YearToAvoid

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#3 most-complained of 11 Fusion Hybrid years

NHTSA lists 126 complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, with a Complaint Index of 80 and rank 3rd worst out of 11 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 24% of complaints, with one recall on file.

Complaints
126
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 4
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
41
43 city / 39 hwy

Top 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain30 (24%)
  2. Electrical System24 (19%)
  3. Steering19 (15%)
  4. Engine17 (13%)
  5. Structure & Body17 (13%)
  6. Brakes16 (13%)
  7. Seat Belts11 (9%)
  8. Airbags10 (8%)
  9. Other10 (8%)
  10. Fuel System9 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report smoke and burning smells coming from underneath the car or through interior panels while driving on the highway, sometimes leading to engine warning lights and pulling over.
  • Some describe brake pedal feel dropping out for a few seconds before the car finally stops, creating a loss-of-control sensation.
  • Several report engine compartment fires, including one case where flames came out from under the hood after smoke appeared.
  • Steering has been reported to feel wobbly followed by an in-dash warning telling the driver to stop safely due to steering loss.
  • Complete electrical shutdowns have been reported while driving, including loss of motor drive at an intersection with all electrical systems going dark.
  • Low beam headlights are described as dim and offering short-distance illumination even after a related recall was performed.
2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per quarter122013 Q12014 Q22015 Q32016 Q42018 Q12019 Q22022 Q32024 Q4
171 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2018 Q2 (12).

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V592000Sep 10, 2018Other49,197 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

    Risk: 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.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
43 MPG
Highway
39 MPG
Combined
41 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other Fusion Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid90132038
2012Caution5096038
2013Avoid80126141
2014Good3065141
2015Best2046241

All Ford Fusion Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid reliable?
Relative to other Fusion Hybrid model years, the 2013 ranks 3rd worst out of 11 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 24% of the 126 total complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 19% and Steering at 15%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2013 Fusion Hybrid, covering the 120V convenience charge cord supplied with certain 2013-2015 Fusion Energi and related vehicles; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
Are there fire risks with the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
NHTSA complaint data shows 4 fire-related complaints for the 2013 Fusion Hybrid, several tied to the Electrical System, with smoke reported coming from underneath the car or through interior panels.
What year Ford Fusion Hybrid should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, 2010 has the highest Complaint Index at 100, followed by 2011 at 90 and 2013 at 80, all ranked Avoid, while 2015 and 2016 rank Best with much lower indexes of 20 and 10.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.