2013 Ford Fiesta: shudder or vibration when accelerating

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 Aug 26, 2025 · Transmission · LA

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

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 Aug 19, 2024 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · KY

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 the clutch pads had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Transmission · 2,500 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle would jerk and would hesitate to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while driving from a complete stop, and the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that her husband depressed the accelerator pedal and was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the TCM was replaced under Ford Campaign Number: 14M02. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.

Filed Sep 13, 2023 · Transmission · 171,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30-35 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and shuddering. The vehicle failed to move forward and stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The “Transmission Overheating - Service Immediately” message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the transmission control module was replaced, and it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2023 · TN

Car loses power and shudders when driving. I have pulled out into the road multiple times and had the car slow when acceleration pedal was pushed because the transmission wasn't engaging properly. We have also had a message appear on long road trips that says pull over and wait 5 minutes for transmission to cool as car begins to downshift at HIGHWAY speed!!! This has been an ongoing problem. We have been told repeatedly , well that's just how the Ford Transmission was designed by mechanics. I have been waiting for a transmission appointment with my local Ford Dealer since the end of May. The appointment was Sept. 11th. The service agent just called me to inform me the problem is the clutch and pressure plate which needs to be replaced. The car has 104, 000 miles on it. Ford is not willing to do anything to make this safety issue right. I have called them and they say my VIN is not included in their database. Please help me correct this before my family is in a wreck.

Filed Jul 28, 2022 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated before stalling. The transmission failure message was displayed. Additionally, on several occasions, the vehicle would not immediately respond after shifting to reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2020 · Transmission · 30,211 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns 2013 ford fiesta. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and jerked while shifting into 1st gear causing the vehicle to stall with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was turned off, restarted, and resumed normal operation after approximately 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to metro ford (2860 s. Noland rd, independence, mo 64055) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced. The vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was 30,211.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Electrical, Transmission · 79,100 miles · NY

The car has an issue with the PCM. It has a recall that was never fixed, but a code pops up regarding that issue when I self diagnose the car. Also, my transmission is acting up and a wrench light pops up saying "engine malfunction. Service now." the transmission shudders too when accelerating and now the car drives slow constantly.

Filed Aug 16, 2020 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · MO

Cars shudders falls out of gear with lost of power. Was repaired in august 2018 and again in november 2019 and it still doing the same thing. Last visit to dealer they said it was not bad enough for another repair.

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · Engine · 100,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford fiesta. The contact stated that the transmission warning light illuminated at start-up. The contact stated the vehicle shuddered excessively. The vehicle was taken to beach ford (2717 virginia beach blvd, virginia beach, va 23452) however, a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle received an unknown repair however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.