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4.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,256 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Ford Fiesta Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Dec 152014

Fiesta

  • 12,000 miles

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

After I had this car about 16 months and around 12000 miles, the transmission started to act up. It would jerk the car and then it wouldn't accelerate. They reset the computer and changed the transmission. It ran ok for about a month or two and driving one day it felt like the whole bottom dropped outta the car and I couldn't go. They reset the computer 2 more times in a 5 month span and said there is nothing else to do bc all the tests come back within Ford specs. I feel like I'll get killed on the highway because if I try and change lanes I cant accelerate to keep up with the flow of traffic. In the city it jerks all around. It seems to work best under 25 mph as long as I don't hit the gas or brakes. It takes alot to get it up to 65 mph and as soon as you take your foot off the gas it drops to 45 in seconds and then its hard to get going again. For a brand new car its ridiculous, I'm just happy I can hand the keys in another few months, if it doesn't kill me first.

- Jessup, PA, USA

problem #22

Mar 162015

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 8/10/15 the consumer stated the engine light would illuminate and then go out. Also, the vehicle accelerated on its own while the cruise control was activated. Updated 08/20/15

- Harrisburg , IL, USA

problem #21

May 012013

Fiesta

  • 5,000 miles
Transmission issues since purchasing the car brand new in 2013. Car jerks and accelerates sporadically. When taking off from a stop the car does not respond to pushing on the gas, but will then suddenly take off. It moves through the gears in a clunky manner. Makes grinding noises upon acceleration. The car rolls back on hills. I do not feel safe driving this car. Ford have no responded in a helpful manner to my enquires and appear not to be able to fix the problem.

- Culver City, CA, USA

problem #20

Aug 212013

Fiesta

  • 200 miles

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

We bought a 2013 Ford Fiesta in August of 2013. Not three weeks into owning it, we had some troubles and the car wouldn't start. It turns out there was a bad fuel pump that needed to be replaced. While it was being replaced, I was given a Ford loaner to drive for almost a week, while they had the car to replace the fuel pump."?the transmission has been looked at 3 different times. The first time the service rep said that there was some kind of liquid on some part that makes it not change gears quickly and that they wiped it off and it should be good but that it can come back. The second time they said they reworked the computer and the car needs a chance to ?get to know the way I drive? and they sent me away. The third time they looked at the transmission, they said nothing was wrong and that the loud, crunchy, jumpy things I am experiencing are called "normal for the car" and they send me away. They refused to do anything else and someone higher up in the service department printed out a notice about Ford Fiesta transmissions to assure me that the sounds and jerking I was experiencing was normal when we receive the survey for our experience, of course we give a negative rating. We did not get a service that we feel we were due and the car does not drive as promised. The next time I brought it in for the same issues, our rep, [xxx] told me that ?we screwed her on that survey and that her job is on the line with things like that ? if she gets anything lower than excellent". well, sorry, our experience was not excellent. We are not happy with the way the car drives, it sputters from idle to first gear and is sometimes unsafe when you need to turn into oncoming traffic. But we were told it was all in our heads and even that we should learn to drive it differently. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #19

Feb 032015

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 19,137 miles
I am bringing this car in for the fifth time now for different reasons. Main problem is shuddering, jolting, and hesitating. I almost got in an accident on February 3rd from the car hesitating when placing foot on gas pedal. I have to replace clutch for second time, and I only have had the car for 6 months.....updated 04/08/15

- Arroyo Grande , CA, USA

problem #18

Dec 122014

Fiesta

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and failed to accelerate over 10 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown computer system needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the acceleration failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

- Barstow, CA, USA

problem #17

Jun 202013

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 12 miles

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

Sluggish acceleration, sputtering, hard shifting upon accelerating from stop (lower gears). Day after purchase of vehicle returned to dealership and/or service dept. Service not available - spoke to sales who advised this is normal due to type of clutch system. Was advised no service could/would be attempted. Dealer suggested altering style of driving... problem has persisted and I have taken vehicle in several times, each time being told the same thing (with no diag or write up being done). On 11/24/14 while traveling over 350 miles in open desert, problem escalated to all gears and vehicle would not accelerate or decelerate properly without lurching, jerking, shuddering, etc. Took to service at dealership out of home state and was advised, prior to inspection, clutch would need to be replaced as same year, make, and model coming in daily. Confirmed with inspection clutch was faulty. Parts on backorder at least 3 weeks and would not order on my behalf as would not be in that location to have work done there. Contacted purchase dealership and confirmed backorder. Requested parts be ordered but was advised they would not order until veh inspected by them (2 weeks out as out of state) and then 3 weeks at least for parts. I consider this a safety issue as lurching, jerking, etc causes veh to become unmanageable as well as effecting acceleration and stopping times.

- El Cajon , CA, USA

problem #16

Nov 092014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 17,300 miles
I've had the car for two years. I've been complaining about the car "shuttering" issue for a year and a half. Within the first year I complained about it they said that they were getting similar complaints and handed me a flyer from a stack that they had readily available at their desk which mentions what I'm experiencing is normal and will go away with time. Earlier this year I brought the car in with this issue and they had to remove the transmission and replace parts in the gears. The issue seems to be getting worse. Yesterday, I was at a traffic light waiting to turn left. I started to accelerate then the car started to majorly shutter. It caused a significant delay in time that it would normally take to make the turn while I was in mid turn at a very busy intersection with approaching traffic. A few weeks ago I made an appointment to bring my car in today. When I explained what happened to me yesterday they said they were aware of this "shuttering" issue and had multiple complaints. I asked them many questions....some of the questions were: When I brought this to your attention in the first year why did you ignore my complaint and hand me a flyer telling me this is normal" when my husband brought the car in for scheduled maintenance a few weeks ago why didn't you inform him that there was a recall notice on the transmission that extends the service warranty and that there could be a safety issue" she explained that Ford was to blame and not the dealership. She said that Ford was giving them misinformation and told them all along that this was normal of the transmission and so that's what they were telling their customers. I urge you to please look into this because this is a severe safety hazard.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #15

Aug 072014

Fiesta

  • 35,567 miles
The car makes a terrible grinding sound. I noticed it stutter at take off and took it to the dealership. The service manager said the clutch had to be replaced, a common issue with the Ford Fiesta. After the clutch was replaced, the grinding sound remained. Even with a new clutch, the car makes me nervous. Needless to say, dissatisfied with this service department, I described the grinding sound to a service manager at another dealership. He told me the grinding is normal and that there's nothing that can be done. So I started reading around and literally thousands of Fiesta owners are experiencing the same thing. And we are being told the same thing: It's normal, fixing the clutch won't solve the problem, replacing the transmission won't solve the problem. It's as if Ford is trying to run out the clock on the 60,000 mile full warranty. At this time, I want to take my Fiesta to someone but don't have any recourse since Ford dealerships are being told to tell Fiesta owners that "it's normal, there's nothing that can be done."

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #14

Jun 052014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
Hello, my wife and I purchased a 2013 Ford Fiesta in may of 2013. We noticed a hesitation and stalling problem almost immediately. We thought it might be bad gas so we waited and put higher grade gas in it and the problem still continued. At this time, we thought that the problem would be a recall by Ford since it was happening all of the time so we waited for a recall notice. Approximately in September of 2014 the car was still having this problem and Ford sent us a notice that they were aware of the problem. My wife took the car in to have it looked at and they said they have a fix for it which should make it better but would not stop the problem but it would take a while to get it scheduled for service. We scheduled the vehicle and a few weeks later it was done and the problem continued so I took it back in and told them it was still doing it. The employee at the dealership, that I purchased it at, told me that they could not do anything about it until Ford comes up with a fix for the problem. I posted on Ford service on facebook and then they contacted me and looked into the problem. A customer service representative called me today and verified the same story saying that the problem could not be fixed right now. I asked about the warranty and they seemed uninterested stating again that they can't fix it. Another problem is that this car has had this problem over a few year period, so they are aware of it yet they continue to sell it. This car is dangerous, it has even shut off on us a couple of times. The biggest problem driving it is that it will start to take off then will almost shut down leaving you at risk to oncoming traffic before it takes off, there have been some close calls. It is shameful such a large company as Ford would not fix this problem or take care of its customers. Worst car I have ever owned.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #13

Jul 172014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles

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

This is the second time now that my car has to go back in to the shop the first time the transmission has burnt out the cliche and the told me this happen time to time. This car has made me almost get in to several car crashes so now is the second time my transmission has gone out its just a matter of time till it happen again hopefully it won't be while I driving and try to change lanes it shifts very hard and hesitate when you give it gas lest see what the Ford dealership will try to pull a fast one on me and tell that there is nothing wrong with my car.

- Suffolk , VA, USA

problem #12

Jun 162014

Fiesta

  • 26,500 miles
Ford Fiesta 2013 (automatic transmission) - started car. Put car in reverse. Car did not reverse and there were rattling and grinding sounds coming from transmission. Restarted car. Car reversed. However, once car was put into drive the transmission was rattling and grinding again. Once I tried to accelerate, the car lurched forward, stopped and lurched forward again. The acceleration was not smooth, it felt like the car might stall. The engine noises were loud and not typical. Until I reached 45 miles per hour, the engine did not quiet down. Driving in traffic was terrible. I had to leave extra room to stop as I did not trust the car to downshift properly. I had to leave extra room to accelerate because I could not predict if the car would go at all or accelerate at an unpredictable speed because the transmission was not trustworthy and the clutch kept slipping. Overall, the Fiesta's transmission issue has to do with the vehicle's design, and this is not an isolated incident. From 20,000 miles on, I have taken the car in twice to try and fix this defect and it continues to exist. I currently do not have the car as it is at the dealership and has been for 24 days and counting. They can't seem to fix the defects and this transmission design should be investigated. I am currently working with the BBB autoline to try and resolve this issue.

- Cream Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #11

Aug 012013

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
My 2013 Ford Fiesta SE hatchback has acceleration issues I believe will cause me to be in an accident. While accelerating into traffic the vehicle can down shift or "bog down", causing me to lose acceleration and nearly causing collisions. Had it not been for the defensive driving of the other drivers I definitely would have been in an accident.

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

problem #10

May 082013

Fiesta

  • 1,300 miles
Within 1 month of driving I kept hearing crazy grinding noises and it would bog out between 0-30..-RPM would jump to 5 on slight acceleration than dive back to 0; Ford dealer did "computer update on electronics" - did not fix problem; they said I needed to "adapt to the different clutch"; car continued to have problems between shifting into 2nd gear- took to dealer and another "update" was done. I was driving on major highway and had to drop speed from 45 to 30 to crossover to different highway and the car completely locked up as if it went into neutral. I managed to get car home without having a stroke and shut it off. When I got home I called dealer who came and towed it- the dealer replaced the clutch. After about 2 mos I noticed it was not shifting right again and became concerned for my safety due to prior highway incident. I took it in and the transmission was completely replaced; along with another clutch. Now it is making a ticking sound and I am concerned of a gas odor. I will be taking it back again. I filed lemon law on it after the highway incident. My greatest fear is that this car is very popular for middle class families looking for an affordable car for their new teen driver. The new driver will not be experienced enough to realize how to handle the situation or know that the car is malfunctioning. The 2013 Ford Fiesta needs to be recalled!!!

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #9

Jan 222014

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
Harsh shifting of transmission, or other transmission shifting complaints/problems. Loss of power on initial take-off from a stop or from low speeds. The feeling of the transmission "slipping". harsh or delayed engagement of transmission "jerking" or "shuddering" upon take-off from a stop. Vehicle rolls backwards when on an incline. Vehicle loses power when on the interstate and you try and accelerate to pass another vehicle.

- Uvalde, TX, USA

problem #8

May 132013

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • miles
Bought a 2013 Ford Fiesta brand new and I have had nothing but issues with it. It feels like something is getting caught when I try to accelerate and then when it does accelerate it jerks, and grinds and all sorts of other noises. When I am in stop-go traffic it feels like it is bouncing up and down and at points I am being jerked in my seat along with the car. Going up a hill is the worst of all because it makes noises and sounds/feels like it is going to stall- sometimes just trying to get up a hill feels like I am trying to drive through thick mud. I have taken it back to Ford several times and they tell me it is nothing. One time the lady who was scheduling the appointment told me that her car does it but it is normal and something that you have to get used to because of the transmission. When I get my sheet back after I have had it in the shop they barely and vaguely acknowledge how they checked the problem and state they couldn't find anything. There is no way that it is normal to be apprehensive when driving your brand new car because you are not sure that you are going to be able to accelerate in time to pull out into traffic.

- North Versailles, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 202013

Fiesta

  • 15,000 miles
I bought a new 2013 Ford Fiesta in November of 2012. I have had nothing but problems since. It has been in the shop more than 3 times, once was a broken catalytic converter, the other time was a soaked clutch, and another time was to get recalibrated. This car has acceleration issues and almost causes many accidents for me, it is shaky and bumpys, and jumpy. Everytime I take it in there is something wrong with and they advised me its not normal for new cars, when I read the reviews everyone has the same issues. There is also a roll back when you stop and press the gas to go, I have almost hit multiple cars in front of me because of this.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 202013

Fiesta

  • 1,000 miles
I own a 2013 Ford Fiesta. We bought it new off the lot. A month after purchase the vehicle's transmission started to sputter and fail to shift into gear. Several times it was a little nerve racking and unsafe because the vehicle would fail to accelerate in a timely manner. This is a big problem when you try to merge with traffic or pass another vehicle, or even travel through an intersection. We have taken the vehicle to Ford 4 different times to get fixed and nothing seems to work, it just gets worse. Now the vehicle shakes when the transmission tries to shift, my wife had to pull over and stop on the freeway because the vehicle would not shift into a gear. She almost got hit by another vehicle.

- Yelm, WA, USA

problem #5

Apr 152012

Fiesta

  • 2,015 miles
After a long battle with the dealership over a previous death trap[used] the owner agreed to rectify that issue with a brand new 2013 Ford Fiesta.that was a great thought till the first engine light coming on, they found no reason except the gas tank has no cap.I was told this is dirt around the seal and it will keep happening unless I buy my own cap. Well it wasn't long and my car started spitting missing hesitating, engine light comes back on I take it back in they believe there is a pinhole in my gas line.they keep my car for a week they did supply a loaner not a Fiesta !!!! I told them of the issues but they found nothing.now a couple weeks ago I took it back for these issues I had pointed out to them previously.I had the service person ride along he felt aa of the issues heard all of the sounds the grinding, revving.I am so afraid in this car getting on and off ramps it doesn't pick up speed it almost sounds like the gears are reversing.I cannot pass anyone, I live in a highly traveled area for tourists who don't drive the same as locals on single lane roads.a brand new car isnt suppose to make you feel that you were better off not having a car. Ford should be ashamed...you dont take shortcuts or rush a product that can badly affect hundreds of thousands of people. I want out of my contract I owe more than this car is worth, I do blame the dealer also for continuing to sell this death trap. Just saying enough people are having the same issues and if anyone who has made this complaint ends up in an accident due to these obvious issues that have been brought to the attention of Ford, dealerships and the national safety board I hope these families sue your pants off. Forcing you out of business.unless you rectify each persons individual situation and not a generac brushoff.been there done that.get on the ball and fix this problem now!

- Mcdaniel, MD, USA

problem #4

Nov 092013

Fiesta 4-cyl

  • 1,650 miles
From a stop sign making a right turn onto a highway my 2013 Ford Fiesta now decides to make loud grinding noises from the 6 speed auto transmission when accelerate to normal highway speed hesitates and almost was rear ended from the vehicle behind me had to quickly pull to the right of the road before merging back on the highway. Have taken to the dealer three times for unusual transmission slippage, and noises waiting on a back order dual clutch kit part,1700 hundred on back order was told may take up to 6 months for this part to arrive.

- Atwater, CA, USA

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