Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Ford Fusion Energi problems

Owners filed 1,774 complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is steering (389).

Complaints
1,774
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
61
Reported by owners
Fires
85
Reported by owners
Injuries
51
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering389
  2. Engine372
  3. Power train280
  4. Structure166
  5. Electrical system160
  6. Fuel/propulsion system123
  7. Seat belts102
  8. Air bags98
  9. Latches/locks/linkages85
  10. Engine and engine cooling69
  11. Service brakes54
  12. Vehicle speed control44
  13. Wheels32
  14. Exterior lighting29

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20123
201348
201483
2015109
2016158
2017235
2018302
2019274
2020155
2021100
2022102
2023100
202478
202527

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

389 reports9 crashes5 fires
“I believe my car was missed in the steering rack recall. There’s a decent amount of side to side play that just moves the steering wheel not the wheels. The car will be all over the road. Also when I’m accelerating with my foot on the gas the steering stiffness up & goes back to feeling like normal under load. As soon as there’s no driving load it loosens back up. Today it randomly almost felt like the steering got stuck for a second while going straight then quickly jerked itself to the right then went back to feeling loose. I’ve replaced controls arms, ball joints, tie rods.I do not want to crash because fords negligence on not including my car in the recall. I’m still making payments on the car and can not afford money out of pocket to fix fords mistakes. Please help! My car needs this recall! I have videos upon being needed, it will only let me upload pictures.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025SteeringODI 11677238

Engine

372 reports4 crashes73 fires
“In 2019, my car suddenly began to leak engine coolant. A low engine coolant signal alarmed, the car started to smoke, and then was un-usable. I took it to a Ford dealership, they ran some diagnostics, and determined that the issue was related to a known recall. They repaired the issue and for 5 years, things seemed ok. This April, the engine coolant warning came back on and the car shut down. I inspected the engine coolant revisor and it was extremely low and the check engine light came on. I took the car in to be inspected and it was noted that the hoses and gaskets were corroded. The hoses and gaskets were replaced and that seemed to resolve all of the alarms and check engine light, but weeks later, the low engine coolant light came back on. This week the same Ford dealership determined that there was an issue with the water pump and that it needed to be replaced. I wondered if anyone else with a Ford Fusion experienced water pump issues and there seem to be two class action lawsuits against Ford siting several vehicle models with faulty water pumps. I can submit my water pump replacement receipt when I receive it from the Ford dealership on Monday.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2025EngineODI 11676275

Power train

280 reports11 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in cold weather, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle only responded as needed after excessive pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that it was difficult shifting from first gear to second gear, and there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle jolted, shuddered, and jerked while accelerating, decelerating, and while shifting into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2025Power trainODI 11648930

Structure

166 reports4 crashes4 fires
“Two recalls for this make year and model car had been recalled previously but not for my VIN specifically and the issues are appearing. The first is “doors may open driving” recall on your website and the second is “engine cylinder head may leaks oil” which is also on ur website. Both were recalled for this make and year of the ford fusion but not for my VIN so ford is stating they cannot fix it and want to charge me even for a diagnostic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2024Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11631349

Electrical system

160 reports6 crashes21 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 174,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 202,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025Electrical systemODI 11666315

Fuel/propulsion system

123 reports5 fires
“I had coolant leaking in my 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6L causing a misfire in cylinder 3 from diagnostics code P0303. After going to a repair shop on 3 seperate occasions and paying to fix issues thought to remedy the issue, I had the Ford dealership in Hudson WI look at it while they took care of a recall. They quoted me $9,900 to replace the engine due to a cracked block. It was hard to get a response from the technician and they were really unprofessional towards me when I requested the part numbers. So much time has been spent on this not to mention that I have been without a vehicle for 1.5 years because my inability to cover additional repairs or the cost of a new car. I also lost my job due to my transportation issues, and paid over $19,000 for this vehicle. I wish Ford would issue a recall because this is a very common issue for this make and model. 2013 Ford Fusion SE L4 1.6L (102K miles)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11654835
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.