Home · 2013 Ford Fusion Hev · Complaints

What 1,948 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Fusion Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,948)Crash / fire / injury (173)Steering (417)Engine (395)Transmission & drivetrain (315)Electrical system (189)Body & structure (179)Fuel system (156)Seat belts (113)Airbags (112)Brakes (88)Latches & locks (88)

395 of 1,948 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 3 of 16

Aug 31, 2022Engine

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

Aug 22, 2022Engine

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

Jul 28, 2022BrakesEngineCrashFire

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

Jul 13, 2022Seat beltsEngine

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

Jul 13, 2022Engine

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

May 3, 2022Engine

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

Mar 4, 2022Engine

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

Feb 22, 2022SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

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

Feb 2, 2022Engine & coolingEngine

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

Dec 28, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

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

Dec 9, 2021WheelsEngine

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

Nov 1, 2021Engine

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

Sep 30, 2021Engine

2013 Ford Fusion 1.6 car system started to read low coolant level while driving parked. Checked level it was filled just fine. Cut car back on same thing then over temp. Code came up as well, turned car off checked under the hood fluids all over the front end. My car was fixed in 2019 for recall 17s09 for engine coolant problems that caused this before as well as 5 other recalls

NHTSA ODI 11434944

Aug 24, 2021Engine

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated since purchasing the vehicle, while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle but did not inform the contact of the diagnostic result. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, upon starting the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and the valve body, the computer system, and the transmission were replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and the check engine light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11430342

Aug 11, 2021EngineFire

The contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while he was parked on the side of the road, he noticed dark smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated as he turned off the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the emergency units. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the severity of the fire. The manufacturer stated that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11428643

Jul 26, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Defective Ford engine and engine cooling recalls have been issued for select models (i.e., recalls 12S41; 17S09;) for cars with 1.6 liter engines due to issues associated with low coolant levels in which a recall was issued in 2017 requiring Ford to install new coolant level sensors and the associated hardware and software in order to prevent engine overheating and catastrophic failure. While the recall was not issued for the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi Titanium Hybrid 2.0 liter engines, the problems identified with the 1.6 liter engines also characterize many of the 2.0 liter engines, including the one that I drive. My Ford has had 18 recalls, and during 2020 the engine light came on 4 different times between February and October of 2020 in which I brought the vehicle to Serramonte Ford service center to determine the reason. Ford did routine inspections and recall work in each visit, but it was not until the final time that the engine light came on that the tech looked inside the engine to discover leaking oil that Ford's service staff informed me I would require a new engine. Ford suggests replacing the defective engine with a rebuilt engine rather than breaking down and diagnosing the cause of the oil in the engine block, according to Ford due to the relatively cheaper cost to me (Ford did not make the diagnosis until after the car was out of warranty) of installing a rebuilt engine rather than tearing down the existing engine to diagnose and repair. I suspect that the 2.0 liter engine has the exact same issues as the 1.6 and should have been included in the 2017 recall, when I could have had the coolant level sensor installed while the car remained under the manufacturer's warranty. The car is at risk of a catastrophic fire now if I drive it off of the service center's lot, where it has been since November 2020. 12S41 and 17S09 recalls should be offered to the 2.0 liter engine models as well, before more people die.

NHTSA ODI 11426507

Jul 19, 2021Engine

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the power steering failed not allowing the contact to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425495

Jun 11, 2021EngineFire

The contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at 25 mph, there was an abnormal smoke odor inside of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called out and extinguished the fire. A police and fire report were filed. No medical attention was sought. The vehicle was towed to a police towing facility. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11420610

Jun 2, 2021EngineFire

16 year old driver left home and 4 miles into trip noted that the hot engine indicator had come one. She stopped immediately at the next road and opened the hood to see what the problem was and immediately noted smoke and flames under the hood. Car then proceeded to erupt into flames and burned resulting in a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11419300

Apr 15, 2021Engine

MY 2013 FORD FUSION CONTINUOUSLY HARD SHIFTS AND JERKS WHILE DRIVING. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED ALSO TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKS HAVE BEEN DONE AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. MY MILEAGE IS ONLY 80,900. THIS HAS CONTINUED NOW FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF.

NHTSA ODI 11408257

Mar 11, 2021Engine

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE OIL AFTER RECALL PERFORMED, [RECALL # 17V209000] HAD THE CAR IN FOR MANY SERVICE PROBLEMS RELATED TO MISFIRE ON CYLINDER ONE. HAD INJECTORS CLEANED, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, REPLACED THE COIL PACK, HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED AND PRESSURIZED FOR LEAKS, ONLY 42000 MILES,

NHTSA ODI 11400317

Mar 7, 2021Engine

LOOSING COOLANT, WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST, ENGINE OVERHEATING MESSAGE

NHTSA ODI 11399584

Mar 3, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

LEAVING GAS STATION. CAR JUST STOPS DRIVING WHILE IN THE DRIVING GEAR. SO I PULLED OVER SLOWLY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I HAD A WARNING TO 'SEE MANUAL' 'HILL ASSISTANT NOT AVAILABLE' 'STOP SAFELY NOW' AND IT WAS SHOWING TRACTION CONTROL ON. IT WILL NOT DRIVE. AND RUNS WEIRD NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11398839

Mar 2, 2021EngineFire

PURCHASED A 2013 FORD FUSION IN 2020 AND KEPT THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. DURING THE 4TH MONTH OF OWNING THE CAR I NOTICED THAT I WOULD FILL UP THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER I WOULD HAVE TO FILL IT UP AGAIN. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR FOR LEAKS AND THERE WEREN'T ANY LEAKS THAT I COULD FIND. I CHECKED FORUMS FOR ANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS AN INTERNAL ENGINE COOLANT LEAK FOR FORD FUSIONS WITH THE 1.6L ECOBOOST MODELS. THAT'S THE EXACT MODEL I HAVE. I CALLED FORD GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME. SO I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK OUT MY COOLANT LINES AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A HUGE LEAK IN MY COOLANT SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHERE. I HAD THE VEHICLE PRESSURE TESTED AND THE LEAK WAS INTERNAL. DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME THAT DAY AND ONCE I REACHED MY HOUSE SMOKE STARTED TO COME INSIDE THE CABIN. I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE VEHICLE AND POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY HOOD. CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THEY ARRIVED AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND BY THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DONE FOR. I COULD'VE LOST MY LIFE THAT DAY. I'M HAPPY THAT I DIDN'T. FORD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED CERTAIN 2013 AND 2014 FORD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 1.6L ENGINE FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGNS 12V551 AND 17V209. UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOW OUT OF $12,000 AND I NO LONGER HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11398764

Feb 4, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

AS SOON AS I STARTED IT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE COOLANT OVERHEATING WARNING CAME ON AND DE RATED THE VEHICLE. THEN I SHUT IT OFF. WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ODI 11394745

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Working with the data? Download all 1,948 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Ford Fusion Hev verdict →