2013 Ford Fusion Problems and Recalls (1,951 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2013 Ford Fusion is Steering (19% of 1,951 owner reports). There are 20 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Steering — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-15 1,951 complaints · 20 recalls

What problems show up on the 2013 Ford Fusion?

376 of 1,951 filings named Steering (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (332 reports).

There are 20 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Lights, Steering, Seat belts, Engine, Transmission / driveline, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2012 has 2,610 reports on file; this year has 1,951. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2013 Ford Fusion

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 20 campaigns on file below.
  2. Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Steering. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Steering 376 complaints · 19.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 65
  • Fires 95
  • Injuries 55
  • Deaths 2
Compare with 2012 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Steering (STEERING) appears in 376 of 1,951 owner complaints (19.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Steering (STEERING): 376 complaints, 19.3% of reports Steering (STEERING) 7 crash reports 3 fire reports 376 · 19.3% Engine (ENGINE): 332 complaints, 17.0% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 2 crash reports 63 fire reports 332 · 17.0% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 244 complaints, 12.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 10 crash reports 244 · 12.5% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 143 complaints, 7.3% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 2 fire reports 143 · 7.3% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 111 complaints, 5.7% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 4 fire reports 111 · 5.7% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 83 complaints, 4.3% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 3 crash reports 4 fire reports 83 · 4.3% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 79 complaints, 4.1% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 crash reports 3 fire reports 79 · 4.1% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 54 complaints, 2.8% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 16 crash reports 2 fire reports 54 · 2.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 53 complaints, 2.7% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 6 crash reports 1 fire reports 53 · 2.7% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 539 complaints, 27.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 18 crash reports 14 fire reports 539 · 27.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Steering (STEERING) 376 19.3% 7 crashes · 3 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 332 17.0% 2 crashes · 63 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 244 12.5% 10 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 143 7.3% 1 crashes · 2 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 111 5.7% 0 crashes · 4 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 83 4.3% 3 crashes · 4 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 79 4.1% 2 crashes · 3 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 54 2.8% 16 crashes · 2 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 53 2.7% 6 crashes · 1 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 539 27.6% 18 crashes · 14 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2012; the first recall shown was reported in Nov 2012. 2012-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2013-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2013-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2013-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2014-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2014-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2014-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2014-Q4: 34 owner reports 34 2015-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2015-Q2: 26 owner reports 26 2015-Q3: 43 owner reports 43 2015-Q4: 32 owner reports 32 2016-Q1: 37 owner reports 37 2016-Q2: 38 owner reports 38 2016-Q3: 50 owner reports 50 2016-Q4: 53 owner reports 53 2017-Q1: 64 owner reports 64 2017-Q2: 72 owner reports 72 2017-Q3: 53 owner reports 53 2017-Q4: 65 owner reports 65 2018-Q1: 69 owner reports 69 2018-Q2: 63 owner reports 63 2018-Q3: 80 owner reports 80 2018-Q4: 111 owner reports 111 2019-Q1: 62 owner reports 62 2019-Q2: 67 owner reports 67 2019-Q3: 84 owner reports 84 2019-Q4: 73 owner reports 73 2020-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2020-Q2: 39 owner reports 39 2020-Q3: 41 owner reports 41 2020-Q4: 42 owner reports 42 2021-Q1: 40 owner reports 40 2021-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2021-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2021-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2022-Q1: 31 owner reports 31 2022-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2022-Q3: 41 owner reports 41 2022-Q4: 20 owner reports 20 2023-Q1: 28 owner reports 28 2023-Q2: 33 owner reports 33 2023-Q3: 27 owner reports 27 2023-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2024-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2024-Q2: 27 owner reports 27 2024-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2024-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2025-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2025-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2025-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2025-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2026-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 2026-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2026-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 Owner reports Oct 2012 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 12V553000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V553000 Recall campaign 12V551000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V551000 Recall campaign 13V227000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V227000 Recall campaign 13V232000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V232000 Recall campaign 14V164000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V164000 Recall campaign 14V597000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V597000 Recall campaign 15V246000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V246000 Recall campaign 15V250000 ◆ Recall campaign 15V250000 Recall campaign 16V875000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V875000 Recall campaign 17V209000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V209000 Recall campaign 17V210000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V210000 Recall campaign 18V169000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V169000 Recall campaign 18V471000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V471000 Recall campaign 18V592000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V592000 Recall campaign 19V362000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V362000 Recall campaign 19V632000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V632000 Recall campaign 20V331000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V331000 Recall campaign 22V413000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V413000 Recall campaign 23V162000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V162000 Recall campaign 26V376000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V376000 Investigation PE13003 ● Investigation PE13003 Investigation EA15002 ● Investigation EA15002 Investigation EA15002 ● Investigation EA15002 Investigation EA15002 ● Investigation EA15002 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation EA21002 ● Investigation EA21002 Investigation EA21002 ● Investigation EA21002 Investigation EA21002 ● Investigation EA21002 Investigation RQ22004 ● Investigation RQ22004 Investigation RQ22004 ● Investigation RQ22004 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005
  • Campaign 14V164000 was reported 482 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 15V246000 was reported 869 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 15V250000 was reported 694 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 16V875000 was reported 747 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V209000 was reported 1,412 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V210000 was reported 1,572 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V169000 was reported 1,914 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V471000 was reported 2,040 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V592000 was reported 2,104 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V362000 was reported 2,341 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V632000 was reported 2,278 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V331000 was reported 2,741 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V413000 was reported 3,465 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V162000 was reported 3,308 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V376000 was reported 4,925 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2012-Q4 Owner reports 3
2013-Q1 Owner reports 11
2013-Q2 Owner reports 13
2013-Q3 Owner reports 18
2013-Q4 Owner reports 14
2014-Q1 Owner reports 13
2014-Q2 Owner reports 13
2014-Q3 Owner reports 32
2014-Q4 Owner reports 34
2015-Q1 Owner reports 22
2015-Q2 Owner reports 26
2015-Q3 Owner reports 43
2015-Q4 Owner reports 32
2016-Q1 Owner reports 37
2016-Q2 Owner reports 38
2016-Q3 Owner reports 50
2016-Q4 Owner reports 53
2017-Q1 Owner reports 64
2017-Q2 Owner reports 72
2017-Q3 Owner reports 53
2017-Q4 Owner reports 65
2018-Q1 Owner reports 69
2018-Q2 Owner reports 63
2018-Q3 Owner reports 80
2018-Q4 Owner reports 111
2019-Q1 Owner reports 62
2019-Q2 Owner reports 67
2019-Q3 Owner reports 84
2019-Q4 Owner reports 73
2020-Q1 Owner reports 35
2020-Q2 Owner reports 39
2020-Q3 Owner reports 41
2020-Q4 Owner reports 42
2021-Q1 Owner reports 40
2021-Q2 Owner reports 11
2021-Q3 Owner reports 28
2021-Q4 Owner reports 23
2022-Q1 Owner reports 31
2022-Q2 Owner reports 16
2022-Q3 Owner reports 41
2022-Q4 Owner reports 20
2023-Q1 Owner reports 28
2023-Q2 Owner reports 33
2023-Q3 Owner reports 27
2023-Q4 Owner reports 12
2024-Q1 Owner reports 16
2024-Q2 Owner reports 27
2024-Q3 Owner reports 18
2024-Q4 Owner reports 21
2025-Q1 Owner reports 11
2025-Q2 Owner reports 13
2025-Q3 Owner reports 11
2025-Q4 Owner reports 11
2026-Q1 Owner reports 17
2026-Q2 Owner reports 11
2026-Q3 Owner reports 13
Recall campaign 1 12V553000
Recall campaign 1 12V551000
Recall campaign 1 13V227000
Recall campaign 1 13V232000
Recall campaign 1 14V164000
Recall campaign 1 14V597000
Recall campaign 1 15V246000
Recall campaign 1 15V250000
Recall campaign 1 16V875000
Recall campaign 1 17V209000
Recall campaign 1 17V210000
Recall campaign 1 18V169000
Recall campaign 1 18V471000
Recall campaign 1 18V592000
Recall campaign 1 19V362000
Recall campaign 1 19V632000
Recall campaign 1 20V331000
Recall campaign 1 22V413000
Recall campaign 1 23V162000
Recall campaign 1 26V376000
Defect investigation 1 PE13003
Defect investigation 1 EA15002
Defect investigation 1 EA15002
Defect investigation 1 EA15002
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 EA21002
Defect investigation 1 EA21002
Defect investigation 1 EA21002
Defect investigation 1 RQ22004
Defect investigation 1 RQ22004
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Safety Recalls (20)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Lights, Steering, Seat belts, Engine, Transmission / driveline, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 12V551000

    Safety recall 12V551000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle’s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
    Remedy:
    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 software. There will be no charge to owners for this service. Owners were recently notified to contact dealers to arrange for alternative transportation as Ford developed a remedy. Owners will be shortly receiving notifications to contact Ford dealers to schedule the free remedy repair. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 12V553000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    An improperly cured projector coating will become hazy through operation, over time, reducing the brightness of the low-beam lamp. This may decrease driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp assembly. The recall began on December 18, 2012. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 13V227000

    Safety recall 13V227000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 13V232000

    Safety recall 13V232000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    This could result in impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S06. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 14V164000

    Safety recall 14V164000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 14V597000

    Safety recall 14V597000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 15V246000

    Safety recall 15V246000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 15V250000

    Steering

    Report date
    Component:
    Steering (STEERING)
    Consequence:
    If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering gear motor bolts as required. If one or more of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S14.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 16V875000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S42.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 17V209000

    Engine

    Report date
    Component:
    Engine (ENGINE)
    Consequence:
    If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Recall campaign 17V210000

    Safety recall 17V210000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Recall campaign 18V169000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Recall campaign 18V471000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  14. Recall campaign 18V592000

    Safety recall 18V592000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  15. Recall campaign 19V362000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S16. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. This recall is an expansion of 18V471.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  16. Recall campaign 19V632000

    Steering

    Report date
    Component:
    Steering (STEERING)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  17. Recall campaign 20V331000

    Safety recall 20V331000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    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. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  18. Recall campaign 22V413000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  19. Recall campaign 23V162000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  20. Recall campaign 26V376000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-14
Safety incident filters
Showing 5 of 1,951 complaints · page 1 of 79
2026-09-22Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11766038
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 physically injured, but we got out with almost no time to spare. The fire department responded and a report was filed. The car was equipped with the 1.6L GTDI EcoBoost engine and falls within the population of Safety Recall 17S09 / NHTSA 17V-209, which covers localized cylinder head overheating and cracking that can cause a pressurized oil leak and an engine compartment fire. At the time our car burned, the interim recall notice had gone out but no remedy parts were available; the actual recall repair did not begin until January 5, 2018. Ford later contacted us and offered a small settlement, conditioned on signing away any right to bring future claims. We declined.
2026-09-10Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11763318
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Car has element B direct clutch issue. This is recalled on other 2013 fusions but not on my specific car.
2026-09-02Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11761671
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 failed
2026-09-02Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11761586
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while stopped in a drive-thru, there was an abnormal hissing sound coming from the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and excessive force was needed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the "Check Engine" warning light was illuminated and the "Brake Level Low" message was displayed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); but was unable to secure an appointment with two local dealers for a timely repair. The contact requested authorization to have the vehicle repaired by an independent mechanic with reimbursement, but the manufacturer declined the request. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer denied a request for a loaner vehicle. The contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,318.
2026-08-24Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11759164
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 aware that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle after the contact and her son returned to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle had been recently serviced on June 8, 2026, and there was no mention of an issue with the braking system. The dealer was contacted and stated that the brake pads were extremely worn, and the brake lines needed to be replaced along with the brake master cylinder. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,385.

Ford Fusion Complaints and Recalls by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion?

Owners named Steering most often — 376 of 1,951 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion?

NHTSA lists 20 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Lights, Steering, Seat belts, Engine, Transmission / driveline, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2013 Ford Fusion?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-14. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources