Car Issues Tracker
Vehicle complaints, recalls & safety data — sourced from NHTSA

2013 Ford Fusion: Complaints, Recalls, and Known Problems

Owners have filed 1,948 safety complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion with U.S. regulators. Here's what the federal data shows, system by system.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · Retrieved July 14, 2026 · Counts change as new reports are filed

1,948
Complaints
19
Recalls
6
Investigations
5★
Overall crash rating

Complaints for this vehicle report 65 crashes, 94 fires, 55 injuries, 2 deaths.

Key findings
  1. Engine & cooling leads the complaint list, cited in 456 of 1,948 complaints, followed by Steering.
  2. Stalling is a recurring theme. 170 of the 1,948 reports describe the engine stalling — many while driving.
  3. Complaints peaked 5 years after the model year (323 filed in 2018) — a pattern consistent with wear-out failures rather than assembly defects.
  4. One recall is a do-over. NHTSA records show recall repairs that were previously performed incorrectly — worth a VIN check even if you had recall work done.

What owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA name the vehicle system involved. For the 2013 Ford Fusion, here is how reports break down by system.

Complaints by vehicle system
System mentions in 1,948 complaints · a complaint can cite more than one system
Engine & cooling
456
Steering
417
Power train / transmission
315
Body & structure
284
Other / unspecified
215
Airbags & restraints
196
Electrical
189
Fuel & propulsion
156

"The vehicle goes into limp mode without warning no matter the speed. cylinder head temp sensor is not applicable on this 1.6 engine model. The coolant over temp light illuminates with or without the car running. coolant temperature sensor was replaced and indicates no faults to the obd. the coolant level and temperature is within spec."

Owner complaint filed May 2026 · Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Engine · NHTSA ODI 11740876

"1. My car began to produce white smoke after a burning smell. Then caught fire under the hood in engine area. The car is buried in snow/ice, not available to access. 2. The car caught fire. 3. The problem has not been reproduced nor confirmed by anyone (dealer/independent service center) 4. No, due to weather conditions. (Blizzard) 5. Only the burning smell and white smoke."

Owner complaint filed February 2026 · Unknown Or Other,Engine · NHTSA ODI 11720518

When complaints were filed

For most vehicles, complaint volume spikes early and tapers off. The 2013 Ford Fusion peaked later than usual, in 2018.

Complaints filed per year — 2013 Ford Fusion
Year the complaint was filed, not the incident year
3
58
93
124
178
254
323
286
157
102
108
101
82
46
33
121314151617181920212223242526
2026 is a partial year (through July 14, 2026). A late peak is the signature of wear-out failures: parts that don't fail until the vehicle has years and miles on it.

How the 2013 compares with other model years

Across the Ford Fusion model years we track, the 2010 has the most complaints on file (5,124); the 2013 ranks 4 of 8.

Total complaints by model year — Ford Fusion
All complaints on file per model year, as of July 14, 2026
5,124
2,780
2,604
2013
1,948
1,416
1,049
1,652
1,094
Older model years have had more time on the road to accumulate complaints — compare adjacent years, not endpoints.

Recall history: 19 recalls, including a do-over

19 recalls apply to some or all 2013 Ford Fusion vehicles. Note the flagged campaign: it covers vehicles whose earlier recall repairs were performed incorrectly.

Nov 201212V-553
Exterior Lighting:Headlights

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 vehicle…

Dec 201212V-551
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 Novembe…

May 201313V-232
Steering

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.

May 201313V-227
Fuel System, Gasoline

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.

Apr 201414V-164
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

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 Ju…

Sep 201414V-597
Air Bags

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…

Apr 201515V-246
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…

Apr 201515V-250
Steering:Electric Power Assist System

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, D…

Dec 201616V-875
Seat Belts:Front

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…

Mar 201717V-210
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

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…

Mar 201717V-209
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

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 h…

Mar 201818V-169
Power Train:Manual Transmission

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 …

Jul 201818V-471
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift

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 trans…

May 201919V-362
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift

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 …

Aug 201919V-632
Steering:Electric Power Assist System

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, Min…

Jun 202020V-331
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 o…

Jun 202222V-413
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

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.

Mar 202323V-162
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Jun 202626V-376Repair done incorrectly
Power Train:Manual Transmission

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.

Does your car have an open recall?

Recall repairs are free at any dealer, with no time limit. Look up your 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA site to see open recalls for your specific vehicle. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA crash ratings measure how the car protects occupants in a crash — a separate question from the reliability complaints above. A vehicle can be both crashworthy and trouble-prone.

★★★★★
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★☆
Side crash
★★★★☆
Rollover

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints does the 2013 Ford Fusion have?

As of July 14, 2026, owners have filed 1,948 complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion with NHTSA. The most-reported system is engine & cooling.

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Fusion have?

The 2013 Ford Fusion has 19 NHTSA recalls on file. One recall reopens earlier campaigns whose repairs were performed incorrectly. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.

Is the 2013 Ford Fusion safe in a crash?

NHTSA gives the 2013 Ford Fusion an overall crash rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Crash ratings measure occupant protection in a collision; they do not measure reliability, which is what the complaint data above reflects.

Methodology & source

All figures come from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public APIs: the Office of Defects Investigation complaint database, the recalls database, and NCAP safety ratings, retrieved July 14, 2026.

Complaints are self-reported by consumers and are not verified by NHTSA or by this site. A single complaint may cite multiple vehicle systems, so system mentions can sum to more than the complaint total. Complaint volume is influenced by fleet size, media attention, and recall notices, and is not by itself a measure of defect rates.

This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. Nothing here is repair, purchase, or legal advice. For your specific vehicle, use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and consult a qualified technician.