Help!!
I bought a new 2003 Ford Fiesta 16v in December 2003. Since day one I
have noticed both a very annoying and noisey rattle come from the
engine.
After many trips to my local ford dealer I have been told that this is
a known issue with ford and is commonally known as 'Gear Thrash'in the
trade. That is vibration is being transmitted from the gears as they
go round, through the car.
Now ford say various customers have experienced various levels of
problems with this issue e.g: Noise levels etc, but say it is an
acceptable problem.
So amongst other problems with the car !!
What I would be intrested to know is, if anyone else ? Has had any
issues or heard of any like the one I have describe above!!
Sorry to waffle on.
Thanks for your time.

Paul.

Paul H, February 2004

I have a fiesta 1.4 16v 2004 and have the same sound coming from my engine/transmission, amongst other noises such as tappet noise.
The noise seems to be like a lower down bottom of the engine erratic metallic rattle that you can hear transmitted through the interior of the car, and also outside the car.
Did ford mention "as if they would"!! if it is likely to cause damage?

Chris, August 2007

The noise you describe has been a "trait" of the FIESTA range fo a number of years.
There is no fix, it seems to be the way the box is bolted to the body which hightens the gear noise through the body and into the car.
Other models ESCORT/FOCUS which use the same gearbox type do not exhibit this noise.
I do know of boxes being replaced and making no change at all, im sure a warranty claim by ANY dealer would be rejected as a result of an attemted repair.
I would confirm the normallity of this noise by asking your dealer to allow you to road test another vehicle of the same specification, im sure it will make somewhere near the same sounds as yours,if so its a case of living with it im afraid!

tony, February 2004