2013 FORD FUSION — Owner-Reported Problems
Verdict & Safety Summary
- Crashes 65
- Fires 94
- Injuries 55
- Deaths 2
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Component Problem Distribution
Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 375 | 19.3% | 7 crashes · 3 fires |
| ENGINE | 329 | 16.9% | 2 crashes · 62 fires |
| POWER TRAIN | 244 | 12.5% | 10 crashes · 0 fires |
| STRUCTURE | 143 | 7.4% | 1 crashes · 2 fires |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 111 | 5.7% | 0 crashes · 4 fires |
| SEAT BELTS | 83 | 4.3% | 3 crashes · 4 fires |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 79 | 4.1% | 2 crashes · 3 fires |
| AIR BAGS | 54 | 2.8% | 16 crashes · 2 fires |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 52 | 2.7% | 6 crashes · 1 fires |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 537 | 27.6% | 18 crashes · 14 fires |
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Problem & Recall Timeline
Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time
- 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 | 7 | |
| 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 |
Safety Recalls (20)
Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 12V551000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicles 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 vehicles 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 12V553000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 14V164000
- Report date
- Component:
- SEATS
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 15V246000
- Report date
- Component:
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 15V250000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 16V875000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 17V209000
- Report date
- Component:
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 17V210000
- Report date
- Component:
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 18V169000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 18V471000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 18V592000
- Report date
- Component:
- EQUIPMENT
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 19V362000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 19V632000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 20V331000
- Report date
- Component:
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 22V413000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 23V162000
- Report date
- Component:
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- 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.
-
Manufacturer action
Recall campaign 26V376000
- Report date
- Component:
- 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.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Complaint Narrative Explorer
Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
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
Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.