2013 Ford Fusion Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion. Part of Generation 2 — 2013–2020.

20122014
Complaints
2,348
Crashes
94
Fires
147
Injuries
80
Fatalities
2
Recalls
18

Worst 2013 Ford Fusion Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1379 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:78,999 mi
Crash-related:9
Fires:5
#2377 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:89,723 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:76
#3269 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:95,613 mi
Crash-related:10
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford Fusion.

Steering Defects
379
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
5
Avg Miles
78,999
Engine Problems
377
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
76
Avg Miles
89,723
Transmission / Drivetrain
269
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,613
Electrical Faults
155
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
22
Avg Miles
63,623
Body Structure
150
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
5
Avg Miles
68,621
Fuel System
118
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
70,786
Airbags
101
complaints
Crashes
23
Fires
2
Avg Miles
47,570
Seat Belt Issues
98
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
7
Avg Miles
69,165
Engine & Cooling
69
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
116,290
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
52
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,026
Brakes
52
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
98,449
Unintended Acceleration
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,309
Latches / Locks
33
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
72,414
Headlight/Taillight Failures
28
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
44,574
Wheel Issues
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
70,163
Seat-Related Issues
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
53,914
Electronic Stability Control
24
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
116,165
Wipers & Visibility
23
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
52,480
Hydraulic Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
87,192
Gasoline Fuel System
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,226
Structure:Body:Door
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,085
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
71,810
Backup Camera
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
125,000
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,022
Lane Departure: Assist
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
106,324
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Fusion. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Ford Fusion

18 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~10,466,046 vehicles.

23V162000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~1,280,726 affected

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

22V413000Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~2,925,968 affected

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.

20V331000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,147,323 affected

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.

19V632000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~116,160 affected

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.

19V362000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
~259,182 affected

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.

18V471000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
~504,182 affected

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.

18V169000Manual Transmission
~5,361 affected

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.

17V210000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~191,432 affected

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.

17V209000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~208,584 affected

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.

16V875000Seat Belts:front
~603,392 affected

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.

+ 8 more recalls

Other Ford Fusion Years

2013 Ford Fusion — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Ford Fusion reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2013 Ford Fusion has 2,348 NHTSA complaints, 94 crash-related, and 18 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 379 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Ford Fusion?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (379 complaints, avg 78,999 mi); Engine Problems (377 complaints, avg 89,723 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (269 complaints, avg 95,613 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 78,879 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion include 94 crash-related reports, 147 fire reports, 80 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Ford Fusion have any recalls?
Yes — 18 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 10,466,046 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Ford Fusion?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Fusion reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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