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2013 Ford Fiesta transmission problems

391 complaints (59% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 20,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
391
of this car's complaints
59%
typical mileage
20,000
crashes
4
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    6
  • Clutch assembly
    3
  • Automatic transmission: control module: software
    2
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    2
  • Automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids
    1
  • Automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Fiesta transmission problems in other years

2002201120122013201420152016201720182019

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 133Hesitation 97Shudder 93Slipping 40Transmission failure 39Won't shift 20Harsh shifting 15

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2013 Ford Fiesta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Transmission · KY

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 and/or clutch system. Warning messages and abnormal shifting behavior occurred prior to the failure. I previously asked a dealership in 2020/2021 to inspect and repair the transmission issues while the vehicle was still under warranty, but they stated the problem was not “bad enough” at that time and did not perform any repairs. The vehicle is currently inoperable due to this malfunction.

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Transmission · MO

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 couple parts of the transmission that they have not been able to confirm whether they are working due to the TCM failing. I believe that the TCM failing can put drivers in a potentially unsafe position like it did to me. I was stuck in an intersection of 2 very busy roads due to this failure. I dont currently have the part that failed with me. It is still currently on the vehicle. The vehicle and component has not been inspected by anyone other than the shop it was towed to. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 19, 2025 · Transmission · 131,000 miles · FL

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 faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · KY

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

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Transmission · LA

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

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Transmission · TN

Transmission control module failure

Filed Apr 17, 2025 · Electrical, Seat belts · IL

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 getting in and out of car can shock you while your driving if touch it just right. Emergency break - don't work Warming indicator - says doors are open when they aren't. Headlights - work when they want to. Theft alarm - don't work Hood pop lever - the lever to pop your hood isn't connected well. The whole lever is just hanging under my steering wheel from the cords. Not latched into anything just kinda floating in the air, makes it hard to pop the hood, can be a distraction while driving with something hitting your knee. Belt buckles - when using seat belts, comes unclicked randomly while driving or won't buckle at all when first trying to put it on. Trunk - unlatches and opens randomly while driving or parked. Shocks? - not sure if it's shocks or what it is. But there is no comfortability while driving. You can feel every bump, pot whole, Crack, anything you drive across. Think it messed up my bearings because of it. But I'm not a mechanic so these are just examples of what's going on and what i think.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Body, Engine · 60,000 miles · TX

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 vehicle was previously repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2024 · Transmission · CA

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

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · MO

Transmission won't move in reverse and goes slow in drive

Questions about the 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission

Does the 2013 Ford Fiesta have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 391 complaints about the transmission of the 2013 Ford Fiesta, 59% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 20,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Fiesta transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Fiesta have bad transmission?

The Ford Fiesta model years with the most transmission complaints are 2013 (391 complaints), 2011 (366 complaints) and 2012 (274 complaints).

Other 2013 Ford Fiesta problems

Engine 113Body 78Electrical 62Locks 47Acceleration 43Driver assistance 15Fuel system 15Airbags 13Brakes 11Lights 10Suspension 7Seat belts 4Steering 4Seats 3Wheels 2Tires 1Visibility 1

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