YearToAvoid

2013 Ford Fiesta Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Owners filed 391 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Ford Fiesta, 59% of that year's 667 total complaints. The median mileage at failure was 20,000 miles, with 4 crashes and 1 injury reported. No related recalls are listed for this component.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
391
59% of 667
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
20,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the automatic transmission shuddering or violently jerking when shifting through the gears, including at all six gears.
  • Several report the vehicle hesitating or failing to accelerate when the gas pedal is pressed, then lurching or bumping into another vehicle.
  • Multiple owners describe the car rolling backward when releasing the brake at a stop or on an uphill grade, even with the brake depressed.
  • Some report grinding or rattling noises from the transmission during acceleration, especially in the early gears.
  • Owners report the transmission losing power or responding poorly when climbing hills, sometimes after dealers re-calibrated the transmission control module without fixing the issue.
  • Some describe repeated dealer visits, including a full transmission rebuild, without resolving the shuddering or hesitation.

When 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 29, 2012, latest Apr 16, 2026.

2013 Ford Fiesta transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter342012 Q32014 Q22016 Q12017 Q42019 Q42022 Q12023 Q42025 Q4
391 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q3 (34).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Ford Fiesta

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Fiesta model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2011366 (50%)
  2. 2012274 (44%)
  3. 2013391 (59%)
  4. 2014208 (41%)
  5. 2015104 (40%)
  6. 2016101 (57%)
  7. 201722 (30%)
  8. 201810 (29%)
  9. 201921 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission bad?
NHTSA lists 391 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Ford Fiesta, 59% of all complaints filed for that model year. The median mileage at failure was 20,000 miles.
Are there recalls for the 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this component on the 2013 Ford Fiesta.
Did the transmission problems cause any crashes?
NHTSA complaint data links 4 crashes and 1 injury to Transmission & Powertrain issues on the 2013 Ford Fiesta, with no fires reported.
How does the 2013 Fiesta compare to other model years for this problem?
The 2013 Fiesta's 59% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is higher than 2011 (50%), 2012 (44%), and every later year through 2019, based on NHTSA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.