2013 Ford Fusion Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 280 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion, 16% of all complaints filed for that year, with 11 crashes, 1 fire and 10 injuries reported. Multiple recalls address a shifter cable bushing that can let the transmission slip out of park.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 280
- 16% of 1,791
- Crashes reported
- 11
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 10
- Median mileage
- 97,535 mi
- Related recalls
- 5
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the shifter cable bushing degrading, letting the transmission read 'park' while the car is actually still able to roll.
- Several drivers say their parked Fusion rolled away on its own and struck another vehicle, a pole, or a tree after the shifter cable failed.
- Some owners describe the transmission shifting erratically or dropping into a lower gear unexpectedly while driving at moderate speed, causing a sudden RPM spike.
- One owner reported the transmission cable breaking mid-turn so the car moved forward instead of the selected reverse gear, resulting in a collision.
- A few owners state that after getting the recall notice, parts were unavailable or the dealer had not yet performed the repair when the failure occurred.
When 2013 Ford Fusion transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 14, 2012, latest Jul 9, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion
- 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 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.
- NHTSA 19V362000May 13, 2019Transmission & Powertrain259,182 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S16. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. This recall is an expansion of 18V471.
- NHTSA 18V471000Jul 16, 2018Transmission & Powertrain504,182 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
- NHTSA 18V169000Mar 12, 2018Transmission & Powertrain5,361 vehicles
Power train:manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. 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: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.
Transmission & Powertrain 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 transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Ford Fusion?
- NHTSA lists 280 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion, which is 16% of the 1,791 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2013 Ford Fusion?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaigns 18V169000, 18V471000, 19V362000, 22V413000, and 26V376000, all covering a shifter cable bushing that can degrade and allow the transmission to move out of park.
- Did the 2013 Ford Fusion transmission issue cause crashes?
- NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 11 crashes, 1 fire, and 10 injuries reported for the 2013 Fusion.
- At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fusion transmission problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this complaint area is 97,534.5 miles.