8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
28,700 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (17 reports)
  2. replace transmission (3 reports)
  3. replace clutch (2 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Fiesta:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #22

Mar 222021

Fiesta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,000 miles

Purchased March 2019 from Dealership in Houston, TX. I was sold a 2013 Ford Fiesta which I feel now is dangerous to be on the roads. I was not aware of the recalls connected with my 2013 Ford Fiesta until after I got it home. Then after pulling the VIN report, I noticed the vehicle had only moved 8 miles in 6-8 months. This car should be recalled.

The dealership somehow made it drive perfect at the dealership until I drove it for 2 days. Then I noticed issues. I contacted the dealership I bought it from and asked why would this car even be for sale on the lot and that you would sell it to a mom with 3 kids knowing it was dangerous?

I have Loss of transmission engagement while driving, no-start, or a lack of power. The vehicle idles very rough - spitting and sputtering. Vehicle stalling, losing power while driving, RPMs at 4 while on highway as if it never changed out of 3rd gear. I found out about the TCM from FORD and I had the TCM updated April 2021 at Ford Dealership in Livingston Texas. The update did not help and I was told that I needed to “drive it like I stole it” but it can’t be driven like that because it makes the powertrain issues worse. The Ford dealership pointed me to NHTSA to write a complaint.

As of May 15, 2021 - Transmission continues to jerk, lose power, sputter, after updating and the CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT NEVER Came on with the powertrain issues. Vehicle jerking. After driving about 20 miles with rpms at 4 stopping at a light then trying to accelerate the vehicle sputtered and would not gain acceleration, very slow to gain acceleration. LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER WILL CUT OUT & CAR WILL BUCK & SPUTTER, ALSO MAKES A GRINDING OR NOISE then stopped.

IT'S ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR! RPM REVS UP REALLY HIGH BUT THE SPEED DOESN’T CHANGE. AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR BEGAN ACTING FUNNY WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WAS HESITANT TO GO IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING AND ACCELERATING - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON.

THIS VEHICLE'S POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AND VERY DANGEROUS. HIGHWAY OR STREET DRIVING, IN TRAFFIC, PRESENTING A DANGEROUS DRIVING HAZARD. Mileage at 144,000

- Jennifer S., Conroe, Tx, US

problem #21

Jun 142013

Fiesta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155 miles

I bought my new Ford Fiesta in June of 2013. Within a week of buying it. I took it back to the dealership and complained about the transmission chugging and acting like it was going to die when I was going up a hill. Acted like it was not getting enough gas. Hard to get car up to speed on hills. The dealership said this was normal for this transmission. There is still not recall on this transmission. I should have told dealership to give me my down payment back and got a different car. I have had several Ford cars over the years. In general I usually buy a mid-size car. I have never had any trouble until I bought a Fiesta.

I did receive a post card from Ford where they might repurchase vehicle through an arbitration procedure.

Cash Payments totaling up to $2325.00. is a Discount Certificate of up to $4650 toward a new card purchase.

Unfortunately or fortunately I have not had my car in for service on transmission and my clutch has just started acting really weird with the screeching metal to metal in past 6 months.

There is a lawsuit pending. It was supposed to be settled in 2017. As far as I know, lawsuit is still pending.

- Eileen R., Brookville, IN, Pacific Islands (US)

problem #20

Mar 012016

Fiesta

  • Manual transmission
  • 25,000 miles

2013 Ford Fiesta has been in garage 3 times in last year, car being fixed twice for moderator n clutch issues...Hesitates, shift hard, sometimes looses power, or mke noises...Almost was hit because of power lose. Starting to act up again, how many times does this need fixing. Besides the fact tht cars value is half this year from last because of issuue, I expect.

- Katrina W., Jewett City, CT, US

problem #19

Dec 242013

Fiesta SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

I bought this brand new 2013 Ford Fiesta on December 22, 2013. The problems started on day 3 of owning the car. Being a female and knowing nothing about cars....I thought maybe I had put some bad gas in it. The car makes awful noises. It grinds and clicks loudly. It stalls in turns. I worry every single time I stop at a red light, or a stop sign, because no matter how far down you push the accelerator, the car will NOT go! I cannot tell you how many times I have almost been hit by other cars because my car would NOT GO! Then the jerking started!

One day I left work to go to lunch and almost didn't make it back. I was terrified! My car started jerking and lunging forward without me telling it to. It was awful. I called the dealership and was told there was a recall on something to do with the transmission. They took care of this recall and NOTHING HAS CHANGED. The car is NO better! Now, at barely into 50,000 miles, the car lights up a wrench on and off and the motor light keeps coming on and off. So...now there is something with the motor as well? Tonight, I went to get in my car and now it will no longer even start. It says, "Transmission malfunction, service now."

The problem is that I did not buy the extended warranty on this new car and the 3 year warranty has run out. I do not feel safe in this car, and I should not have to replace the transmission in this car when Ford Motor Company knows FULL WELL that they have placed a FAULTY transmission in this car. Ford Motor Company should OWN their mistakes and take care of this. I am a repeat Ford customer and I can assure you that this has left a very bad taste in my mouth and I will never purchase another Ford .

- Renee T., West Monroe, LA, US

problem #18

Oct 042013

Fiesta SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

have had to dealer 3 times, have had transmission recall and a suppose fix 2 times, still doing the same. shutter, grinding, shift problem it just has no clue what to do.

- Anthony P., Sale Creek, TN, US

problem #17

Aug 192016

Fiesta

  • Manual transmission
  • 48,023 miles

they gave us car back after having for 8 weeks, told clutch and transmission was replaced. Had it one day starting making whining noises then saw fluids all over my driveway.

- Heather C., Salem, NH, US

problem #16

Aug 192016

Fiesta

  • Manual transmission
  • 48,023 miles

did not fix problem, they kept car and said it needed a new transmission now but waiting on parts

- Heather C., Salem, NH, US

problem #15

Jun 012015

Fiesta

  • CVT transmission
  • 15,534 miles

I bought this car used from Downey Ford in Saint John in February 2015. We test drove the car and reviewed the car fax which reported no accidents but had many service calls with no details attached. We were told the service calls were for cleaning of the vehicle as they claimed the car was previously used as a courtesy vehicle. Because the car was an "automatic" and under 30,000km with power train warranty we decided to buy the car.

After a month of driving the car I noticed the car increasingly shuddering, slipping and losing power when accelerating. One day it actually stalled in the middle of an intersection and nearly caused an accident!!! My Husband checked the car manual to see if he could diagnose the problem. It was then that we found 2 service invoices for the car. The first one was to replace the clutch at 17,000km and the second was also to replace the clutch at 25,000km. The name of the previous owner was on the invoice so I called her to ask why she traded in the car. She explained the same defects happened to her and told Downey Ford that she felt unsafe driving the car.

I then took my car to Downey Ford and was told the clutch needed to be replaced AGAIN!! I expressed my concern that this would be the third time replacing the clutch and the car is only under 35,000km and that I had little faith this would be a long term solution. I requested they buy back the car which they said they would but with a $3800 depreciation value for the 6 weeks I owned it!!!

I went home and researched Ford Fiesta 2013 and found that there is a class action lawsuit filed in California for the Transmission defects of the 2013 Ford Fiesta. Many other owners were having the same terrifying issues with their Fiestas too!. I then called CAMVAP for advice. I was told that I would have a case but that since this was the first repair under my ownership I would have to give them a chance to fix it again, so I did have them fix it only to have my car returned to me with a broken air conditioner which would cost $1000 to fix! I cant prove that I didnt break the air conditioner so I am stuck with the bill.

The last clutch replacement was done in April 2015 and now my clutch needs to be replaced for the fourth time plus there have been two recalls in the meantime, one for the door latch and one to reprogram the transmission to warn the driver when the car may stall, not to actually fix the problem so the car won`t stall! I am afraid to take my car back to dealership in fear that they return it with another out of warranty repair that is questionable.

My understanding is that CAMVAP if ruled in my favor is apparently not enforcable unless I take the dealership to court. I feel trapped at this point, I am fearful to drive the car and do no trust the dealership. I complained to Ford Canada only to be told that they will not buy back the car but will still honor their warranty to "repair" my lemon.

The stress of this situation and just simply driving the car is an injustice that I have to live through, a punishment for not checking the VIN# before buying a car.

- Tammy R., Rothesay, NB, Canada

problem #14

Aug 282015

Fiesta SD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,995 miles

LOSS OF TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT, LACK OF POWER, CLUTCH SHUDDER, SLIPPING ON FIRST SHIFT, WHOLE CAR SHAKES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. FIRST CAR I EVER OWNED THAT DID THIS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. 43 YEARS DRIVING.

- paulaca, Apple Valley, CA, US

problem #13

Nov 182016

Fiesta SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

Have told the Ford dealership (Cloninger) in Hickory NC about it four times about the transmission clanging and stalling out and the hesitation. They say there's nothing wrong with it and send me on my way. It is covered under warranty and I am the second owner and I wonder if this is the reason they traded it in with only 21000 miles on it. Will someone please help me?

- Charlene E., Nebo, NC, US

problem #12

Dec 012015

Fiesta SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,150 miles

Well the saga continues, I took the car in for an adjustment that Ford said it needed and when I dropped off the car I told them about the transmission, again. When they called to tell me the car was ready I was told that they needed to replace the clutch, again, with 40,000 miles on the car. It is going to be covered by Ford but only because we complained about the car so much in letters to Ford that they extended the coverage on the transmission to 100,000 miles. I think I might just get rid of it, this is getting to be a pain and it is really not safe either. Other than the transmission it is a good car for my wife to drive for work but it has been in the shop allot for the transmission.

- James L., Joliet, IL, US

problem #11

Aug 202013

Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28 miles

The 3rd day after I bought my Fiesta, the noise started or that is when I noticed it. Also my touch screen broke. I took the car back and the mechanics at Ford said to me "oh don't worry about it, that is normal. The car is new. Just give it a few months to a year till the transmission adjusts" As for the broken my touch screen, they said I can't replaced it..I was so mad...so when I got the recalls, they were forced to fix it.

I have to wait for months to get it fixed...now I receive l some kind of recall in the mail... they should replaced my car for a new one...The mechanic tricked me until waiting for months, so that car was out of warranty... so I be stuck with the car... I feel like a idiot

- Marie F., Dunedin, FL, US

problem #10

Mar 312015

Fiesta SE Sedan 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

My dad helped me buy the Fiesta as my "going to college" car in 2012. I loved the car...for about a month or two. That's when the clanging started. Then, I was in Atlanta traffic and had to pull out quickly to get across the traffic...the tranny stalled and left me praying that I would make it across before oncoming cars killed me. Since then, I have had the clutch replaced 2 times, waiting on it now for the 3rd time as it is "backordered," and have had the system recharged 3-4 times. I was told by a service provider that it was the way I was driving it even though there are obviously numerous other complaints. I am currently trying to get that Ford Dealer to buy back this P.O.S. for a good price so I can take my money elsewhere and have a dependable car to get me through medical school!

- twalk139, Athens, GA, US

problem #9

Mar 162013

Fiesta SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,750 miles

Known Ford Fiesta problem. Transmission feels likes it's going to eat itself alive.

- Neil C., Napa, CA, US

problem #8

Jul 012013

Fiesta SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,569 miles

I bought a 2013 Ford Fiesta new, about a month after I bought the car the transmission started slipping and shuttering. Sometimes the shuttering is so bad the whole car shakes, also the transmission slips and at times I don't feel safe driving the car when I have to accelerate to merge into traffic. I have brought the car back 3 times and each time they told me they fixed the transmission and to drive it 1500 miles so the transmission can adjust itself. Each time I get the car back the same thing happens again, I am about to take it back for the fourth time and I am fed up.

I am so screwed when my warranty ends. I don't think the car will last the life of the loan I have on it. The service dept at Flood Ford in East Greenwich Rhode Island have been giving me the run around. I called a couple a weeks ago to get transmission serviced, AGAIN, the women told me there was also a recall on car, when I went to service desk they told me I had to drive it 800 more miles before they would look at it and told me the women who made my apt for car should have not told me there was a call back on car. Five days later I received a callback letter in the mail.

I don't even want to deal with these people anymore and I don't know where to turn. Can SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. FED UP WITH FORD IN RHODE ISLAND. Dan Fitzpatrick dfitz46@hotmail.com

- Daniel F., Warwick, RI, US

problem #7

Mar 182015

Fiesta SE 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,452 miles

I agree with everyone else on my 2013 Ford Fiesta. If I had know it was going to almost die when it goes up or down in the transmission, I probably would not have bought it. The dealer says that was "normal" I am fed up with it, there has been one recall on it, I think. Not sure if it was fixed. It almost has me to the point of not buying a Ford again......It is suppose to me an manual-automatic, really?????

- dietdewman1, Harrodsburg, KY, US

problem #6

Aug 012014

Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

The transmission doesn't respond like it should when in 1st gear. It hesitates and I've taken it in to the dealer to be fixed. Unfortunately, they cannot do anything about as Ford won't pay for it.

- James S., Avondale, AZ, US

problem #5

Aug 162014

Fiesta SE 4 Clinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,500 miles

Reported to Ford after the first month we bought the car, they replaced clutch after they found transmission was leaking... but transmission still has problems after they fixed it. Took it back the second time but they said the transmission is working right under the specs, but it is not.

- Richard P., Winsted, CT, US

problem #4

Mar 042014

Fiesta SE 1.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

complete tranny failure after 500 miles and 2 months down. outta the water this thing is annoying and there's no need for ford to sell these things. no rental car and stuck making payments on this car. I am sick of this car. don't let anyone convince you to buy one of these cars. who ever tells you to is stupid.

- Mike K., Dallas, TX, US

problem #3

Oct 252012

Fiesta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

Transmission shifting is unsafe and unpredictable. The car can barely make it up a steep driveway, I have to backup and get a running start at it. This sometimes causes me to go too far and in to traffic which is unsafe. Ford has performed all current updates and all it has done has caused my mpg to drop by nearly 10!

- Chris M., Rancho Cucamonga, CA, US

Read the next 2 complaints »