Worse than most Fusion years
Owners filed about 1.6 times as many complaints as a typical Fusion year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Fusion years from 2012 to 2020. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,792 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Fusion. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (448, 25% of complaints), followed by the steering and the transmission and drivetrain. That ranks 2nd of 9 Fusion years from 2012 to 2020 for complaints. It has 19 recalls.
11 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Ford Fusion before you buy.
Engine and cooling
448 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
On October 16, 2017, we were driving this vehicle on the interstate when we noticed smoke in the rearview mirror. We pulled over right away, and within seconds of getting out, the car was engulfed in flames. It burned so fast that by the time firefighters arrived, about seven minutes later, there was nothing left of it. Neither of us was…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving my Ford Fusion, I experienced a serious transmission-related loss of propulsion. Leading up to the failure, I noticed that the engine RPM would fluctuate considerably and the vehicle appeared to have difficulty maintaining engagement in a gear. On the day of the failure, I was traveling approximately 50 mph when the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
389 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
My power steering failed. There is no pump it's electronic so I can get it replaced without taking it to a dealer. There were 2 recalls for the Power Steering for this make and model, but my VIN number does not show up in the search. You need to expand the recall. My Power steering failedOwner complaint, filed 2026
The steering wheel of my 2013 ford fusion S.E 2.5 Lm was tightly connected to the steering system until now. It has start wobbling over time and the problem have greatly increased as of 05\31\2026. I fear that if I can’t this problem fixed soon the whole steering wheel will disconnect one day. When I told a mechanic about the problem he…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
281 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 98,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle transmission shifts harshly from 2nd to 3rd gear and occasionally from 1st to 2nd gear I believe it’s a safety issue because it causes slower acceleration and jerkiness which causes vehicle instability The problem has been reproduced by the dealer but no solution was found yet The transmission hasn’t been fully inspected yet…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The car is experiencing jerks between gear shifts. Almost hit another car due to this car movement when it shifts between gearsOwner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
240 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (150), Doors: latch (52).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on two occasions while the vehicle was parked, the interior hood latch release button failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hood release cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, she observed that the driver's side door failed to securely latch closed. The door-ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the door latch. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 122,000 miles
Electrical system
160 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The rear view camera of my Ford Fusion has started to sporadically function. It started out with an occasional blank screen showing, followed by a message that the camera is not available and to call the dealer. Over the past month or so (July 2025) it is erroring more than 50% of the time. I am afraid of backing up now as I'm so used to…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 174,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 202,000.Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 202,000 miles
Fuel system
141 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered fuel leaking underneath the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel delivery module…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 162,037 miles
Seats and seat belts
118 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that one of the passengers was unable to properly engage their seat belt. The contact stated the seat belt remained locked and could not be removed from the base. The contact became aware of a failure with the hardware…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 136,179 miles
Backseat 60 split / seat was folded down and is locked in position-unable to return to usable seat position . This has happened several times . To fix - you have to take out seat and use special tool to UNLOCK seat belt from base.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Air bags
101 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while entering a parking lot, while depressing the accelerator pedal, another vehicle T-boned her vehicle on the front passenger side. No air bags deployed. The contact stated that she sustained a concussion to the head. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Single vehicle accident on 11/01/2024 wet rode came into curve hut brakes it sped up struck guardrail on rt side darted across road into a ditch ripped front bumper cover off the seatbelt didn’t catch or no air bags workedOwner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
91 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes became inoperable. The brake pedal was depressed all the way to the floorboard for the vehicle to stop. There was no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband became…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 122,385 miles
While driving home from work. I heard a pop and seen smoke coming from my tire. I pulled over and seen fire behind the wheel. After looking it over the emergency parking brake motor that attaches to the brake caliper was blown apart. The pistons in the caliper pushed so hard against the brake pad that it was bent to a 90 degree angle.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
58 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after her daughter had parked and exited the vehicle, she informed her mother that the windshield wipers had failed. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 92,000 miles
The rear view camera intermittently stops working, giving a message “camera unavailable” in a black screen. This has happened many times during use and caused near misses during vehicle reversing.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
43 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
My turbo boosters keep causing my wastegate to malfunction and stay open. Causing my car to accelerate on its own. The pedal pulls itself down.Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2013 ford fusion. While driving at an unknown speed, the accelerator pedal fractured without warning. The vehicle was towed to courtesy ford lincoln (401 pleasant valley blvd, altoona, pa 16602) where it was diagnosed that the accelerator assembly failed and needed [VIN]. The vehicle was not repaired. The [VIN] was not…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 26,500 miles
Wheels and tires
37 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Lug nuts are swollen and the factory lug wrench will not fit them. I already paid Ford $100 for the rear wheels, but now they recommend replacing the lugs on the front wheels too, for another $100.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Swollen lug nuts. When attempting to get the wheels serviced, shops said they could not get the lugs off because they were corroding so a 19mm and a 20mm did not fit. There are other reports for this already.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Driver assist systems
16 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 120,000 miles. Parts named most: Assist (5).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera image was blank. While reversing, the camera suddenly became inoperable. There was no alert or beeping to warn the driver of an approaching pedestrian when the camera became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera displayed a black screen, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet been determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 142,000 miles
Suspension
11 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact lost control and the vehicle was swerving side-to-side on the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rear shocks; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another independent…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 ford fusion. While driving and when making a right or left turn, the vehicle made a loud clicking noise coming from the front driver side wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cv boots and axle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 82,000 miles
Ford Fusion complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Fusion | Worse than most years | 19 |
| 2013 Toyota Camry | About average | 2 |
| 2013 Honda Accord | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | Among the worst years | 9 |
2013 Ford Fusion recalls
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Brakes
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Transmission and drivetrain Gear position indicator
- Risk
- A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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 inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Steering Electric power assist system
- Risk
- If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Transmission and drivetrain Floor shift
- Risk
- If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Transmission and drivetrain Floor shift
- Risk
- If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. 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.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Seat belts Front
- Risk
- If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
Steering Electric power assist system
- Risk
- If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering gear motor bolts as required.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to March 20, 2015, and 2015 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured February 26, 2015, to February 28, 2015, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
Seats Recliner
- Risk
- The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Steering
- Risk
- This could result in impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured April 19, 2013, through April 23, 2013. The steering gears may be missing an internal retaining clip. If the clip is missing, components inside the steering gear may become dislodged inside the gear assembly.
Fuel system
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle's hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle's powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy…
Full recall summary
This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.
Lights Headlights
- Risk
- An improperly cured projector coating will become hazy through operation, over time, reducing the brightness of the low-beam lamp.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp assembly.
Full recall summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles, manufactured from February 3, 2012, through October 20, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles may not have had the low beam headlamp projector coating properly cured during its manufacturing process.
2013 Ford Fusion questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Fusion?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Ford Fusion are the engine and cooling (448 complaints), the steering (389 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (281 complaints).
Is the 2013 Ford Fusion a good year to buy?
Worse than most Fusion years. Owners filed about 1.6 times as many complaints as a typical Fusion year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 89,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2019 and 2020. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Fusion years from 2012 to 2020. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion. The most recent, from Jun 2026, covers the transmission and drivetrain. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fusion problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 89,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 74,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Fusion years should I avoid?
The Fusion years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2019 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2013 Ford Fusion?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model