Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Ford Fusion problems

Owners filed 1,957 complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (418).

Complaints
1,957
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
65
Reported by owners
Fires
95
Reported by owners
Injuries
55
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering418
  2. Engine400
  3. Power train316
  4. Electrical system189
  5. Structure179
  6. Fuel/propulsion system133
  7. Seat belts113
  8. Air bags112
  9. Latches/locks/linkages88
  10. Engine and engine cooling72
  11. Service brakes69
  12. Vehicle speed control52
  13. Wheels36
  14. Exterior lighting35

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 4, 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
201358
201493
2015124
2016178
2017254
2018323
2019286
2020157
2021102
2022108
2023101
202482
202546
202642

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

418 reports9 crashes5 fires3 related recalls
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026SteeringODI 11761671

Engine

400 reports4 crashes79 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The failure had occurred over twenty-five times. The vehicle was able to be restarted three times, and on other occasions, the vehicle was towed by AAA to the residence. AAA informed the contact that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact had Walmart replace the battery and perform an oil change, during which an engine oil leak was found. An independent mobile mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist, who replaced the transmission, clutch filter seal, and piston, and performed a suspension alignment. The failure persisted. Another mobile mechanic replaced the alternator and performed electrical repairs. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined, and the contact was refunded the diagnostic test fee. The contact associated the failure with an unknown DTC and an unknown recall for a 2016 Ford Fusion.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11769946

Power train

316 reports11 crashes1 fire5 related recalls
“Vehicle makes strange sounds from the fuel fill inlet and proceeds to stall shortly after while driving and most of the times fails to restart based on my own research it looks like purge valve issues My safety was put at risk by almost being rear ended multiple times from stalling on the expressway and red lights The problem has not been reproduced yet by the dealer it will be looked at on 07/15/26 The component has not been inspected yet The check engine light illuminated when the issue started”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11749394

Electrical system

189 reports6 crashes25 fires
“My 2013 Ford Fusion equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine started blowing thick white smoke (Burning Coolant) while I was driving on the freeway. Engine coolant was leaking and my card died right there, that had blown the head gasket. I received no warning, no message. This was an incredibly dangerous situation because I was on the freeway and was forced to stop immediately. Ford Motor Company has refused to include my vehicle’s VIN in the applicable recall programs despite my vehicle experiencing the same issues described in NHTSA recalls 12V551000 (Ford Campaign 12S41) and 17V209 (Ford Campaign 17S09) The recalls identify issues involving coolant loss, overheating, insufficient warning of coolant loss, potential engine damage, cylinder head damage, and the risk of engine compartment fire. My vehicle exhibited these same symptoms and consequences which can be confirmed by the autobody shop where it was evaluated. The purpose of these recalls was to address a known safety concern involving the 1.6L EcoBoost engine cooling system. Despite this, when I contacted Ford and requested assistance and asked that my VIN be added to the recall population, Ford denied my…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11749772

Structure

179 reports4 crashes5 fires
“I own a 2013 Ford Fusion SE with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine. Prior to the incident, the vehicle displayed a “Check Charging System” warning and the engine overheated. After parking the vehicle and shutting it off, a fire started under the hood in the engine compartment. The fire occurred shortly after the overheating warning and while the vehicle was not running. The fire appeared to originate in the engine bay area and caused significant damage. There were no prior accidents or modifications to the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2026Electrical system, Structure, EngineFire reportedODI 11722738

Fuel/propulsion system

133 reports6 fires
“1. After vehicle is given gas it won’t crank. 2. Tire sensors won’t turn off. Even with brand new tires and mounts. 3. Random electrical malfunctions. (Flickering dash lights, delayed engine start after turning the key, light bouncing back and forth between gears, etc.)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2025Electrical system, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11682758
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

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