NHTSA has 668 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Ford Fiesta[1]. The power train group is named in 391 of them[2].
Most reported problems
Owners reported problems in several parts of the car, and the groups below are listed from biggest to smallest.
- Power train. 391 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car shuddering when shifting, rolling backward at a stop, revving high and making grinding or rattling noises. Some say the dealer found nothing wrong or called it normal.
- Engine. 113 complaints[6]. Owners describe hesitating and chugging when pulling away, a check engine light, and in one story an oil leak with smoke.
- Unknown or other. 91 complaints[7]. These reports do not fit a single part, so there is little to say beyond the count.
- Structure. 78 complaints[8]. Owners describe doors that bounce back open after closing, latches that break, and a trunk that would not open as expected.
- Electrical system. 62 complaints[9]. Owners describe warning lights for the brakes and traction control, a sudden loss of power steering, and engine lights that came on with rough running.
- Latches, locks and linkages. 47 complaints[10]. These reports are about how doors and locks work.
- Speed control. 43 complaints[11]. These reports are filed under the speed control group, and there is little to say beyond the count.
- Fuel and propulsion system. 14 complaints[12]. This is the smallest group on the list.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Fiesta is necessarily included.
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (20V331), June 2020. About 2,147,323 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (15V246), April 2015. About 456,440 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags (12V488), October 2012. About 154,471 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 29 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 |
| Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 29 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 |
| Fiesta SFE FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] | 29 / 38 / 32 | $2,100 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Fiesta with 1.6L 4-cylinder[19] | 118 to 120 hp |
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 730 | 3 |
| 2012 | 617 | 3 |
| 2013 | 668 | 3 |
| 2014 | 504 | 7 |
| 2015 | 258 | 4 |
| 2016 | 178 | 0 |
| 2017 | 74 | 0 |
| 2018 | 35 | 0 |
| 2019 | 105 | 3 |
NHTSA's counts for the Fiesta show 668 complaints and 3 recalls for 2013[3]. Among the 9 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 1 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2018 (35) and the most are for 2011 (730)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 Fiesta?
The 2013 Fiesta has a long list of owner complaints, and the power train stands out as the biggest group[2]. Engine complaints are the next largest, and a few of those stories mention fires[6]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. Check the recalls section on this page and ask a seller for service records before you buy. If the car shifts roughly or hesitates on a test drive, take that seriously.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Fiesta?
- Owner complaints to NHTSA name the power train most often[2], followed by the engine[6]. See the problems section above for how owners describe them.
- Does the 2013 Ford Fiesta have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year[3]. The recalls section on this page lists them.
- How much does the 2013 Ford Fiesta cost to fuel?
- Fuel economy and annual fuel cost are in the fuel section of this page, based on EPA data.
- Is the 2013 Ford Fiesta reliable?
- Owners filed 668 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Those reports are not adjusted for sales, so read the problems section and the recalls section together before you decide.
- Which year of the Ford Fiesta is best?
- The by-year comparison section on this page shows how model years line up. Compare years of the same model there.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Fiesta
Compare all model years of the Ford Fiesta
Other Ford models from 2013
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 668 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Ford Fiesta (12 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 391 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fiesta model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 113 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 91 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,200). NHTSA vehicle records
- 78 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 62 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 47 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,662). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V331, filed June 8, 2020: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V246, filed April 24, 2015: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V488, filed October 5, 2012: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Fiesta FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Fiesta SFE FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (AM6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 38 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Ford Fiesta with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 118 to 120 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov