Is the 2013 Ford FIESTA reliable?

The 2013 Ford FIESTA has 917 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Ford FIESTA?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (393 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (113 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (94 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Ford FIESTA?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, AIR BAGS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Ford FIESTA?

The 2013 Ford FIESTA gets 32 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1500. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Ford FIESTA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Ford FIESTA is approximately $1,449/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Ford FIESTA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Ford FIESTA has 917 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.5x the segment average of 367. The most common issue is transmission problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: transmission started grinding while trying to accelerate from sitting idle. brakes locked up 3 different times while i had my foot on the brake. the transmission revs very high with any street that is not completely flat. when i sit at a stop light it will roll backward when i try to go. it is an au. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 10 crash reports 7 injuries

917

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

393 complaints

43%

• TRANSMISSION STARTED GRINDING WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM SITTING IDLE. BRAKES LOCKED UP 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE TRANSMISSION REVS VERY HIGH WITH ANY STREET THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY FLAT. WHEN I SIT AT A STOP LIGHT IT WILL ROLL BACKWARD WHEN I TRY TO GO. IT IS AN AU
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH UPHILL, THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE AUTHORIZED DEALERS WHO ALL ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING NORM
• WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN RELEASING BRAKE AT A STOPLIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“TRANSMISSION STARTED GRINDING WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM SITTING IDLE. BRAKES LOCKED UP 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE TRANSMISSION REVS VERY HIGH WITH ANY STREET THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY FLAT. WHEN I SIT AT A STOP LIGHT IT WILL ROLL BACKWARD WHEN I TRY TO GO. IT IS AN AU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford FIESTA

Based on 754 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

371

30-60K

176

60-100K

143

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 323 reports

0-30K

190

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 92 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 73 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 39 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 54K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH24/04/2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Ford FIESTA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,500

Per month

$125

Per mile

12.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ford FIESTA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford FIESTA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2013 FIESTA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 917 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION STARTED GRINDING WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM SITTING IDLE. BRAKES LOCKED UP 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE TRANSMISSION REVS VERY HIGH WITH ANY STREET THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY FLAT. WHEN I SIT AT A STOP LIGHT IT WILL ROLL BACKWARD WHEN I TRY TO GO. IT IS AN AU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE GOT VERY SHAKY AND UNCONTROLLABLE TO DRIVE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. AFTER BEING ABLE TO PULL OFF FREEWAY AND CHECK CAR WE NOTICED A HUGE TRAIL AND PUDDLE OF OIL COMING FROM MY CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: FIRST TIME IT ALMOST COMPLETELY DIED ON ME GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT GUNNED IT AND TOOK OFF. ABOUT 3 MILES DOWN THE HIGH WAY ENGINE LIGHTS AND SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON. I GOT TO WORK AND THEY TOWED IT. THEY SAID THEY CHANGED SOME KIND OF WIRING UNDER THE FRONT WINDOW AND DAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO OPEN WHEN ACCESSED WITH THE CONTROL MECHANISM UNLESS ALL FOUR AUTOMATIC DOORS WERE ACTIVATED PREVIOUSLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)