2013 Ford Fusion engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 17V209000Mar 27, 2017208,584 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.

  Risk: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

• Recall 12V551000Dec 3, 201280,057 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.

  Risk: If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle’s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle’s powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software. There will be no charge to owners for this service. Owners were recently notified to contact dealers to arrange for alternative transportation as Ford developed a remedy. Owners will be shortly receiving notifications to contact Ford dealers to schedule the free remedy repair. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 22, 2026GAFireEngine

   On October 16, 2017, we were driving this vehicle on the interstate when we noticed smoke in the rearview mirror. We pulled over right away, and within seconds of getting out, the car was engulfed in flames. It burned so fast that by the time firefighters arrived, about seven minutes later, there was nothing left of it. Neither of us was physically injured, but we got out with almost no time to spare. The fire department responded and a report was filed. The car was equipped…

   NHTSA complaint #11766038 · source
2. Filed Sep 2, 2026172,318 miFLBrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while stopped in a drive-thru, there was an abnormal hissing sound coming from the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and excessive force was needed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the "Check Engine" warning light was illuminated and the "Brake Level Low" message was…

   NHTSA complaint #11761586 · source
3. Filed Aug 24, 2026TXEngine

   While driving my Ford Fusion, I experienced a serious transmission-related loss of propulsion. Leading up to the failure, I noticed that the engine RPM would fluctuate considerably and the vehicle appeared to have difficulty maintaining engagement in a gear. On the day of the failure, I was traveling approximately 50 mph when the vehicle suddenly stopped responding normally to the accelerator. When I pressed the accelerator, the engine RPM increased significantly, but the…

   NHTSA complaint #11759150 · source
4. Filed Aug 19, 2026WAEngine

   Vehicle blew upper radiator hose due to blown head gasket. Vehicle has trouble starting and releases grey blue smoke via exhaust at all times. Has not been looked at by anyone other than an odot employee and myself. Hose was replaced but issues continue. Vehicle engine light came on after low coolant warning and overheating. Vehicle is available for inspection. Google states this is an extremely common occurrence with this particular year and model of vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11758036 · source
5. Filed Jul 31, 2026FLEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low coolant warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11753980 · source
6. Filed Jul 11, 2026WAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My 2013 Ford Fusion equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine started blowing thick white smoke (Burning Coolant) while I was driving on the freeway. Engine coolant was leaking and my card died right there, that had blown the head gasket. I received no warning, no message. This was an incredibly dangerous situation because I was on the freeway and was forced to stop immediately. Ford Motor Company has refused to include my vehicle’s VIN in the applicable recall programs despite…

   NHTSA complaint #11749772 · source
7. Filed Jul 9, 2026MIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle makes strange sounds from the fuel fill inlet and proceeds to stall shortly after while driving and most of the times fails to restart based on my own research it looks like purge valve issues My safety was put at risk by almost being rear ended multiple times from stalling on the expressway and red lights The problem has not been reproduced yet by the dealer it will be looked at on 07/15/26 The component has not been inspected yet The check engine light illuminated…

   NHTSA complaint #11749394 · source
8. Filed Jul 9, 2026MIEngine

   Engine lacks substantial power and has almost cause multiple collisions. Check engine light is on for a P0299 turbocharger underboost code Based off of my own research it looks like the part is the whole turbocharger assembly or the east gate solenoid I believe it’s a safety issue for merging onto expressways and not being fully up to speed and because of trying to turn onto busy highways The problem has been reproduced by the dealer but not fixed The components themselves…

   NHTSA complaint #11749393 · source
9. Filed May 29, 2026NJEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The vehicle goes into limp mode without warning no matter the speed. cylinder head temp sensor is not applicable on this 1.6 engine model. The coolant over temp light illuminates with or without the car running. coolant temperature sensor was replaced and indicates no faults to the obd. the coolant level and temperature is within spec.

   NHTSA complaint #11740876 · source
10. Filed Mar 9, 2026CAEngine

    The transmission shift cable bushing at the transmission end of the shifter cable has completely degraded and detached, which is a component available for inspection upon request. This failure caused a significant safety risk as the gear shifter inside the cabin moved freely while the transmission remained in its last gear, creating an immediate rollaway risk and preventing the vehicle from being shifted into Park. The safety of others was put at risk because the vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11722943 · source
11. Filed Mar 7, 2026MIFireBody & StructureElectrical SystemEngine

    I own a 2013 Ford Fusion SE with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine. Prior to the incident, the vehicle displayed a “Check Charging System” warning and the engine overheated. After parking the vehicle and shutting it off, a fire started under the hood in the engine compartment. The fire occurred shortly after the overheating warning and while the vehicle was not running. The fire appeared to originate in the engine bay area and caused significant damage. There were no prior accidents or…

    NHTSA complaint #11722738 · source
12. Filed Feb 28, 2026AZEngine

    My vehicle has this issue and is not in the recall notice. Due to the on going issue we parked the vehicle and have not drove it. The affected cars have an engine block heater that may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short-circuit when the block heater is plugged in, increasing the risk of fire. Customers with affected vehicle may notice coolant spots on the driveway or garage floor, a loss of cabin heat, overheating, smoking or a warning indicator for low…

    NHTSA complaint #11721133 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology