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

The engine malfunctioned and faulty rear seat belt, it is not available for inspection because it started a fire that destroyed by car. The remains of the car is at a savage yard. We were put at risk because we were driving/riding in the car at the time it starting burning. We were able to pull the car over and park it in a gas station parking lot before it became fully engulfed in flames. I am reaching out to Ford. Since it was not an accident involved, the fire department inspected the vehicle and determine the fire started in the engine. Insurance representative has determined it is a total loss. There were no warning lamps or messages from the car. However, what caused us to detect something was wrong was the thick smoke started filling the car's cabin at which time we immediately pulled over. When we stopped the car, actual flames came from under the hoods towards the windshield of the car and we proceed to exit the car. My granddaughter in the back seat was having a hard time releasing herself from her seat belt.

NHTSA ODI 11614780

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that one of the passengers was unable to properly engage their seat belt. The contact stated the seat belt remained locked and could not be removed from the base. The contact became aware of a failure with the hardware body of the seat belt after inspecting the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the middle seat belt section of the vehicle posed a safety hazard for his children. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact to call the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NSHTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 136,179.

NHTSA ODI 11590167

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat belt sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V597000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts). The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11539833

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started and the seat belt was connected, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt sensor needed to be replaced due to failure in detecting that the seat belt had been inserted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11534797

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started overheating with the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and waited until the vehicle cooled down. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the manufacturer would be notified. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the coolant sensor needed to be replaced due to DTC: P1299 that was retrieved. An independent mechanic replaced the coolant sensor, but the failure persisted. On another occasion, the contact stated that while attempting to remove the seat belt from her child, the seat belt would not release. The contact had to remove the bolts from the retractor to remove the seat belt. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11491560

When the car interior gets very hot, the driver's seat belt tensioner refuses to disengage, preventing the driver from fastening his seat belt. This has occurred several times, over several summers; this was not just a one-time occurrence.

NHTSA ODI 11478092

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

Rear seat seatbelt locks up when the seat is moved down and won’t retract and only gets tighter when it gets pushed back up. Tightens on passengers in back seat at times. Has been taken to a dealership. Contacted other people who own fusions of the same year and they have similar issues.

NHTSA ODI 11460320

THE DASH LIT UP NOTIFYING OF A PARKING BRAKE ERROR WHILE DRIVING. GOT HOME, PARKED CAR, TURNED CAR OFF. WENT INSIDE FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES. WHEN CAME BACK OUTSIDE, THERE WAS SMOKE ROLLING OUT OF THE WINDOW. PUT FIRE OUT. AFTER EXAMINING, THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED FROM SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IN THE CENTER COUNSEL ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IT CAUGHT THE SEAT ON FIRE, MELTED THE COUNSEL, AND THE ROOF. NO SMOKING OF ANY SORT HAS BEEN ALLOWED IN MY CAR SINCE I GOT IT. IT WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE FIRE STARTED, BUT IT WAS IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING DRIVEN.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11373410

REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT LOCKS EACH TIME THE UPPER SEAT PORTION IS LOWERED, REGARDLESS OF IT IT IS LATCHED OR NOT. CAR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ON OR MOVING FOR THIS TO OCCUR. TO REMEDY, THE BOTTOM SEAT HAS TO BE REMOVED, AND SEAT BELT UNBOLTED FROM CAR. I AM CONCERNED THE BELT COULD LOCK AROUND A PERSON IF SEATED THERE. THERE IS NO LEEWAY IN THE BELT TO PULL TO TRY AND RELEASE THE TENSION. HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES, BEGINNING IN DECEMBER 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11366348

SEAT BELT LOCKS WHEN FOLDING DOWN REAR SEAT BACK MAKING THE SEAT AND SEATBELT UNUSABLE. THIS OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY AND ALSO WHEN IN MOTION. AND, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11351983

DOOR LOCK KEEPS DOOR FROM CLOSING SHIFTER CABLE BROKEN AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON

NHTSA ODI 11350820

CAR HAD A COOLANT LEAK MOTOR STARTED TO RUN HOT, DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FROM A RECALL, GOT IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER WHERE I GOT THE CAR FROM, TOLD THEM BOUT THE DEFECT/RECALL AND WAS CHARGED $819. REAR SEAT BELT GETS STUCK WHEN FOLDING SEAT DOWN CAUSING IT NOT TO FOLD BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI 11349656

IISSUE 1) PUT THE BACK SEAT DOWN TO GET INTO TRUNK AND IT WONT GO BACK UP DUE TO THE SEAT BELTS ISSUE. BECAUSE I DONT REALLY USE THE BACK SEAT, I HAVENT BOTHERED TO GET IT FIXED AND PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY POCKET. 2) DRIVING OVER 55 MPH, CAR LOST POWER STEERING. I SEE OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME ISSUES WITH THESE 2 COMPONENTS OF THE 2013 FUSION, YET NO RECALL. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 11344188

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHGATE FORD (8910 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45251) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 11327234

I PUT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE REAR SEATS DOWN (THE 60 OF THE 60/40 REAR SEATS) AND THE SEAT WILL NOT COME BACK UP. THE MIDDLE SEATBELT IS LOCKED IN POSITION MAKING PUTTING THE SEAT UP IMPOSSIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A LEVEL SURFACE.

NHTSA ODI 11306890

THE STEERING WHEEL IS GETTING STUCK IT FEELSLIKE WHICH MADE ME RIN OFF ROAD I ALSO HAD TO CUT SEAT BELT ON BACK SEAT CAUSE IT WOULDNT RAISE UP. ALSO FUEL PUMP IS GOING OUT AND THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11301024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN PROPERLY. ALSO, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CITRUS MOTORS FORD (1375 S WOODRUFF WAY, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (855) 451-7126) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANICAL SAFETY FAILURES WERE INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11270482

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE POPPING SOUNDS AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. ALSO, THE OVERHEATING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND, WITHIN SECONDS, BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT CALLED A PLUS AUTO SALES AT 513-759-5470 (LOCATED AT 9253 CINCINNATI COLUMBUS RD, WEST CHESTER, OH 45069) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V875000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 17V209000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11270234

AFTER PUTTING DOWN THE REAR SEAT TO MAKE ROOM IN TRUNK FOR PACKAGE REAR SEAT COULD NOT BE RETURNED TO UPRIGHT POSITION BECAUSE THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR BECAME JAMMED AND SEAT COULD NOT BE LIFTED DEALERSHIP COST ABOUT 700.00 SEAT WAS ONLY MOVED TO THIS POSITION 3 X SINCE OWNING CAR AND DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED PROBLEM BEFORE HE GOT TO CAR TO LOOK AT IT SO THIS MUST HAVE HAPPENED TO OTHERS

NHTSA ODI 11267109

THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT LOCKS UP WHEN THE SEAT IS TILTED DOWN AND DRIVEN A COUPLE OF MILES. THIS DOESN'T LET THE REAR SEAT TO COME BACK UP. THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE IT IS TO COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLE THE SEAT AND THE SEAT BELT EVERY TIME. USERS UNBOLTING AND BOLTING THE SEAT BELT REPEATEDLY CAN EASILY LEAD TO UNINTENDED ERRORS IN REASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ODI 11255296

WHEN VEHICLE SITS IN THE SUN ALL DAY AT HIGH TEMP, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE TENSIONER LOCKS UP. AFTER SITTING SEVERAL MINUTES WITH A/C ON HIGH THE SEAT BELT WILL STILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR THE DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI 11252856

HAD MY OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION DONE ON 08/01/19 AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO GET NEW LUG NUTS AS THEY WERE SWOLLEN & MISSHAPEN. COST OF $200 TO CHANGE THEM. I THOUGHT THIS IS WI, WINTERS ARE HARSH SO OK. APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT NEW ACCORDING TO THIS WEBSITE. ALSO HAVE NO WORKING AIRBAGS AS A SENSOR FOR THE SEATBELT IS NOT WORKING. TO FIX THAT WILL BE $300+ BUT I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THIS AS THERE IS A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THAT ALSO!! WE ARE LOYAL FORD CUSTOMERS AND TO FIND OUT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS IS INFURIATING. WE ARE NOW LOOKING TO TRADE THIS FUSION IN (ONLY 75K MILES ON IT) BUT DO WE GO WITH ANOTHER FORD OR A DIFFERENT MAKE. TO HAVE TO EVEN ASK THIS QUESTION ASTOUNDS ME. FORD - FIX THE PROBLEMS!!!

NHTSA ODI 11241435

MY MID SEAT BELT ON BACK SEAT TIGHTEND UP, NOT ABLE TO RELEASE ON THE BUCKLE MY SON GOT CAUGHT I HAD TO CUT THE BELT HE WAS SUFFOCATING HIM, NEED TO REPLACE THE BELT COVINA FORD SAID IS ABOUT $400, TO REPLACED,

NHTSA ODI 11234182

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT EVERY TIME I OPEN THE BACK SEAT TO PUT DOWN THE SEAT BELT GETS JAM AND WONT RELEASE AND THEN I HAVE TO GET A TOOL TO UNSCREW THE ENTIRE BUCKLE WHERE THE SEAT BELT LATCHES INTO JUST TO RELEASE THE SEAT FROM BEING STUCK DOWN, NOT ONLY THAT WHEN I PUT THE SEAT BACK UP THE BELT JAMS UP AGAIN. ALSO THE CAR WAS PARKED

NHTSA ODI 11203293