.

Also, as for the "learning" gearbox, does it mean if it sees you have a lead foot, then it'll hold gears longer by default and vice versa?

Cheech · 02-03-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caydus

Can you elaborate on what u mean by useless?

Been putting E10 in mine since i got it out of the factory and it feels zippier than my old 06" 1.8L Corolla on 95.

Put a tank in 95 in it recently and it feels a little better but not mind blowingly so.

Also, as for the "learning" gearbox, does it mean if it sees you have a lead foot, then it'll hold gears longer by default and vice versa?

The ZF has a learning algorithm. So if it's regularly driven like it's stolen, the gearbox program adopts sportier gear changes. If its feathered around town, it will learn this shift pattern.

Sounds like it might pay to disconnect the battery and fil with 98 (100 is available from some United servos) and take it for a good flogging in the hills.

trento · 02-03-2011, 11:02 PM

Also 95RON is the minimum for the fiesta. Many people (me included) have noticed/complained of performance issues that come with running E10 (91RON). Now I'm not saying that this will fix your problem, but it will help you get the most in regards to performance and longevity out of you fez.

sundae · 05-03-2011, 07:07 AM

Many thanks to all your responses.

We have always used 98 petrol in the car.

Update:

Ford held car for 9 days and returned it with the fault not fixed.
They said they did not have the software calibrations to fix the fault and could not give me a date as to when it could be fixed.

The Ford foreman drove my car to his home every night for 9 days including the weekend and drove 200km in it. He even added his own phone to my dashboard connectivity and returned the car with 0 petrol .

What can I do? Anyone tried fair trading?

GoesLikeAZetec · 05-03-2011, 04:43 PM

Yeah there would be an automotive ombudsman as well...

the other thing you could also do, is ring your local member... sometimes they can be really helpful..

"the squeaky wheel" they say...

its not a pair of shoes your buying. its a $15-25k item. there is no reason it shouldnt work properly...

start ringing up. from personal past experiences.. nothing gets things moving along faster than the ombudsman or a local member saying hello.

Spinner77 · 06-03-2011, 01:17 AM

Truth is that you cannot avoid the step of going first to Ford Australia to register your complaint.

That's just how the system works. You have to give the manufacturer a chance to do something before your complaint is taken seriously by anyone else.

The first thing you will be asked when you go to Consumer Affairs or your local member is whether you have lodged your complaint with Ford (as opposed to the dealer).

At a minimum, first phone Ford on 13 FORD. State you complaint. Get the name of the person you are speaking to and a case reference number.

dannyhilton · 07-03-2011, 09:34 PM

Exact reason why this is looking like my last Ford. Pathetic. Sorry to hear you've been treated like this fella. The US have 'lemon laws' which means if your car gets a certain amount of faults, they either give you a new one or you get your money back.

But is doesn't help. Just complain, complain and complain some more. Ford Australia, the dealer, and then go further.

Fiesta God · 08-03-2011, 04:19 PM

Sounds like you've got a lemon, there are quite a few members on here with WS Fiesta's and all of us only have good things to say about them ...

Out of curiosity, did you purchase the car brand new or was it a demo?

sundae · 08-03-2011, 09:59 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice.

- car was brand new
- dealing with ford's customer relations complaint centre since feb 2011
- my brand new car stalls EVERY morning
- ford can't tell me when they will have new calibrations (they tried for 9 days with no results)
- to top it off the ford foreman drove my car home every night (200km)

Fair trading? Not sure what to do????

Franco Cozzo · 08-03-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundae

Fair trading? Not sure what to do????

Today Tonight/A Current Affair

Spinner77 · 09-03-2011, 01:07 AM

If you're in NSW, local Federal Member.

Say you want it taken up at an executive level with Ford.

sundae · 09-03-2011, 07:35 AM

Thanks spinner I'll follow that up today.

Spinner77 · 09-03-2011, 02:49 PM

If you get the runaround, try a Labor Senator, if one is nearby.

To borrow Jeremy Clarkson's formula, some say they are not overloaded with work. They will be aware, however, of how much money the Federal Government is shovelling into the vehicle industry.

GoesLikeAZetec · 14-03-2011, 11:29 PM

Bump.. So hows it going?

sundae · 15-03-2011, 10:26 AM

Still no luck...

- I have lodged a formal complaint with Fair Trading
- Wrote to my Federal Member - He can't help
- Wrote to 4 page letter to Ford PR Exec 2 weeks ago- still no reply

I've complained to the Dealer, the Ford Service Centre, Ford 13FORD, Ford Head Office etc etc

My car STILL won't start every morning and STILL has loss of power issues and Ford can't tell me what is wrong with it or when they will be able to fix it...It's a joke!

Spinner77 · 15-03-2011, 11:30 AM

Go to the MP's office. Do not phone first.

When you get there, tell his/her staff that you insist you get an appointment to see him. Be polite, but very insistent.

All you are asking for is that he/she contact Ford at a senior level to resolve the matter. You are not asking the Member to take sides.

dannyhilton · 15-03-2011, 11:59 AM

Great service like this is why Ford is sinking lower down the charts...

GoesLikeAZetec · 15-03-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinner77

Go to the MP's office. Do not phone first.

When you get there, tell his/her staff that you insist you get an appointment to see him. Be polite, but very insistent.

All you are asking for is that he/she contact Ford at a senior level to resolve the matter. You are not asking the Member to take sides.

+1

Ive done plenty of work in MP offices, and have heard them fob people off. So definitely go there in person. They cant refuse you an appointment.

sundae · 15-03-2011, 11:13 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice.... Much appreciated.

bms · 16-03-2011, 08:25 PM

Sundae the other thing to do asap is to send a letter to Ford stating that the car stalls each morning and generally lacks power and that if either circumstance leads to an accident and then personal loss or injury you will hold them responsible and also give a copy of the letter to the dealer.

This puts the ownas back onto them in no uncertain terms as I did this many years ago for an uncle and it had the desired effect very quickly.

sundae · 27-03-2011, 03:20 PM

Update:

Ford told Fair Trading that they are waiting on a program from Germany to fix my car (a line they have been spinning me for months).

Ford could not give Fair Trading a fix date so I'm taking it to CTTT court.

Why would Ford need to get a program from Germany when the fiesta zetec is no longer made there?

GoesLikeAZetec · 27-03-2011, 03:37 PM

Good work Sundae!!!!!

They are just fobbing you off... Keep at them like a terrier!

sundae · 27-03-2011, 04:37 PM

Thanks...I'm like a dog with a bone on this one... Can't wait until it's all over.