2013 Ford Fusion Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Ford Fusion has a complaint index of 79, ranking 4th worst of 15 model years, and is rated Avoid. It carries 19 recalls, 1,791 complaints, and 91 reported fires, with engine and steering problems leading the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 79/100
- #4 of 15 Fusion years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,791
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 19
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 63
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 91
- Injuries
- 54
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 22.5 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 54 / 1
Top 2013 Ford Fusion problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine468 (26%)
- Steering389 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain280 (16%)
- Structure & Body264 (15%)
- Other192 (11%)
- Electrical System180 (10%)
- Fuel System141 (8%)
- Airbags101 (6%)
- Seat Belts100 (6%)
- Brakes91 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel and column reportedly popped and smoked, with some cases leading to fire inside the dashboard.
- Owners describe sudden loss of steering control during turns, in one case ending in a crash into a tree after a possible tire separation.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple low-to-moderate speed crashes, including rear-end and head-on avoidance incidents.
- A deployed airbag reportedly caught fire seconds after activating in a rear-end collision.
- Front suspension ball joints reportedly snapped during normal turns, causing the car to bottom out.
- Vehicles reportedly continued moving after being shifted into park, in one case injuring the driver as she tried to re-enter the car.
2013 Ford Fusion recalls
19 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V376000Jun 9, 2026Transmission & Powertrain5,252 vehicles
Power train:manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 23V162000Mar 10, 2023Brakes1,280,726 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: 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.
2013 Ford Fusion fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford Fusion reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2013 Fusion has a complaint index of 79, the 4th worst of 15 Fusion model years covered, with 1,791 complaints logged and a verdict of Avoid relative to other Fusion years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Fusion?
- Engine problems make up 26% of complaints (468 complaints, median mileage 88,000), followed by steering at 22% (389 complaints) and transmission/powertrain at 16% (280 complaints).
- Does the 2013 Ford Fusion have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists several transmission-related recalls for the 2013 Fusion covering shifter cable bushing degradation and clutch fracture repairs, part of 19 total recall campaigns for the year.
- How does the 2013 Fusion compare to other Fusion years?
- The 2013 Fusion's complaint index of 79 is lower than 2010 (100) and 2011 (93) but higher than 2012 (86), 2014 (57), and later years like 2018-2020, which are rated Best.
- Are there fire risks with the 2013 Ford Fusion?
- NHTSA complaint data lists 91 fire-related complaints for the 2013 Fusion, with the Engine and Electrical System areas showing the highest fire counts (81 and 22 respectively).