2013 Ford Fusion: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Ford Fusion: 19 recalls, 1791 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
19 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V553000 · 2012 · 19,158 vehicles
What's wrong: " the affected vehicles May not have had the low beam headlamp projector coating properly cured during its manufacturing process.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp assembly. The recall began on December 18, 2012.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #12V551000 · 2012 · 80,057 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicleâs hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicleâs 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…
Steering Vehicle recall #13V232000 · 2013 · 20 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This could result in impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #13V227000 · 2013 · 390,783 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module May develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source May result in a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013.
Seats Vehicle recall #14V164000 · 2014 · 43,135 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: The back of the subject seats May become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014.
Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #14V597000 · 2014 · 746,842 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #15V246000 · 2015 · 456,440 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #15V250000 · 2015 · 487,301 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants May corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #16V875000 · 2016 · 603,392 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #17V209000 · 2017 · 208,584 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil May contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #17V210000 · 2017 · 191,432 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #18V169000 · 2018 · 5,361 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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. Owners of fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3,…
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #18V471000 · 2018 · 504,182 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #19V362000 · 2019 · 259,182 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019.
Steering Vehicle recall #19V632000 · 2019 · 116,160 vehicles
What's wrong: Road salt or other contaminants May corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #20V331000 · 2020 · 2,147,323 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The 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. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to…
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #22V413000 · 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles
What's wrong: The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission May degrade or detach.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #23V162000 · 2023 · 1,280,726 vehicles
What's wrong: The front brake hoses May rupture and leak brake fluid.
Why it matters: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V376000 · 2026 · 5,252 vehicles
What's wrong: The clutch May fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 91 mention a fire, 54 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (389): the most common themes are steering problems (372), warning light on (106).
- Engine (385): the most common themes are warning light on (125), overheating (112), stalls / loses power (110).
- Transmission & drivetrain (280): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (173), warning light on (62), stalls / loses power (46).
- Other / unknown (184): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (20).
The 2013 Ford Fusion has 1791 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 15 Fusion model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 1494). Complaints peaked in 2018 (294 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 76,114 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (2516 complaints, 5 recalls), 2014 (1330 complaints, 19 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 35 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 35 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Ford Fusion.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Ford Fusion have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 19 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Ford Fusion problems?
Owners have filed 1791 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (389), engine (385), transmission & drivetrain (280).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Fusion get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 6-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Ford Fusion repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.