VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Fiesta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 917 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.8 times the median Fiesta year — the 2013 model ranks #2 of 15 Fiesta years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 43% of all reports (393 of 917), far ahead of engine at 113. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

917

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Fiesta years?

Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted1,039 complaints1978: 0 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1991: 3 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints2011: 1,039 complaints2012: 833 complaints2013: 917 complaints2014: 652 complaints2015: 367 complaints2016: 253 complaints2017: 104 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 113 complaints
Fiesta NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fiesta years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford Fiesta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission39343%
Engine11312%
Other9210%
Body & Structure789%
Electrical System778%
Latches & Locks475%
Speed Control435%
Fuel System152%
Airbags142%
Brakes111%
Lighting101%
Suspension71%
Seat Belts40%
Steering40%
Seats30%
Tires & Wheels30%
Driver Assistance20%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2013 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V331000Latches & LocksJune 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

15V246000Latches & LocksApril 24, 2015 · 456,440 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.

12V488000AirbagsOctober 5, 2012 · 154,471 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner's guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No. 208.

Consequence

An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 13, 2013 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 13, 2013 · crash

IT STARTED SMOKING ALL OF A SUDDEN FROM THE ENGINE AREA. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT REVEALING THE REAL PROBLEMS IN THE RECALL NOTICE

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 18, 2017 · fire

I PURCHASED A 2013 FORD FIESTA I PURCHASED ON DECEMBER 23, 2015 AT THE LAUREL, MARYLAND CARMAX STORE. ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, I WENT TO JIM COLEMAN TOYOTA TO BUY A TOYOTA PRIUS. THEY EXAMINED MY FORD FOR ITS TRADE-IN VALUE. THE MANAGER, WHO WAS A FORMER CARMAX MANAGER, EXAMINED THE CAR AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 23, 2015 · crash

MY FORD FIESTA 2013 HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH SHUDDERING, LUNGING, JERKING, AND FAILING TO ENGAGE GEAR SHIFTS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND SERVICEMEN THAT I NEED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE A STICKSHIFT AND HESITATION BETWEEN GEAR SHIFTS IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. A FORD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 30, 2013 · fire

2013 Ford Fiesta — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford Fiesta reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 917 complaints put the 2013 model at #2 of 15 Fiesta years. It is one of the Fiesta years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Fiesta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (393 complaints), engine (113 complaints), other (92 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford Fiesta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Ford Fiesta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Ford Fiesta under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Fiesta years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Fiesta years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among Fiesta years belongs to 1978.

How safe is the 2013 Ford Fiesta?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Ford Fiesta earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.