Hi. I'm new to the forum - what a great place! Brilliant to meet fellow Fiesta owners - you all have great taste! Can you help me please?

I've recently bought my first car - a 2014 Ford Fiesta Zetech 1242cc Petrol. It's a really nice car, but I'm having a problem with the clutch. I was wondering if anyone help me work out what it may be please so I can convince the garage I bought it from to fix it?

Unfortunately the problem I have is intermittent (aren't they always?!). The garage had it in but drove it around for half an hour with no problems so sent me on my way. They're saying they can't/won't fix it until they see it not working. I think they should investigate it more. They've tried to pass it off as driver error, but I'm glad that exactly the same has now happened to my Dad so that rules that out (I was starting to think I was going mad).

Here's what happened to me this morning, which is pretty typical:

• Pulled up at roundabout.
• Pressed clutch down and slipped into first as I slowed down. Kept clutch down. 
• When the traffic started moving I lifted the clutch and the car started to move straight away – it was as though I was immediately at the bite-point (whereas normally I can lift the clutch a few inches before I hit the bite-point and the car begins to move). Then it stalled as I began to move. Even though I put the clutch fully down to stop it stalling, it had no effect.
• Stopped car, put back into first and started again in first with clutch down. Same happened, as soon as I took the slightest pressure off the clutch it began to move. This time I tried to move the car out of first when the engine was running, but I couldn’t move out of first when the engine was running, even with the clutch fully down. 
• Stopped car, put into neutral. Noticed the clutch had less resistance, and it didn’t come back up all the way. 
• Then stopped the car and started in neutral, but now I couldn’t push the car into first gear with the clutch fully down. It felt as though I was trying to put it into first without using the clutch.
• Stopped the car.  I was now able to come out of first as the engine wasn't running and put the car into neutral. Clutch was soft again. I then realised that pumping the clutch a few times while in neutral gets the clutch back to normal again. Able to put it into first and drive away. 
• Same happened a few minutes later.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? It really doesn't feel safe at the moment.

Many thanks in advance,

JM01905.

Hi, this is likely to be either the master cylinder or the slave cylinder.

Trouble is, there's a huge financial difference between them.  MC is behind the pedal and pretty easy to replace.  SC is inside the gearbox and takes a few hours labour just to reach it.

If you can 'force' the problem to occur by holding the clutch down for an extended period, I think that's the best chance you've got at showing the garage the problem.  Take them out as a passenger with you driving to show them.

Technically it could be considered driver error as you're not meant to keep the clutch down for any longer than necessary.  Should return to neutral anywhere you'll be waiting for a 'while'.  But in the real world I think most of us will just hold the clutch down in first at most quick-changing traffic lights.

Thanks TomsFocus. Luckily, I have a 12-month warrantee so hope I'll be covered. The problem is as you've said, replicating it. Sometimes I can drive all day and it's fine. Other times not. But mainly it happens when I'm at a roundabout so your explanation makes sense. 

I'm booked into the garage in the morning. If anyone has any other ideas so I can point them in the right direction that would be great.

JM01905.

2 hours ago, jm01905 said:

Thanks TomsFocus. Luckily, I have a 12-month warrantee so hope I'll be covered. The problem is as you've said, replicating it. Sometimes I can drive all day and it's fine. Other times not. But mainly it happens when I'm at a roundabout so your explanation makes sense. 

I'm booked into the garage in the morning. If anyone has any other ideas so I can point them in the right direction that would be great.

JM01905.

how did you get on at the garage? 

I'm at the garage first thing tomorrow. It's the second time it's been, the first time they drove it around for half an hour and said it was fine. They didn't even look at anything mechanical! 

6 hours ago, jm01905 said:

Thanks TomsFocus. Luckily, I have a 12-month warrantee so hope I'll be covered. The problem is as you've said, replicating it. Sometimes I can drive all day and it's fine. Other times not. But mainly it happens when I'm at a roundabout so your explanation makes sense.

Just echoing and emphasising what @TomsFocus said, it does indeed sound like a seal is passing (and hopefully in the master cylinder!). You might be able to encourage its repetition by holding the clutch down for a good 30s/min/whatever. Whilst the release bearing won't appreciate this doing it long term it is only to try and replicate the issue on demand. If it doesn't work you might just have to give it a few months to get worse. I can certainly understand the garage taking a cautious approach - you might just have to work with them and allow things to get worse before they get can get better.

An update - dropped it off at the garage... and they couldn't find anything again. At least they looked at it mechanically this time rather then drive it for 10 minutes, but still no dice. I've told them they may as well keep it and keep on taking it out to replicate the issue, no use in returning a car that's faulty to me. 

The only other thing I can think of is if I go out with my Dad and video it happening. Do you think that will convince the garage?

For info the car was only bought 6 weeks ago, and it first happened after 2 weeks. The again after 3 weeks so I called the garage and they finally found time to look at it after the 30-day return period (although I contacted them prior to this). I have a full 12 month warrantee, but the garage say they can't fix it until they see it faulting. Personally I think I have a case of 'fix it or refund it'. I see the Motor Ombudsman in the UK say the window for returns is actually much longer. Anyone know where I stand on this?

There isn't really anything to see mechanically unfortunately.  That's why it's difficult to diagnose whether it's the master or slave cylinder at fault.  The warranty company won't pay out unless the fault can be proven first.  

As said above, if you can make it happen with the garage tech in the car, that would be the best form of proof for them.  Though a video may be of some help.

 

Have seen a post on a similar issue. 
it sound like air in the system if you can pump the clutch. If air gets in , usually fluid gets out and you have to top up the reservoir. If it’s not leaking out, can’t see the slave though and the level not falling, the check valve in the master cylinder could be allowing fluid back to the reservoir during operation.

clutches are wear and tear items so some warranties may not be too helpful as time goes on.

Hi RL123. The guy at the garage said that it sounded like air was getting in. However, when he checked he said the fluid levels were all spot-on and it looked like there wasn't excess oil there. It's all very frustrating.

If the pedal is ok sometimes from cold, without pumping , it’s unlikely to be air in the system. More likely the master cylinder sticking or the valve letting fluid back to the reservoir. Perhaps if you get someone to operate the clutch when it’s playing up and observe the fluid level in the reservoir, it may rise and drop with pedal movement if the valve is leaking? Just a thought.

Hi RL123,

Thanks. The pedal is always OK from cold. This normally happens in traffic in the morning. Does that shed any light?

Thanks in advance.

Doesn’t sound like air in the system. If you hold the clutch down whist in gear, does the bite point sink towards the floor?

if so and your not loosing fluid from the reservoir, then I would suspect it’s the check valve in the master cylinder letting by.

Think and hope it’s not like the mk3 Kuga which is only serviceable complete with the pedal assembly.

Hello

I have a 2017 ford fiesta ecoboost and I've been having the same problem with the gear stick and clutch pedal.  As others have said it's very intermittent.   Has anyone managed to find the issue?

Thank you

Hello Sue Smart and Jason, I also have a ford fiest 2017 ecoboost and i am experiencing the same problem. Did any of you manage to diagnose the problem? help would be very appreciated. 

16 minutes ago, Elissa said:

Hello Sue Smart and Jason

Unlikely that you will get a quick reply from either.

That is true, thank you for the heads up, i guess it was worth a try

I had this problem over 2 years ago. 2017 Fiesta. Clutch and slave cylinder were changed, at 37,000m. Everything was fine, but now the problem is back this week. Now at 55,000m.

I'm a driving instructor, so important that clutch is working properly at all times. Since the work was done I've always been careful that the learner only goes to the bite when absolutely necessary, and only for a second or two, so it's particularly disappointing that the fault is back again.

First and foremost find a garage that does not waffle around. As above maybe cylinder issues or the plate is breaking down. Something is clearly wrong and it should not be on the road. A half decent mechanic will soon have an answer, it may well be necessary to remove gearbox and fit new parts. 

best wishes.

Hi

My ford fiesta 2017 has just started experiencing this issue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 

Mine is also a 2017 and has the same problem. It gets worse during summer. 

Did you fix it?

20 minutes ago, Radu Nastasa said:

Did you fix it?

Did who fix what ?

The thread started back on 15th November 2023 and is just full of 'One Post Wonders' asking words to the affect of "has it been fixed"

 

16 hours ago, unofix said:

Did who fix what ?

The thread started back on 15th November 2023 and is just full of 'One Post Wonders' asking words to the affect of "has it been fixed"

 

You are right. My comment was poorly written.

Is there someone who knows something about this problem and can share with us what might be the root cause:

On 11/15/2023 at 12:12 PM, jm01905 said:

Hi. I'm new to the forum - what a great place! Brilliant to meet fellow Fiesta owners - you all have great taste! Can you help me please?

I've recently bought my first car - a 2014 Ford Fiesta Zetech 1242cc Petrol. It's a really nice car, but I'm having a problem with the clutch. I was wondering if anyone help me work out what it may be please so I can convince the garage I bought it from to fix it?

Unfortunately the problem I have is intermittent (aren't they always?!). The garage had it in but drove it around for half an hour with no problems so sent me on my way. They're saying they can't/won't fix it until they see it not working. I think they should investigate it more. They've tried to pass it off as driver error, but I'm glad that exactly the same has now happened to my Dad so that rules that out (I was starting to think I was going mad).

Here's what happened to me this morning, which is pretty typical:

 

• Pulled up at roundabout.
• Pressed clutch down and slipped into first as I slowed down. Kept clutch down. 
• When the traffic started moving I lifted the clutch and the car started to move straight away – it was as though I was immediately at the bite-point (whereas normally I can lift the clutch a few inches before I hit the bite-point and the car begins to move). Then it stalled as I began to move. Even though I put the clutch fully down to stop it stalling, it had no effect.
• Stopped car, put back into first and started again in first with clutch down. Same happened, as soon as I took the slightest pressure off the clutch it began to move. This time I tried to move the car out of first when the engine was running, but I couldn’t move out of first when the engine was running, even with the clutch fully down. 
• Stopped car, put into neutral. Noticed the clutch had less resistance, and it didn’t come back up all the way. 
• Then stopped the car and started in neutral, but now I couldn’t push the car into first gear with the clutch fully down. It felt as though I was trying to put it into first without using the clutch.
• Stopped the car.  I was now able to come out of first as the engine wasn't running and put the car into neutral. Clutch was soft again. I then realised that pumping the clutch a few times while in neutral gets the clutch back to normal again. Able to put it into first and drive away. 
• Same happened a few minutes later.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? It really doesn't feel safe at the moment.

Many thanks in advance,

JM01905.

I have the same problem. Occasionally the clutch bite point is "on the floor". Moving away after a couple of declutches, it returns to it's normal position.

Notably though: around the same time, I've had the brakes "stick" too. As I pull away from the roundabout, there is a bit of a bite, a "clunk" as the brakes release and the car moves forward.

The clutch and brakes share the same fluid which may be a clue. It could be air in the fluid, or just gunk, that presents itself every so often. The car is a 2013, so assuming it hasn't been changed before, 12 year-old fluid must degrade at some point.

So, my garage is changing my fluid along with the brakes that were due replacement. I'll see if it fixes both issues.
Hopefully it isn't a bad seal or anything requiring a replacement master or slave cylinder.

 

On 9/10/2025 at 12:10 PM, ChaosTesting said:

I have the same problem. Occasionally the clutch bite point is "on the floor". Moving away after a couple of declutches, it returns to it's normal position.

Notably though: around the same time, I've had the brakes "stick" too. As I pull away from the roundabout, there is a bit of a bite, a "clunk" as the brakes release and the car moves forward.

The clutch and brakes share the same fluid which may be a clue. It could be air in the fluid, or just gunk, that presents itself every so often. The car is a 2013, so assuming it hasn't been changed before, 12 year-old fluid must degrade at some point.

So, my garage is changing my fluid along with the brakes that were due replacement. I'll see if it fixes both issues.
Hopefully it isn't a bad seal or anything requiring a replacement master or slave cylinder.

 

So it didn't fix it. The problems still occur.