Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Fiesta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on three occasions, the vehicle jerked, lost motive power, and failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. The check engine, oil, and ECM warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be replicated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the failure persisted. The check engine and ECM warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the Transmission Malfunction message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the RPM increased with the engine revving; however, the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the vehicle also failed to reverse as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle also failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle had failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 14M02. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch, the TCM, and the doors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Cars transmission went out at 64000 miles car started jerking then showed a message to use brake stop safely I pulled over and then said transmission hot give a few minutes then after a few minutes it said transmission ready then I tried to drive it and it did the same thing all over again. When I got it home I found out the reverse is out
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Ford Fiesta. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact noticed smoke from the rear of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. As she was stopping the vehicle, another motorist alerted the contact of flames underneath the front end of her vehicle. The contact and her passengers were able to exit safely. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The contact was unaware if fire or police report were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not inspected by an independent mechanic, dealer, or the insurance company to determine the cause of the fire. The contact also stated that an unknown warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. …
I was driving on a street in my Fiesta and was at a stop. When I pressed the gas to go again the vehicle jerked forward more quicker then usual and bumped the car in front of me. I have had this car in the shop 5 times for transmission problems and no one is fixing it. I was in another accident recently when I pressed the gas and the car did not accelerate while I was turning in front of traffic. I could have been killed, my car was hit due to me not accelerating.
Within the first year of owning this car, the transmission started displaying signs of defectiveness. It began exhibiting a grinding noise when in low gears. As mileage increased (~12,000 mi), it started not shifting properly with either hesitation, skipping or jolting forward. Now (~25,000mi), the vehicle is shuttering and vibrating in low gears (1 & 2). In other words, I feel like I have no control over my vehicle and both myself and others on the road are in danger. I have brought my car in three times for the same problem. It has been reprogrammed twice with the PCM and TCM updated. The problem has been occurring for 1.5 years without any potential to be resolved. I would have brought my car in to get serviced additional times, but I was told by the service technician that there is nothing else they can do but run tests on the transmission, that will result in the same outcome. …
I purchased a 2013 Ford Fiesta in July of 2013. The first two weeks I was driving it, I noticed jerking, lunging, and shuttering when trying to accelerate from low speeds or from a stopped position. Soon thereafter, a metal noise started from the engine area. I took it back to the dealership and they said I had a problem with the "clutch" in the transmission and it would have to be replaced. It took a while (11 days) to get the part in, but the work was done. Several weeks later the problem started again. I drove the car as it was because I needed it for my busy job. When I transferred to houston in the fall of 2014, I had it serviced again at the local Ford dealership because the problem was getting worse. They had my car for 3 days and all they said was it "needed an update." update or not, the problem was and is still there. The lunging, and mis-shifts have never been worse. …
On-going issue w/ chugging,gringin and jerking-front derivers side of car. Started in 2014- told dealership steven Ford(patchogue,ny) they stated no issue. Noise got repeadetly worse over time. Had missouri dealership look at when I foundout there was recall on the transmission- stated reset computer all repaired. Came back to ny with extended issue took to tower Ford (great neck, ny) kept for a week stating they had to diagnosis w/ 260 fee. Was then told it was a part in the transmission - not covered under warranty and will cost $ 5,000.00 to fix. Was told I could drive off lot-took to outside garage in glen oaks, ny where they informed me I had a hole in my transmission that by looking at could have been noted w/ no diagnostic needed. Tower charged me for the 260 diagnostic and sent me on my way. Ford corporate had been notified of all issues and refuses to help. …
While driving on the expressway my car began smoking and began to overheat which caused a cracked cylinder head that sprayed oil all over the inside of my hood sparking a small fire under the hood. The computer began to shut the car down and displayed a warning message that stated sudden loss of oil pressure, please prepare to pull over safely. Just as I read that message the brakes started to lock and the steering became harder to turn as I tried to get off the next exit from the expressway. I reinjured my broken ankle in trying to keep stop and control the car. Once pulled over the car continued to smoke and no longer started. I filed a claim with my insurance and it was denied as they found the cause was due to recall mechanical or electrical breakdown still under powertrain warranty. …
Engine complaints in other Fiesta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Ford Fiesta?
NHTSA has 113 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Ford Fiesta, 17% of the model year's 668 complaints. The component named most often is engine › engine control module (ecu/ecm) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Fiesta engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Ford Fiesta, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fiesta engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.