2013 Ford Fusion Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 180 electrical system complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion, 10% of its 1,791 total complaints. These reports include 22 fires, 6 crashes, and 4 injuries, with a median failure mileage of 52,250. A headlamp assembly recall (12V553000) also applies to this model year.
- Electrical System complaints
- 180
- 10% of 1,791
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 22
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 52,250 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires starting while driving, sometimes preceded by smoke or an overheating warning before flames appeared under the hood.
- Multiple complaints describe a power steering fault warning appearing on the dash just before flames or smoke were seen coming from underneath the vehicle.
- Some owners report sudden loss of steering control, including the steering wheel seizing or becoming difficult to turn, leading to a crash in at least one case.
- A few reports describe the engine losing power or the throttle malfunctioning unexpectedly, including one case of unintended acceleration into a light pole.
- Several owners noted the vehicle caught fire minutes after a coolant overheating warning or a steering system failure warning had already appeared.
When 2013 Ford Fusion electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 2, 2013, latest Jul 11, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion
- NHTSA 12V553000Nov 30, 2012Electrical System19,158 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles, manufactured from February 3, 2012, through October 20, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles may not have had the low beam headlamp projector coating properly cured during its manufacturing process.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp assembly. The recall began on December 18, 2012. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Electrical System complaints by Fusion model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Ford Fusion?
- NHTSA lists 180 electrical system complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion, which is 10% of the 1,791 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to electrical problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
- Yes. Recall campaign 12V553000 covers the electrical system and involves replacement of the headlamp assembly on certain 2013 Fusion vehicles built between February 3, 2012 and October 20, 2012.
- Do the electrical complaints involve fires?
- Yes. Owner complaints in the electrical system category for the 2013 Fusion include 22 fires, along with 6 crashes and 4 injuries.
- At what mileage do electrical problems tend to appear on the 2013 Fusion?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2013 Ford Fusion is 52,250 miles.