Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Ford Fiesta problems

Owners filed 668 complaints about the 2013 Ford Fiesta with NHTSA between Sep 2012 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (391).

Complaints
668
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train391
  2. Engine110
  3. Structure78
  4. Electrical system62
  5. Latches/locks/linkages47
  6. Vehicle speed control43
  7. Fuel/propulsion system14
  8. Air bags13
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)13
  10. Exterior lighting10
  11. Service brakes10
  12. Suspension7
  13. Seat belts4
  14. Engine and engine cooling4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20123
201359
2014109
2015138
201681
201746
201836
201985
202040
202116
20229
202319
202412
202510
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

391 reports4 crashes
“The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission failure while driving. Before the failure, the car began shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. It then started making loud metal grinding noises from the transmission area and eventually lost the ability to move properly when placed in Drive or Reverse. This created a safety risk because the vehicle could not accelerate normally in traffic and became difficult to control. The issue appears related to the transmission and/or clutch system. Warning messages and abnormal shifting behavior occurred prior to the failure. I previously asked a dealership in 2020/2021 to inspect and repair the transmission issues while the vehicle was still under warranty, but they stated the problem was not “bad enough” at that time and did not perform any repairs. The vehicle is currently inoperable due to this malfunction.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2026Power trainODI 11731703

Engine

110 reports2 crashes4 fires
“My transmission is going out I call ford they tell me there's no recalls on my transmission but I paid for a vin recall check and there is a recall on my transmission”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026EngineODI 11769214

Structure

78 reports1 crash
“Top of the driver side door handle broke free from the door. The car has previously been cleared of any recall defects - but a loose door handle may absolutely have something to do with the inner workings of the door/latch and may be a safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2025StructureODI 11685557

Electrical system

62 reports1 fire
“Static through speakers - possible cause, alternator, spark plugs, or faulty wiring. Passenger air bag light - comes on and off on its own randomly. Overheats - with fluids all topped off and car parked and running for 5 minutes it will start extremely overheating with visible smoke. Not sure why. Wire cover - plastic panel on ground towards front of door on driver side needs better coverage. Panel just keeps popping off showing wires. Not sure to what. If gets wet from getting in and out of car can shock you while your driving if touch it just right. Emergency break - don't work Warming indicator - says doors are open when they aren't. Headlights - work when they want to. Theft alarm - don't work Hood pop lever - the lever to pop your hood isn't connected well. The whole lever is just hanging under my steering wheel from the cords. Not latched into anything just kinda floating in the air, makes it hard to pop the hood, can be a distraction while driving with something hitting your knee. Belt buckles - when using seat belts, comes unclicked randomly while driving or won't buckle at all when first trying to put it on. Trunk - unlatches and opens randomly while…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Seat beltsODI 11655136

Latches/locks/linkages

47 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (latches, locks, and linkages). The contact stated that the passenger-side door opened while driving at 30-35 MPH. While her daughter was driving, the passenger side rear door came ajar. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was able to inspect and confirm the failure. The repair was approved then denied. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred her to another dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11741575

Vehicle speed control

43 reports
“Ford Fiesta 2013 had a transmission malfunction warning pop up and the car aggressively jerked back then wouldn’t accelerate past 25 mph. The warning light stayed on. The car a couple miles after the incident wouldn’t accelerate at all even though the engine was on. This type of stopping happened twice. This issue is not related to my driving or accident but due to Ford producing a car with set malfunctions.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2024Suspension, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11591504
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.