2013 FORD FIESTA Complaints and Recall Information
The 2013 FORD FIESTA has 11 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to door latch failures causing doors to open unexpectedly and problems with the braking system including brake pedal failure. Other reported concerns include electrical problems such as passenger air bag light malfunctions and overheating while idling.
Common Issues- Door latch failure. Doors unlatch and open randomly while driving or parked, requiring makeshift solutions to keep doors closed. Previous recalls related to door latches did not resolve the issue for some owners.
- Brake system malfunction. Brake pedal sometimes fails to stop the vehicle despite repeated presses. Brake master cylinder and vacuum brake booster failures were diagnosed but not repaired. Low brake fluid warning light illuminated prior to failure.
- Overheating. Vehicle overheats after idling for several minutes with all fluids topped off, sometimes producing visible smoke without a known cause.
- Passenger air bag light. The air bag indicator light comes on and off randomly without clear explanation.
- Electrical static in audio. Static noise through speakers possibly caused by alternator, spark plugs, or faulty wiring.
- Seat belt buckle failure. Seat belts come unclicked randomly or fail to buckle properly.
- Emergency brake failure. Emergency brake does not function as intended.
- Theft alarm failure. Alarm system does not work.
- Headlight malfunction. Headlights operate intermittently and unpredictably.
- Driver side door handle detachment. Top of the driver side door handle has broken free from the door, contributing to door security concerns.
There are six recalls affecting multiple systems on the 2013 FORD FIESTA. These recalls primarily address air bag deployment software and door latch failures which pose safety risks including inadvertent opening of doors while driving. Some recalls involve reprogramming software and replacement of door latches to mitigate injury risks associated with these defects.
Recalls- Passenger side curtain air bag software. (NHTSA Recall 12V488000) Affects 154,471 vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2012. The passenger side curtain air bag fails to deploy if the front passenger seat is empty, increasing injury risk for the right rear occupant in a side impact. Ford will reprogram the vehicle software free of charge. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory issued.
- Door latch failure. (NHTSA Recall 15V246000) Affects 456,440 vehicles including 2013 Fiestas manufactured through May 2013. Door latch components may break causing doors to unlatch or appear latched when they are not, increasing risk of injury. Dealers will replace all four door latches free of charge. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory issued.
- Door latch repair inspection. (NHTSA Recall 20V331000) Covers 2,147,323 vehicles. Previously repaired door latch components may have been incorrectly repaired or replaced. Improper repair can cause doors to unlatch and open during vehicle motion. Ford will inspect latch date codes and replace latches if necessary at no cost. Owners may check date codes online. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory issued.
- Additional door latch related recalls. Some recalls reference overlap with 15V246000 and 20V331000 focusing on the door latch pawl spring tab breaking, which may prevent latches from securing properly and lead to doors opening unexpectedly.
Owners with repeated repairs, ongoing safety defects, or unresolved recall issues concerning door latch failures or brake system malfunctions may want to consider their rights under their state’s lemon law. Persistent vehicle defects affecting safety systems warrant attention from legal resources specialized in consumer protection law.
2013 FORD FIESTA Summary
2013
Model Year
11
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
2758234
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2013 FORD FIESTA
2147323 vehicles affected
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. 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.
2013 FORD FIESTA
456440 vehicles affected
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
2013 FORD FIESTA
154471 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner's guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No. 208.
Risk: An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.
Complaints
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2127279STRUCTURE:BODY
Top of the driver side door handle broke free from the door. The car has previously been cleared of any recall defects - but a loose door handle may absolutely have something to do with the inner workings of the door/latch and may be a safety issue.
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2123682POWER TRAIN
PowerShift dual-clutch transmission, slipping, bucking, and shuddering during acceleration. Subject of a class-action lawsuit.
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2119255POWER TRAIN
Transmission control module failure
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2119254UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission control module failure
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2111913UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Request Reversal of Recall Cancellation by the Ford Dealer. RE: Safety Recall Notice 20S30/NHTSA Recall 20V-331 VIN [XXX] ***IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL *** I have been working with the Service Manager, Forest at James Hodge Ford in Muskogee, Oklahoma, (1-918-682-1345) and Ford Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. In March of 2025, an inspection was completed on my 2013 Ford Fiesta in regards to this safety recall. IAW service manager performed an inspection of the door latches and closed out the recall. The issue for this recall states that my vehicle was previously repaired under Safety Recall 15S15 or 16S30. Evidently this was completed by the previous owner but it states that it is possible that one or more of the door latches was not replaced or may not have been replaced correctly. This proved to be true because in April while on vacation I was driving when my door swung open. After grabbing it I was able to find a place to stop. Then, I discovered the latch would not close! I found a rope to wrap around it to keep it closed to finish out my vacation. Ford has recognized and issued a safety recall due to the risk of doors not closing or doors opening while driving. As stated in the letter I received about the recall the risk is: If a door latch is not replaced, there is still a risk that the pawl spring tab inside the door latch could break. This condition will typically prevent the door from latching. Where the door is able to be closed, the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury. I returned the car to the Ford Dealer and was told the recall was for an inspection only and was cancelled. I began calling the Ford Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332 on May 1st. Case # [XXX] I have been unsuccessful obtaining a reversal of the cancellation of the recall that is a critical danger. I have been ignored, lied to and promised it would be fixed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2109671AIR BAGS
All 4 door airbags spontaneously deployed while driving. The air bag deployment knocked me unconscious and I woke up on the shoulder of the road. The vehicle dialed 911 after the incident occurred.
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2094713LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's door unintendedly opened. The contact immediately pulled over to attempt to close the door; however, the door failed to close. The contact used a rope to keep the door closed with the rear passenger’s door on the driver's side door. The vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages), and the vehicle was inspected and determined that there was no failure with the doors. The vehicle was not repaired at that time, and the recall was closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the door latch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2090001SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed several times before the vehicle came to a stop. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle almost crashed into another vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with brake master cylinder and vacuum brake booster failure. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder and the vacuum brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that a brake fluid leak was not visible. The contact stated that the low brake fluid warning light was illuminated, and the brake fluid was refilled two days prior to the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2083207POWER TRAIN
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.
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2083206SEAT BELTS
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.
2013 FORD FIESTA
ID: 2083205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.