Ford Fiesta ST Transmission Problems – Repair Cost and Maintenance Rules

Since it was first released, the Ford Fiesta ST has been a hot hatch impressing drivers. The 1.6-litre engine provides plenty of power, and the six-speed gearbox ensures you can make the most of it. While the Ford Fiesta ST is a great car to drive, there have been some problems with the gearbox - precisely, reports of slipping gears and grinding noises.

Ford Fiesta ST manual transmission highlights

• Average lifespan:180,000-220,000 miles
• Reliability Score:High
• Prone to minor issues:Seldom
• Price for repair after failure:$700-$1,300
• Price for replacement:$1,200-$2,700
• Availability of parts:Average
• Common problems:clutch failure, overheating, issues when poorly maintained.

When Was the First Ford Fiesta ST Released?

2005. Following the 5th gen of the Fiesta superminis, the first-ever Ford Fiesta ST (Sports-Tuned) was released to the auto market worldwide in 2005. If you're from the United Kingdom, it's known as the MK6 in your country. 

In fact, the first Fiesta model to be sold in the US since the Fiesta Mark I was discontinued in 1980 was the Fiesta MK6 from the 6th gen of Fiesta superminis that came out in 2008. 

When Did the Ford Fiesta ST Gearbox Problem Start?

You may be intrigued to ask, "did this issue emanate after the first Ford Fiesta ST was released or did it take a while for people to discover the problem?" The short answer is "no," it didn't start with the first set of users that purchased it. 

So, when exactly did this problem begin? The issue burst seven years after, as it was first discovered in the later generations and year models released between 2011 - 2016. During these stated years, users who bought Fiesta ST models have had specific complaints around the internet in various auto forums about the gearbox making some strange noise. 

What Ford Fiesta ST Year Models Have This Problem?

The problem is not common with the Fiesta ST models produced between 2005 - 2010. You'll find the gearbox issue, usually, with 2011 - 2016 models. This, however, does not mean the problem can't occur with the earlier models of Ford Fiesta ST. But the gearbox problem is rarely reported from users who got theirs from that year's range. This issue has been often complained of by 2011, 2013 and 2014 Fiesta ST models users.

Common Ford Fiesta ST Gearbox Problems

One of the common problems of Fiesta ST's gearbox is that it starts to give sluggish responses whenever you input some commands, speed changes even when you didn't accelerate or decelerate it, throttle response failure (as in reduced efficiency), excessive fluid leakage under your car, oil contamination and car shaking in the gear shift. 

How to Notice These Problems (Common Symptoms)?

It mostly starts with common warning signs, such as gear refusal to switch appropriately when driving, which you shouldn't give an I-don't-care attitude. Start by paying attention to this, as some signs may be too technical for some to notice quickly.

Here are other symptoms that indicate a gearbox is getting faulty or failing: 

• Noise on the over-run. 
• Vibration whenever you slow your car down.
• Reverse-shift problem.
• Warning lights on your dash.
• Strange sounds while in neutral mode.
• Clutch slippage.
• Burning smell.

Can Ford Fiesta ST's Gearbox Be Repaired?

Yes, it can be repaired. Plus, it's a way to minimize expenses and get your car up and running. However, there may come a time when you'll need to replace your Fiesta ST's gearbox completely. For example, when the repair cost is almost the same as a replacement. So, it would make no sense to repair in this situation. Replacing with a new one would be the right thing to do.

Can You Repair Ford Fiesta Gearbox By Yourself?

For some, after knowing that Fiesta ST's gearbox can be repaired, they would like to give it a trial by themselves. So, is this kind of issue easy for someone without expertise in this field to fix? Of course, no. This is not a task for just any car owner. To be able to fix the gearbox issue yourself means you're a professional or must have gathered knowledge from experts over the years.

We do not recommend fixing the gearbox issue yourself. Why? Because anything that has to do with delicate, sensitive, or principal engine parts of a car isn't a baby thing you can go tampering with. Don't try this without prior or proven knowledge.

Cost to Fix Ford Fiesta ST Gearbox Issues

It depends on the stage of the problem. If the gearbox issue is still within the early stage, it should be categorized under vehicle wear and tear. The cost will start from $340 and above. If it has gotten close to a worse stage, you'll need around $1200 - $1500 to fix it. A replacement would be thrice this amount, so do not hesitate to consult a professional once you observe the early symptoms of a failing gearbox stated in this guide.

How Hard is it to Maintain a Ford Fiesta ST's Gearbox?

We believe it's always better to have your car maintained and repaired in a professional repair shop or at a dealer's place. But if you have some experience as a car mechanic, you may try changing transmission fluid by yourself.

Actually, changing oil in a gearbox is the only thing you can do to maintain this unit. In some cases, you can do it by yourself, but we don't recommend it if you aren't an experienced guy. You may just do something wrong and kill the transmission easily.

Ford Fiesta ST Gearbox Maintenance Rules

Change the Fluid at the Right Time

Here's one of the most overlooked aspects of some car users. Don't be one of them. Although this can be hard to calculate, it's still important to observe it closely. The general rule regarding this is to change your car's fluid every 50,000 miles.

Renew Coolant Regularly

As coolant helps prevent overheating, it's crucial to do the flushing and refilling regularly. 30,000 miles or two years is the best interval, depending on whichever comes first.

How to Prevent Ford Fiesta ST Gearbox Problems?

• Monitor the fluid from time to time. 
• Switch gears properly.
• Utilize the parking brake when needed.
• Do not overheat it. 
• Avoid overloading your car.
• Warm up your car regularly.
• Always go for check-ups.

How much is to replace a Fiesta ST transmission

If the transmission is broken and your mechanic says that the repair will be super expensive, you should think about replacing the Ford Fiesta ST transmission. It will not be much more expensive than repair, in your case.

Replacing the Fiesta ST transmission will need two steps:

1. Buying a new (or used) transmission for replacement. The prices will range from $5000 to $5500 approximately. Better buy a new one because it will serve you much longer and will not lead to problems soon.
2. Installing the new transmission. This will also cost some money. Depending on the shop you choose, you will pay $200 to $1000 for this work.

It's not that hard to see that the replacement of a transmission in your Ford Fiesta ST will not be a cheap event. But after that, you'll be able to drive your sporty hot-hatch for 100,000 miles and even more without any problems with the gearbox.

Is it worth the money? Depends on many factors including the mileage and the age of your Fiesta.

FAQs

Is There Any Difference in Ford Fiesta ST Year Models Gearboxes?

All Fiesta STs come with the 6th-speed manual transmission. But we should differentiate the transmissions up to 2010 and after 2010. These are similar but not identical gearboxes and they have their own different set of problems.

How Long Will a Ford Fiesta ST Gearbox Last?

If properly maintained, you can have your Fiesta ST gearbox last up to 200,000 miles before wearing out.

What can kill your Ford Fiesta ST gearbox?

A lot of things like towing, overloading, drifting, active cold start, lack of heating time, bad maintenance, poor transmission fluid, careless driving, etc.

Conclusion: Should You Repair or Replace the Gearbox Instead?

It depends on how severe the gearbox problem is. If it's your first time experiencing a gearbox issue, no matter how worse you may think it has developed into, you ought to give repairs a trial first to see if it gets it back to its normal condition before concluding on whether it needs a complete replacement instead. 

To avoid twice the expense: it's best to go for an inspection. An expert should be the one to decide whether or not you need a complete replacement of the Fiesta ST transmission.