severe NHTSA 12V488000 05/10/2012
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012
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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall began on October 26, 2012. Owner's may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Is the 2013 Ford Fiesta reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 666 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Ford Fiesta has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Ford Fiesta?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 384 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Fiesta has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Ford Fiesta?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 666 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Editorial commentary written
by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated
with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission
if you complete a quote or purchase.