What 1,774 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi

The Cooling System Failed as I was on 485 interstate in traffic and it almost caused a serious accident, as the speed limit was 70 in that area I was almost rear ended due to the car idling down suddenly with the OVER HEAT WARNING flashing. It is available for inspection upon request. I start the car sometimes and instantly OVER HEAT WARNING appears on dash. The problem has not been fixed by dealer, I've had multiple mechanics replace new parts an still resulting in same issue OVER HEATING, I must add the car isn't OVER Heating it's a false reading but I can not drive the car in a safe manner if it continues to do this while in traffic at high rates of speed, very very dangerous other drivers are not aware of the sudden change of speed when this issue happens. There were no PRE WARNINGS, issue started back in February 2023, it is now May 31, 2023. I'm still making payments on this vehicle monthly, I'm not able to enjoy the car in a safe manner because of this ongoing issue, I really could use some HELP with this issue as my safety and the safety of other drivers are the main focus here. Thank You, please be in touch.

NHTSA ODI 11524622

I’ve received a letter in March regarding this safety recalls and I not been contacted by the manufacturer for any remedy. I have not had this vehicle for a full six months. Now the break fluids leaks, there’s an issue with a gasket, and I cannot longer drive vehicle due to the smell of something burning. The recall states it’s an increasing risk of a crash. I have to search for transportation to and from work because I refuse to cause harm to myself or others. Safety Risk IF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, YOUR VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL TOGETHER WITH A REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF DECELERATION OVER TIME, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Ford should provide another vehicle as a loaner until this issue has been resolved.

NHTSA ODI 11522779

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected. The coolant temperature and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and an unknown hose was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the lights in the vehicle were illuminated; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact became aware that there was antifreeze on the ground underneath the vehicle. The coolant temperature and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,281.

NHTSA ODI 11518014

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to accelerate. The driver was able to pull over. The check engine warning light was flashing on and off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11505845

Not sure if related to recall - took vehicle in due service in December 2022 for service and recall. My Ford app indicates they did not take care of it. While driving from California to arizona on January 9, 2023 the engine lights came on: coolant hot, vehicle unsafe to drive, see manual. I couldn’t drive my vehicle. Broke down on the 10 interstate. Would not move. Would not go into reverse. It was towed to surprise Ford in surprise, arizona and I’m currently awaiting diagnostic testing. They said they will check if it’s related to recall. Towed from I-10 to home by AAA. Home to shop by sttae farm insurance. Thank you. The contact stated that after being inspected at the dealer, the damage to the vehicle was found to have no relation to the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11501400

2013 Ford Fusion with 99,799 miles on it; went out to go start it after work one day, unable to get into car or start car as battery was completely drained. Did not leave lights on etc. Had someone jump car; on way to repair shop, car shut down and would not restart; thankfully I was NOT on a highway. Since that time, it has had 2 new batteries placed in it, will run for about 5 minutes then shut off and you cannot restart it again; it has also been to 2 repair shops and is presently at the Ford dealership as my shop was not able to determine what was wrong. Cooling fan also noted to be running after car died yet still not able to restart. Read on Ford forums that this has happened to other Fusion owners of the same year.Up to this point, intermittently the battery saver message would come across the dash however I had that looked at and was cleared out. With the car just shutting down without any warning on a busy street in the city, this could have ended a lot worse: I could have been hit or even killed. No warning lights appeared on dash aside from powertrain light after it was jumped but after that, there was nothing. Car was essentially dead and I could not get it to restart. When it was running I could not get the car to go over 10mph in a 35mph zone

NHTSA ODI 11500779

Engine coolant is leaking into cylinder #3. Check engine light came on around 60,000 miles. This is a known problem by Ford and is most likely an engineering fault. It has been cited in TSB 19-2172, 19-2208, and 19-2346. I have an estimate of almost $8,000 through a local certified mechanic, who found the problem. However Ford required me to take it to get it verified by a Ford dealer, and they found the same problem and their estimate for repair i over $9,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498308

My 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium hesitates a lot while driving, and on several occasions the vehicle has flat out stalled in the middle of traffic. Something pops up on the dashboard saying “Run Power Active” and when I go to restart it, it’s takes a while for the car to turn back on. This has happened more than once a day some times.

NHTSA ODI 11496446

10 mins into driving the car the car had a loss of power and the instrument cluster flashed a see manual indicator and a wrench flashed on the screen within 1 min of pulling on to the shoulder of the road the entire engine compartment was in flames. I had the recall for the issue know to have caused this performed on the car but it doesn’t seem the issue was resolved. The car is now totaled due to an issue that has appeared to happen with multiple vehicles reported to the NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11496003

Transmission is the worst I have ever used in any vehicle. Constantly slips downshifting and upshifting also when breaking. Transmission is slow to shift and then has hard bang and jerks the car

NHTSA ODI 11494635

THE CARS DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEPT LIGHTING UP AND NOT LONG AFTER I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR CAUGHT ONFIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND BURNT DOWN COMPLETE LOSS

NHTSA ODI 11488892

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 60 MPH, she smelled an unknown burning odor as an unknown-colored smoke began to emit from underneath the vehicle without warning. Her daughter then pulled over and saw flames emitting from underneath the hood of the engine. While waiting for the authorities to arrive at the scene, a fellow motorist witnessed the failure and managed to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11488398

On 9/16/22 we were driving at about 30 mph on a narrow two lane road in Tewksbury, NH, when the engine suddenly and without warning failed to accelerate and began shaking violently, then quit. We managed to restart and when it again failed to accelerate managed to pull off road into a driveway. We called AAA and had car towed to Salem Ford in Salem, NH. See attached invoice for diagnosis. Incident occurred without warning. Car had been serviced in June 2022 with no problems found. Had we been unable to pull off road, the engine failure could have resulted in severe rear end collision as problem occurred in a blind curve. See attached invoice from Salem Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11485841

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, she was unable to accelerate when suddenly, the vehicle started to slow and then stalled. The contact then stated that there was a burning smell inside the vehicle then the engine misfired and overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the number two-cylinder pistons, head gasket and engine needed to be replaced. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Coolant). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 155,250.

NHTSA ODI 11482216

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Coolant). The contact stated while driving at unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated indicating that the engine was overheating. The contact stated that he checked under the hood of the vehicle but saw no indication of the engine overheating. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the engine and caused the cylinder head to crack. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with VIN regard Engine and Engine Cooling. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11480535

accidente automovilístico por que dejó de funcionar el vehículo y se tuvo que utilizar el freno de mano porque el vehículo dejó de responder ocasionando un accidente aparatoso que puso en peligro mi vida y el de las personas con las que me impacte car accident because the vehicle stopped working and the handbrake had to be used because the vehicle stopped responding, causing a spectacular accident that endangered my life and that of the people with whom I was impacted

NHTSA ODI 11476432

The engine coolant continually needs to be refilled, and has resulted in the car overheating multiple times. I have had the coolant system checked multiple times for leaks and they say that the pressure test doesn't show any leaking. I have had to pull over on the side of the highway twice since I've had the car to wait for it to cool down to put coolant in, which I now have to carry in the trunk because it happens so often. I don't know if the engine is just running hotter than it should and causing this but I would like to know if this has been a problem with other fusions because its become a big safety issue when I have to pull off the highway to fix the car. Also, I don't know if this has been a problem with other fords but the seatbelt constantly locks while trying to put it on whether the car is on or off.

NHTSA ODI 11473656

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under an unknown recall; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant leak causing damage to the engine. The dealer advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle until the engine was replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11473708

Well maintained vehicle prior to problem. Coolant leaked into the motor causing an internal leak and the cylinder head to warp. Also cracked radiator due to coolant leak. This happened 1000 miles after a lengthy tune up.

NHTSA ODI 11463257

Engine/Engine coolant . Keeps popping up message saying Engine coolant low checked the coolant level was slightly under level line topped off 2 days later same message pops up again so checked it and it was slightly low again topped off again and every few days this message pops up , now heavy white smoke is coming from the exhaust took it had it put on machine to diagnose problem it saying cylinder 3 so replaced spark plug and wire next day car starts sputtering again heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust was told it sounds like coolant maybe leaking internally I have read several hundred of this very same problem on 2013 Ford Fusion that have recalls why is my car not listed to have the same issues addressed?

NHTSA ODI 11455267

My vehicle has every problem that has been reported and recalled, however my vehicle isn't listed on the recall list. Could this be a mistake? Could my vehicle oddly have all the same engine coolant levels, advance trac, power steering, engine overheating issues, as the ones recalled but not actually been recalled?

NHTSA ODI 11453387

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the head gasket was blown. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 123,277.

NHTSA ODI 11450007

My 2013 Ford Fusion SE had the high pressure fuel pump start leaking and dripped fuel on the exhaust and started the car on fire while driving down the road. This caused about $7,000.00 in damage but could have easily gotten out of control and caused injury or death to occupant(s). I reached out to Ford Motor Company and did a chat log asking for assistance and to make them aware. Ford Motor Company Case number CAS-34734107-H6J0Z5. What is dangerous about this design is that Ford chose to design and install a secondary high pressure fuel pump directly above the exhaust manifold and the engineers surely would have known the durability and longevity along with possible outcomes due to normal use over time. For the same reason you are not to refuel a hot engine, a fuel pump should not be placed directly over the exhaust manifold. I believe Ford Motor Company should be held accountable for their finished product liability. This is dangerous enough that they should remove these vehicles from service until a safe solution is available and deployed in my opinion.

NHTSA ODI 11445359

The transmission keeps jerking and when waiting for a light to change car jerks. Also makes a noise that sounds like water boiling but it is something with the Moter.

NHTSA ODI 11443179

2013 Ford Fusion with 54K miles. The vehicle overheated and the coolant light indicated to add fluid. Fluid was added however, the coolant light keeps coming on to add more fluid. Coolant has been added about every 2 weeks but the level is just below the max fill line each time with plenty of fluid in the unit. The car was taken to Ken Grody Ford (KGF)in Buena Park, CA and the radiator was flushed, and inspection revealed there were no leaks or damages. Within a week the coolant light came back on and was returned to KGF for reinspection. At this time a pressure test was done and we were told the temp sensor and bypass hose needs repair. A Ford Mechanic, not at KF advised this may be related to 2 recalls on the car 17S09, which was supposed to have been addressed in 2019, and/or 12S41 which is an old recall we were never advised of and the repair was not done. Per KGF, 12S41 was never entered in their system for recall, however this was confirmed on NHTSA. Ford Customer Service said they will not repair if it is not in their system and will not review NHTSA to confirm our VIN was impacted. Most complaints on NHTSA regarding cooling have the same symptoms as our car. Both recalls are a safety hazard causing the engine to catch fire and endanger driver/passengers. I have no way of confirming the work was performed as we were previously advised and yet Ford will not take responsibility to ensure the current issue is not related to the recalls and perform the necessary repairs. I was told by a Supervisor, Jennifer, at Ford's Customer Care Line (800-392-3673) that NHTSA must tell Ford to add this to their (Ford's) system in order for it to be addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11438935