Last Saturday I bought a 2009 Fiesta. Car runs fine but I've had to take it back to the garage twice due to a problem with the audio system. The garage are fobbing me off claiming the 'problem' is actually a 'feature' and there's nothing they can do about it. This is where I need someone's help.

If I play a CD or MP3 player, the audio and bass levels cut out slightly if the system is on full volume. If I turn the volume knob clockwise, the audio and bass return but then almost immediately they cut back again. HOWEVER, if I have the radio on at full volume, there's no problems at all. (for info, I have Adaptive Volume turned OFF)

The garage say it's meant to work that way and is a way of protecting the speakers. I say, if that's the case, why does the audio and bass not cut out when the radio is on?

It's completely infuriating as I'm unable to listen to anything sensibly as the sound is forever coming and going! I'm certain there's a loose connection somewhere or there's a problem with a head-unit. But getting the garage to actually do something is proving very difficult.

So my question to other Fiesta owners is... have you experienced anything similar to this with the audio in your vehicle? Does this sound normal? As a driver for nearly 30 years I've never experienced an issue like this before.

The car itself is great! But the audio sucks :(

What volume number is this occurring? I can't have mine on more than about 11 (normally on 7 though) without being far too loud for me.

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Full volume. I like my music loud (it's a personal choice)

Jesus H Christ, that will be so loud...you must be mutton Jeff! Well, in that case, I would suggest they are working as described. I wouldn't turn mine that loud in fear of blowing my speakers and my ear drums :)

Edit: and the distortion must be horrendous at that volume too?

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It's no way loud in my car. Maybe that's another problem to contend with? I could easily manage double the volume.

I listen to mine on about 12/13 at most. I use the USB connection in mine now, having previously used the Aux in.

No problems with sound / equaliser or anything. You could try pulling the fuse for the stereo behind the glovebox to reset the stereo and see if that helps.

It's no way loud in my car. Maybe that's another problem to contend with? I could easily manage double the volume.

So if you listen to something via USB at volume 7 can you hear your passenger talking at normal volume? How do the two volumes compare? Yours sound very quiet if you have yours at maximum and could listen to it even louder.

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Full volume lol!

What number does it go up to? I've never needed more than about 12

Mine goes up to 30. I could easily have a normal conversation with someone at level 25. Easily.

But regardless of volume preferences, surly the sound shouldn't just come and go like that? You 'know' when something isn't right... and this definitely does NOT seem right to me.

No way is that right I agree. Volume 25 in mine would be unbearable. Go back to the dealer, find another Fiesta and compare with them. I don't know what else to suggest.

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Post a video if you can

That doesn't sound right to me, if you can have a "normal conversation" at almost full volume then the speakers can't be putting out their sound correctly, unless you count shouting as a normal conversation lol.

If the dealer claims it's meant to work the way yours does, get them to demonstrate that with another Fiesta with an identical sound system. If they are just fobbing you off (which I suspect they are) it would be funny to see how they get out of that one :)

There is no way I would be able to have a normal conversation at level 25, I tend to play the music at level 6-8 and my max is about 11-13, after that the speakers start distorting and the plastics in the doors start rattling, I'm sure if you playing it at level 25 there is something wrong, maybe even a speaker blown. what model do you have? reason I'm asking is that some models came with more speakers than others.

Thanks for all the replies. Jeff4155 I'm not too sure how to find out the model number. Any ideas?

Bottom line is I've only had the car since last weekend. I'm not happy with it and the dealer is aware I want the head unit changed or an exchange of vehicle. The mere fact that it all works fine when the radio is on clearly indicates that something isn't right.. somewhere!

Thanks for all the replies. Jeff4155 I'm not too sure how to find out the model number. Any ideas?

Bottom line is I've only had the car since last weekend. I'm not happy with it and the dealer is aware I want the head unit changed or an exchange of vehicle. The mere fact that it all works fine when the radio is on clearly indicates that something isn't right.. somewhere!

What I meant with Model spec was if it is a Titanium, Zetec S or anything else, this side of the pond the spec range from Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and the Ambiente only comes with the two speaker option, but even so, playing it at volume level 25 doesn't sound right to me.

Ahh apologies Jeff, it's a Fiesta Zetec with 4 speakers (two in front, two in the rear)

I've just had my Fiesta back from the Ford dealer for the 3rd time and the problem STILL exists! Unbelievable!!

But this time I've managed to capture a sound clip to prove what is happening. Please could you have a listen to this and see what you think.

The clip is fairly short but do you agree the sound is clearly popping/ cutting out?

(the sound clip MP3 is attached to this message)

THANKS

fiestasoundprob.mp3

Yeah that definitely doesn't sound right. If you take it to them again I'd ask if you can play the same music on another Fiesta to compare, then at least they can't deny that there's a problem.

How that chuff can they claim that to be normal?! Ask to speak to the master technician, and get him to have a listen.

What volume setting was that at?

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It would be worth seeing if the wiring from the stereo and to the speakers is still in happy working order. If the audio was coming in and out during movement, that could imply a weak connection somewhere. That said, if it happens when the car is still, perhaps the wiring is fine.

Did you try resetting the stereo by pulling the fuse?

Also, you could also see if it was possible to get another head unit, perhaps from a breakers.

Thanks for the replies chaps. At the moment the car is under warranty so I don't really wanna go poking around and risk invalidating anything just yet.

After previously getting nowhere I'm due to get it seen by someone higher up the chain next week. They're giving me the opportunity to experiment with the audio in another Fiesta.

I'll let you know the results..