2013 Ford Fiesta transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 16, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission failure while driving. Before the failure, the car began shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. It then started making loud metal grinding noises from the transmission area and eventually lost the ability to move properly when placed in Drive or Reverse. This created a safety risk because the vehicle could not accelerate normally in traffic and became difficult to control. The issue appears related to the transmission…

   NHTSA complaint #11731703 · source
2. Filed Mar 31, 2026MOTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving down [XXX] . I stopped at a stoplight. When the light turned green I pressed the gas to accelerate when suddenly mid intersection my transmission went out causing me to have no power. Approximately 5 minutes prior to this I did get a message about a transmission malfunction. Due to the transmission going out I was stuck in the intersection. I had it towed to a shop where they have confirmed that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) has failed. There are a…

   NHTSA complaint #11728218 · source
3. Filed Dec 19, 2025131,000 miFLTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle experienced a loss of power and decelerated. The vehicle was driven to a nearby service station. After restarting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was…

   NHTSA complaint #11706151 · source
4. Filed Dec 11, 2025KYDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   My car has 74,000 actual miles and the transmission is acting up kicking out of gear and loosing coummcation with the tcm and a sensor comes on about bad clutch pack

   NHTSA complaint #11704414 · source
5. Filed Aug 26, 2025LATransmission & Drivetrain

   PowerShift dual-clutch transmission, slipping, bucking, and shuddering during acceleration. Subject of a class-action lawsuit.

   NHTSA complaint #11683162 · source
6. Filed Apr 17, 2025ILElectrical SystemSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain

   Static through speakers - possible cause, alternator, spark plugs, or faulty wiring. Passenger air bag light - comes on and off on its own randomly. Overheats - with fluids all topped off and car parked and running for 5 minutes it will start extremely overheating with visible smoke. Not sure why. Wire cover - plastic panel on ground towards front of door on driver side needs better coverage. Panel just keeps popping off showing wires. Not sure to what. If gets wet from…

   NHTSA complaint #11655136 · source
7. Filed Nov 5, 202460,000 miTXBody & StructureEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The vehicle had failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 14M02. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch, the TCM, and the doors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11623625 · source
8. Filed Oct 13, 2024CATransmission & Drivetrain

   Car shudders with noises on the transmission, not going on reverse and sometimes can not go on driver or forward too, car has codes for transmission clutches

   NHTSA complaint #11619555 · source
9. Filed Sep 6, 202474,429 miILTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, and while driving up an incline, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle was not responding as needed. The contact stated that while at the top of the hill and driving down the hill, the vehicle regained motive power. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was occurring…

   NHTSA complaint #11613079 · source
10. Filed Aug 19, 2024132,000 miKYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that previously it was difficult to shift out of park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "Turn Vehicle Off - Transmission Overheating" and "Transmission Malfunction - Service Now" were temporarily displayed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that…

    NHTSA complaint #11609470 · source
11. Filed Jul 10, 2024WVEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Cars transmission went out at 64000 miles car started jerking then showed a message to use brake stop safely I pulled over and then said transmission hot give a few minutes then after a few minutes it said transmission ready then I tried to drive it and it did the same thing all over again. When I got it home I found out the reverse is out

    NHTSA complaint #11600981 · source
12. Filed May 28, 202492,800 miPATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the transmission experienced a catastrophic failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,800.

    NHTSA complaint #11591108 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology