CarModelProblems.com

2013 Ford Fiesta Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 6.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
667Complaints
3Recalls
12Crashes
4Fires
9Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (56.7% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Power Train complaints here are 6.7× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train378 · 56.7%No official action
Engine109 · 16.3%No official action
Electrical System61 · 9.1%No official action
Structure:body56 · 8.4%Investigation closedRQ19005 → recall 20V177000 · RQ19005 → recall 20V331000 · EA15002 → recall 15V246000 · EA15002 → recall 20E010000
Vehicle Speed Control43 · 6.4%No official action
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch24 · 3.6%RecalledRecall 15V246000 · Recall 20V331000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN378 · 56.7%
ENGINE109 · 16.3%
Unspecified / other91 · 13.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY56 · 8.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL43 · 6.4%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH24 · 3.6%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES23 · 3.4%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR20 · 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14 · 2.1%

Percentages are the share of the 667 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

NHTSA campaign 15V246000 · 2015 · reported 04/24/2015

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 12V488000 · 2012 · reported 10/05/2012

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · 2020 · reported 06/08/2020

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE. IT SHUTTERS UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ESPECIALLY WHEN LIGHTLY ACCELERATING. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10629360 — filed 08/29/2014 · POWER TRAIN
“HESITATE SHUTTERING WHEN SHIFTING! MAKES THE CAR SHAKE! BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES WITH THIS ISSUE AND EVEN HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED! BEEN REPROGRAMMED…”NHTSA complaint 10628675 — filed 08/27/2014 · POWER TRAIN
“PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS A CERTIFIED USED DIRECTLY FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. SINCE THE SECOND DAY OF OWNING IT, ON ACCELERATION THERE IS A BUZZING NOISE…”NHTSA complaint 10627501 — filed 08/22/2014 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

4201279158201419110820166345201811262202019112022242220241542026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Fiesta?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 378 of 667 NHTSA complaints (56.7%), followed by engine (109), unspecified/other issues (91), electrical system (61). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2013 Ford Fiesta have?

667 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2013 Ford Fiesta have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V246000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Ford Fiesta's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.