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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,507 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Ford Fiesta drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Ford Fiesta Owner Comments (Page 7 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #245

Dec 212016

Fiesta

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power Ford says that the transmission clutches have problems. Have 48000 miles and the transmission was bad at 21000 miles and has gotten worse. Bucks when you take off from stop and when pulling into traffic on 101 and it does not go I have to put into low to get across street. Have friends that will not ride with me because the car is unsafe. Dealer states this is a common problem with these transmissions for a number of years. Ford says a common problem. Dealer says cannot get parts to repair from Ford.

- Lincoln City, OR, USA

problem #244

Dec 052016

Fiesta

  • 92,600 miles
This is at least the 3rd time the vehicle has been into the dealer for transmission issues. I have addressed the issue with phil long Ford as well as the Ford Motor Company. The clutch was replaced last year. At first phil long Ford told me there was nothing wrong with my car. Then they said the transmision needed to be replaced which they did, afterwords I drove the car and it continues to jerk, shudder, and sputter through gears after a stop or at low speeds. This seems to happen on hills. The car hesitates to pick up speed and then it feels like it catchs then I get jerked back as the car jumps forward. It varries day to day some days the car runs smoother than others, there is no rhyme or reason. Out side temperature does not seem to make a difference, however when the car warms up it becomes more noticeable. Phil long Ford took the car for a test drive and told me it was normal and I would have to drive it for at least 1000 miles to have the car 'learn' how I drive. They said Ford Motor Company will not allow them to do anything until after this has been completed. The car has jumped into gear and almost hit the car in front of me at a stoplight.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #243

Jun 172015

Fiesta

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. While attempting to shift the vehicle, a transmission error message illuminated. The vehicle began to jerk forward. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure was persistent. The contact also mentioned that several different repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000. The VIN was not available.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #242

Nov 012013

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 6,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission made distracting grinding noises and dangerous lunging lurching unsteady intermittent movements during city driving.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #241

Nov 252016

Fiesta

  • 41,000 miles
This is at least the 3rd time the vehicle has been into the dealer for transmission issues. I have addressed the issue with beyer Ford as well as the Ford dealer near my parent's house in pa where I often travel. The clutch was replaced last year. Ford tells me that the symptoms are 'normal' and with in the correct range but this is a serious concern. For awhile now, the car continues to jerk, shudder, and sputter through gears after a stop. Car noticeably vibrates and there are loud, rattling and grinding noises associated with the issue especially at low speeds. This is especially an issue on hills. The car hesitates to pick up speed and seems to 'catch' for a few seconds and then I get jerked back as the car tries to move forward. Some days the car runs smoother than others but there is no rhyme or reason and more often than not there are major issues. Temperature does not seem to make a difference-it's actually more noticeable once the car has been warmed up and has been on the road for awhile. Additionally, the car would not start over the weekend. The battery was fine and the starter turned but the engine would not fire. Eventually the car did start, but the shaking and grinding was even more noticeable than usual.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

problem #240

Jul 012016

Fiesta

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after the vehicle cooled off. The dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The contact received a letter stating that the vehicle needed a software update to give a visual warning for when the transmission was about to fail. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #239

Nov 012016

Fiesta

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this car used from a dealership for my daughter as a car for college. The transmission began stuttering within 2 months of purchase and they said they had to replace the clutch and reprogram it. After another period of time the same thing was happening, again we had to have something reprogrammed. 4 months later it is happening again. I am concerned that the car will shut off as it hesitates and shutters when operating at low speeds. The shuttering and hesitating is very noticeable at city driving speeds. With all of the complaints on this transmission/clutch why is this not being looked at closer by Ford?

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

problem #238

Nov 212016

Fiesta

  • 46,546 miles
Went to start my vehicle and it did not turn on at all. There is just a clicking noise, so the starter is good, however the battery was dead. I jumped started the car and was able to drive. My information screen said, "transmission malfunction please service now". the vehicle would run at 4,000 rpms before shifting when usually it's supposed and did shift at 3,500 rpms. As I would brake and be under 5mph the vehicle would lurch forward and I would have to slam my brakes in order to make a complete stop and avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me. I took it back home and haven't drove it since. Today I tried to unlock my car with my wireless key fob and the doors wouldn't unlock. My vehicle completely lost all power. On the Ford website for my specific vehicle, it shows I have field service actions. Fsa title: Transmission clutch shudder / transmission input shaft seal warranty extension. 150,000/ 10 year warranty. Fsa title: Transmission control module extended warranty coverage. I have learned the transmission control module can end up having a short and your car can shutter when it shifts and it can lose all power. This is very dangerous and should be addressed by Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, before someone loses their life.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #237

Aug 122013

Fiesta

  • miles
I bought this car in Aug 2013 car began hesitating and jerking when trying to accelerate. My car has been in the service department more than 4 or 5 times within 3 years and for the same issue. The problem is the transmission clutch and it needs to be replaced, the last time it took almost a week to get the parts and to replaced it. This is really inconvenient especially the first few times they did not provide no loaner. Buying this car was a total loss of money because as soon as this warranty ends, I will end up paying for these repairs. Ford is doing anything about it with the exception of replacing the clutch if there is still warranty.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #236

Oct 012016

Fiesta

  • 91,455 miles
Car began hesitating and jerking, when trying to accelerate it would bog down when trying to drive, going through intersections after a stop car was almost hit a number of times due to car staling. My wife and I took the car to the dealer on October 20th 2015 for the 4th time, they said it was clutch and they replaced it then called and said it was transmission and they would replace that. We didn't car back until Jan 16 2016 I took the car to work the next day, while on the highway the car began to hesitating and jerking. The dealer told me the transmission had to be trained. We took the car back October 1st 2016 due to the car staling in the intersection and almost being hit again the dealer told me that it was the clutch and it needed to be replaced and was on back order, they said they did not know how long it would be and they are waiting on parts, as of today October 26th 2016 my car is still at the dealer. This is a repeat issue, I have taken my car into the dealer a number of times and was told that there was no issue with the car. This time they said it was the clutch and was a "known issue" that Ford is not doing anything about other then waiting until the warranty is up and forcing you to either deal with the issue or buy a new car.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #235

Oct 072016

Fiesta

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My sons car began hesitating and jerking, when trying to accelerate it would bog down when trying to go, getting on the highway was scary. We took the car to the dealer on Aug 19th they said it was clutch and they replaced it then called and said it was transmission and they would replace that. We didn't car back until Oct 6 my son took the car to work the next day, while on the highway the car began to whine as well as an odor he pulled off the highway and my husband went and got the car. The dealer picked the car up from my driveway leaving a puddle. They are telling me it is still the transmission and they are waiting on parts, as of today Oct 25th my car is still at the dealer.

- Salem, NH, USA

problem #234

Jul 072015

Fiesta

  • 12 miles
Car sputters on take off almost dying in the middle of major intersections. Radio electrical shorted out the first 3 months and smoke from hood. The right rear door flew open going down the highway

- Waskom, TX, USA

problem #233

Aug 082016

Fiesta

  • miles
When I take off from a stop the engine chugs, jerks, chatters, and grinds.

- Glenpool, OK, USA

problem #232

Sep 262016

Fiesta

  • 87,601 miles
Casenumber:1024456 I have been taking my car to summerville Ford dealership since purchased in August of 2015 recalls transmission issues door locks it happened when moving they said would call when transmission rep.came in..I was fine to drive. Then door latches recalled. They replaced, and my drivers window stopped at a point before going down all theway. It seemed to finally go down but felt like scraping or getting hung up. These folks also left a hubcap off last October though..and did not know..I ruled out as human graced and gave benefit of doubt. When I called they were closed. So I brought back and they said it was a relay switch...but I knew it wasn't because it was not acting like that until (door latch) replacement. Then it went away seemingly. I brought back again for check engine light.. then had a fan motor issue they told me to pay warranty and they would cover.

- Ravenel, SC, USA

problem #231

Dec 142015

Fiesta

  • miles
The transmission shutters. Sometimes it doesn't catch at all for a few seconds or move so when you are trying to pull out into traffic you end up stuck lingering in the middle of the road. This could cause a wreck, endangers mine and my already at least one documented case of this already happening.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #230

Aug 302016

Fiesta

  • 44,500 miles
Issues with transmission. Ford power shift transmission has been a issue multiple times with transmission failing to properly engage and grinding noise and jerking when accelerating at low speeds causing steering to shake possible safety issue if this ever happened at high speeds. This issue happens mostly when accelerating from a stop and when slowed to near stop apprx 5-10 mph multiple computer and transmission controll unit reprogram a and clutch has been replaced approximately 8000 miles prior to today's date and having same issues as before

- Peterborough, NH, USA

problem #229

Aug 012016

Fiesta

  • 32,000 miles
My car has transmission issues. It shudders and hesitates when trying to go into gear.it has been to service well over 6 times in 2 years. I am told that this is the design of the car and I need to understand that this 6-speed automatic shifts internally different. When on the open road and it is in gear it functions ok. In town going from stop light to stop light is when the issue occurs. It hesitates in acceleration and shudders. It has failed me exiting onto a major freeway by not kicking into the proper gear. I no longer try to merge onto a freeway in this car. There is not a doubt in my mind that this car is a safety issue. There have been numerous complaints just like mine about this car. I have tried and tried to tell Ford corporation and the local dealership about these issues. I have written a letter stating my concern for my safety in this car. I have gone to the local dealership on numerous occasions and made many attempts at getting them to listen to me regarding these transmission issues. I have left there so offended by them acting like there is nothing wrong with this car when I know they know there is a problem. They put in back on me the driver that I don't know how to drive the car. I have been driving for 38 years most have been 5 speeds, I understand completely how a car is suppose to drive and for them to insinuate otherwise is insulting to me. Again this car is a safety hazard and more so than ever now, because the safety latches have malfunctioned on the passenger rear and front doors. I do not feel safe at all driving this car but I have no other options as Ford low-balled me on a trade in because they are aware of these issues.

- Bastrop, TX, USA

problem #228

Aug 232016

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
My car has been taken in for 5 times to the Ford dealership for this faulty cv transmission. It's also gone through at least 3 recalls (fortunately Ford has "extended the warranty") on the blasted thing. I've also had them replace the cvt part itself, still nothing. So what's wrong" the [xxx]transmission doesn't work properly. It jars when accelerating, and I mean badly jars. How bad" I'm accelerating between first and second gear, let's say ina turn into an intersection. It will literally stop for a second while doing the adjustment and then continue forward. This is not something that is safe at all. In addition, after the latest "recall", it's made things "worse". the last time I went from first to second gear "flooring it" (just to see how it would handle it), the thing went up to 6200 rpms. The "red zone". it should not do that. At all. These "loons" insist that this is normal, when there are plenty of other cvts out there (let's say, Honda) that have working ones that function fine. Worse, they've been calling the [xxx] system automatic instead of what it really is, a fancy pants computerized mechanical. It's happened multiple times. There are times when I'm just going from a stop light and the [xxx] thing shutters and jerks. When it's into a turn, from stop to start, or up a hill, the thing stutters and sometimes stalls. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #227

Jun 012016

Fiesta

  • 36,000 miles
Manual transmission, when first started (transmission cold) it shutters in reverse then when shifted into 1st it will slightly shutter and from 1st to 2nd, then of different occasions it shifts hard from 2 to 3rd. Once the vehicle has been driven for at least 10 minutes, it operates normal. Called Ford Motor Co. Cust. Care and there is nothing they can do except suggest to take to the local dealer which will cost an arm an a leg. This happens every day when the transmission is cold no matter what temperature or time of day as long as the vehicle has remain parked for at least 2 hours.

- Columbus, IN, USA

problem #226

Dec 212012

Fiesta

  • 900 miles
Vehicle shutters and losses power through 1st and 2nd gear seems to happen more on warmer days. Problem started around 1000 miles, dealer " replaced clutch " at 1123 miles took it back to dealer for same problem, was told there are no new updates. This vehicle has been to the dealer 12 time for the same problem, they have told be there is nothing they can do...

- Auburn, NY, USA

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